Daily Post

Redmist Descends ; Liverpool 2 Blackburn Rovers 1: Allardyce Launches Defence of Diouf

SAM ALLARDYCE underlined the fact that there is no love lost between him and Rafael Benitez after seeing his Blackburn team lose 2-1. The Rovers manager had been critical of Benitez in the lead up to yesterday's game, suggesting the Liverpool manager is now deploying the physical tactics he has previously scorned Allardyce's teams for. In pointing to Liverpool's six yellow cards picked up in the goalless draw at Manchester City a week earlier, Allardyce accused Benitez of 'using all that stuf...

Donovanapologised for Costly Miss, Says Arteta ; Tottenham Hotspur 2 Everton 1: Landon Said Sorry for Miss - Arteta

LANDON DONOVAN apologised in the dressing room after his nightmare miss cost Everton at least a point at Tottenham Hotspur yesterday. David Moyes"s side fell to only their second defeat in 13 league games when they were beaten 2-1 at White Hart Lane.

Promise Is Turning to Frustration for Everton

THE last time Everton visited White Hart Lane, David Moyes took a vow of silence. Yesterday, however, it was the entire away support left speechless. For the second time in four days, the Goodison outfit were forced to contemplate another damaging blow to their season.

Endlooks Near for Chester City Following Expulsion

A TOTAL of 125 years of proud history came to an end in a small lounge in Northamptonshire on Friday when the Football Conference clubs voted to expel Chester City from their league. The decision was made after the league's management committee had proposed expulsion after City had pleaded guilty to breaking five Conference rules last week.

Bruce Defiant Despite Run

Sunderland ....................................... 0 Fulham.............................................. 0 SUNDERLAND manager Steve Bruce was in defiant mood after seeing his side's winless Premier League run extended to 14 games. Yesterday's 0-0 draw with Fulham at the Stadium of Light left the Black Cats perched just three points above the drop zone and looking anxiously over their shoulders.

Vidic Lucky to Avoid Red As United Clinch Carlingcup

Aston Villa ............................. 1 Man United ........................... 2 ALEX FERGUSON tucked the 32nd major trophy of his Manchester United reign under his arm and then admitted his team were fortunate not to have had a man sent off in the Carling Cup final. Wayne Rooney came off the bench to score the winning header, his 28th goal of the season, as United beat Aston Villa 2-1 at Wembley.

Mcleish Praise for Bowyer

Birmingham City .......1 Wigan Athletic ..........0 ALEX McLeish has hailed the influence on and off the pitch of veteran midfielder Lee Bowyer in helping Birmingham reach the 40-point mark and ensure Barclays Premier League football for another season. Bowyer remains City's leading scorer with six goals this season and was voted man of the match by fans for his performance in Saturday's 1-0 home success over Wigan which came courtesy of a James McFadden penalty.

James Hints at Taking a Pay Cut to Aidpompeysurvival

Burnley ........................................1 Portsmouth..................................2 PORTSMOUTH captain David James is hoping to be given the chance to see out the season at the club, suggesting he would take a pay cut if it helped ease the crisis of administration. The future of every single Pompey player hangs in the balance after the south-coast outfit became the first Premier League club to head into administration on Friday.

Stoke Backing for Shawcross As Ramseysuffers Sickening Leg Break

Stoke City .........................1 Arsenal..............................3 STOKE have united in their support of Ryan Shawcross after the horror tackle which broke the leg of Arsenal's Aaron Ramsey. Shawcross was visibly distressed and left the field in tears after being sent off for a reckless challenge on Ramsey in the second half of Stoke's defeat at the Britannia Stadium. Ramsey was rushed to hospital for emergency surgery in scenes reminiscent of those when Gunners team-mate Eduardo su...

City Ease the Pressureon Mancini After Shaky Start

Chelsea .......................................... 2 Man City ........................................ 4 SHAY Given has urged his team-mates to take some responsibility themselves and not heap all Manchester City's hopes of a top-four place on the shoulders of manager Roberto Mancini. After two wins in eight games, culminating in the FA Cup exit at Stoke, Mancini's position was starting to come under increased scrutiny.

Liverpool's Dynamic Duo Are Back in Business

IT ISN'T just the score but the names on the scoresheet that make pleasant reading for Liverpool today. With Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres both finding the net before half-time to render Keith Andrews' equaliser from the penalty spot obsolete, it was business as usual at Anfield.

Spirited Loo Still Marooned After Loss

Harrogate .............. 48 Waterloo ................ 12 WATERLOO belied their bottom of the league position with another spirited performance but another defeat leaves them firmly at the bottom of the National Two North table, 10 below the next club Bradford and Bingley and 17 off the relegation zone. Waterloo were first on the scoresheet with a try from Liam McGovern.

West Park Slump Again

Penrith ....................45 West Park ..................5 WEST PARK slumped deeper into the relegation abyss with a poor performance against promotion contenders Penrith. Apart from the first half hour when the visitors matched the Cumbrians and scored their only try following a catch and drive, the visitors simply went from bad to worse.

Wales Need Clinical Edge Admits Williams Following Slow Start

Wales............................... 20 France ............................. 26 MARTYN WILLIAMS believes Wales must be more clinical and professional if they want to eradicate the curse of catch-up rugby that has blighted their RBS 6 Nations campaign. Wales' title hopes lie in tatters after another painful first- half implosion gifted championship favourites France a 20-point lead at the Millennium Stadium.

Lawrence Decision Bemuses England Manager Johnson

England ........................................ 16 Ireland.......................................... 20 MARTIN JOHNSON sought an explanation from referee Mark Lawrence for the "huge call" which finally condemned England to defeat against Ireland and left their RBS 6 Nations campaign hanging in the balance. Ireland won 20-16 courtesy of Tommy Bowe's second try of the match, just minutes after Jonny Wilkinson's drop goal had nudged England ahead for the first time.

Parks Exasperated As Scotland Are Left in Roman Ruins

Italy ................................. 16 Scotland .......................... 12 DAN PARKS struggled to comprehend how his latest kicking masterclass had gone unrewarded after Scotland slumped to yet another RBS 6 defeat in Italy. Parks was literally tearing his own hair out in exasperation as his team-mates repeatedly failed to capitalise on the fly-half 's second successive man-of-the-match display. The 31-year-old delivered a near-perfect performance with the boot at the Stadio Flaminio, ...

Five-Star Caldy Prove Too Strong for Hull

Caldy ................................................. 36 Hull .................................................... 12 CALDY produced an excellent five-try performance to defeat a strong Hull side with clinical attacking matched by a dogged defensive display. Caldy's pack were destructive in both the tight and the loose and set a good platform for the exciting back line.

Baker Finds Recipe for Success at Wirral

WIRRAL maintained their advantage at the head of South Lancashire/ Cheshire One with a hard earned 18-6 success over Sale. Alistair Baker, Dave Doneo and Chris Hughes scored tries and Sam Broadbent a penalty.

Lsh Fixture Riddle

CONTROVERSY surrounds the postponement of the North One West clash between Northwich and Liverpool St Helens. The Cheshire outfit sought to postpone the game on Friday evening due to a waterlogged pitch, a decision not accepted by the Moss Laners.

Collegiate Triple

Ruskin Park .................................................. 9 Collegiate .................................................. 10 SATURDAY saw a great day at Collegiate with all three teams managing vital victories. The first XV were made to work all the way to secure the points at Ruskin Park with a last minute Chris Lloyd penalty. Marcus Holden grabbed the only try.