Archive for Marzo 5th, 2011
De Graafschap 2-1 Willem II Tilburg
De Graafschap scored two late goals to deny Eredivisie basement boys Willem II a second straight win.
Willem II looked on course to build on their dramatic 4-3 victory over Heerenveen last time out when Juha Hakola put them in front 12 minutes from time.
But Rydell Poepon levelled two minutes later and Hugo Bargas grabbed the winner in the 87th minute to keep the visitors five points adrift at the foot of the standings.
De Graafschap dominated the opening period and Poepon ran on to a Yuri Rose pass only to fire wide of the left post.
Steve de Ridder then raced down the right, cut inside and got a shot away, Willem II goalkeeper Davino Verhulst making a good save.
Verhulst was tested again before the break as he pushed Sjoerd Overgoor’s shot out for a corner.
The momentum changed in the second half though and Maceo Rigters, whose 89th-minute winner sunk Heerenveen, tested home keeper Boy Waterman with a shot from the left of the area.
And the visitors took the lead in the 78th minute. Rigters beat Waterman only to see his shot cleared off the line by Tyrone Loran, but Hakola was on hand to knock home the follow-up.
The lead lasted just two minutes, though, as Poepon rounded Verhulst to score and Bargas earned De Graafschap victory three minutes from time by drilling a powerful left-footed effort into the bottom corner.
Credit: http://soccernet.espn.go.com
Kenny Dalglish has warned Sir Alex Ferguson that any psychological tricks will have no effect on Liverpool ahead of their clash with Manchester United.
There is plenty at stake on Sunday, with United edging closer to lifting the championship that would take them above Liverpool and onto 19.
Dalglish’s side have the chance to derail United’s title charge with a win at Anfield, and their chances have been boosted by the absence of Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand.
And although Ferguson has cancelled his pre-match press conference following an FA rap, Dalglish has warned his counterpart not to attempt any mind games.
“He has used psychology before in the pre-amble to matches, but he will only get sparring practice if he tries to use it on ourselves,” he said.
“We’ve both been a long time out of short trousers. It will have to be a good one to catch us out.”
Despite being 21 points off the pace in sixth, Liverpool could have a decisive say in the destination of the Premier League crown, with a clash at Arsenal to come on April 17.
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Scotland international Darren Fletcher has signed a new four-year contract with Manchester United.
Fletcher, who is now committed to the Premier League leaders until the summer of 2015, joins Ryan Giggs, Patrice Evra, Anderson and Michael Carrick in penning an extended deal with United.
The 27-year-old has made 288 appearances, scoring 21 goals, for the Old Trafford club since making his debut in a Champions League tie aganst FC Basel in March 2003.
United manager Sir Alex Ferguson said: “Darren has been at the club since he was 15. I am extremely proud that he came through the ranks of our youth academy and am delighted Darren has signed a new contract. He has developed into a top-class midfielder.”
Fletcher added: “I take great pride in playing for Manchester United. I have won many trophies in my years playing here and I am looking forward to winning many more in the seasons to come. I would like to thank everyone at the club.”
Credit: http://soccernet.espn.go.com
Gerard Houllier has apologised to Aston Villa fans for not giving them advance warning of his decision to make major changes for the FA Cup tie with Manchester City at Eastlands in mid-week.
Houllier stands by his decision to make eight alterations to his line-up for the fifth round tie which Villa lost 3-0.
But he accepts he should have made the 900 travelling supporters aware that he intended to field a drastically different line-up to the one in action against Blackburn last weekend. Only Ciaran Clark, Richard Dunne, who dislocated a shoulder during the game, and Brad Friedel survived in the starting line-up.
Houllier, whose side visit Bolton on Saturday, said: “I am sorry. I should have warned the fans beforehand. I made changes against Sheffield United and Blackburn in the cup in previous rounds and felt I had to again. I thought we could beat City on the break. We put two very quick players on the wing, and the plan was Emile Heskey would drop deep. We went there to win but unfortunately the first goal killed our players right away.”
Houllier felt his side still contained plenty of quality and experience to tackle City.
He said: “We went out not with a youth side. Gabby Agbonlahor was called up by Fabio Capello for the last England game. Emile Heskey has won 62 caps and played in the last World Cup. He was the centre forward here before Darren (Bent) came.
“In midfield you had three international players. Stiliyan Petrov is our captain. It was a debut for Michael Bradley but he has proven in training that he is getting there. Barry Bannan has been outstanding even at the beginning of the season when we were forced to push him into the first team and now he’s an international player for Scotland. It was not a youth team.”
Houllier is adamant that ensuring Premier League status for another campaign is the main priority at this juncture.
He said: “We wanted to do well in the cup. I am hurt myself. I don’t think we played badly but I think we could have hurt them more from an offensive point of view. But at the moment, the priority is to get more results and progress in the league.
“We have 10 games and we know what it takes. In the league we are more comfortable than at Christmas but we need more points to stay up. We might need 42 points to stay up so the job is not done yet. We have an important game at Bolton tomorrow. They have 37 points and we have 33. It’s a final for us. There are 10 finals to play.”
Houllier confirmed club owner-chairman Randy Lerner and chief executive Paul Faulkner were aware of his intentions at Eastlands
He said: “What’s more important for work is your environment and that’s the chairman, the club and the players and I know what I’m doing. The chairman and Paul knew about the selection. I told them.”
Credit: http://soccernet.espn.go.com
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