30.1.09

Pro Eleven Headline News

English roundup-United aim to extend gap despite injuries

Brief news before this weekend's Premier League matches (times GMT):

* Manchester United, who can briefly extend their Premier League lead to five points when they take on an Everton side unbeaten in seven league games on Saturday (1730 GMT), face a mountain of injury worries.

Despite picking up 26 points from a possible 30 and keeping a top-flight record 11 successive clean sheets, the champions are without Wayne Rooney (hamstring), Nani (groin), Patrice Evra (foot), Anderson (ankle), Jonny Evans (ankle) and long-term casualty Owen Hargreaves (knee).

* Everton makeshift striker Tim Cahill is a major doubt for the trip to United after hobbling off at the end of Wednesday's 1-1 draw with Arsenal. X-rays on Friday revealed the Australian did not suffer a break to his foot, just severe bruising.

* Liverpool, who surrendered second place to Chelsea after a third successive league draw on Wednesday, host Luiz Felipe Scolari's men on Sunday (1600) still seeking a first win this year in their chase for the title.

Rafael Benitez has no first-team injuries but must decide whether to start luckless striker Robbie Keane. The Irishman has not completed 90 minutes for the Reds since December.

* Chelsea lost their 86-match unbeaten home record to Liverpool in October and remain deprived of the injured trio of Ricardo Carvalho, Joe Cole and Michael Essien while John Terry and Jose Boswinga are one booking away from suspension.

* Aston Villa could share the lead at the top of the table for two hours at least on Saturday if they can secure victory over Wigan Athletic (1500) in manager Martin O'Neill's 100th Premier League match in charge.

Wigan could welcome back goalkeeper Chris Kirkland after he was forced to miss the midweek draw with Liverpool with a back problem. Winger Antonio Valencia remains sidelined with a hamstring injury.

* New signing Savio Nsereko is available for West Ham United for their trip to the Emirates stadium on Saturday (1500) but he is likely to start on the bench with strikers David Di Michele and Carlton Cole both scoring in the 2-0 win over Hull on Wednesday.

Arsenal have no fresh injury worries with long term absentees Cesc Fabregas, Eduardo da Silva, Tomas Rosicky, Theo Walcott and Mikael Silvestre all still sidelined.

* Manchester City, who again failed with a bid for Blackburn Rovers striker Roque Santa Cruz on Friday, expect Pablo Zabaleta and Shaun Wright-Phillips to be available for Saturday's trip (1245) to Stoke City after both were substituted in the midweek win over Newcastle United.

Struggling Stoke welcome striker Ricardo Fuller back after suspension and midfielder Liam Lawrence following an ankle injury.

* Freefalling Newcastle United's problems continued after midfielder Charles N'Zogbia vowed never to play for them again, saying he was insulted by boss Joe Kinnear mispronunciation of his name after Wednesday's loss at Manchester City.

Michael Owen (foot) and Joey Barton (ankle) joined the strugglers' growing long-term injury list this week but Kinnear will hope to give new signing Kevin Nolan his debut in Sunday's local derby at home to Sunderland (1330).

* Sunderland boss Ricky Sbragia could be without midfielder Teemu Tainio, who picked up a knee injury in Tuesday's 1-0 win over Fulham that put his side 12th in the standings.

Paul McShane is out with a hamstring problem but fellow defender George McCartney (calf) should be fit and Kieran Richardson has recovered from his ankle injury. Reuters


Barcelona stay on course for domestic double

Barcelona held off a late rally from city rivals Espanyol to reach the semifinals of the Spanish Cup for the third year in a row.

The Primera leaders won 3-2 in the Nou Camp to win the tie by the same margin on aggregate after a goalless first leg.

It leaves them well set to complete the domestic double in Spain, but after taking a three-goal lead in Thursday night's tie they were given a late scare as Espanyol hit back with a second half double.

Barca took the lead in the 35th minute as 18-year-old teenage sensation Bojan Krkic took advantage of a slip by Espanyol goalkeeper Cristian Alvarez.

Bojan scored his second early in the second half with central defender Gerard Pique heading a third just 10 minutes later.

Espanyol looked dead and buried until Ferrari Corominas pulled one back and with 20 minutes left substitute Jose Maria Callejon made it 3-2.

But Barcelona held on with Bojan delighted to have impressed coach Pep Guardiola.

"It is important for me to make the most of every chance the boss gives me," he was quoted on the official club Web site www.fcbarcelona.com.

"I am only 18, but I am at a great club, and it's an amazing situation I'm in right now and I have to feel proud to be here."

In other Spanish Cup action on Thursday, holders Valencia went out on the away goals rule to Sevilla after a 4-4 aggregate scoreline.

Valencia led 3-2 after their home leg and went further as through captain Carlos Marchena in the eighth minute.

But Frederic Kanoute pulled on back for Sevilla just before the break and Sebastien Squillaci scored in the last minute to see them through in dramatic fashion.

Barcelona will face Real Mallorca in the semifinals while Sevilla are rewarded with a tie against Athletic Bilbao. CNN


Premier League

La Liga

Serie A

Bundesliga

  © Blogger template 'Ultimatum' by Ourblogtemplates.com 2008

Back to TOP