Football Planet

Knee surgery ends Van Nistelrooy's season

2008-11-14T12:19:00.001+07:00

Ruud van Nistelrooy's season is over after it was announced the Real Madrid CF striker is to undergo an operation on a right knee injury.

Knee complications

The 32-year-old travelled to the United States earlier in the week and underwent exploratory surgery under the guise of Dr Richard Steadman, who previously operated on the former Dutch international in 2000 prior to his move to Manchester United FC from PSV Eindhoven. Along with damaged cartilage, a cyst on the players' cruciate ligament was discovered, leaving club doctors in no doubt that the player required an operation.

Injury list

Despite being troubled by the problem all season, Van Nistelrooy made six Liga appearances for Madrid, scoring four times as well as firing in another three goals in four UEFA Champions League games. His recovery period is likely to be between six and nine months. The Spanish champions already have Arjen Robben and Mahamadou Diarra in the treatment room due to calf and thigh problems, while Rubén de la Red is still recovering after fainting on the pitch on 30 October. A win at FC BATE Borisov on 25 November could ensure Madrid's progress from UEFA Champions League Group H.

Giggs' fires still burn

2008-11-14T12:15:00.003+07:00

Ryan Giggs may be in the midst of his 15th UEFA Champions League campaign, but the hunger has not diminished. And six months on from his second final victory with Manchester United FC, the midfielder declared: "The goal is now to get to Rome – we want that feeling we had in Moscow."

Records

The 34-year-old former Welsh international was the only person to play in both of United's UEFA Champions League final triumphs of 1999 and 2008. In the latter of those appearances, the penalty shoot-out success against Chelsea FC in May, he came off the bench to surpass Sir Bobby Charlton's long-standing club record of 758 United appearances, having been on their books since his 14th birthday.

Savouring victory

Little more than a week before the Moscow final, Giggs became the first player to win ten English league winners' medals, and he admits those ten days surpassed even the drama of the 1999 treble, which culminated in an epic 2-1 comeback win against FC Bayern München in Barcelona. "I'd done it before but I was 25, and probably didn't fully appreciate what we achieved," Giggs said. "At 34, you can just sit back and enjoy it a lot more, knowing there are not many of those nights to come."

History

Now he has a new goal of helping United achieve what no other club has proved able to by successfully defending the UEFA Champions League title. "History proves that it is fairly difficult but that's the challenge that you've got," Giggs said. "You look for challenges each season and no team has retained the Champions League; that's our challenge. We have the players to do it, the belief to do it; now we have to go out and do it."

New challenge

A point at Villarreal CF on 25 November, four days before Giggs turns 35, would take United through to the knockout phase, but the goalless home draw against the Spanish side on Matchday 1 was proof that their path will not be straightforward. "We knew it would be tough because every team is out to beat the holders," Giggs said. "You've got to remember what it took to win the Champions League. It wasn't easy; [it was] tough right from the start. We need to use the experience we had last year, keep the desire and the hunger, and we've proved we've got the talent. With all those things we have a great chance."

Thinking back

Even after all this success, though, Giggs still thinks back to two decades ago when he took his first steps at United. "As a Man United fan I used to go and watch them play," he said. "And obviously I signed for them when I was 14 and played youth football. I'm 34 now and haven't played for another team; just played for one club for my career. It wasn't until I was leaving school, when I knew that I would be going on to an apprenticeship at United, that I knew this was going to be my career. Before that you don't take anything for granted, really; you know there are not many people that make professional footballers."

Shooting from the lip

2008-11-14T12:11:00.003+07:00

As talented as he was controversial, former FC Bayern München midfielder Steffen Effenberg has never been short of an opinion. Indeed, few on the receiving end of a tongue-lashing from 'Effe' during his playing days will be surprised to see him thriving as a pundit for German subscription channel Premiere.

Backon top

Captain and goalscorer for the Bavarian outfit when they last tasted UEFA Champions League glory in 2001, who better to give his verdict on Bayern's bid for this year's European crown? "Their goal this season is to show the rest of Europe that we are back [in the UEFA Champions League] and here to stay," the former VfL Borussia Mönchengladbach, ACF Fiorentina and VfL Wolfsburg playmaker told uefa.com. "Looking at their group rivals, Bayern ought to qualify in first place. That said, I don't think they'll make it to the semi-finals or final – the top English, Italian and Spanish sides are stronger."

Long-awaited triumph

That was not the case back in 2001 when Bayern's penalty shoot-out triumph over Valencia CF in Milan banished the spectre of the last-gasp defeat by Manchester United FC two years before. "It was one of those things you never forget, and I think all the players and everybody at the club feels the same," said the 40-year-old. "The club had waited 25 years for that success." Effenberg also won three Bundesliga championships with Bayern, and refuses to write off the current titleholders after a somewhat shaky start under new coach Jürgen Klinsmann. "When I was at the club we always used to start the season strongly, so it's normal there's been some disquiet. He'll need a bit of time, but Klinsmann has many players in his squad who are the finished article so they should come good.

Klinsmann situation

"You can't compare it to the national-team job though. At club level you play every three or four days, you must react to situations and face up to the media, something that is very new to him [Klinsmann]," continued Effenberg, who was capped 35 times by Germany. "It's important that Klinsmann has said he'll take the criticism on board and use it to drive him on. He also has the likes of Franz Beckenbauer, Uli Hoeness and Karl-Heinz Rummenigge who he can ask for advice. I think he'll get the Bayern ship running full steam ahead again."

Ribéry reliance

In fact, Effenberg's old club are back within a point of joint leaders Bayer 04 Leverkusen and TSG 1899 Hoffenheim after a 2-1 victory at FC Schalke 04 on 9 November, their fifth successive league win. Pulling the strings for the champions was winger Franck Ribéry, whose fourth goal in four Bundesliga games sealed the points. Did Ribéry's three-month injury absence expose an over-dependence on the French maestro? "It can be a bit dangerous to rely on just one player, the responsibility ought to be shared out more. I expected more from the other established players such as [Luca] Toni, [Miroslav] Klose, [Martín] Demichelis, Lucio or [Mark] van Bommel."

Open to offers

Clearly as forthright as ever, has 'Effe' considered following ex-international team-mate Klinsmann into coaching? "Well, I really like my role at Premiere. It's a lot of fun and I get to see the game from another perspective, such as the preparations for a Champions League match and the work behind the scenes," he continued. "That said, if a really lucrative [coaching] opportunity came up I'd definitely consider it. I've already had one inquiry from a foreign club, but I wasn't 100 per cent convinced." Whatever the future holds, one thing is certain: Effenberg will approach every new challenge with the same fierce determination he showed as a player.

Injury curse strikes Santos again

2008-11-14T11:57:00.001+07:00

Olympique Lyonnais midfielder Fábio Santos will miss his club's UEFA Champions League game at ACF Fiorentina on 25 November after spraining his right ankle, an injury that will sideline him for two weeks.

Injury-plagued season

Santos, 28, limped out of Lyon's French League Cup home defeat by FC Metz on Tuesday night after 41 minutes. The Brazilian underwent a scan on Thursday which highlighted the problem and has been told to rest for a fortnight by the club's medical team. It is the latest in a succession of injuries for Santos who fractured his cheekbone in July and then picked up a calf strain. He was making his first start of the season against Metz and only his second appearance since his return from a loan spell earlier this year with São Paulo FC.

Second operation keeps Rosický sidelined

2008-11-13T10:15:00.001+07:00

Tomáš Rosický's injury troubles at Arsenal FC go on after the midfielder had more surgery on the left knee injury which has kept him out since January.

Rehabilitation programme

Rosický, sidelined since limping out of an FA Cup tie on 26 January, had a follow-up operation in Germany on Monday, which Arsenal described as "routine revision surgery". His tendon injury was first operated on in May. The north London club said: "Tomáš Rosický underwent routine revision surgery ... The operation went as planned and Tomáš will spend at least a few weeks convalescing in Germany. Thereafter he will follow a tailored rehabilitation programme devised by our medical team."

Wenger hope

Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger said last month he hoped Rosický, 28, would be back before the new year. Rosický has made 44 Premier League appearances since joining the Gunners from BV Borussia Dortmund in summer 2006. The injury also caused the Czech Republic captain and playmaker to miss UEFA EURO 2008™.

Frontrunners in sight of finishing line

2008-11-13T10:11:00.002+07:00

FC Barcelona, Sporting Clube de Portugal and Juventus are already there, but the goal for several clubs on Matchday 5 is to reach the UEFA Champions League first knockout round with a game to spare.

Group A:

A win for Chelsea FC at third-placed FC Girondins de Bordeaux will take last season's runners-up through, regardless of the result between AS Roma in second position and bottom club CFR 1907 Cluj. The group leaders go into Matchday 5 with a one-point advantage over both Roma and Bordeaux.

Group B:

The top two teams in the section can qualify on 26 November with a game to spare. Leaders FC Internazionale Milano will advance with either a victory or a draw at home to Panathinaikos FC. The Nerazzurri could even afford to lose in the event of a draw between Anorthosis Famagusta FC and Werder Bremen, as such a combination of results would suffice too. Cypriot surprise package Anorthosis will achieve a first knockout round spot if they win and Inter do likewise.

