Chelsea-Liverpool= Cech: 0-0 Would Do Just Fine; Prediction by Ade Syahlan 0-1

Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech is looking forward to facing Liverpool in the second leg of their Champions League semi-final...

The Blues hold the advantage courtesy of a late, late leveller at Anfield, with a John Arne Riise putting a Salomon Kalou cross past his own keeper in stoppage time.

As such, if Cech remains unbeaten tomorrow night in the return leg, Chelsea are guaranteed to progress to the final in Moscow to face Manchester United.

That said, he knows that going into the game looking for 0-0 is too risky a tactic.

"It is always difficult playing a game trying to get a 0-0," Cech said. "We will start out in a positive mood and try to score because that would make it more difficult for them. Of course, if it gets to 85 minutes and there's no score then you can think about seeing out the game, but from the first minute we will try to score. Every clean sheet matters but this one would be even sweeter because it would mean we win the tie. It's a nice challenge for me."

Cech looked back on the two Liverpool losses at this stage in the competition in previous years and insists that a repeat is out of the question, and their past eliminations will drive them to succeed and make it third time lucky.

"We remember those semi-finals and we don't want to repeat that experience," continued the 25-year-old. "It could be one of the driving forces for us. We were ready to go to the final on the two previous occasions. We have the opportunity again and we don't want to miss out on another one.

But prediction by Ade Adran Syahlan, owner blog, Chelsea v Liverpool 0-1.

(source: Chet Winter, Goal.com)

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Fergie: Against Liverpool but I really don't care

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has hinted he'd prefer to face Liverpool in the Champions League final.

After victory over Barcelona, Ferguson will be in London to witness proceedings at first-hand between Liverpool and Chelsea.

And while he doesn't care who United get, he thinks supporters might have more of a chance of landing a ticket if they avoid Roman Abramovich's men.

"It would be a nice final against Liverpool but I really don't care," he said.

"Maybe we will get more tickets against Liverpool because Roman Abramovich seems to have bought them all up."

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Man Utd sets up first all-English Final

Soccer’s European champion will be from England. Manchester United set up the first all-English final in the history of the Champions League,

beating Barcelona 1-0 Tuesday night behind Paul Scholes’ goal in the 14th minute.

After winning the home-and-home semifinal on 1-0 aggregate, Manchester will meet Chelsea or

Liverpool in the final on May 21 at Moscow. “It doesn’t matter who we play,” United manager Alex Ferguson said.

Chelsea hosts Liverpool on Wednesday after gaining a 1-1 tie at Anfield last week when

Liverpool’s John Arne Riise accidentally headed the ball into his own net during the fifth minute

of injury time.

Manchester United and Chelsea won their home games against each other in the Premier

League this season and tied 1-1 at Wembley in the Community Shield. United swept its two

league matches against Liverpool.

“Whoever is put in front of us we’re going to have to get past,” United midfielder Michael Carrick

said. “We’re happy with anything. We’re there, and we can enjoy it now.”

The final will be just the third involving clubs from the same nation in the 52-year history of the

competition. Real Madrid defeated Valencia in 2000’s all-Spanish matchup, and AC Milan beat

Juventus in 2003’s all-Italian final.

“I think that the level of the English teams is very high,” Barcelona coach Frank Rijkaard said.

“It’s strange to see English teams defending, defending and defending with their lives and trying

to win with the counterattack.”

A 33-year-old midfielder easily visible because of his red hair, Scholes beat goalkeeper Victor

Valdes on a 25-yard shot after a giveaway by Gianluca Zambrotta. That put Manchester United

in its first Champions League final since 1999.

Scholes scored just his second goal of the season, his first since Aug. 15 in a Premier League

match against Portsmouth. He missed the 1999 final, a victory over Bayern Munich, because of a

suspension.

After the match, he exited through a side door and did not speak with reporters. “I don’t think we can expect Paul Scholes to score 10-15 goals a season like he used to do when

he was younger, but he certainly delivered one tonight for us,” Ferguson said. “It makes up for

the all the goals that he can’t score because of his age now.”

United, which also won the title in 1968, extended its home winning streak in Champions League

play to 12 games. Manchester United also is closing in on its second straight Premier League

title. With two matches left, it is tied with Chelsea at 81 points but ahead on goal difference.

Barcelona, struggling in recent weeks, has been held scoreless in four straight matches in all

competitions. “I have no intention of leaving,” Rijkaard said. “The players in the dressing room are very down,

sad and disappointed, but it’s easy to kick people when they are down. Instead they need help

and support and to lift them, so they can show their courage and perform well between now and

the end of the season.”

