England Women face tough US test

England will face the United States in the quarter-finals of the Women’s World Cup on Saturday. The US beat Nigeria 1-0, courtesy of a first-minute goal from Lori Chalupny, to top Group B and set up the showdown.

Chalupny’s shot was deflected in off Ulumma Jerome after she latched on to a Abby Wambach flick-on from a long throw in the first minute.

Magnusson switches West Ham role

West Ham’s billionaire owner Bjorgolfur Gudmundsson will take a more hands-on role after Eggert Magnusson’s decision to step down as executive chairman. The shake-up is the next stage of West Ham’s plan to break into the Premier League’s top four, and includes moving the club to a new stadium.

Gudmundsson said: “It is vital we strengthen the senior team and build a management structure for the future.”

Magnusson will stay on as non-executive chairman and keep his West Ham stake.

He said: “We have worked hard to create stability and optimism, but I feel the moment is right to stand back a little as we move into a new and exciting period.” 

source:bbcsports

Real Madrid 2-1 Werder Bremen

Real Madrid continued their excellent start to the season by beating Werder Bremen 2-1 in their Champions League Group C opener on Tuesday.

Raul put the home side in front with a header after 16 minutes, taking his record haul in the competition to 57, but the lead only lasted a minute before Werder’s Boubacar Sanogo levelled on a swift break.

Netherlands striker Ruud van Nistelrooy settled the game in Real’s favour 16 minutes from time, making up for a host of missed chances.

Porto 1-1 Liverpool

Liverpool escaped with a fortunate draw after a poor display against Porto in this Champions League Group A match. Liverpool goalkeeper Jose Reina gave away a penalty and was beaten by Lucho Gonzalez’s spot-kick on eight minutes.

Despite their error-strewn first-half performance, Dirk Kuyt pulled Liverpool level with a close-range header.

But Liverpool had to play with 10 men for over 30 minutes of the second half after Jermaine Pennant was sent off after picking up a second yellow card.

Chelsea 1-1 Rosenborg

Chelsea’s stuttering start to the season continued as they were held to a shock draw by Norwegian underdogs Rosenborg in the Champions League. Rosenborg threatened to spring a surprise when Miika Koppinen turned in Marek Sapara’s free-kick at the near post in the 24th minute.

Andriy Shevchenko headed Chelsea level eight minutes after the interval.

Florent Malouda and Salomon Kalou hit the woodwork for Chelsea, but resilient Rosenborg held out to force a draw.

And perhaps even more worrying for coach Jose Mourinho was a crowd of only 24,973 at Stamford Bridge, including a distinctly unimpressed owner Roman Abramovich - a miserable turn-out for a Champions League game.

England Women 6-1 Argentina Women

England reached the Women’s World Cup quarter-finals after comfortably beating Argentina in Chengdu. England led 2-0 after 10 minutes thanks to Eva Gonzalez’s headed own goal and Jill Scott’s speculative shot.

Catalina Perez was sent off early in the second half, giving away a penalty that was converted by Fara Williams.

Argentina pulled a goal back through Gonzalez’s free-kick, but Kelly Smith struck twice more and Vicky Exley made it 6-1 with a confident penalty.

The win meant England finished second in Group A behind Germany and they will discover their quarter-final opponents on Tuesday when the Group B matches are completed. The United States are favourites to progress along with either Sweden or North Korea.

Porto v Liverpool

Liverpool’s Mohamed Sissoko and John Arne Riise will miss Tuesday’s Champions League match against Porto. Left-back Riise is ruled out of the Group A encounter with a groin injury he picked up on international duty with Norway last week.

Midfielder Sissoko and left winger Harry Kewell will also fail to make the trip to Portugal.

But the left-sided Fabio Aurelio is back in the squad after a lengthy absence with an Achilles tendon injury.

“Fabio is back which is good news for us,” said Reds manager Rafael Benitez.

“He has worked hard to recover from his injury and could be a useful asset for us.”

Liverpool finished as runners-up last season after losing to AC Milan in the final and Benitez will face a dilemma in terms of his starting line-up in attack.

Peter Crouch and Andriy Voronin got the nod for the 0-0 draw with Portsmouth on Saturday but Fernando Torres is expected to start with Dirk Kuyt also in contention.

source:bbcsports

Defoe happy to stay at Tottenham

Tottenham striker Jermain Defoe has no intention of leaving despite reports of a bust-up with manager Martin Jol at the weekend, BBC Sport understands. Reports claimed Defoe has refused to sign a new five-year deal as he is eyeing a move away from the club.

The 24-year-old England forward was left out of the squad for the north London derby defeat to Arsenal.

But Defoe has decided to remain at White Hart Lane and fight for a place in Jol’s struggling side.

The player’s contract runs out at the end of next season and Spurs want him to commit himself to a long-term deal and avoid the prospect of seeing his value drop next summer.

Reports claimed the under-fire Jol has told the player he will be forced to play with the reserves if he fails to sign his new contract.

Shevchenko given Desailly backing

Former Chelsea defender Marcel Desailly insists the club’s misfiring striker Andriy Shevchenko will come good. Desailly says Chelsea must win the Champions League this season - and the France legend believes Shevchenko will be key to that ambition.

“Shevchenko is a top player and does not need to prove himself,” Desailly told BBC Sport.

“For the moment, he is not performing. Let’s wait and I’m sure he will help Chelsea win the Champions League.”

He added: “Shevchenko has Champions League experience. He likes to be the one that everyone is focused on.

“I’m sure that with the Champions League everyone will look at him and the motivation can come from there.

“Also, he feels like he came to Chelsea to win things. Last year, although it was good, they only won the two cups domestically and he needs more.”

Mourinho wants official’s apology

Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho says he wants referee’s assistant Peter Kirkup to apologise after the official disallowed a strike by Salomon Kalou. TV replays suggested the Ivorian was behind the line of the ball when he sidefooted home in the second half of Saturday’s 0-0 draw with Blackburn.

“I can’t understand it. If the linesman wants to explain, then maybe it would be a good thing,” said Mourinho.

“I told the linesman I would be waiting for his phone call to apologise.”

Referee Howard Webb disallowed the goal - a decision which sparked anger on the touchline with Mourinho berating the fourth official Peter Walton and urging him to look at TV replays.

Mourinho added: “We scored a great goal. Only the linesman can tell us why he disallowed the goal.”