Tuesday, September 28, 2010

Trezeguet helps Hercules beat Sevilla in Spanish league

Veteran French striker David Trezeguet scored twice as promoted Hercules took another big league scalp defeating Sevilla 2-0 on Sunday.

Hercules caused the sensation of the season when they beat champions Barcelona 2-0 a fortnight ago and followed that by downing Sevilla, regulars on the Champions League circuit and fourth last season.

It was a first league defeat of the season for Sevilla who lie sixth, five points off leaders Valencia with Hercules now just a point behind them.

A World Cup winner with France in 1998, Trezeguet struck a penalty on 21 minutes to put Hercules ahead and grabbed a second on 38 minutes after great work from Dutch midfielder Roysten Drenthe who is on loan from Madrid.

Trezeguet, 32, has now scored three times for Hercules having made a surprise free transfer move to the league newcomers after a decade with Italian giants Juventus.

The loss means more pressure for Sevilla coach Antonio Alvarez who saw his team crash out of the Champions League qualifier to Braga and lost 1-0 to Paris Saint Germain in their opening Europa League match.

"While I am in charge I will give the maximum 24 hours a day," said Alvarez.

"The team didn't lack commitment. Sometimes the desire is there but things don't turn out well."

Elsewhere Atletico Madrid moved above Sevilla and up to fourth with a 1-0 victory over Real Zaragoza at the Vincente Calderon.

Atletico had collected one point from the last six but got back to winning ways with Brazilian debutant Filipe Luis - a 12-million-euro signing from Deportivo La Coruna - setting up Diego Costa for the winning goal on 20 minutes.

Atletico sit three points behind pacesetters Valencia while Zaragoza have yet to win and prop up the table.

Earlier Espanyol maintained their 100 percent home record with a 1-0 victory over 10-man Osasuna at the Cornella El Prat Stadium to go sixth in the Spanish top-flight.

Osasuna had to play 69 minutes of the match with one man fewer after defender Manuel Lolo was sent off on 21 minutes for a second yellow card and Espanyol went in front three minutes later through Alvaro Vazquez.

Espanyol, beaten 3-0 at Real Madrid on Tuesday, could not extend their advantage but held on to make it three wins out of three and move sixth two points behind third-placed Real Madrid.

In other matches, Almeria won their first game of the season with a brace from Nigerian striker Kalu Uche ensuring a 2-0 win over 10-man Deportivo La Coruna 2-0 at the Riazor stadium.

Uche scored a quick-fire double, after four and 18 minutes, to put Almeria in control and Depor were reduced to ten men shortly before half-time when Argentine defender Diego Colotto was given a straight red card for hauling down compatriot Pablo Piatti.

Depor are yet to win this season and sit second from bottom of the table after scoring just two goals in their first five league matches.

In other matches, Real Mallorca defeated newcomers Real Sociedad 2-0 at home thanks to a brace from Fernando Cavenaghi.

Argentine striker Cavenaghi struck in the fifth and 62nd minute as Mallorca continued their unbeaten home record and have collected all seven of their points in front of their own fans.

Valencia are the new league leaders after defeating Sporting Gijon 2-0 on Saturday to make it 13 points from a possible 15 and lie a point ahead of second-placed Barcelona.

Barcelona triumphed 3-1 at 10-man Athletic Bilbao on Sunday to move above rivals Real Madrid who drew 0-0 with Levante on Sunday to fall to third two points behind leaders Valencia.

On Monday Villarreal can move a point behind Valencia if they can notch a fourth successive league victory at Malaga.

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Messi seeks fitness as pretenders prowl

Lionel Messi is battling to be fit for Barcelona's trip to Rubin Kazan on Wednesday but if injury keeps him out a host of other forwards are waiting in the wings to borrow his crown as Champions League king.

The little magician, inspirational in Barca's 2009 triumph and run to the semi-finals last term, has missed two league games with ankle ligament damage but could return against a side who shocked Pep Guardiola's men last season with a win at the Nou Camp and a goalless draw in Russia.

Messi scored twice in the 5-1 home victory over Panathinaikos in Barca's first Group D game two weeks ago when former team mate Zlatan Ibrahimovic also bagged a brace for new club AC Milan.

Ibrahimovic, cast aside by Guardiola after failing to come out of Messi's shadow, netted a double in Milan's nervous 2-0 win over Auxerre in their Group G opener at the San Siro and has since scored twice in Serie A to warm up nicely for Tuesday's second match at Ajax Amsterdam.

