Arsenal win to reach group stages

Arsenal ensured a 10th consecutive season in the Champions League group stages as they completed a routine qualifying win over Sparta Prague. Tomas Rosicky, playing against his former club, put the tie beyond doubt on seven minutes, converting Theo Walcott’s cross with a crisp finish.

The Gunners did not need to find top gear, with Sparta offering little.

But Cesc Fabregas’s 82nd-minute drive and Eduardo da Silva’s last-minute volley confirmed Arsenal’s dominance.

Resuming with a 2-0 lead from a bad-tempered first leg, the Gunners wasted no time in trying to put the game beyond Sparta with Robin van Persie heading narrowly over from Gilberto Silva’s first-minute cross.

Justin Hoyte’s badly underhit backpass – forcing goalkeeper Manuel Almunia to race off his line to clear under pressure from Libor Dosek – provided Sparta with their first half-chance.

Celtic earn dramatic Euro victory

Celtic won through 4-3 in a tense penalty shoot-out to reach the group stage of the Champions League. Artur Boruc saved two weak efforts from the spot on a night when both sides hit the woodwork with penalties in an action-packed 120 minutes.

Scott McDonald shot Celtic ahead only for Roman Pavluchenko, who missed an earlier spot-kick, to level.

With Spartak down to 10 men, Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink missed an extra time penalty but his side won through.

A match packed with talking points started like whirlwind and just didn’t slow down.

The visitors start brightly and a darting run by Vladimir Bystrov worried the Celtic defence before captain Egor Titov flashed a cross narrowly wide of Boruc’s far post.

Sunderland sign left-back Harte

Sunderland have signed former Republic of Ireland and Leeds left-back Ian Harte on a free transfer. Black Cats boss Roy Keane said: “I played alongside Ian and I know the qualities he can bring to our club.”

The 29-year-old, who spent nine years at Leeds before moving to Levante, said: “It’s great to be back in the Premier League and I’m raring to go.

“This is a chance for me at a massive club and there are plenty of Irish lads here to make me feel welcome.”

Harte trained with Sunderland last week and may now be thrurst into the squad for the reserve team game against local rivals Newcastle on Thursday.

The defender left Leeds for Levante in 2004, but injury problems during that time meant he only made 66 appearances in total and subsequently quit the club by mutual consent in August.

Harte, who was renowned for his expertise from free-kicks, won 64 caps for Ireland and scored 11 times.

source:bbcsports

Heroic Ghana send Brazil packing

Ghana needed all their courage and belief to defeat Brazil 1-0 in their Round of 16 encounter at Soccer Only Field in Gwangyang on Wednesday. Reduced to ten men in the first half, the Black Starlets owed their famous win to Issac Donkor’s strike.

The experts predicted a well-balanced match and they were spot on. Brazil’s calm and intricate build-up play was impressive to behold as the imperious Fabio pulled the strings, but so too were Ghana’s explosive counter-attacks, with Francis Boadi often winning the ball and jet-heeled duo Sadick Adams and Ransford Osei then causing the damage.

Jenas to stay at Spurs until 2012

Tottenham midfielder Jermaine Jenas has signed a new five-year contract that will keep him at the club until 2012. Jenas, who cost £7m when he signed from Newcastle in 2005, enjoyed a good campaign last year, scoring eight goals despite two months out through injury.

The 24-year-old told the club website: “Spurs have the calibre of squad that any player would want to be part of.

“The spirit in the squad is terrific, the club is ambitious and undoubtedly moving forward.”

Yakubu joins Everton for £11.25m

Everton have completed a club record £11.25m deal for Middlesbrough’s Yakubu after he was granted a work permit. Yakubu, 24, was initially refused a permit because he failed to play 75% of Nigeria’s games in the last two years.

But Everton won an appeal and the striker has signed a five-year deal at Goodison Park after agreeing terms and passing a medical.

He is second only to Thierry Henry in the Premier League goal charts over the last four seasons.

Yakubu told Everton’s website: “I am happy to be here. It is a great feeling to come over and meet a lot of good players and see the spirit that they have.

Terry: United miss Rooney and Ronaldo

John Terry believes Manchester United are already facing an uphill battle to retain their Barclays Premier League title.

The Chelsea and England captain is surprised at United’s disappointing start to the new season, which has seen them fall five points behind the Blues after just four games.

He said: ‘I would have expected United to have started a bit better but a lot of clubs have bought really well over the summer. Five points is a hell of a gap to have this early on.

‘It’s going to be difficult for United.’

Terry excited by Ronaldinho rumours

Chelsea captain John Terry admits the possibility of Ronaldinho going to Stamford Bridge is ‘exciting’ but believes the Barcelona forward would need to improve his defensive work ethic to succeed.

Rumours this week suggested Chelsea’s billionaire owner Roman Abramovich held two meetings with Ronaldinho’s brother and adviser in a bid to persuade the Barcelona star to join the Blues in the Barclays Premier League.

Barca have dismissed those claims and with Friday’s transfer deadline looming any deal would need to be done quickly.

England defender Terry is positive about the prospect – however distant – but was also cautious.

‘It was exciting seeing the link with him and it would be a great acquisition to get a player of that ability in,’ Terry said.

Curbishley cool on Adriano move

West Ham manager Alan Curbishley played down talk of a move for Inter Milan’s Adriano even though the club said they were interested in signing the striker. Adriano, 25, has also been linked with Manchester City, while Serie A side Lazio have also stated their interest in landing the Brazilian.

A statement by the Hammers said: “We are investigating the possibility of a loan deal at this stage.”

But Curbishley said: “I don’t know too much about it to be fair.

“I don’t know if it is talk to stir things up, if you like, we will have to see. I just think it is something that has cropped up.

“Is it speculation or is there something in it? I don’t know.”

Adriano has slipped down the pecking order at Inter and fellow Serie A side Lazio would take him depending on his attitude.

West Ham make £5m bid for Shorey

West Ham have made a £5m bid for Reading’s England left-back Nicky Shorey, BBC Radio 5live understands. Shorey, 26, made his England debut against Brazil at Wembley at the end of last season.

He has been linked with Newcastle, but West Ham are favourites to clinch a deal after talks on a new contract at Reading stalled.

West Ham, however, may need to increase their offer to about £6m to persuade Reading to sell Shorey.

source:bbcsports