Group C:

The main business is complete: Barcelona and Sporting rubber-stamped their last-16 tickets on Matchday 4 when the Spanish side drew with FC Basel 1893 and the Portuguese team beat FC Shakhtar Donetsk.

Group D:

Pacesetters Club Atlético de Madrid and Liverpool FC will extend their UEFA Champions League campaigns into the new year by winning at home to PSV Eindhoven and Olympique de Marseille respectively. Atlético can also book up for the knockout stages if they draw and Liverpool avoid defeat. A point would also be enough for Liverpool – who like Atlético have eight points – provided PSV do not prevail in Madrid.

Group E:

With Manchester United FC and Villarreal CF sitting pretty with a six-point cushion over Celtic FC and Aalborg BK, both are likely to qualify on 25 November. The two clubs can be denied by only one combination of results apiece: a Villarreal victory against United, allied to a home win between AaB and Celtic, will keep the holders waiting; a United triumph in Spain, juxtaposed with a success for Celtic, will frustrate Villarreal.

Group F:

Olympique Lyonnais enter Matchday 5 knowing exactly what they must do to proceed beyond the group stage: avoid defeat at ACF Fiorentina. FC Bayern München may trail Lyon on goals scored in the pool, yet they find themselves in an even more luxurious position – only the twin occurrence of Bayern losing at home to rock-bottom FC Steaua Bucureşti and Fiorentina beating Lyon will stop the German team celebrating.

Group G:

Arsenal FC hold a two-point advantage over FC Porto and will attain qualification with victory at home to FC Dynamo Kyiv. Porto will cross the white line by overcoming stragglers Fenerbahçe SK in Turkey, unless that maximum haul coincides with a Dynamo win at Arsenal.

Group H:

By gaining back-to-back victories against Real Madrid CF, Juventus made sure they were first through the door on Matchday 4. The Spanish outfit will travel in their slipstream if they can outdo FC BATE Borisov in Belarus, with the proviso that third-placed FC Zenit St. Petersburg fail to beat visiting Juventus.

Napoli, Sampdoria and Udinese prevail

2008-11-13T10:07:00.002+07:00

SSC Napoli, UC Sampdoria and Udinese Calcio all reached the Coppa Italia quarter-finals tonight.

Napoli win

Napoli overcame Salernitana Sport 3-1 having scored twice in the first half through a Maurizio Peccarisi own goal and an Ignacio Pià effort. Former Napoli forward Arturo Di Napoli scored for the Salernitana early in the second half with a free-kick deflected in by Walter Gargano but Marek Hamšík clinched victory from the penalty spot.

Udinese relief

Sampdoria defeated Serie B side Empoli FC 2-1 with first-half goals by Emiliano Bonazzoli and Bruno Fornaroli despite playing with ten men from the 37th minute as midfielder Daniele Dessena was dismissed. Udinese finished their game against Reggina Calcio with nine men after goalkeeper Emanuele Berardi was sent off in the 88th minute and Fabio Quagliarella followed him late in extra time but still prevailed 8-7 on penalties. Reggina's Emil Hallfredsson had missed from the spot after Berardi's dismissal in the 0-0 draw. The remaining last 16 ties are played in December and January.

Spurs stride on as Chelsea are stunned

2008-11-13T10:03:00.002+07:00

English League Cup holders Tottenham Hotspur FC continued their superb run under new manager Harry Redknapp to beat Liverpool FC 4-2 and reach the quarter-finals but the team they defeated in last season's final, Chelsea FC, were knocked out at home on penalties by Burnley FC.

Three-goal burst

Tottenham had won four games and drawn one since Redknapp took over last month and added another victory tonight eleven days after a 2-1 Premier League home defeat of Liverpool. The key was a three-goal burst in six minutes late in the first half with Roman Pavlyuchenko's strike followed by two from Frazier Campbell. Damien Plessis headed Liverpool back into the game just after the break only for Pavlyuchenko to swiftly score again. Sami Hyypiä made reduced arrears but although Spurs goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes was injured his team held on.

Luyindula keeps PSG going in League Cup

2008-11-13T10:00:00.001+07:00

Paris Saint-Germain FC's defence of the French League Cup goes on as they defeated AS Nancy-Lorraine 2-0 to complete the quarter-final lineup along with Le Havre AC.

Luyindula double

Péguy Luyindula opened the scoring for PSG against their fellow UEFA Cup contenders on 31 minutes and struck again shortly afterwards to set up a 13 January meeting with Ligue 2 RC Lens, who the capital club beat in last season's final. Le Havre needed an added-time Jean-Michel Lesage penalty to defeat Stade Rennais FC 2-1 after Moussa Sow had cancelled out El Fardou Nabouhane's opener. Le Havre play OGC Nice in the last eight, while FC Girondins de Bordeaux face LB Châteauroux and there is an all-Ligue 2 meeting between FC Metz and Vannes OC. The competition winners enter the UEFA Europa League.

Last-gasp Real Unión strike humbles Madrid

2008-11-13T09:56:00.002+07:00

Real Madrid CF's hopes of winning their first Copa del Rey since 1993 are over after an extraordinary away-goals last-32 defeat by third-tier side Real Unión Club.

First-leg win

The Irun club, who won the Copa del Rey three times between 1918 and 1927 but now play at the same level as Madrid's reserve side, won the first leg 3-2 though seemed to have had a tough task defending that lead at the Santiago Bernabéu. However they increased that advantage early on through Paul Abasolo. Raúl González replied six minutes before half-time only for Asier Salcedo to score not long after the break.

Dramatic end

Raúl swiftly responded and Alberto Bueno levelled the tie midway through the second half. It seemed Real Unión were out when Raúl completed his hat-trick with five minutes left but as the game neared added time Eneko Romo gave the visitors the lead on away goals and a last 16 berth. The remaining ties are played over the next two nights.

Valencia ready to join group stage fray

2008-11-06T13:56:00.002+07:00

Eight teams will make their bow in the group stage of this season's UEFA Cup after sitting out Matchday 1 including Valencia CF, who are one of eight former winners of the competition in action on Thursday evening.

Spain pain

Unai Emery's charges begin their Group G campaign at Mestalla against FC København, who have never defeated a Spanish team in Europe. Ståle Solbakken's side can take hope from the weekend, though, when Valencia were beaten at home for the first time in La Liga by Real Racing Club although the Danish side are already playing catch-up after a 3-1 defeat by AS Saint-Etienne on Matchday 1. The other game in the section sees the French side host Rosenborg BK.

McClaren returns

Former England manager Steve McClaren will be on familiar turf when his FC Twente side are the first group stage opponents for Premier League outfit Manchester City FC in Group A, while the second game is an intriguing contest between a Racing side beaten in the Netherlands in their first outing and leaders FC Schalke 04. FC Metalist Kharkiv begin their Group B quest at home to Hertha BSC Berlin while a former European champion hosts a UEFA Cup winner of yesteryear when SL Benfica welcome Galatasaray AŞ.

Sevilla starter

R. Standard de Liège may be relieved to face opposition from outside England having been knocked out of the UEFA Champions League by Liverpool FC before overcoming Everton FC to reach the group stage, but their task will be no more comfortable as they host two-time winners Sevilla FC in Group C. Two sides who were beaten on Matchday 1, VfB Stuttgart and FK Partizan, contest the other match. KKS Lech Poznań also appear for the first time, against AS Nancy-Lorraine, while Feyenoord face PFC CSKA Moskva in Group H.

Familiar faces

FC Spartak Moskva coach Michael Laudrup spent six of his playing years in Serie A so will take on a familiar opponent when Udinese Calcio visit Russia for their Group D opener, while Tottenham Hotspur FC's Luka Modrić will be no stranger to former club NK Dinamo Zagreb when the Croatian champions arrive at White Hart Lane. VfL Wolfsburg kick off their maiden group-stage odyssey against SC Heerenveen while Group E Matchday 1 winners AC Milan and SC Braga meet at San Siro. SK Slavia Praha complete the list of late starters and will receive a visit from Aston Villa FC in Group F, with AFC Ajax and MŠK Žilina are both hoping to open their accounts in the group's other meeting.

Inzaghi commits to Milan until 2010

2008-11-06T13:54:00.001+07:00

Former Italian international striker Filippo Inzaghi has extended his contract with AC Milan, with the 35-year-old committing to the Rossoneri cause until 2010.

European victories

Inzaghi, who claimed 57 caps and 25 goals for Italy, has signed a one-year extension with the club he joined from Juventus in 2001. He helped the San Siro outfit win the UEFA Champions League in both 2003 and 2007, scoring both his team's goals in the latter final against Liverpool FC in Athens. Last month he reclaimed the outright title of all-time leading scorer in continental club competition, registering Milan's third goal – his 64th in Europe – in their 3-1 UEFA Cup success at SC Heerenveen. The Rossoneri, top of Serie A, host SC Braga in their second Group E game on Thursday.