Wayne Rooney was missing from Man United’s lineup after aggravating a hip injury during

Saturday’s 2-1 league loss at Chelsea, leaving Cristiano Ronaldo and Carlos Tevez up front.

In a physical game, Scholes knocked down Barcelona’s Lionel Messi just outside the penalty

area in the first minute. But Messi’s ensuing free kick was blocked.

Barcelona, in an effort to find an elusive tying goal, brought on Thierry Henry in the 60th minute

and 17-year-old Bojan Krkic in the 72nd. Henry had a good chance on a header off a corner kick,

but it went directly to goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar.(source: yahoo/ap)

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Rijkaard ready to penalty

Barcelona coach Frank Rijkaard shrugged off mounting speculation about his future Monday as he said his side had prepared for a penalty shoot-out ahead of their Champions League semi-final second leg clash against Manchester United.

The Catalan side, who held United to a goalless draw in last week's first leg at the Nou Camp, are 14 points behind La Liga leaders Real Madrid following a 2-0 defeat to Deportivo La Coruna at the weekend.

Rijkaard's position looks far from secure but he was bullish in the build-up to Tuesday's second leg at Old Trafford and declared his team's chances of reaching the final were "five out of five".

"We need to get a positive result," said Rijkaard, who dismissed several questions about his future at a news conference.

"We need to score a goal to make sure we go through," the former Dutch international added.

"We've got to impose our own style of play, get hold of the ball pass it around and keep possession and maybe not get involved in United's style of play too much.

"We need to have some style and fight hard to gain our objective which is to reach the final. We can talk as much as we want about tactics and we're preparing hard but once the match starts it's about how it develops.

"You've got to believe in yourself, fight hard, work hard, show our quality out on the field. That will give us a good chance.

"Against Manchester United we have to play strong. To defend is not the correct course of action in this case. We have to play with aggression and put them under pressure."

Rijkaard was adamant he knew nothing about United's 2-1 defeat away to Chelsea last weekend which saw the Londoners move alongside the Red Devils at the top of the English Premier League with just two games of the season left.

However, he added: "Psychologically it could be difficult and it could be interesting."

Rijkaard, without suspended Mexican defender Rafael Marquez, revealed his team were as ready as they possibly could be for a penalty shoot-out after a tight first leg. "The tie could end with a draw so you prepare for penalties and that's what we've done."

Meanwhile Italian defender Gianluca Zambrotta insisted Barcelona could put their miserable domestic form behind them and triumph at Old Trafford.

While the game has been billed as a clash of the two best attacking teams in Europe, Zambrotta said a calm approach was in Barcelona's best interests. "It will be a tough game for both sides and we've got to play with intelligence, be smart and carry on in the same vein as we have in the Champions League all season," Zambrotta said.

"We need to be motivated up for it and very concentrated. We've been more consistent in the Champions League than in the league and you can see that with the sort of win we had at Schalke.

"Both teams are showing signs of tiredness. United lost at Chelsea and we had the same result at Deportivo. Both want to get to the final but we're just both showing signs of wear and tear towards the end of the season.

"Whatever happens, if we get through will be fantastic and maybe things will calm down. We're motivated and we want to get through."(source: soccerway/afp)

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Forecast Score Semi Final Champions League by Ade Adran Syahlan

Semifinal kedua Liga Champions

Rabu Dini Hari WIB, 30 April 2008

Man United v Barcelona 2-1

Kamis Dini Hari WIB, 1 Mei 2008

Chelsea v Liverpool 0-1

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Adebayor: I'm very happy but...

Emmanuel Adebayor came off the bench to score a hat-trick as Arsenal thrashed already-relegated Premier League basement side Derby County 6-2 at Pride Park here Monday.

It was the second time this season the Gunners had inflicted a heavy defeat upon the Rams after their 5-0 win at the Emirates Stadium in September.

Arsenal were only 2-1 ahead at half time after goals from Nicklas Bendtner and Robin van Persie sandwiched one from Derby's Jay McEveley. But the second-half revolved around Togo striker Adebayor who took his tally for the season to 30.

Rams striker Rob Earnshaw scored his first Derby goal and Theo Walcott netted for Arsenal, although this threatened to be something of a hollow win for the north Londoners. The result left the Gunners in third place, four points behind the top two of Manchester United and Chelsea with two games left this season.

Mathematically, they can still win the title although it would take an extraordinary set of results for Arsene Wenger's side to leapfrog their rivals. Nevertheless, Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas refused to give up hope. "Nothing is impossible," he told Setanta Sports.

"We have to win the last two games and then we'll see. We are not the favourites, but you never know."

