Arsene accuses

Blatter quells 2018 hopes

—– Three days after Sunday’s Carling Cup Final defeat, Arsenal exit the FA Cup.
Benni McCarthy hits a stunning late winner for Blackburn Rovers in the night’s Fifth Round replay at Ewood Park.
The Rovers substitute’s 16th goal of the season sets up a quarter-final visit from Lancashire rivals Manchester City to the delight of manager Mark Hughes: “The goal deserved to win any game and I can’t wait to see it again. Benni brings world-class quality and he’s shown that all through the season.
“What a good decision from the manager to bring him on as an impact player!”

—– After the match, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger launches in to an amazing tirade when he brands a linesman at the Carling Cup Final as a liar.
Striker Emmanuel Adebayor faces a three-match ban after being sent-off after he was identified by one of the linesmen as a main culprit in the mass brawl at the end of the game against Chelsea.
An aggrieved Wenger doesn’t want to let it rest: “I feel Adebayor didn’t punch anybody so when the linesman says he punched somebody, he lies.
“I don’t agree at all with the match report, with what the linesman said. This is a lie - a complete lie.
“He comes out now and says Adebayor punched Lampard. I’d like Lampard to come out and say Adebayor punched him.”
Both clubs have been charged with misconduct by the Football Association.

—– After it seemed that England were the hot-favourites to host the World Cup finals in 2018, FIFA president Sepp Blatter casts serious doubts on those ambitions.
In London to meet Chancellor Gordon Brown, Mr Blatter reveals the FIFA rotation system doesn’t necessarily mean the tournament will come to Europe in 2018.
He explained: “The executive must take a decision whether the rotation should include all federations. If the Americas are considered as one, then rotation would go to Asia.”
A decision will be made in December but, if all else fails, it’s looking good for 2022: “England would have a very good chance because they have the best technical infrastructure, organisation of security, and safe and confident stadiums. It’s an example to the world.”
Mr Blatter also took the opportunity to blast UEFA for allowing Manchester United’s Champions League game against Lille last week to be played in Lens.
The away section became overcrowded and supporters were crushed against perimeter fences: “It should not be permitted to play Champions League matches in such a stadium.
“I cannot understand those who organise the Champions League accept a stadium like Lens to play such a match.”

Blues back on top

PM backs cheaper tickets call

—– So who was it that said FA Cup replays should be scrapped?
The night’s two Fifth Round replays both provide tremendous examples of why they must continue.
Manchester United seem set for a stroll into the quarter-finals as they storm into a three goal lead after only six minutes at Reading.
The Royals gamely fight back to bring the score back to 2-3, and nearly complete a remarkable comeback when Brynjar Gunnarsson’s long-range shot smacks against the bar with only seconds remaining.
United will now travel to Middlesbrough after their Premiership rivals have to rely on penalties for the second round in a row before progressing against Football League opposition.
Boro are held to a 1-1 draw at Championship promotion-chasers West Bromwich Albion after extra time before going through 5-4 on penalties.

—– More disappointment for West Brom sees them lose their place as Championship leaders.
They are replaced by Birmingham City but, as a mark of the division’s competitiveness, Blues struggle to beat bottom-of-the-table Leeds United 1-0 at St Andrews.
Luton Town drop further into relegation trouble as Simon Lappin gives Norwich City a last-gasp 3-2 win at Kenilworth Road.

—– Although there’s still 11 games to go, North Lincolnshire Council announce plans for a promotion party after Scunthorpe United go nine points clear at the top of League One following a 3-1 win at Crewe Alexandra.
The Iron extend their record unbeaten away run to 13 games while equalling their club record six consecutive league wins which has stood since 1969.
Second-placed Yeovil Town lose ground after a goalless draw at Doncaster Rovers while recent leaders Oldham Athletic lose their fourth game in a row as Blackpool win 1-0 at Boundary Park.
Rotherham United remain eight points adrift at the bottom after Swansea City win 2-1 at Millmoor in Roberto Martinez’s first game in charge of the Swans.

—– The Bristol derby in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy Southern Section Final ends in a deserved victory for Rovers.
Rickie Lambert scores the only goal of the two-legged tie in the second leg at the Memorial Stadium.
The Pirates now meet Doncaster Rovers in the Final at the Millennium Stadium.