Del Piero double takes Juve through

2008-11-06T13:49:00.003+07:00

A superb goal in each half from captain Alessandro Del Piero gave Juventus a victory at Real Madrid CF which secured their place in the UEFA Champions League first knockout round with two matches to spare.

Long-awaited success

Juventus had not won on this ground in six visits, since a 1-0 triumph in February 1962, yet with Madrid having failed to keep a clean sheet in their preceding nine games, chances were always likely to be forthcoming. So it proved as Del Piero took advantage of hesitant defending to curl in the opener early in the first half, before he ended the home team's challenge with a trademark free-kick midway through the second. A late shot centimetres past the post almost completed a memorable hat-trick for the No10, four days before his 34th birthday, though there was still much for the visitors to celebrate.

Late disruption

Home coach Bernd Schuster had been forced into two late changes. Pepe failed a fitness test on his bruised thigh, enabling Gabriel Heinze to come into central defence, while Arjen Robben limped out of the warm-up with Royston Drenthe taking his place on the left. Madrid nevertheless enjoyed the better of the early exchanges, as Guti and Mahamadou Diarra both tried their luck from distance without overly worrying goalkeeper Alex Manninger. As the hosts probed in vain for a breakthrough, the Bianconeri began to grow in confidence with the menacing Del Piero at the heart of many of their forward thrusts.

Clinical finish

Seventeen minutes in, the skipper gave the Serie A side the lead in clinical fashion. Madrid were the architects of their own downfall, with Marco Marchionni picking up Guti's stray pass on the halfway line and feeding Del Piero. With the Merengues defence backing off, the Italian international advanced unchallenged to the edge of the penalty area and used his former team-mate Fabio Cannavaro as a shield to send a left-footed shot low past Iker Casillas's right hand – thus fulfilling his pre-match wish to finally score at this ground.

Golden openings

Madrid rallied and passed up two gilt-edged opportunities to level before half-time. Two left-wing crosses caught out the visiting back line, with Wesley Sneijder's deep ball finding the unmarked Sergio Ramos at the far post only for the right-back to mis-hit his volley down into the ground and up over the crossbar, before Diarra climbed highest to meet another Drenthe delivery but direct his header too high.

Golden strike

As on Matchday 3 – when they lost 2-1 in Turin – Madrid emerged for the second period a goal in arrears. Drenthe immediately tried to lift spirits when he escaped down the left before shooting into the side-netting. The Santiago Bernabéu burst into life yet Juventus stood firm, holding the Spanish champions at arm's length. Then, with 67 minutes gone, Mohamed Sissoko won a free-kick in range of Casillas's goal. As Del Piero placed the ball the stadium fell silent, and the fears of the Madrid supporters were realised directly by an effort that flew unerringly into the bottom corner. Substitute Gonzalo Higuaín might have done better from another Drenthe centre, yet Madrid must now regroup before their trip to FC BATE Borisov on Matchday 5, when their conquerors visit FC Zenit St. Petersburg looking to clinch first place.

Timely Borowski breaks Viola hearts

2008-11-06T13:42:00.003+07:00

Tim Borowski's late leveller took FC Bayern München a step closer to the UEFA Champions League knockout stage and left ACF Fiorentina's hopes hanging by a thread after a 1-1 draw at the Stadio Artemio Franchi.

Mutu strikes

Adrian Mutu's eleventh-minute volley put the Italian side on course for their first victory in Group F, and they held Bayern at bay until 12 minutes from time when the pressure finally told with Borowski equalising. The outcome left the German team needing a maximum of two points from their last two matches to advance; Fiorentina must win both and hope other results go their way.

Flying start

The two clubs had promised an open game and so it proved in the feisty early exchanges when Alberto Gilardino looked for a gap in the Bayern defence and Franck Ribéry tried to get things moving for the German titleholders. However, the first real chance fell to Fiorentina in the eleventh minute and Mutu took it brilliantly. Right-back Luciano Zauri floated a high ball into the box, Gilardino leapt to get the faintest of touches and the Romanian international smashed an unstoppable volley past Michael Rensing.

Aerial threat

Bayern's rearguard, marshalled by Lucio and Martín Demichelis, were clearly struggling with Fiorentina's aerial threat and they were fortunate not to fall further behind midway through the half. Rensing pulled off a spectacular save to deny Gilardino's glancing header from Massimo Gobbi's left-wing cross, and then blocked another effort by the Italian international, this time after Mario Alberto Santana had swung a dangerous ball over from the opposite flank.

Bayern press

Bayern refused to be cowed and began to turn the screw before the break. Lukas Podolski's shot from deep inside the Viola area was charged down and Bastian Schweinsteiger could only smack his volley wide of the target as the Bundesliga outfit pressed for an equaliser. Schweinsteiger had an even better opportunity four minutes before half-time when Bayern surged forward in numbers, but blasted his angled attempt wide of Sébastien Frey's post.

Chances missed

Both sides came out all guns blazing for the second period, producing gilt-edged openings at either end. Felipe sent a defence-splitting pass straight down the middle for Gilardino, yet the Fiorentina striker could only loop the ball agonisingly over the bar as Rensing came charging out. There was a similarly close shave for Frey minutes later when Podolski whipped in a wicked low centre from the left and Miroslav Klose prodded wide with the goal at his mercy.

Heated atmosphere

A passionate home crowd made sure the atmosphere stayed electric and they were nearly celebrating a second goal for Mutu before the hour. Midfielder Zdravko Kuzmanović chipped in a cross from the right yet the forward sent his header over from six metres. Despite the pressure Bayern were still very much in the game and Frey was called upon to make a one-handed stop at full stretch in the 67th minute after Podolski had galloped through on the counterattack. Bayern did not have long to wait, though, Borowski breaking into the box to draw the visitors level with a low drive.

Giggs goal saves United in Glasgow

2008-11-06T13:26:00.001+07:00

Ryan Giggs scored a late equaliser to earn Manchester United FC a point which moved the holders closer to the knockout stages and left Celtic FC still searching for their first victory in Group E.

Brilliant opener
With Celtic battling to save their UEFA Champions League campaign, and their guests one win away from potentially securing their progress in the competition, there was little to choose between the sides in Glasgow. Scott McDonald brilliantly lobbed the home team in front with 13 minutes played, and Celtic were six minutes away from defeating their English visitors when Giggs nodded in. United now need just a point to advance, while Gordon Strachan's men are realistically competing with Aalborg BK – their hosts on Matchday 5 – for third place and a UEFA Cup berth.

Early tension
United carved the first opening of the game on nine minutes, when Barry Robson's crunching foul on Darren Fletcher resulted in a free-kick 25 metres out. Cristiano Ronaldo stepped up confidently, but fizzed his drive marginally over the crossbar. Four minutes later Celtic were on the front foot, responding in lethal style with a sublimely executed goal. Gary Caldwell cushioned a header into the path of McDonald two metres inside the United box, and the Australian international striker did the rest – lofting a cushioned volley with the outside of his right boot over stand-in goalkeeper Ben Foster and into the back of the net to secure a dream start for the Scottish titleholders.

United response
The Old Trafford outfit may have been somewhat taken aback by the early blow, but they replied by piling pressure on their opponents in search of the leveller. Rio Ferdinand went close on 17 minutes, and surely would have turned in a Giggs corner from four metres were it not for a last-ditch challenge from Celtic captain Stephen McManus. Dimitar Berbatov had struck twice when the sides met at Old Trafford a fortnight ago and, with United trailing, Sir Alex Ferguson introduced the striker at the interval in place of Nani, switching to 4-4-2 in the process. With their attacking presence increased, the away team almost equalised ten minutes into the second period. From another venomous Giggs corner, Nemanja Vidić headed the ball on to Berbatov, who flicked it goalwards only to find Shaun Maloney perfectly placed to clear off the line.

Late fright
Celtic remained a threat on the counter, and from one such raid in the 61st minute they won a corner which forward Cillian Sheridan – like Foster, making his first start in the competition – headed a fraction over. Yet it was the Premier League club who looked more likely to notch the second goal of the match, and they finally made their pressure tell in the 84th minute when a swerving, 25-metre Ronaldo drive was parried by Artur Boruc into the path of Giggs who headed the ball into the empty net. Berbatov could have won it with the last kick of the game, only to drag his shot wide and leave both sides in contention for the last 16, albeit just in Celtic's case.

Timely own goal takes Milan to the top

2008-11-03T18:34:00.002+07:00

AC Milan are the new leaders of Serie A after SSC Napoli's German Denis put through an own goal three minutes from time to lift the Rossoneri one point above FC Internazionale Milano and Udinese Calcio, held 2-2 by Genoa CFC.

Udinese relief
Inter's 3-2 win at bottom side Reggina Calcio on Saturday had moved the reigning champions a point clear of Napoli and Udinese, who looked on course to beat Genoa when Tomáš Zápotočný converted a fourth-minute penalty. An hour later Diego Milito equalised from the spot and Giuseppe Sculli swiftly put Genoa ahead, only for substitute Fabio Quagliarella to ensure Udinese a point 12 minutes from time.

