Daily Post

Football: Boss Left It to Stars to Decide

GERARD HOULLIER admitted that skipper Steven Gerrard and striker Michael Owen decided between themselves at the last moment who would take the crucial missed penalty against Fulham. Owen, who had missed 10 of his previous 23 penalties, clearly declined the opportunity to take a spot kick early in the second half against Fulham. Gerrard took the responsibility and saw his effort saved by Edwin van der Sar.

Football: He Just Can't Do It All On His Own ; Gerrard Penalty Miss Blights Stalemate,but It's Difficult to Be Spot- On All the Time Liverpool 0 Fulham 0

THIS wasn't quite the affirmation Gerard Houllier had in mind when he proclaimed pre-match that Steven Gerrard couldn't rescue Liverpool's season all by himself. Only the most hard-nosed of critics could blame the Anfield skipper after his penalty miss further hampered his side in the battle for fourth place in the Premiership and the riches of the Champions League. But it underlined that despite Gerrard's sterling efforts and the warnings from their manager,Liverpool continue to ignore the e...

Football: Horror Chamber Reaffirms Doubts About Houllier

NOTHING is broadcast faster in these desperate days than news of another afternoon's anguish at the torture chamber formerly known as Anfield. Long before its victims have dragged themselves away from the scene of another shambles, the mobile phones have surfaced and messages of misery are spinning across the airwaves.

Football: Portsmouth Took Their One Real Chance and Made It Count. It Gave Them an Extra Yard -John O'shea United Caught Stone Cold As Season Teeters ; Portsmouth 1 Stone 36 Manchester Utd 0 It's Staying-Uppompey After Steve Strikes

PortsMOUTH'S first win over Manchester United in 47 years, albeit in only 15 games,has stung the soon-to-be-deposed champions into finally admitting they have let their standards slip. And although Pompey deserve enormous credit for the memorable triumph that will now almost certainly lead to their Barclaycard Premiership survival, manager Harry Redknapp admits he can hardly bear the thought of another topflight struggle.

Football: No Complaint From Fergie After His Side Taste Defeat

PORTSMOUTH manager Harry Redknapp and goals corer Steve Stone admitted Saturday's 1-0 win over Manchester United was a "massive" result in their top-flight survivalbid. Stone's first-half strike and a strong defensive display were enough to beat the reigning Barclaycard Premiership champions and lift Pompey five points clear of the relegation zone.

Football: Ultra-Defensive Blues Make a Point, but Is That Really Enough for Once-Fine Club? ; Chelsea 0 Everton 0

FORGIVENESS has been the theme of the week for Everton, yet it was still a surprise to hear David Moyes ask for some of his own on Saturday night. Crossing the Bridge and arriving on the shore of Premiership safety would be cause for celebration at many clubs,but the Everton manager has far loftier ambitions than that.

Football: Moyes in Praise of 'Decent Sequence'

EVERTON manager David Moyes was delighted to see his team extend their run to just one defeat in nine matches and praised his players after a week which saw them follow up a draw at Leeds with another valuable point. "It is difficult to come here and get a result and we were aware that we got well- beaten on our last two visits here, so we tried to stiffen things up," said Moyes.

Football: Plymouth Stumble As Title Race Hots Up ; Division Two Round-Up

PLYMOUTH'S chances of promotion look slightly less optimistic after they suffered a surprise 4-1 reverse at Oldham. With a replacement for Paul Sturrock still to be appointed, the Pilgrims struggled at Boundary Park. Jermaine Johnson put the Latics ahead in the 34th minute, Gareth Owen added a second eight minutes later and David Eyres netted a third in first-half stoppage time.

Football: So What Else Can Go Wrong? ; Colchester Utd 3 Wrexham 1 Sam 18 Patched-U Pdragons Slip to Fourth Defeat On the Trot As Season Just Peters Out

April 19, 2004 DAILY POSTWilliams 15,Halford 45,McGleish 81WREXHAM'S inability to convert the goals coring chances that come their way has been the major difference between this season's campaign and the last. And yet again they paid the price for that missing ingredient on Saturday. On this occasion it was Chris Armstrong who squandered two inviting opportunities to possibly turn the game in the Dragons' favour after they had gone into the interval 2-1down.

