Man Utd 2-1 Everton

Cristiano Ronaldo’s penalty two minutes from time earned Manchester United a narrow win that saw them close the gap on league leaders Arsenal to a point.

It was a cruel finish for Everton, who had battled well before Steven Pienaar felled Ryan Giggs late on, allowing Ronaldo to convert from the spot.

The Portuguese had earlier fired the hosts into the lead with a 20-yarder.

Tim Cahill levelled with a firm header and the Toffees looked to have earned a hard-fought point until Ronaldo’s goal.

The result ended the Toffees’ 13-match unbeaten run in all competitions.

And it could prove a vital three points for United, who move a single point behind Arsenal again after the Gunners’ derby win over Tottenham on Saturday.

The opening of the match, between two of the form sides in the Premier League, was predictably fraught, with four bookings in the opening 15 minutes and a host of fouls interrupting the flow of the game.

However, it was United who settled first, despite the absence of key trio Edwin van der Sar, Rio Ferdinand and Owen Hargreaves through injury.

Carlos Tevez had the game’s first real chance when Wayne Rooney helped on a Ronaldo cross only for the Argentine’s shot to be deflected wide.

Everton 1-2 Liverpool

Dirk Kuyt’s injury-time penalty gave Liverpool a crucial Merseyside derby win against nine-man Everton. Sami Hyypia sliced into his own goal after 37 minutes to give Everton the lead at the interval.

But Kuyt scored from the spot after 54 minutes when Tony Hibbert was sent off for hauling down Steven Gerrard as he raced clear on goal.

And Kuyt struck again in time added on, with Phil Neville also sent off for handling Lucas’ goal-bound shot.

Everton were then furious with referee Mark Clattenburg, who ignored strong claims for a spot-kick in the dying seconds when Jamie Carragher clearly dragged down Joleon Lescott.

Liverpool were without groin-injury victim Fernando Torres, while Everton resisted the temptation to recall long-term absentees Tim Cahill, Thomas Gravesen and James Vaughan.

Everton 0-1 Man Utd

Nemanja Vidic’s late header gave Manchester United victory in a tight encounter with Everton. The home side and United were closely matched until Vidic arrived at the near post to power home Nani’s corner after 83 minutes to seal a crucial win.

Paul Scholes had earlier wasted United’s best opportunity, volleying over from 10 yards.

But he rescued United just after half-time when he scrambled Andrew Johnson’s header off the line.

United again struggled to mount any serious attacking threat but Vidic’s goal gave them their third successive 1-0 win.

Manchester United kept Wayne Rooney, fit after a broken foot, on the bench but Cristiano Ronaldo was able to return after suspension.

Everton want Howard injury update

Everton are still to discover the full extent of goalkeeper Tim Howard’s injury suffered while on international duty with the United States. The Everton goalkeeper dislocated his finger in the 4-2 defeat to Brazil.

“Tim has injured his finger and we don’t know much about it,” head physio Mick Rathbone told evertonTV.

“Obviously with the time differences and everything we’re collating all the information. We’re are expecting further information.”

With Howard impressive in goal, Everton have made a promising start to the season and are currently third in the table.

David Moyes’ side have the same number of points as leaders Liverpool, though Everton have played one more game.

source:bbcsports

Nigeria 3 - 0 Germany

Penalties. One word, but one which brings so many memories of jubilation and despair. For the Golden Eaglets of Nigeria, they will look back fondly on the spot-kicks taken at the final of the FIFA U-17 World Cup Korea 2007, but for Spain the emotions may be too painful to recall. Some might say that a penalty shoot-out is no way to settle a match, let alone a FIFA final, but on the evening absolutely nothing could separate these two teams.

This was a match that was played not with a fear of losing, but rather a longing for glory. Both sides pressed for victory, with only the woodwork and some excellent goalkeeping ensuring a 0-0 scoreline after 120 minutes. It was the first-ever goalless draw in the final of the competition, leading to its fourth penalty shoot-out.

Nigeria, winners of the very first event back in 1985, were playing in their fifth final and this was their third trophy. That it is in their hands tonight is down in no small part to the goalkeeping heroics of Oladele Ajiboye, who saved from both Fran Merida and Iago as Yemi Tella’s side secured a 3-0 shoot-out success. Matthew Edile, Daniel Joshua and Ganiyu Oseni all successfully converted their spot-kicks and with Spain substitute Asier Illarramendi dragging his effort wide, the destination of the trophy was decided.

Germany’s late show secures third

A stoppage-time goal from Alexander Esswein helped Germany to a 2-1 win over Ghana and a third place finish at the FIFA U-17 World Cup Korea 2007.

Blue skies and an appreciative crowd greeted both teams as they came on to the field with third place at the FIFA U-17 World Cup the target for Ghana and Germany. After losing in the semi-finals to Spain and Nigeria respectively, it seemed that both side were determined not to taste defeat in this match. Understandably, the opening was a little cagey, with clear cut chances at a premium in the opening 15 minutes.

Sascha Bigalke planted his free header safely into the arms of Joseph Addo from 12 yards, while Ransford Osei fired into the side netting after some good approach play. With 15 minutes gone, Germany could have taken the lead when Bigalke’s lofted pass into the box found the outstretched boot of Richard Sukuta-Pasu, but the ball spun wide.
The goal was not too long in coming, and when it did, it was of the highest quality.

Yakubu out to form best partnership in league

Everton’s record signing Ayegbeni Yakubu believes his partnership with Andrew Johnson can become the best in the Premier League.

The £11.25million striker netted after just 11 minutes of his debut in Saturday’s win at Bolton, and Johnson was the creator.

Yakubu had not scored in 16 previous games for his former club Middlesbrough, but his impact had a crucial part to play in a 2-1 victory at the Reebok Stadium that sees Everton now holding down third place in the top flight.

Yakubu said: ‘I really think that my partnership with AJ will become one of the best in the division. We have only played one match and had a couple of training sessions together, but we have hit it off straight away.’

England call up defender Lescott

Everton defender Joleon Lescott has been called up to England’s squad for the Euro 2008 qualifiers against Israel on Saturday and Russia four days later. England boss Steve McClaren made the decision after Portsmouth’s Sol Campbell pulled out through injury.

And Chelsea’s Frank Lampard is almost certain to miss England’s games, while McClaren called up Wigan striker Emile Heskey into his squad on Sunday.

McClaren remains confident Liverpool’s Steven Gerrard will be fit.

Birmingham-born Lescott has been key to Everton’s good start to the new Premier League season.

And McClaren told the FA website: “”Joleon has been looking very solid for Everton this season, and has also scored a couple of goals, too.

Bolton 1-2 Everton

Joleon Lescott’s last-gasp header gave Everton victory after record buy Yakubu marked his debut with a goal. The £11.25m striker rounded off a brilliant counter-attack by turning in Andrew Johnson’s pass after 11 minutes.

Mikel Alonso hit the bar with a rising drive before Nicolas Anelka deservedly drew Bolton level with a powerful volley after 55 minutes.

Everton, inspired by substitute Thomas Gravesen, snatched the points when Lescott headed home the Dane’s corner.

Boss David Moyes gave first Premier League starts to Everton’s summer signings Phil Jagielka and Steven Pienaar, with Gravesen on the bench.

And the tiny South African was involved in the sweeping move that saw Everton go ahead after 11 minutes.

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.