Maggio dismissal
That result meant that either Milan or Napoli could have gone top with victory in their late game. Visitors Napoli had Christian Maggio sent off for a second booking just before half-time but seemed to be hanging on when Kaká's 85th-minute penalty was saved by Gennaro Iezzo following a Michele Pazienza handball. Shortly afterwards, though, Ronaldinho's free-kick was headed into his own net by Denis, Napoli's hat-trick hero against Reggina on Wednesday.

Lazio win
S.S. Lazio moved into fifth, a point behind fourth-placed Napoli, after Pasquale Foggia's 85th-minute goal gave them a 1-0 win against Calcio Catania. Lazio have overtaken ACF Fiorentina after the Viola were beaten 1-0 by a Houssine Kharja goal at AC Siena.

Strugglers lose
Both AC Chievo Verona and Bologna FC missed the chance to send AS Roma into the bottom three. Chievo lost 3-0 at US Città di Palermo, who followed up Fabrizio Miccoli's penalty with further first-half strikes by Simon Kjær and Edison Cavani. That meant Palermo could afford Mark Bresciano's 48th-minute red card and although they are ninth, they trail the leaders by only six points. Cagliari Calcio defeated Bologna 5-1 despite falling behind to a Marco Di Vaio goal; Robert Acquafresca and Jeda both scored twice while Daniele Conti was also on target. UC Sampdoria eased their concerns with Claudio Bellucci's 85th-minute goal proving enough to beat Torino FC while Atalanta BC drew 0-0 with US Lecce.

Serie A Italia Results

2008-11-03T18:15:00.002+07:00

01/11/08

Reggina 2-3 Internazionale
Cozza 34 (Reggina)
Brienza 52 (Reggina)
Maicon 8 (Internazionale)
Vieira 23 (Internazionale)
Cordoba 90 (Internazionale)

Juventus 2-0 Roma
Del Piero 38 (Juventus)
Marchionni 48 (Juventus)

02/11/08

Atalanta 0-0 Lecce

Cagliari 5-1 Bologna
Di Vaio 18 (Bologna)
Acquafresca 45 (Cagliari)
Conti 48 (Cagliari)
Acquafresca 52 (Cagliari)
Jeda 68 (Cagliari)
Jeda 85 (Cagliari)

Lazio 1-0 Catania
Foggia 85 (Lazio)

Palermo 3-0 Chievo
Miccoli 23(p) (Palermo)
Kjaer 37 (Palermo)
Cavani 45 (Palermo)

Sampdoria 1-0 Torino
Bellucci 85 (Sampdoria)

Siena 1-0 Fiorentina
Kharja 76 (Siena)

Udinese 2-2 Genoa
Zapotocny 4(p) (Udinese)
Milito 64(p) (Genoa)
Sculli 67 (Genoa)
Quagliarella 78 (Udinese)

Milan 1-0 SSC Napoli
Denis 87(o) (Milan)

Xavi double takes Barça top

2008-11-03T18:11:00.001+07:00

FC Barcelona climbed to the top of the Liga with a 4-1 win away to Málaga CF, replacing Valencia CF at the summit after Mohamed Tchité's hat-trick for Real Racing Club inflicted a first league defeat of the season on Unai Emery's early pacesetters.

Xavi double
It was Barcelona's eleventh straight victory and their seventh successive triumph in the Liga, the pouring rain on Spain's Costa del Sol failing to dampen the spirits of Josep Guardiola's side as they turned on the style on a sodden pitch. Xavi Hernández opened the scoring with a brilliant free-kick after five minutes and though Duda pulled one back for the hosts eight minutes later, Lionel Messi soon restored Barça's lead with 19 minutes played. A second Xavi strike, set up by Thierry Henry's cushioned header eight minutes after the restart, and an own goal from Welington with eight minutes to play completed the rout.

Tchité treble
Victory took the Catalans top on 22 points, with Valencia dropping down to third, two points behind, after a surprise defeat at the Mestalla. Congolose striker Tchité served an early warning with a long-range drive to put Racing Club ahead on 23 minutes and although David Villa restored parity from the penalty spot six minutes later with his league-leading tenth goal of the campaign, Racing were soon back in front, Tchité hitting his second four minutes after the interval. Joaquín hit back for the home side with 20 minutes to play, only for Tchité to strike again ten minutes after that. David Albelda's late own goal rounded off the scoring.

Villarreal second
Villarreal CF are now the only side still undefeated and they won in the Liga for the first time in three attempts, 4-1 at Athletic Club Bilbao. Giuseppe Rossi (24) Robert Pirès (53) Santi Cazorla (59) and Jozy Altidore (90) got the goals for Manuel Pelligrini's side who climb to second, one point behind Barcelona. In the night's other match, Sergio Agüero scored twice as Club Atlético de Madrid won 2-0 at home to RCD Mallorca. The 20-year-old's opening goal on 14 minutes was brilliant, Agüero controlling a Diego Forlán header with his left foot before releasing a right-foot shot over Miguel Moyá in the Mallorca goal. Among Sunday's matches, Real Madrid CF are away to UD Almería.

Primera Liga Spanish Results

2008-11-03T17:59:00.002+07:00

01/11/08

Málaga 1-4 FC Barcelona
Xavi 5 (FC Barcelona)
Duda 13 (Málaga)
Messi 19 (FC Barcelona)
Xavi 53 (FC Barcelona)
Weligton 82(o) (FC Barcelona)

Athletic 1-4 Villarreal
Rossi 24 (Villarreal)
Etxeberria 29 (Athletic)
Pires 53 (Villarreal)
Santi Cazorla 59 (Villarreal)
Altidore 90 (Villarreal)

Atlético 2-0 Mallorca
Aguero 14 (Atlético)
Aguero 28 (Atlético)

Valencia 2-4 Real Racing Club
Tchite 23 (Real Racing Club)
Villa 29(p) (Valencia)
Tchite 49 (Real Racing Club)
Joaquin 70 (Valencia)
Tchite 80(Real Racing Club)
Albelda 85(o) (Real Racing Club)

02/11/08

Recreativo 1-1 Getafe
Javi Guerrero 50 (Recreativo)
Albin 83 (Getafe)

Valladolid 3-2 Sevilla
Renato 19 (Sevilla)
Jesus Navas 25 (Sevilla)
Sesma 44 (Valladolid)
Canobbio 52 (Valladolid)
Canobbio 65 (Valladolid)

Espanyol 1-0 Osasuna
Tamudo 60 (Espanyol)

Real Sporting de Gijón 3-1 Numancia
Goiria 20 (Numancia)
Luis Moran 32 (Real Sporting de Gijón)
Bilic 70 (Real Sporting de Gijón)
Bilic 76(p) (Real Sporting de Gijón)

Almería 1-1 Real Madrid
Raul 38 (Real Madrid)
Piatti 81 (Almería)

Betis 0-3 Deportivo
Riki 61 (Deportivo)
Lafita 79 (Deportivo)
Lafita 88 (Deportivo)

Chelsea profit as Tottenham stun Liverpool

2008-11-03T17:56:00.004+07:00

Tottenham Hotspur FC came from behind to defeat Liverpool FC as Harry Redknapp's side climbed off bottom spot with victory against the team that had started the day in first place. Chelsea FC replace Liverpool as leaders on goal difference after thrashing Sunderland AFC 5-0.

Pavlyuchenko winner
Tottenham had defeated Bolton Wanderers FC and recovered from 4-2 down to draw with rivals Arsenal FC in Redknapp's first two games in charge and they performed more heroics at White Hart Lane after falling behind to Dirk Kuyt's third-minute strike. Twice Steven Gerrard hit the crossbar for Liverpool before Jamie Carragher headed into his own goal on 70 minutes to make it 1-1. Tottenham then made sure of victory in the first minute of added time when Roman Pavlyuchenko turned in Darren Bent's pass to move them off the foot of the table and inflict a first defeat of the season on Rafael Benítez's side.

Anleka hat-trick
Nicolas Anelka hit a hat-trick as Chelsea made the most of their chance to steal a march on their title rivals with a convincing victory earlier in the day against Sunderland on a torrid afternoon in west London. The goals flew in as the rain fell on Stamford Bridge with Alex (27) and Anelka (30 and 45) putting Luiz Felipe Scolari's side 3-0 up at the break. Lampard made it 4-0 on 51 minutes before Anelka completed his hat-trick two minutes after that, taking his tally for the season to a league-leading eight goals.

United victory
Manchester United FC defeated Hull City AFC to climb to third but were pushed to the limit at Old Trafford before running out 4-3 winners. Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice and Michael Carrick and Nemanja Vidić got the others for the champions who jumped to a 4-1 lead, but second-half goals from Bernard Mendy (69) and Geovanni's 82nd-minute penalty set up a tense finale.

Arsenal beaten
United leapfrog Hull, Aston Villa FC – who play Newcastle United FC on Monday – and Arsenal FC after Arsène Wenger's side crashed to 2-1 defeat at Stoke City FC to compound a dire week. Ricardo Fuller and Seyi Olofinjana scored in each half for Stoke, both heading in following long throws from Rory Delap. Arsenal had Robin van Persie sent off for violent conduct and lost Theo Walcott, Bacary Sagna and Emmanuel Adebayor to injury before Gaël Clichy pulled one back in the final minute.