"I've scored four goals so far, all of them were important. I don't know which one was the most beautiful, we should ask the fans," the Swede told reporters before giving an ominous warning for Europe's defenders.

"I'm still not fully fit, but I'll be at 100 percent soon. Like I said on my first day at Milan, I came here to win."

Another former Barcelona striker, Samuel Eto'o, is in excellent form for holders Inter Milan and was unlucky not to score again in Saturday's 1-0 defeat at AS Roma in Serie A.

A first Champions League home game as Inter boss awaits Rafael Benitez in Group A on Wednesday when Werder Bremen come to town hoping to exploit set pieces just like Twente Enschede did in their opening 2-2 draw with the treble winners.

Liveliest attacker

Diego Milito, who scored both goals in last May's final when Inter overran Bayern Munich, still has to fully rediscover his touch in front of goal but Benitez's lack of options mean the Argentine has to play practically every game.

Four-times winners Bayern, who visit FC Basel in Group E on Tuesday, are a long way from the form which took them to last season's final as underlined by Saturday's 2-1 home defeat by Mainz 05.

Creative wingers Franck Ribery and Arjen Robben are injured so the burden may again fall on World Cup Golden Boot winner Thomas Mueller, whose wonder goal set up a 2-0 win over AS Roma last time out in Europe.

While Mueller was wowing the crowds in South Africa, Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney were big disappointments and their club seasons have yet to really spark to life.

Ronaldo's Real Madrid were held to a 0-0 draw by promoted Levante on Saturday but the Portuguese was their liveliest attacker and will now try to unleash his frustration at Auxerre on Tuesday.

"Our tactics aren't the problem, but we aren't scoring," Real boss Jose Mourinho said. "It's not because of our players because we all know just how capable they are of scoring, but we aren't right now. That is my only worry."

The struggles of Manchester United's Rooney may also be troubling Alex Ferguson with another lacklustre display in a 2-2 draw at Bolton before Wednesday's Group C trip to Valencia.

Fellow English side Chelsea lost their first league game of the season on Saturday against Manchester City but should have an easier time at home to Marseille in Group F on Tuesday, with Didier Drogba keen to remind his old club of his strength.

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Owen landmark rescues United at Bolton

Michael Owen's 200th career goal in England rescued Manchester United from defeat as Sir Alex Ferguson's side were held to a 2-2 draw by Bolton at the Reebok Stadium Sunday.

Martin Petrov's first goal in a Bolton shirt looked to have earned the hosts a famous victory before substitute Owen popped up with a 74th-minute equalizer.

United went into the game knowing that victory would take them to within a point of leaders Chelsea.

But it required a brilliant piece of individual skill from Nani to cancel out Zat Knight's early opener in what was an absorbing contest.

United were looking to take advantage of the unexpected defeats suffered by Chelsea and Arsenal the previous day yet found themselves behind as early as the sixth minute.

Bolton had lost 10 of their previous 11 meetings against United and were hammered 4-0 in the corresponding fixture last season.

Yet the team that had not won at home since the final day of last season made the early breakthrough when Knight, who had only scored three top flight goals in three years, got ahead of Johnny Evans to divert the ball over the line following a corner.

It was a disastrous start by Ferguson's team whose defending has come under the microscope after conceding seven times in their previous five league outings.

In what was a frantic start, United responded with efforts by Ryan Giggs and Darren Fletcher but neither could beat Jussi Jaaskelainen, the Finland keeper who was returning from a three-match suspension.

Bolton might have been tempted to sit on their lead but Owen Coyle's side poured forward, Edwin van der Sar smothering the danger after Kevin Davies got a flick that almost set up Johan Elmander.

United were clearly unsettled and it required a brilliant individual run by Nani for them to draw level midway through the first half.

The Portuguese winger picked up a loose ball inside his own half before embarking on a powerful run in which he motored past three players before beating Jaaskelainen with a low shot into the bottom corner of the net.

United ended the half strongly, Wayne Rooney flashing a powerful effort narrowly over the bar after creating space for himself on the edge of the area.

But Bolton were by no means overawed and it required a timely challenge by Fletcher to deny Elmander after the Swedish striker had burst through the visitors defence.