—– Prime Minster Tony Blair backs the calls for more affordable ticket prices at Premiership games.
Speaking at his monthly press conference, Mr Blair says: “It’s the ordinary fan that really builds the club. It’s a decision for them [the Premiership clubs] but I think the logic of it is pretty clear.”
Almost 80 MPs have signed a motion protesting against the high admission prices.
The Football Supporters Federation recently launched an on-line petition demanding a maximum adult away admission price at Premiership games of £15 and, generally, using the money from televised games to subsidise ticket prices.

Wilde quits as Saints chairman

Hungary Tykes win again

—– Lille confirm their staggering decision to continue their appeal against UEFA’s decision to allow Manchester United’s perfectly legitimate winning goal to stand in their controversial Champions League meeting last week.
The Lille players appeared to contemplate leaving the pitch in protest after referee Eric Braamhaar allowed Ryan Giggs’ goal from a quickly taken free-kick to stand.
The French club have already filed a complaint but it was immediately rejected by UEFA.
In an amazing outburst, club president Michel Seydoux explains their bemusing stance: “Those who have watched the match know why we are appealing the decision.
“This case must be examined thoroughly and UEFA have to do it. It must be known that the referee influenced the outcome of this game. We had to appeal for moral reasons.
“It is necessary to go all the way in this case and we will go all the way. Our cause is not the cause of Lille against another club or against UEFA.
“It is a battle by Lille for all the other clubs, to make sure this never happens again.”
It’s a shame he doesn’t appear to have the same concerns for the 5,000 people in the stadium who were crammed into a space for 3,500 spectators.

—– Michael Wilde dramatically resigns as Southampton chairman having been at the helm of the Championship club for just under nine months.
The 54-year-old property tycoon replaced Rupert Lowe in June.
A statement to the Stock Exchange reads: “Michael led the initiative to secure new investment monies. He has been unsuccessful in those endeavours.
“In consequence of this, the board reassigned the task of raising new funds to other directors of Southampton Leisure Holdings.”

—– Barnsley’s new Hungarian strike force continue to ease the Yorkshire club away from the Championship relegation zone as they win at Stoke City.
Istvan Ferenci latches on to a pass from Peter Rajczi to coolly slot home the only goal of the game just before half-time.
It’s his fourth goal in three games for the rejuvenated Tykes.
The match at the Britannia Stadium is preceded by a minute’s silence in memory of John Ritchie. The Potters’ cult hero passed away on Friday, aged 65.

Brawl and Terry injury mar last Cardiff Final

Latics increase drop zone gap

—– The last major Cup Final to be held at Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium (fingers crossed, all being well) ends in mayhem as two Didier Drogba goals take the first domestic trophy of the season to Chelsea.
Against an Arsenal team with an average age of 21 and showing eight changes from their midweek Champions League game, a full-strength Chelsea have to come from behind to win a Final that is packed with intrigue and interest from start to finish.
17 year-old Theo Walcott nets his first Gunners goal before Drogba takes his tally for the season to 28 goals.
His winner comes after a sickening injury to John Terry.
Having made a remarkable recovery from a midweek ankle injury, the Chelsea captain is carried from the field in a neck brace and needing oxygen having swallowed his tongue and knocked unconscious after being accidentally kicked full in the face by Abou Diaby in a goalmouth melee.
After a hospital visit, Terry confirms his Iron Man status by recovering to join the post-match celebrations.
Diaby’s team mates Kolo Toure and Emmanuel Adebayor are not so innocent in a mass brawl that breaks out just before the game comes to an end.
The unseemly squabble brings managers Jose Mourinho and Arsene Wenger out on to the pitch as peacemakers.
Despite refereeing the game superbly, Howard Webb has no choice but to show red cards to the duo and to Chelsea’s John Obi Mikel. Only three players have been sent-off in the entire previous history of League Cup Finals.
More than 11 minutes of added time has to be played before the final whistle brings to a close the seventh and (hopefully) last League Cup Final to be played at Cardiff.
There’s little argument that the Millennium Stadium has been a worthy venue.
There’s a similar lack of debate about its biggest drawback. It has been dogged by transport problems, and more than 2,000 supporters travelling by train missed the start of the game. Some faced a wait of over four hours after the game before making the return journey.