Blackburn draw
Elsewhere, Benni McCarthy scored and was later sent off as Blackburn Rovers FC drew 2-2 with West Bromwich Albion FC, Wigan Athletic FC moved out of the bottom three by winning 2-1 at Portsmouth FC, Everton FC beat Fulham FC 1-0 and West Ham United FC ended a run of four consecutive defeats by drawing 1-1 at Middlesbrough FC.

English Premier League Results

2008-11-03T17:42:00.002+07:00

01/11/08

Everton 1-0 Fulham
Saha 87 (Everton)

Man. United 4-3 Hull
Ronaldo 3 (Man. United)
Cousin 23 (Hull)
Carrick 29 (Man. United)
Ronaldo 44 (Man. United)
Vidic 57 (Man. United)
Mendy 69 (Hull)
Geovanni 82(p) (Hull)

Middlesbrough 1-1 West Ham
Mullins 21 (West Ham)
Mido 83 (Middlesbrough)

Portsmouth 1-2 Wigan
Zaki 45(p) (Wigan)
Kranjcar 82 (Portsmouth)
Heskey 90 (Wigan)

Stoke 2-1 Arsenal
Fuller 11 (Stoke)
Olofinjana 73 (Stoke)
Clichy 90 (Arsenal)

West Brom 2-2 Blackburn
McCarthy 13(p) (Blackburn)
Bednar 55 (West Brom)
Miller 62 (West Brom)
Andrews 89 (Blackburn)

Chelsea 5-0 Sunderland
Alex 27 (Chelsea)
Anelka 30 (Chelsea)
Anelka 45 (Chelsea)
Anelka 53 (Chelsea)
Lampard 51 (Chelsea)

Tottenham 2-1 Liverpool
Kuyt 3 (Liverpool)
Carragher 70(o) (Tottenham)
Pavlyuchenko 90 (Tottenham)

02/11/08

Bolton 2-0 Manchester City
Gardner 77 (Bolton)
Dunne 88(o) (Bolton)

German Bundesliga Results

2008-11-03T17:30:00.002+07:00

31/10/08

Leverkusen 2-0 Wolfsburg
Barnetta 57 (Leverkusen)
Kiessling 65 (Leverkusen)

01/11/08

Bremen 5-1 Hertha
Kacar 14(o) (Bremen)
Diego 20 (Bremen)
Rosenberg 41 (Bremen)
Pizarro 59 (Bremen)
Cicero 69 (Hertha)
Pizarro 85 (Bremen)

Stuttgart 1-3 Köln
Novakovic 3 (Köln)
Novakovic 61 (Köln)
Hilbert 69 (Stuttgart)
Petit 90 (Köln)

Hannover 3-0 Hamburg
Schulz 5 (Hannover)
Schlaudraff 18 (Hannover)
Stajner 80 (Hannover)

Bayern 3-1 Arminia
Klose 25 (Bayern)
Wichniarek 30(p) (Arminia)
Ribery 77 (Bayern)
Podolski 85 (Bayern)

Energie 0-2 Schalke
Westermann 80 (Schalke)
Farfan 90(p) (Schalke)

Hoffenheim 4-1 Karlsruhe
Ibisevic 16 (Hoffenheim)
Freis 20 (Karlsruhe)
Ibisevic 75 (Hoffenheim)
Obasi Ogbuke 66 (Hoffenheim)
Obasi Ogbuke 78 (Hoffenheim)

02/11/08

BV Borussia Dortmund 1-1 Bochum
Zdebel 27 (Bochum)
Zidan 44 (BV Borussia Dortmund)

Mönchengladbach 1-2 Eintracht
Russ 12(o) (Mönchengladbach)
Fenin 16 (Eintracht)
Fink 52 (Eintracht)

Ligue 1 France Results

2008-11-03T17:19:00.002+07:00

01/11/08

Auxerre 0-0 Valenciennes

Lille 2-0 FC Nantes
Rami 39 (Lille)
Fauvergue 47 (Lille)

Lorient 1-1 Grenoble Foot 38
Courtois 52 (Grenoble Foot 38)
Abriel 59 (Lorient)

Nancy 1-0 Bordeaux
Hadji 70 (Nancy)

Nice 1-0 PSG
Mouloungui 39 (Nice)

Toulouse 0-1 Caen
Nivet 79 (Caen)

Marseille 3-1 St Etienne
Cheyrou 21 (Marseille)
Gomis 22 (St Etienne)
Ben Arfa 38(p) (Marseille)
Taiwo 71 (Marseille)

02/11/08

Le Havre 2-3 Monaco
Cufre 25 (Monaco)
Licata 40 (Monaco)
Nestor 46 (Le Havre)
Park 48 (Monaco)
Alassane 60 (Le Havre)

Rennes 1-0 Sochaux
Briand 1(p) (Rennes)

Lyon 2-0 Le Mans
Benzema 22 (Lyon)
Juninho 57 (Lyon)

Eredivisie Netherlands Results

2008-11-03T17:07:00.002+07:00

01/11/08

Twente 0-2 Ajax
De Jong 40 (Ajax)
Lindgren 90 (Ajax)

NAC 1-0 Groningen
Penders 83 (NAC)

PSV 2-0 Willem II
Swinkels 9(o) (PSV)
Koevermans 57 (PSV)

Heerenveen 3-3 AZ
Wojciechowski 12 (Heerenveen)
El Hamdaoui 49 (AZ)
Holman 58 (AZ)
Henrique 75 (Heerenveen)
Pocognoli 77 (AZ)
Henrique 90 (Heerenveen)

02/11/08

Roda 0-4 Feyenoord
Wijnaldum 53 (Feyenoord)
Fer 57 (Feyenoord)
Makaay 67 (Feyenoord)
Biseswar 70 (Feyenoord)

Vitesse 3-1 Den Haag
van Wolfswinkel 1 (Vitesse)
Immers 19 (Den Haag)
Kolk 42(p) (Vitesse)
Tarvajarvi 90 (Vitesse)

Volendam 3-1 De Graafschap
Platje 38 (Volendam)
Fung A Wing 45 (De Graafschap)
Tuyp 85 (Volendam)
van Dijk 86 (Volendam)

Sparta 0-2 NEC
Ntibazonkiza 20 (NEC)
El Akchaoui 49(p) (NEC)

Utrecht 2-0 Heracles
Boussaboun 61 (Utrecht)
Van der Gun 90 (Utrecht)

Milan confirm Beckham loan move

2008-10-31T18:35:00.002+07:00

David Beckham will begin 2009 on loan at AC Milan after the Serie A team reached an agreement with his American club Los Angeles Galaxy.

'Agreement official'
The 33-year-old was keen to stay in shape during the long Major League Soccer close season to protect his England international place, and Milan today confirmed "the agreement is official" for the former Manchester United FC and Real Madrid CF midfielder to join the Rossoneri from 7 January. The length of the loan has not been announced, but Milan would have the option to register Beckham, capped 107 times by England, for the UEFA Cup should they progress from the group stage, with the Round of 32 on 24/25 February and 10/11 March.

'Very honoured'
Beckham explained why the move suited him on his website: "One of the reasons I want to train and play in Milan for a few months is the fact the MLS season doesn't run as long as the European season and my body is programmed to actually not have that amount of time off. I've played with two of the biggest clubs in the world, Man Utd and Real Madrid. I've now been given the chance to join up with Milan for a couple of months and I'm very honoured."

Mutu to play on despite knee strain

2008-10-31T18:30:00.003+07:00

ACF Fiorentina have denied reports suggesting Adrian Mutu needs a knee operation after the striker was rested for Wednesday's scoreless draw against FC Internazionale Milano, although the Viola have confirmed that the Romanian international requires "about four weeks to completely recover from his injury".

No operation
Mutu scored 17 Serie A goals last term, but has registered just three so far this season as he continues to struggle with a knee complaint. Rather than going under the knife, however, the 29-year-old will continue a tailored rehabilitation programme which does not involve surgery, according to club doctor Paolo Manetti. He said: "Cesare Prandelli will decide whether or not to field him on a case-by-case basis over the next month."

Duo return
Mutu may therefore be used in Fiorentina's two UEFA Champions League games in November – home ties against FC Bayern München on Wednesday and Olympique Lyonnais three weeks later – while being rested for selected domestic matches. Coach Prandelli said: "I don't know if he'll be available for our league fixture on Sunday [at AC Siena]. We also have to think about the Bayern match which is very important." The Italian side are third in Group F on two points, five behind the German champions. Meanwhile, Juan Manuel Vargas and Massimo Gobbi are available again after shaking off minor injuries which kept them out of the Inter game.