The frustration was beginning to show. Rooney, subdued by his usual standards, lasted just 16 minutes of the second half before he was replaced by Federico Macheda while a hamstring problem brought Giggs' afternoon to a premature end.

Dimitar Berbatov, six goals in his previous five league outings, forced a fine save from Jaaskelainen before Petrov's excellent 67th minute finish left home fans dreaming of a first win over United since 2007.

The Bulgarian produced a sweet finish after being teed up by Kevin Davies following great vision from Chung-Yong Lee.

But Bolton were unable to hang on to their lead and three minutes after replacing Fletcher, Owen equalized with a clever back header following Nani's free kick - a thrilling end to a great game.

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Will Querrey have the answers at HCMC tourney?

Tuoi Tre spoke to Sam Querrey, a young American tennis player who is in Ho Chi Minh City for the Heineken Stars tournament starting October 1.

Many people think you are America’s next big talent. What is your reaction?

I still have many things to do. I am satisfied with my career development and what I have achieved up to now. I hope to challenge myself at the Heineken Stars 2010 and other tournaments in the next few months.

You hold the record of serving 10 continuous aces in a match. What is the secret behind your big serve?

My secret is to practice hard. I think what I’ve achieved up to now is the result of my hard work. But I will work harder to improve.

This has been your most successful year. You won four ATP titles. What are your goals for next year?

What is important to me is to constantly improve and try harder in every match. If I play well, the results will follow and my ranking will improve. Of course, like other tennis pros, I attach importance to the Grand Slam tournaments. The competitive atmosphere and confronting many world-class opponents makes you want to win. I aim to play well in Grand Slam tournaments. One of them is the US Open which is very exciting for me since it is played at home. Moreover, it is the tournament I can play best in because the courts there are fast.

Who do you think is the best player in the world? And who do you want to compete with?

Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal are of course two best players. It is great to play tennis at a time when I have a chance to compete with Federer and Nadal, probably the two best players of all time. Every time I play against someone in the world’s top 10 or 20, it is an extremely important match. As I said, the level of professional tournaments is very high and every match is a challenge.

Do you have anything to say to your Vietnamese fans?


I hope my Vietnamese fans will come and support me at the Heineken Stars 2010. This is the first time I’ve played tennis in Vietnam and it will be amazing if I can win this tournament.

 

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Real Madrid find money can't buy you love or goals

MADRID - Jose Mourinho lamented Real Madrid's failure to put the ball in the net as his side were held to a humbling 0-0 draw at Levante in La Liga on Saturday.

The nine-times European champions dominated the match but, as has happened in recent games, they lacked fluidity in their play and appeared anxious when chances fell to the likes of Gonzalo Higuain, Angel Di Maria or Cristiano Ronaldo.

"We've had eight clear opportunities but we haven't scored," their newly-installed coach Mourinho, who has been on the back foot after Real's dour recent performances, told reporters.

"The only game where we created fewer was in San Sebastian (against Real Sociedad) and we scored twice.

An opening day draw was followed by three consecutive victories with only one goal conceded, but the Bernabeu faithful expect more and they grumbled and whistled at their side during the laboured 3-0 win over Espanyol in midweek.

"We've only conceded once in six matches. We've controlled all the games, haven't had tactical problems and have been defensively solid. We always want to win but if you don't score you don't win," added Mourinho defending their mixed start.

The match pitched the world's richest club by income against a side who only came out of financial administration on Thursday, two years after seeking protection from creditors.

Real spent about 80 million euros ($106.8 million) on players like Argentina's Di Maria and Germany's Mesut Ozil in the close season, on top of 250 million spent the previous year.

Levante strengthened their squad after winning promotion by landing fringe players from other La Liga sides on loan or with free transfers.

"Each side plays to their strengths. It's clear economic power and football power are different things but we were the only ones who tried to play," said Mourinho.

For Levante the result crowned a special week.

After three straight defeats, in which they conceded 10 goals, they collected their first points back in the top flight with a 1-0 win at Almeria in midweek.

They then secured their financial independence again.

"It proves money doesn't speak in football," Levante president Francisco Catalan told Spanish television.

"The board's principle aim was to take the club out of administration, and we have achieved that. Our next job is to secure our place in the top flight."

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Man City halt Chelsea charge with Tevez winner

LONDON - Leaders Chelsea failed their first serious test of the Premier League season on Saturday when a Carlos Tevez goal gave Manchester City a 1-0 home win over the champions who were unstoppable in their opening five matches.