—– Wigan Athletic ease their Premiership relegation worries with a 1-0 win against Newcastle United at the JJB Stadium.
The Latics now have a six-point cushion above the bottom three.
Keeper John Filan, in his first home appearance of the season, saves a controversial penalty before right-back Ryan Taylor - who broke his leg in a reserves game at Newcastle last year - hits the winner.
In common with the recent trend, Wigan fell aggrieved with the referee has they have six players booked and so face a £25,000 fine.

—– An exciting afternoon for Robbie Keane soon turns sour.
Having scored twice as Tottenham Hotspur led Bolton Wanderers 3-0 after only a quarter of the game at White Hart Lane, Keane is harshly sent-off for deliberate handball after 37 minutes as he tried to clear the ball of the line after a Bolton corner.
Spurs go on to win the game 4-1 as Wanderers miss the chance to move in to the top four.

—– A late miss from Shabani Nonda arguably cost Blackburn Rovers their further participation in the UEFA Cup on Thursday, but he is the villain-turned-hero today.
Although he weakly misses a penalty, the AS Roma loanee scores twice in a 3-0 win against Portsmouth at Ewood Park as Rovers move in to the top half of the Premiership table.

—– Wrexham remain in the bottom two of League Two after suffering a 1-3 home defeat by Shrewsbury Town.
Veteran striker Leo Fortune-West nets two for the Shrews.

—– Celtic clutch victory from the jaws of defeat in their Scottish Cup quarter-final at Inverness Caledonian Thistle.
Having trailed since early in the game, the SPL leaders score twice in the last 90 seconds.
Cally boss Charlie Christie admits: “I cannot believe it. It’s a real sore one to take and the players are near to tears in the dressing-room.”

Poor United go nine-points clear

Baggies bag top spot

—– Alan Curbishley’s first return to The Valley turns in to a nightmare as his West Ham United team succumb to a 0-4 humbling from fellow strugglers Charlton Athletic in the crunch relegation battle.
After 15 years in charge, Curbishley receives warm applause from the home fans but that is the highlight of his day as Athletic - managed by recent Hammers boss Alan Pardew - give their survival hopes a genuine boost.
West Ham are now six points adrift of the safety mark and their dejected boss offers little hope: “We have got to try and pick up the pieces, but it’s going to be very tough. We are in a mess and need to get some players back and a result.”
The club take the unusual step of issuing a statement after the game to confirm their manager’s position is not under threat. Oh dear!
Despite a below-par performance, Manchester United increase their Premiership lead to nine-points with a 2-1 win at Fulham. Cristiano Ronaldo hits the late winner.
Liverpool extend their unbeaten home league record to 30 games with a 4-0 drubbing of Sheffield United.
Middlesbrough continue to make progress since the turn of the year with a 2-1 win against European contenders Reading at the Riverside.
Watford’s mini-revival comes to a shuddering halt with a 0-3 home defeat to Everton.

—– Following a 1-1 draw at Leicester City, West Bromwich Albion are the new leaders of the Championship.
Derby County lose top spot after a 1-2 defeat at Sunderland. A last-gasp Liam Miller boosts the Black Cats promotion hopes as they move up to fourth.
Birmingham City miss the chance to take over at the top as they slip to a surprise 0-2 defeat at strugglers Hull City.
The division is set for an exciting run-in as the top eight are divided by just four points while just five points split the bottom six.

—– Scunthorpe United extend their lead at the top of League One to an impressive seven points as the equally impressive Iron beat Gillingham 3-1 at Glanford Park.
They are now followed by another unlikely promotion candidate as Yeovil Town move up to second with a 1-0 home win against Swansea City. Before the game, Roberto Martinez is confirmed as the Swans new manager. The former midfielder will take charge of his first game at Rotherham United on Tuesday.
Even without their ten-point deduction, Rotherham would be in dire relegation trouble. Their 0-3 defeat at Northampton Town leaves them eight points adrift at the bottom.
Huddersfield Town keeper Matt Glennon has a mixed afternoon at the Galpharm Stadium. He saves three penalties (one being a re-take) but Crewe Alexandra still secure a 2-1 win.