Serie A Italia Fixtures & Results

2008-10-31T18:16:00.003+07:00

FIXTURES :

01/11/08
Reggina - Internazionale
Juventus - Roma

02/11/08
Palermo - Chievo
Sampdoria - Torino
Cagliari - Bologna
Atalanta - Lecce
Siena - Fiorentina
Udinese - Genoa
Lazio - Catania
Milan - SSC Napoli

RESULTS :

29/10/08

Bologna 1-2 Juventus
Nedved 12 (Juventus)
Nedved 57 (Juventus)
Di Vaio 74 (Bologna)

Catania 0-2 Udinese
Pinzi 14 (Udinese)
Quagliarella 82 (Udinese)

Chievo 1-2 Lazio
Pellissier 11 (Chievo)
Pandev 15 (Lazio)
Mantovani 82(o) (Lazio)

Fiorentina 0-0 Internazionale

Genoa 2-1 Cagliari
Papaststhopoulos 25 (Genoa)
Motta 55 (Genoa)
Bianco 66 (Cagliari)

Lecce 1-1 Palermo
Cacia 22 (Lecce)
Cavani 87 (Palermo)

Milan 2-1 Siena
Inzaghi 31 (Milan)
Vergassola 54 (Siena)
Kaka 65(p) (Milan)

SSC Napoli 3-0 Reggina
Denis 7 (SSC Napoli)
Denis 16 (SSC Napoli)
Denis 62 (SSC Napoli)

Torino 2-1 Atalanta
Amoruso 62 (Torino)
Stellone 64 (Torino)
Floccari 66 (Atalanta)

Madrid dispel De la Red concerns

2008-10-31T18:11:00.005+07:00

Real Madrid CF have announced that midfielder Rubén de la Red is out of danger after the player collapsed on the pitch during his team's 3-2 Copa del Rey defeat by second-tier Real Unión Club on Thursday night.

On-field fright
The Spanish international was jogging out of the opposition area when he fainted in the 13th minute of the last-32 meeting. De la Red regained consciousness but was substituted and taken to the Hospital Comarcal in Irun, where he spent the night as a precaution. Club doctors say the 23-year-old blacked out due to a drop in blood pressure caused by overexertion. Real Unión will take a one-goal advantage to the Santiago Bernabéu in a fortnight's time thanks to first leg goals from Juan Domínguez (2) and Iñaqui Goikoetxea. Gonzalo Higuían and Javier Saviola were Madrid's scorers.

Primera Liga Spanish Fixtures

2008-10-31T18:07:00.002+07:00

FIXTURES :

01/11/08
Atlético - Mallorca
Málaga - FC Barcelona
Athletic - Villarreal
Valencia - Real Racing Club

02/11/08
Real Sporting de Gijón - Numancia
Valladolid - Sevilla
Recreativo - Getafe
Espanyol - Osasuna
Almería - Real Madrid
Betis - Deportivo

Chelsea confirm Carvalho absence

2008-10-31T18:04:00.001+07:00

Portuguese international centre-back Ricardo Carvalho could miss Chelsea FC's next two UEFA Champions League fixtures after pulling a hamstring during Wednesday's 3-0 Premier League victory at Hull City AFC.

Rome trip
The 30-year-old only returned last week from a month on the sidelines with a strained medial collateral ligament in his knee, and now faces "a minimum of three weeks" out after leaving the pitch late on clutching the back of his thigh. Carvalho will definitely sit out Tuesday's trip to AS Roma – where a win could clinch qualification for the knockout stages – and possibly also the team's penultimate Group A game at FC Girondins de Bordeaux on 26 November. The former FC Porto defender will play no part either in Portugal's friendly in Brazil on 19 November.

Cole concern
Joe Cole also injured an ankle at the KC Stadium, being taken off as a precaution in the 54th minute to prevent further damage. Chelsea "retain hope" that the midfielder will be fit for Saturday's visit of Sunderland AFC, however. Frank Lampard (3), Nicolas Anelka (50) and Florent Malouda (75) scored unanswered goals at Hull as Chelsea put Sunday's home defeat by Liverpool FC behind them to remain three points behind the Premier League leaders with ten rounds played.

Lampard praised
Chelsea manager Luiz Felipe Scolari reserved special praise for Lampard's early strike. "It's one of the best goals I've seen in my life," said the 59-year-old. "It is a goal only a player of Frank Lampard's quality can score. He is an intelligent player, all game he played very well, and he is a man who's never tired. I don't see any player who's the same as Lampard. He is fantastic for a coach."

English Premier League Fixtures & Results

2008-10-31T17:49:00.002+07:00

FIXTURES :

01/11/08
Everton - Fulham
Stoke - Arsenal
Chelsea - Sunderland
Middlesbrough - West Ham
Portsmouth - Wigan
Man. United - Hull
West Brom - Blackburn
Tottenham - Liverpool

02/11/08
Bolton - Manchester City

03/11/08
Newcastle - Aston Villa

RESULTS :

28/10/08

Newcastle 2-1 West Brom
Barton 10(p) (Newcastle)
Martins 42 (Newcastle)
Miller 65 (West Brom)

29/10/08

Stoke 1-0 Sunderland
Fuller 73 (Stoke)

Hull 0-3 Chelsea
Lampard 3 (Chelsea)
Anelka 50 (Chelsea)
Malouda 75 (Chelsea)

Aston Villa 3-2 Blackburn
Warnock 30 (Blackburn)
Young 45 (Aston Villa)
Barry 65 (Aston Villa)
Agbonlahor 87 (Aston Villa)
Emerton 90 (Blackburn)

Fulham 2-0 Wigan
Johnson 11 (Fulham)
Johnson 60 (Fulham)

Liverpool 1-0 Portsmouth
Gerrard 76(p) (Liverpool)

Arsenal 4-4 Tottenham
Bentley 13 (Tottenham)
Silvestre 37 (Arsenal)
Gallas 46 (Arsenal)
Adebayor 64 (Arsenal)
Bent 67 (Tottenham)
Van Persie 68 (Arsenal)
Jenas 89 (Tottenham)
Lennon 90 (Tottenham)

Man. United 2-0 West Ham
Ronaldo 14 (Man. United)
Ronaldo 30 (Man. United)

Middlesbrough 2-0 Manchester City
Alves 53(p) (Middlesbrough)
O'Neil 90 (Middlesbrough)

Bolton 0-1 Everton
Fellaini 90 (Everton)

German Bundesliga Fixtures & Results

2008-10-31T17:31:00.003+07:00

FIXTURES :

31/10/08
Leverkusen - Wolfsburg

01/11/08
Hannover - Hamburg
Bayern - Arminia
Bremen - Hertha
Hoffenheim - Karlsruhe
Stuttgart - Köln
Energie - Schalke

02/11/08
BV Borussia Dortmund - Bochum
Mönchengladbach - Eintracht

RESULTS :

28/10/08

Wolfsburg 3-0 Mönchengladbach
Grafite 40(p) (Wolfsburg)
Madlung 55 (Wolfsburg)
Misimovic 75(p) (Wolfsburg)

Bremen 0-2 Leverkusen
Vidal 71 (Leverkusen)
Friedrich 81 (Leverkusen)

Karlsruhe 0-3 Schalke
Bordon 16 (Schalke)
Kuranyi 19 (Schalke)
Farfan 69 (Schalke)

Arminia 1-1 Energie
Rangelov 31 (Energie)
Wichniarek 63 (Arminia)

29/10/08

Hamburg 2-0 Stuttgart
Trochowski 17(p) (Hamburg)
Mathijsen 74 (Hamburg)

Hertha 3-0 Hannover
Pantelic 63 (Hertha)
Voronin 85 (Hertha)
Domovchiyski 90 (Hertha)

Bochum 1-3 Hoffenheim
Grote 2 (Bochum)
Ba 64 (Hoffenheim)
Ibisevic 69(p) (Hoffenheim)
Carlos Eduardo 72 (Hoffenheim)

Köln 0-1 BV Borussia Dortmund
Kringe 65 (BV Borussia Dortmund)

Eintracht 1-2 Bayern
Demichelis 55(o) (Eintracht)
Klose 65 (Bayern)
Ribery 70 (Bayern)

Ligue 1 France Fixtures & Results

2008-10-31T17:16:00.003+07:00

FIXTURES :

01/11/08
Lille - FC Nantes
Toulouse - Caen
Lorient - Grenoble Foot 38
Auxerre - Valenciennes
Nice - PSG
Nancy - Bordeaux
Marseille - St Etienne

02/11/08
Rennes - Sochaux
Le Havre - Monaco
Lyon - Le Mans

RESULTS :

28/10/08

Bordeaux 4-0 Le Havre
Bellion 30 (Bordeaux)
Bellion 48 (Bordeaux)
Cavenaghi 72 (Bordeaux)
Wendell 81 (Bordeaux)

29/10/08

Sochaux 0-2 Lyon
Benzema 64 (Lyon)
Delgado 90 (Lyon)

Valenciennes 0-0 Rennes

Caen 1-1 Nice
Savidan 67 (Caen)
Remy 83 (Nice)

Grenoble Foot 38 0-0 Lille

Le Mans 0-2 Auxerre
Oliech 35 (Auxerre)
Oliech 39 (Auxerre)