Football: Smith: You Could See Men Against Boys Out There

WREXHAM manager Den is Smith saw his pre- match misgivings justified at Layer Road on Saturday and summed up the 3- 1 defeat succinctly. "It was men against boys,"he said. The only hint of criticism was directed towards experienced striker Chris Armstrong, who missed a couple of opportunities he would once have taken in his sleep,as the Dragons boss spelled out the obvious limitations of playing without six regulars. "I've got six or seven lads, who normally start, out today,"he said.

Football: Gulls Shake Rovers ; Division Three Round-Up

DONCASTER'S title hopes took a knock as they were beaten 1-0 at play-off hopefuls Torquay. The Yorkshire side played all but 15 minutes of the game with 10 men after Dave Mulligan was sent off for a professional foul on Kevin Hill, who added further injury by netting the only goal of the game after 38 minutes.

Football: Last-Gaspkoumas Puts West Brom On Premiership Track ; Division One Round-Up

JASON KOUMAS struck a breakaway,last-gasp winner as West Brom claimed a crucial win at promotion rivals Sunderland to take a massive step towards a return to top-flight football. Albion are now two points adrift of leaders Norwich in the title race but 12 points clear of third-placed Sunderland.

Football: Robson: Ref's Not to Blame ; Aston Villa 0 Newcastle 0 but 10-Man Toon Drop Crucial Points Premiership

NEWCASTLE United manager Sir Bobby Robson refused to blame referee Barry Knight for the sending-off of Andy O'Brien which virtually ended the Magpies' chances of winning against Aston Villa yesteday. The centre-back was dismissed just nine minutes into this battle for the fourth Champions League place after clashing with Darius Vassell.

Football: Blackburn 1 Leicester 0

IF Blackburn complete their crawl away from relegation,it will be due in no small part to 21-year-oldJonathan Stead. From the first whistle,it was former Huddersfield Town player Stead who took the fight to Leicester,ever-willing, ever-dangerous and perpetually in motion.

Football: Bolton 2 Tottenham 0

ANXIOUS David Pleat is calling on his Tottenham team to turn on the power -and turn the club's faltering season around. Champions-elect Arsenal visit White Hart Lane on Sunday and Tottenham go into the derby on the back of a 2-0 defeat at Boltonand without a win in six matches.

Football: Charlton 1 Birmingham 1

STEVE BRUCE and Alan Curbishley joined forces to concede defeat in the race for a Champions League place in the wake of a dismal draw at The Valley. Bruce said: "Sixth place is up for grabs and anybody from sixth down to 20th is capable of beating anybody on their day.You've got to be realistic.

Football: O'neill Celebrates As Triumph Erases Bitter Memories ; Scottish Premier Kilmarnock 0 Celtic 1

CELTIC manager Martin O'Neill admitted that their latest title triumph was made all the more special as it came at the scene of last year's end-of-season heartbreak. Nearly a year ago they returned from a Uefa Cup final defeat to Porto to beat Kilmarnock 4-0 at Rugby Park -but their joy was quickly replaced by horror as they discovered that Rangers had thrashed Dunfermline 6-1 to win the championship on goal difference.

Football: Tranmere Nap Hand ; Division Two Bournemouth 1 Tranmere

A HALF-TIMEchange of tactics paid rich dividends for Tranmere as a 5-1 victory at Bournemouth matched their best away win in the league since 1931. Tranmere plundered four second- half goals after manager Brian Little deployed Paul Hall and David Beresford as outright wingers in a 4-3-3 formation.

Football: Manchester City 1 Southampton 3

CITY'S long-suffering supporters wear the inconsistency and general under-achievement of their club like a badge of honour. What they cannot tolerate is a lack of pride, which was why,as Kevin Keegan and his hapless team face up to one of the most crucial seven-day spells in their history, theBlue Mooners' patience finally snapped.

Football: Wolves 2 Middlesbrough 0

WOLVES striker Carl Cort insists his side can still perform a great escape from the drop zone after setting them on their way to a vital victory. Cort's third goal for his club steered them within six points of safety with four games left.