—– League Two leaders Hartlepool United extend their unbeaten run to 18 games with a 1-0 win at Boston United.
Walsall and Swindon Town stay in touch with home wins against Barnet (4-1) and Chester City (1-0), respectively.

Rangers in, Rovers out

City for sale

—– Newcastle United progress to the last 16 of the UEFA Cup despite an uninspiring performance against SV Zulte Waregem at St James’ Park.
The hard work was done with a 3-1 win in the first leg in Belgium.
Obafemi Martins adds the only further goal after 68 minutes.
United now go on to face AZ Alkmaar in the next round, and Toon boss Glenn Roeder is looking forward to pitting his wits against Dutch coach Louis Van Gaal: “There’s a discussion he’s arguably the best coach in the world. He has had periods in his career where he has been to the very top.”

—– Rangers will now meet Osasuna after they soundly beat Hapoel Tel Aviv at Ibrox.
Trailing 1-2 from the first leg, the Gers secure a comfortable 4-0 win to go through 5-2 on aggregate.
Skipper Barry Ferguson scores twice.

—– There’s a night of frustration for Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park as their European quest comes to an end after being held to a goalless draw by Bayer Leverkusen.
They fail to overturn a 2-3 deficit from the first leg.
Although he wasn’t impressed by the visitors’ time-wasting tactics, honest Rovers boss Mark Hughes identified the true stumbling block: “The referee isn’t the reason we were beaten over the two legs; we made too many errors.
“We had a couple of gilt-edged chances that we needed to put away and didn’t, so that’s it.”
On a positive note, despite the unusual 6pm kick-off time (due to the demands of German TV) and incessant rain, the game attracts a well-above average crowd of over 25,000.
The healthy attendance - due to vastly reduced ticket prices - backs up Blackburn’s intention to introduce much more affordable admission prices next season.

The Football Supporters’ Federation has recently launched an on-line petition demanding a maximum adult away admission price at Premiership games of £15 and, generally, using the money from televised games to subsidise ticket prices.

—– In a statement to the Stock Exchange, Manchester City confirm they are in ‘preliminary discussions’ with potential investors.
The Premiership club’s major shareholders are chairman John Wardle and David Makin.
Mr Wardle explains: “Talks are at a very early stage and accordingly we are not yet in a position to disclose the identity of the possible investor.
“Hopefully, something comes of these talks because I would be prepared to pass the baton on if it allowed the club to get back into the honours.”
Reports suggest as many as four groups have expressed an interest.

Sheva earns draw in Porto

Watford miss out

—– You just couldn’t script it!
Following a week when the headlines have been dominated by Craig Bellamy and John Arne Riise’s alleged off-field conflict involving a golf club (notably, a headline in The Sun newspaper portrayed Bellamy as ‘The nutter with the putter’), the duo score the goals as Liverpool pull off a famous 2-1 win at Barcelona in the first leg of their Champions League tie.
The Reds come from behind to gain the half-way advantage in the meeting of the last two winners of Europe’s premier club competition.
Deco’s opener is the first goal that Liverpool have conceded in four visits to the Nou Camp but manager Rafa Benitez warns the job is not yet done: “Barcelona have got some very good attacking players and we need to do our best at Anfield. We have to be prudent, nothing is decided yet.”
They remain the only English club to have won at Barca.

—– An Andriy Shevchenko goal earns Chelsea a 1-1 draw on manager Jose Mourinho’s return to FC Porto.
It leaves the Premiership champions in a strong position to reach the quarter-finals, but it’s not all good news.
Captain John Terry is carried off with an ankle injury and appears to be ruled out of Sunday’s Carling Cup Final with Arsenal.
Mourinho remains typically upbeat: “We’re second in the league and still in the FA Cup, Carling Cup and the Champions League. Considering our injuries and problems, this is my best season here so far.”

Premiership referee Mike Riley equals a Champions League record.
The Yorkshire whistler shows eleven yellow cards in the tetchy Roma v Lyon goalless draw, so matching the record set by Dutchman Dick Jol in 2000.