Monaco 3-1 Nancy
Nimani N'galou 32 (Monaco)
Pokrivac 63 (Monaco)
Hadji 76 (Nancy)
Licata 87 (Monaco)

FC Nantes 1-1 Marseille
Mareval 44 (FC Nantes)
Kone 78 (Marseille)

PSG 0-1 Toulouse
Makelele 65(o) (Toulouse)

St Etienne 1-4 Lorient
Morel 19 (Lorient)
Gomis 32 (St Etienne)
Robert 57 (Lorient)
Robert 69 (Lorient)
Ayew 89 (Lorient)

Eredivisie Netherlands Results & FIxtures

2008-10-31T16:56:00.005+07:00

FIXTURES :

01/11/08

Twente - Ajax
PSV - Willem II
NAC - Groningen
Heerenveen - AZ

02/11/08

Vitesse - Den Haag
Roda - Feyenoord
Volendam - De Graafschap
Utrecht - Heracles
Sparta - NEC

RESULTS :

28/10/08

Den Haag 0-2 PSV
Addo 56 (PSV)
Bakkal 90 (PSV)

Roda 0-2 AZ
El Hamdaoui 35 (AZ)
El Hamdaoui 88 (AZ)

Volendam 2-2 Willem II
Sheotahul 42 (Volendam)
Zijler 50 (Willem II)
Quasten 63 (Willem II)
De Lange 75 (Volendam)

29/10/08

Heracles 1-3 Ajax
Suarez 2 (Ajax)
Wuytens 28 (Heracles)
Huntelaar 76 (Ajax)
Huntelaar 82 (Ajax)

Heerenveen 0-2 Vitesse
Kolk 73 (Vitesse)
Hofs 75 (Vitesse)

NAC 0-1 Twente
Braafheid 12 (Twente)

NEC 2-2 Groningen
Powel 11 (Groningen)
Wisgerhof 47 (NEC)
El Akchaoui 84(p) (NEC)
Berg 89 (Groningen)

Sparta 2-1 Feyenoord
Fer 40 (Feyenoord)
Slot 42 (Sparta)
Poepon 87 (Sparta)

De Graafschap 0-2 Utrecht
Caluwe 45 (Utrecht)
Silberbauer 84 (Utrecht)

Ben Arfa’s shock apology

2008-10-28T13:09:00.005+07:00

Marseille’s France international Hatem Ben Arfa today surprised coach Eric Gerets by crashing the coach’s press conference – and apologising for his fit of temper during Sunday night’s ‘clasico’.

In an unprecedented scene, Marseille's newly signed attacking prodigy Hatem Ben Arfa stunned the room when he interrupted Geret's session with the media to publicly declare his regrets.

"I've come here to bury the hatchet and set the record straight. I behaved inappropriately because I'm a competitor. I've already apologised to the coach."

Dismayed at not being named in the starting line-up to play in the biggest match of the season against his native Paris, Ben Arfa had refused to warm up and take the field in the second half of Sunday night's loss at the Vélodrome.

"He refused to come on because he was out of sorts," explained Gerets. "It's the first time in my career that has happened. I had a talk with him after the match. I knew it would be a very frank discussion that would either solve the problem or make it much worse. Happily, everything has been ironed out. (laughing) We kissed and made up."

Problem child?

Former Lyon attacker Ben Arfa has had his share of temper problems in his young career, once even coming to blows with former OL and France teammate Sebastien Squillaci. But Gerets doesn't buy into bad reputations.

"I couldn't care less about everything I've heard. I'm getting to understand his character better. When I called him to ask him to come to this club, I told him we would have some good days and some bad ones. I've no regrets in having signed him."

Ronaldo voted FIFPro World Player of the Year

2008-10-28T12:47:00.004+07:00

Cristiano Ronaldo's sparkling contribution to Manchester United FC's double conquest of English and European football has been recognised by his peers, with the winger being named FIFPro World Player of the Year for the 2007/08 season.

Honour
Ronaldo received his award in Manchester today after winning the vote carried out by the Fédération Internationale des Footballeurs Professionels (FIFPro). The Portuguese international's exploits – including scoring 31 goals in 34 Premier League games for the champions and helping United to the UEFA Champions League title – were overwhelmingly endorsed in a poll of some 57,500 FIFPro members around the world.

'Amazing'
The 23-year-old said: "To be recognised by my fellow professional players worldwide, coming from over 50,000 players, is amazing. I would like to thank my team-mates and coaches and everyone involved at Man United and the national team, as well as my family and friends for their support. Thank you also to FIFPro for this award and for your work in protecting the interests and welfare of players around the world." Ronaldo scored a total of 42 goals last term to succeed Kaká as the world's players' player of the year.

Muntari blow adds to Mourinho concerns

2008-10-28T12:40:00.003+07:00

Midfielder Sulley Muntari is expected to miss FC Internazionale Milano's visit to Anorthosis Famagusta FC on Matchday 4 of the UEFA Champions League after injuring his right thigh during the goalless draw at home to Genoa CFC on Sunday.

Vieira out

The 24-year-old Ghanaian international was substituted after 55 minutes against Genoa and is unlikely to recover in time for the trip to Cyprus on 4 November. Muntari's absence will be a blow to coach José Mourinho who is already without Patrick Vieira who is suffering from a calf problem. "[Muntari] certainly won't be available on Wednesday [at ACF Fiorentina]," Mourinho said. "We've got a lot of problems in central midfield at the moment." Inter top Group B with seven points from three matches, sitting three points above Anorthosis after beating the Cypriot side 1-0 at San Siro last week.

Eredivisie Netherlands Fixtures

2008-10-27T16:04:00.001+07:00

28/10/08

Volendam - Willem II
Den Haag - PSV
Roda - AZ

29/10/08

Heerenveen - Vitesse
Sparta - Feyenoord
Heracles - Ajax
NEC - Groningen
NAC - Twente

30/10/08

De Graafschap - Utrecht

Eredivisie Netherlands Results

2008-10-27T15:47:00.002+07:00

24/10/08

Heracles 3-1 Den Haag
Ramos da Silva 13 (Heracles)
Ramos da Silva 39 (Heracles)
van den Bergh 64 (Heracles)
Horvath 81 (Den Haag)

25/10/08

AZ 3-0 Volendam
Martens 15 (AZ)
Martens 82 (AZ)
El Hamdaoui 76 (AZ)

Willem II 1-1 De Graafschap
Oost 18 (De Graafschap)
Demouge 68 (Willem II)

Groningen 3-0 Sparta
Andersson 4 (Groningen)
Andersson 20 (Groningen)
Berg 34 (Groningen)

PSV 2-3 Roda
Bodor 20 (Roda)
Oper 54 (Roda)
Dzsudzsak 60 (PSV)
Bodor 66 (Roda)
Lazovic 79 (PSV)

26/10/08

Ajax 2-0 NEC
Huntelaar 44 (Ajax)
Suarez 73 (Ajax)

Vitesse 0-2 Twente
Arnautovic 11 (Twente)
Arnautovic 69 (Twente)

Utrecht 0-0 NAC

Feyenoord 2-2 Heerenveen
Henrique 34 (Heerenveen)
Pranjic 48 (Heerenveen)
Makaay 70 (Feyenoord)
Mols 90 (Feyenoord)

Ligue 1 France Fixtures

2008-10-27T15:45:00.001+07:00

28/10/08

Bordeaux - Le Havre

29/10/08

Grenoble Foot 38 - Lille
Monaco - Nancy
Valenciennes - Rennes
Caen - Nice
FC Nantes - Marseille
PSG - Toulouse
Le Mans - Auxerre
Sochaux - Lyon
St Etienne - Lorient

Ligue 1 France Results

2008-10-27T15:27:00.002+07:00

25/10/08

Auxerre 0-0 Lyon

Le Havre 2-1 Valenciennes
Pieroni 1 (Valenciennes)
Lesage 23 (Le Harve)
Lesage 48 (Le Harve)

Lille 2-2 Caen
Obraniak 9 (Lille)
Obraniak 39 (Lille)
Seube 46 (Caen)
Savidan 64 (Caen)

Lorient 3-0 FC Nantes
Abriel 31 (Lorient)
Morel 55 (Lorient)
Gameiro 76 (Lorient)

Nice 2-2 Bordeaux
Wendell 10 (Bordeaux)
Cavenaghi 57(p) (Bordeaux)
Mouloungui 84 (Nice)
Remy 90(p) (Nice)

Rennes 2-2 Le Mans
Gervinho 11 (Le Mans)
Briand 15 (Rennes)
Coutadeur 34(p) (Le Mans)
Pagis 78 (Rennes)

Toulouse 0-0 Monaco

26/10/08

Nancy 1-1 Sochaux
Dalmat 19 (Sochaux)
Fortune 73 (Nancy)

St Etienne 0-2 Grenoble Foot 38
Benalouane 3(o) (Grenoble Foot 38)
Djadjedje 82 (Grenoble Foot 38)

Marseille 2-4 PSG
Hoarau 9 (PSG)
Niang 20 (Marseille)
Valbuena 44 (Marseille)
Luyindula 52 (PSG)
Hoarau 77 (PSG)
Hoarau 83 (PSG)

