Pro Eleven Headline News

Robbie Keane keeps Liverpool atop Premier League

Robbie Keane ensured Liverpool stayed top of the Premier League with two goals on Friday in a 3-0 victory over Bolton that ended a frustrating run of three draws at Anfield.

Albert Riera scored the opening goal in the 26th minute as the Reds maintained their one-point lead over Chelsea, which had briefly taken top spot earlier in the day by beating bottom-placed West Bromwich Albion, 2-0.

But it was Keane, scoring in consecutive matches for the first time since his arrival from Tottenham in July, who helped to solidify Liverpool's title credentials by grabbing a double inside five minutes after the break.

"We've had no doubts in Robbie's ability and his work rate," the Liverpool assistant manager, Sammy Lee, said. "What his commitment is and what he adds to the football club is immense.

"He has been working very hard and tirelessly. We know the quality of the boy and that's why we brought him to the football club."

The Reds have been waiting 19 years to capture a 19th English league title, but will have little room for error in their final 19 matches as Manchester United, the defending champion, also won to remain seven points behind with two games in hand.

Rafa Benítez's Liverpool had not been looking like title winners of late, enduring five draws and winning just once.

"It's very important to be top - I don't mean to sound conceited but that's what we prepare for," Lee said. "The patience in our play, the quality in our play was paramount.

"What was also impressive was the patience of the crowd. They were with us all the way."

Benítez was present after missing a 1-1 draw last week at Arsenal while recovering from surgery to remove kidney stones.

The Spaniard continued to issue instructions by phone as he watched the game from the directors' box with the club's chief executive.

Also on Friday, Chelsea remained ahead of Manchester United. Didier Drogba, who finally started up front alongside Nicolas Anelka, and Frank Lampard scored in the first half for the Blues.

Carlos Tévez scored with seven minutes left to give United a 1-0 victory over Stoke City, which had been reduced to 10 men, on what looked like a tired return to the Premier League.

United was far from its best after a midseason trip to Japan for the Club World Cup and had rarely troubled Stoke until Tévez scored from close range after a pass from Dimitar Berbatov.

The best chances United had managed to create before the Tévez strike were a long-range shot by Paul Scholes that forced a sharp save from the Stoke goalkeeper, Thomas Soerensen, and Berbatov heading over the bar.

Arsenal, meanwhile, did not enchance its Champions League hopes, having to settle for a 2-2 draw with Aston Villa.

West Ham climbed away from the relegation zone with a 4-1 victory at Portsmouth. Craig Bellamy, who was subject to a bid by Tottenham on Wednesday, scored the Hammers' third and fourth goals.

Spurs dropped down the standings despite a 0-0 draw against Fulham, which is now on its best ever Premier League run of eight unbeaten matches. Herald Tribune


Madrid want Diarra, Huntelaar in Champions League

Real Madrid will appeal to UEFA against its rule that means only one of the team's new signings - France midfielder Lassana Diarra and Netherlands striker Klaas-Jan Huntelaar - is eligible to play in the Champions League.

UEFA rules state that teams can sign three new players up until Feb. 1 but that only one who has played European football that season can play in the Champions League for his new club.

Diarra and Huntelaar played in this season's UEFA Cup for Portsmouth and Ajax, respectively.

Madrid said in a statement Friday that it had "another interpretation" of the rules, claiming they were designed to stop players changing teams within a competition and that they don't apply in this case because Diarra and Huntelaar played in the UEFA Cup.

Madrid said the signings weren't just made because its squad has been hit by injury, and that both players are part of the team's mid-and long-term planning.

Real Madrid hosts Liverpool in the first leg of the Champions League's round-of-16 on Feb. 25. The second leg is on March 10. Canadian Press