—– Watford miss the chance to move off the bottom of the Premiership.
Fellow strugglers Wigan Athletic are reduced to ten-men after 20 minutes at Vicarage Road.
Watford soon take the lead but are denied all three points by equaliser from new Latics signing Caleb Folan.
Tottenham Hotspur clinch their first away win in the Premiership since mid-December with a last minute Jermaine Jenas strike at Everton.

—– Derby County suffer a significant setback in their promotion bid.
The Championship leaders are beaten 0-2 at home by Stoke City so, having recently held a six-point lead, six points now cover the top five teams.

—– Bolton Wanderers become the first Premiership club to announce that they will reduce season ticket prices next season.
Their current most expensive season pass will drop to £449 from £499.
A child’s season ticket will fall to £99 - an average of only £5.21 per game.
Football Supporters’ Federation spokesman Malcolm Clarke gives the initiative a cool welcome: “We will give Bolton only one and a half cheers because it is not very much in relation to the money they will get in [from the new TV deal].
“They could let everyone in free and still have as much money as they have got today.”
The FSF recently launched an on-line petition demanding a maximum adult away admission price at Premiership games of £15 and, generally, using the money from televised games to subsidise ticket prices.

—– Chris Roberts resigns as chairman of Torquay United after only four months in charge of the Devon club.
The Gulls are currently six points adrift at the bottom of League Two and appear destined to drop out of the Football League in May.

UEFA announce probe after Lille tie

Celtic deny Milan

—– As the Champions League reaches the knockout stages, Manchester United secure a one-goal advantage after the away leg against Lille but that is about the only bright spot during a chaotic night in France.
With Lille’s ground deemed unsuitable, the tie is played at RC Lens’ compact Stade Felix-Bollaert ground.
The centre of attention during a drab first-half is the lower section of away terracing where United supporters appear to be crushed due to overcrowding.
Two people are lifted over the ten-foot high fence.
In scenes reminiscent of the worst from years ago, the local riot police’s response includes the firing of tear gas.
Order is restored before more controversy follows.
Ryan Giggs scores the only goal after 83 minutes while Lille are still assembling their wall for a free-kick.
Their players are incensed by the award of the goal and walk off the pitch in protest before returning.
United manager Sir Alex Ferguson could barely believe what he witnessed: “I have never seen that before in all my years in football. That is a disgrace and UEFA have to do something about that because it was pure intimidation of the referee.
“The Lille staff encouraged their players to come off and that made it a hostile atmosphere inside the ground. It’s a disgrace.”
A UEFA spokesman confirms they will investigate the night’s events.

—– Thankfully, Arsenal experience a much more peaceful atmosphere in Holland.
Unfortunately, they don’t enjoy the same success as it’s PSV Eindhoven who take the one-goal first leg lead via a second-half strike from Edison Mendez.
Having looked comfortable in the first-half, Gunners boss Arsene Wenger struggles to explain their post-break display: “What happened in the second half is difficult to say. We dropped our level of cohesion, our passing and fluency went. We created barely anything.”

—– Celtic’s hopes of reaching the Champions League quarter-finals are still alive after a goalless draw with AC Milan at Parkhead.
The major landmark of the evening is Milan’s Paolo Maldini’s 100th Champions League appearance.

—– West Bromwich Albion’s 1-0 win against Cardiff City at The Hawthorns lifts the Baggies in to second place in the Championship, only a point behind leaders Derby County.
Sunderland’s promotion aspirations are given further credibility after a 1-1 draw at Birmingham City. Blues equalise in the last minute as the Black Cats move up to fifth.
They go above Southampton who lose 1-2 at Coventry City in Iain Dowie’s first game in charge of the Sky Blues.
In the key relegation battles, Barnsley beat Hull City 3-0 at Oakwell while Queens Park Rangers hold out for a goalless draw at Leeds United.

—– Scunthorpe United’s incredible season continues as a 2-0 win at Swansea City sees the Iron go six points clear at the top of League One. They also equal their club record of 12 away games without defeat.
Oldham Athletic slump to a 0-3 defeat at Port Vale while Yeovil Town move up to third following a 2-0 win at AFC Bournemouth.
In a complete reverse of recent form, Leyton Orient move clear of the bottom four with a 5-2 win at Millwall. Norwich City loanee Ryan Jarvis hits a hat-trick in only his second game for the Os.