A day after City manager Roberto Mancini suggested Chelsea's title defense would be a cruise, his side begged to differ and clinched victory thanks to Tevez's 59th minute solo goal, his fourth in his last three matches against Chelsea.

Arsenal could not capitalize on defeat for their London rivals, however, as they surprisingly went down 3-2 at home to West Bromwich Albion despite two late goals from Samir Nasri.

Chelsea, who failed to score in the league for the first time since last December, are top with 15 points but Manchester United can cut the gap to a point if they beat Bolton Wanderers on Sunday. Arsenal and City have 11 with West Brom fifth on 10.

Everton slumped to the foot of the table after a 0-0 stalemate at Fulham while the gloom at Anfield deepened as Liverpool drew 2-2 at home to Sunderland. After the match fans staged a sit-down protest against the club's American owners.

West Ham United moved off the bottom with their first victory of the season, beating visiting London rivals Tottenham Hotspur 1-0. Blackpool lost 2-1 at home to Blackburn Rovers while Birmingham City versus Wigan Athletic ended scoreless.

Mancini's expensively assembled Manchester City side would have fallen 10 points adrift of Chelsea had they lost the lunchtime kickoff but the Italian won the tactical battle over compatriot Carlo Ancelotti who was critical of his players.

"We didn't play how we wanted," he told Sky Sports. "We weren't able to use our quality and were too complicated. City performed well in midfield and won a lot of tackles and they deserved to win."

Subdued Chelsea

That said, City offered precious little in attack during the first half but importantly succeeded in subduing a Chelsea strikeforce that had laid waste to defenses so far this season with 21 league goals in a rip-roaring five-match run.

Tevez was a peripheral figure as Chelsea looked the more likely side to break the deadlock but he provided one individual moment of real quality as the hour mark approached.

There seemed no danger when Yaya Toure received the ball in his own half and passed to Tevez but the Argentine was surprisingly allowed to run unimpeded towards the Chelsea goal.

He jinked to the right and lashed a shot through the legs of Ashley Cole and beyond Petr Cech's despairing dive.

Chelsea, for whom defender Branislav Ivanovic headed against the woodwork in the first half and Nicolas Anelka went close early in the second, never really looked like equalizing and it was puzzling when Didier Drogba was substituted by Ancelotti.

"It was tactical, I felt we didn't have enough pace in the attacking half," the Chelsea manager said.

Arsenal had not lost at home to West Brom for 27 years but found themselves 3-0 down as the visitors, who also missed a first-half penalty at 0-0, scored through Peter Odemwingie, Gonzalo Jara and former Gunners player Jerome Thomas.

All the goals came after the break with Nasri giving Arsenal hope of a late escape but West Brom held on for the win.

"We were poor and deserved to lose because we were not up for it, quality wise or concentration (wise)," Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger told Sky Sports. "Not one of the players was at his normal level. We made mistake after mistake defensively."

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Inter look one dimensional again in defeat by Roma

ROME - The debate about whether treble winners Inter Milan should have reinforced their squad in the transfer window resurfaced on Saturday when the Italian and European champions succumbed to a 1-0 league defeat at AS Roma.

Mirko Vucinic's injury-time diving header gave Roma their first win of the league campaign and inflicted inconsistent Inter's first Serie A defeat after five games.

New coach Rafael Benitez inherited practically the same side Jose Mourinho led to success last term but the sale of Mario Balotelli and the recruitment of untried youngsters like Coutinho means strikers Samuel Eto'o, Diego Milito and Goran Pandev all play at the same time with little option for change.

"There's no lack of quality alternatives in attack. Players like Milito, Eto'o, Pandev and Coutinho aren't easy to find," Benitez told Sky television in a bid to defend his unit.

"I think we should have had more intensity at the end of the game, we shouldn't have let them cross. But the problem isn't the goal at the end, it's that we had 15 shots on goal and should have scored before."

Montenegro's Vucinic was overjoyed to end Roma's sticky patch at an excitable Stadio Olimpico and avenge August's Italian Super Cup defeat by Inter, who narrowly beat the capital side to the scudetto yet again last term.

"It's a goal that's worth so much to me and to the team," the substitute said. "The most important element tonight was the fans.

"We have won against a very good side. But we know we are a good team."

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