German Bundesliga Fixtures

2008-10-27T15:17:00.004+07:00

28/10/08

Karlsruhe - Schalke
Wolfsburg - Mönchengladbach
Arminia - Energie
Bremen - Leverkusen

29/10/08

Hertha - Hannover
Hamburg - Stuttgart
Eintracht - Bayern
Köln - BV Borussia Dortmund
Bochum - Hoffenheim

German Bundesliga Results

2008-10-27T14:59:00.002+07:00

24/10/08

Leverkusen 2-0 Köln
Friedrich 68 (Leverkusen)
Gekas 84(p) (Leverkusen)

25/10/08

Hannover 1-1 Bremen
Schulz 9 (Hannover)
Hugo Almeida 40 (Bremen)

Bayern 4-2 Wolfsburg
Grafite 31 (Wolfsburg)
Dzeko 33 (Wolfsburg)
Ribery 41 (Bayern)
Van Bommel 54 (Bayern)
Borowski 63 (Bayern)
Schweinsteiger 80 (Bayern)

Schalke 0-0 Arminia

Energie 2-3 Eintracht
Rangelov 7 (Energie)
Rangelov 15 (Energie)
Fink 38 (Eintracht)
Fenin 68 (Eintracht)
Liberopoulos 74 (Eintracht)

Mönchengladbach 1-0 Karlsruhe
Paauwe 51 (Mönchengladbach)

26/10/08

Stuttgart 2-0 Bochum
Gomez 80 (Stuttgart)
Gomez 83 (Stuttgart)

BV Borussia Dortmund 1-1 Hertha
Cicero 31(p) (Hertha)
Kehl 71 (BV Borussia Dortmund)

Hoffenheim 3-0 Hamburg
Obasi Ogbuke 7 (Hoffenheim)
Obasi Ogbuke 36 (Hoffenheim)
Ibisevic 13 (Hoffenheim)

Primera Liga Spanish Results

2008-10-27T14:28:00.003+07:00

25/10/08

Osasuna 0-2 Betis
Emana 52 (Betis)
Pavone 86 (Betis)

Barcelona 5-0 Almería
Eto'o 5 (Barcelona)
Henry 14 (Barcelona)
Eto'o 21 (Barcelona
Eto'o 24 (Barcelona)
Daniel 37 (Barcelona)

26/10/08

Mallorca 3-0 Espanyol
Aduriz 49 (Mallorca)
Aduriz 60 (Mallorca)
Varela 76 (Mallorca)

Deportivo 0-3 Sporting Gijón
Barral 23(p) (Sporting Gijón)
Carmelo 27 (Sporting Gijón)
Diego Castro 85 (Sporting Gijón)

Numancia 2-1 Racing
Barkero 26 (Numancia)
Cisma 90 (Numancia)
Tchite 90(p) (Racing)

Recreativo 1-1 Valencia
Camunas 47 (Recreativo)
Villa 62 (Valencia)

Getafe 1-0 Valladolid
Cata Diaz 32 (Getafe)

Sevilla 0-1 Málaga
Adrian 16 (Málaga)

Villarreal 4-4 Atlético
Simao 1 (Atlético)
Forlan 22 (Atlético)
Senna 48 (Villarreal)
Llorente 51 (Villarreal)
Rodriguez 58 (Villarreal)
Rossi 68 (Villarreal)
Simao 83 (Atlético)
Raul Garcia 85 (Atlético)

Real Madrid 3-2 Athletic
Sneijder 13 (Real Madrid)
Higuain 29 (Real Madrid)
Etxeberria 35 (Athletic)
Iraola 45(p) (Athletic)
Higuain 59 (Real Madrid)

English Premier League Fixtures

2008-10-27T14:21:00.003+07:00

28/10/08

Newcastle - West Brom

29/10/08

Fulham - Wigan
Stoke - Sunderland
Hull - Chelsea
Aston Villa - Blackburn
Arsenal - Tottenham
Liverpool - Portsmouth
Bolton - Everton
Middlesbrough - Manchester City
Man. United - West Ham

Alonso and Liverpool conquer Stamford Bridge

2008-10-27T13:51:00.003+07:00

Xabi Alonso's first league goal since September 2007 ended Chelsea FC's 86-match unbeaten home record in the Premier League and sent Liverpool FC three points clear of the Londoners and Hull City AFC at the summit.

Record gone

Alonso's 10th-minute drive from the edge of the penalty area took a deflection off José Bosingwa to wrong-foot goalkeeper Petr Čech and condemn Chelsea to their first loss at Stamford Bridge in the top flight since a 2-1 defeat by London rivals Arsenal FC on 21 February 2004. Aside from losing their long unbeaten record at home, Chelsea also suffered their first league reverse of the season, leaving Rafael Benítez's Liverpool as the only team yet to lose in the Premier League this season.

Cole chance

Content with their early lead, Liverpool opted to sit back, allowing Luiz Felipe Scolari's team to exert a period of sustained pressure on the visitors' goal. However, Liverpool opened up more after the restart and Spanish international midfielder Alonso came close to doubling the Merseyside club's lead when his free-kick struck the base of Čech's left-hand post midway through the second half. Chelsea desperately pressed for an equaliser but could find no way through a resolute Liverpool rearguard, Ashley Cole squandering their best chance when he missed his kick in front of goal following Franco Di Santo's header down late on.

Robinho hat-trick

A Julien Faubert own goal (75) and a late Emmanuel Adebayor strike earned Arsenal FC a 2-0 win at West Ham United FC to move the north-London club into fourth, one place above Aston Villa FC following their 4-0 win at Wigan Athletic FC. Gareth Barry's 22nd-minute penalty started the scoring, with Gabriel Agbonlahor (57), John Carew (62) and Steve Sidwell (90) adding further goals in the second half. Elsewhere, Robinho (14, 47, 72) scored a hat-trick as seventh-placed Manchester City FC beat Stoke City FC 3-0.

Redknapp influence

Meanwhile, Harry Redknapp steered bottom of the table Tottenham Hotspur FC to their first league win of the season less than 24 hours after succeeding Juande Ramos. Goals in either half from Roman Pavlyuchenko (17) and a Darren Bent penalty (76) accounted for Bolton Wanderers FC. Elsewhere, managerless Portsmouth FC drew 1-1 at home with Fulham FC.

English Premier League Results

2008-10-27T13:29:00.008+07:00

25/10/08

Everton 1-1 Man. United

Fellaini 63(Ev) Fletcher 22(MU)

Sunderland 2-1 Newcastle

Cisse 20(Su) Ameobi 30(NU)

Richardson 75 (Su)

West Brom 0-3 Hull

Zayatte 47 (Hull)

Geovanni 62 (Hull)

King 66 (Hull

Blackburn 1-1 Middlesbrough
McCarthy 90(Bl) Alves 74(Mi)

26/10/08

Chelsea 0-1 Liverpool
Alonso 10 (Li)

Manchester City 3-0 Stoke
Robinho 14 (MC)

Robinho 47 (MC)

Robinho 72 (MC)

Tottenham 2-0 Bolton
Pavlyuchenko 17 (To)

Bent 76(p) (To)

Wigan 0-4 Aston Villa

Barry 22(p) (Ast)

Agbonlahor 57 (Ast)

Carew 62 (Ast)

Sidwell 90 (Ast)

West Ham 0-2 Arsenal

Faubert 75(o) (Ars)

Adebayor 90 (Ars)

Portsmouth 1-1 Fulham
Crouch 61 (Por) Dempsey 87 (Ful)

Serie A Italia Fixtures

2008-10-27T13:27:00.001+07:00

29/10/08

Roma - Sampdoria
Lecce - Palermo
Bologna - Juventus
Torino - Atalanta
Milan - Siena
Fiorentina - Internazionale
Genoa - Cagliari
Catania - Udinese
SSC Napoli - Reggina
Chievo - Lazio

Serie A Italia Result

2008-10-27T12:50:00.006+07:00

25/10/08

Siena 1-1 Catania
Calaio 75 (Si) Mascara 80(p) (Cat)

Juventus 1-0 Torino
Amauri 48 (Ju)

26/10/08

Atalanta 0-1 Milan
Kaka 80 (Mi)

Cagliari 2-0 Chievo
Acquafresca 30 (Cag)
Fini 54 (Cag)

Internazionale 0-0 Genoa

Lazio 0-1 SSC Napoli
Siviglia 61(o) (Na)

Reggina 2-0 Lecce
Corradi 58(p) (Re)
Corradi 90(p) (Re)

Sampdoria 2-0 Bologna
Delvecchio 63 (Samp)
Bellucci 74 (Samp)

Udinese 3-1 Roma
Di Natale 10(p) (Udi) Totti 75(p) (Ro)
Di Natale 53 (Udi)
Floro Flores 22 (Udi)

Palermo 1-3 Fiorentina
Simplicio 50 (Pal) Gilardino 20 (Fio)
Mutu 42 (Fio)
Mutu 57 (Fio)