—– Hartlepool United are the new leaders of League Two following their 3-2 win against Macclesfield Town at Victoria Park.
Pool replace Walsall who lose 0-1 at Stockport County. The Hatters equal their club record of eight consecutive league wins which has stood since 1928. Keeper Wayne Hennessey (on loan from Wolverhampton Wanderers) has yet to concede a goal in his eight-game senior career.
Lincoln City and Swindon Town fail to cash-in on the Saddlers slip-up as the Imps crash to a 1-4 home defeat by Hereford United while the Robins lose 0-1 at Barnet.

Dowie reaches for the Sky Blues

Rafa issues warning

—– It is confirmed that Roman Abramovich’s investment in Chelsea has now exceeded £500million.
Accounts show losses of £80.2million for the financial year to June 2006.
The losses are £60million down on the £140million deficit recorded in 2004-05
Chief executive Peter Kenyon believes the Stamford Bridge club are still on target to break even by 2009-10 though: “Last year we took some painful decisions in order to help us achieve our long-term business aims. This year’s figures prove that was the correct decision.”
They also announce that prices will be frozen on all non-corporate tickets for their Premier League matches next season and significant price reductions for Champions League group games.

—– Coventry City unveil Iain Dowie as their new manager.
The 42-year-old was dismissed by Charlton Athletic in November after just 12 league games in charge at The Valley.
The former Oldham Athletic and Crystal Palace boss admits to earlier talks with new owner Milan Mandaric regarding a possible appointment at Leicester City. He also rejected Hull City’s approach in December.
Sky Blues’ managing director Paul Fletcher says: “Iain was incredibly impressive on the occasions we met and there is no doubt that he was by far the strongest candidate in all the criteria we set.”
Dowie will be assisted by his former Southampton team-mate Tim Flowers.
Caretaker manager Adrian Heath was sacked yesterday in the aftermath of Saturday’s 0-3 defeat at Leicester.
He had been in charge at the Ricoh Arena since Micky Adams was dismissed on 17 January.
Coventry are currently in 17th position in the Championship.

—– Following Sunday newspaper allegations of a fracas between Craig Bellamy and John Arne Riise during the current training camp trip to Portugal, Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez confirms he will take disciplinary action and fine any player who are found to have breached club rules.
Speaking ahead of Wednesday’s visit to Barcelona in the Champions League, the Reds boss says: “I’ve made it clear to them the responsibilities that come with playing for this club and how they are expected to conduct themselves.”

—– After three consecutive wins, Brentford miss they chance to increase the pressure on their League One relegation rivals.
The Bees lose 0-1 at home to Northampton Town with a rare phenomenon in English football - a starting line-up of eleven Englishmen.

Man City end Preston run

Rangers strengthen second slot

—– Tottenham Hotspur are the emphatic 4-0 winners of the FA Cup Fifth Round London derby with Fulham at Craven Cottage.
Robbie Keane is the match-winner with two identical superb volleys then Dimitar Berbatov adds two more late goals.
Manager Martin Jol hopes for further progress: “Maybe this is our year - if we can show that passion we can beat anyone.”
More bad news for Fulham is striker Vincenzo Montella’s late dismissal.

—– Manchester City come through a tricky visit to Championship promotion hopefuls Preston North End with a 3-1 win.
City fall behind to an early goal from David Nugent but level through new signing Michael Ball before two late goals secure their passage through to the quarter-finals.
Facing his former club, Preston boss admits: “They deserved to win but 3-1 flatters them. We came up against a quality side and in the second half we didn’t test their goal enough.”

—– Although Glasgow rivals Celtic are now only three wins away from retaining their SPL title, Rangers strengthen their stranglehold on second position.
Their 2-1 win against Falkirk at Ibrox leaves the Gers seven points clear of third-placed Aberdeen.

—– In League Two, Wrexham move out of the drop zone courtesy of a goalless draw with Chester City at the Racecourse Ground.
They are replaced in the bottom two by Boston United.