Adebayor, who also scored a hat-trick against in the home game against Derby praised his team-mates for the way they set up his goals. "It was an important game for us and we want to finish as strongly as possible," he said. "Every time I have a good ball to finish. I'm very happy but the most important thing is for the team to win."(source: soccerway/afp)

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Prediction Premier League Derby v Arsenal

Premier League

Selasa Dini Hari WIB, 29 April 2008

Derby v Arsenal 1-2

(Siaran langsung ESPN-Astro, 02.00 WIB)

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Aston Villa v Everton 2-2

John Carew headed the tying goal in the 86th minute for Aston Villa to draw 2-2 with Everton in the Premier League.

Everton twice went ahead at Goodison Park, but each time Villa responded— there were three goals in a seven-minute span to earn a point in the race to finish fifth and secure a place in next season’s UEFA Cup.

The draw means that Everton has 62 points in 36 games, while has Villa 59 with two rounds to go.

In Sunday’s other game, Roque Santa Cruz scored the winner in the 74th minute for Blackburn to beat sixth-place Portsmouth 1-0 and virtually finish Pompey’s chances of finishing fifth.(source: yahoo/ap)

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Hasil Pertandingan Kompetisi PSSI Batam 2008

Jumat (25/4)

PS POP v PS Praja Wibawa 1-0

PS Ongis v PS Gempar 1-0

Sabtu (26/4)

PS Nok v PS BUdi Kemuliaan 3-1

PS Batam View v TEC 2-1

Minggu (27/4)

PS Jaya v PS Bengkong 1-0

PS Skye v PS Muaro 2-1

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Mourinho: Ronaldo Need Medals Before Awards

Former Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho believes that Cristiano Ronaldo deserves to be England’s player of the year but that Manchester United must achieve success to vindicate that claim.

Mourinho was speaking to BBC Radio Five Live and clearly feels that Ronaldo’s team needs a trophy before he can regarded as the best player in the country or in Europe.

The Portuguese winger has been in scintillating form this season, scoring 38 goals, and his compatriot thinks that he has hitherto been the best player in the country by a considerable distance.

However, Mourinho, as a manager who always stressed the power of the collective over the individual, feels that in order for Ronaldo to be legitimately the best player, his team must be the best team.

Mourinho has been increasingly vocal of late, commenting on a broad range of topics across the world of football and his opinion on Ronaldo seems to be another such soundbite.

He said: "I think the player of the year must be the best of the year but also a winner of the year. I don't think it can be a player without a big trophy. "Clearly, what Ronaldo did this year has been magnificent and by some distance he has been the best player in the Premier League.

"For me the best is always a winner because football is a collective sport.

"So, if Manchester United does something important by winning the Premier League or Champions League I, and not just me but the whole football world, would give him the Golden Boot."(source: goal.com)

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Inter Milan closes on title

Inter Milan beat Cagliari 2-1 to move within one victory of its third Italian league title in a row. Striker Julio Ricardo Cruz and defender Marco Materazzi scored at San Siro on Sunday and Inter stayed six points ahead of nearest challenger AS Roma, which outplayed Torino 4-1.

With three games to go Inter will capture its 16th Serie A title by beating AC Milan next Sunday. Although Roma can still finished even on points, Inter has a better head-to-head record than Roma having won one of their meetings and tied the other.

Inter has 81 points in 35 games, Roma has 75 and third place Juventus 70 after beating Lazio 5-2.

Cruz gave Inter a lead in the 22nd minute with his second goal in two games after failing to score since December and Materazzi’s header made it 2-0 in the 82nd. Davide Biondini’s reply for Cagliari in injury time was no more than consolation.

“We played a good game and created lots of chances,” Inter coach Roberto Mancini said. “I’m tired right now and will celebrate when we have three more points.”

Amantino Mancini scored twice in Roma’s victory over Torino and Giorgio Chiellini had two for Juventus. Alessandro Del Piero hit the target for Juve to maintain the pressure on national team coach Roberto Donadoni to select the veteran striker for the European Championship in June.(source: yahoo/ap)

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Real Madrid 99% Champions

Real Madrid moved a step closer to clinching the Primera Liga crown on Sunday, but it was not

such a good day for Levante, which saw its relegation from the top flight confirmed. Javier

Saviola opened the scoring for Madrid as the defending champions defeated Athletic Bilbao, 3-0,

at the Bernabeu, following up after Armando Ribeiro had parried Robinho’s shot.

Joseba Garmendia had a golden chance to restore parity nine minutes from halftime but his

spot-kick was brilliantly saved by the outstanding Iker Casillas.

Arjen Robben and Gonzalo Higuain were introduced in the 72nd minute and it proved a

masterstroke from Bernd Schuster as both found themselves on the scoresheet within four

minutes to make the points safe.

The result leaves Madrid 10 points clear of second-placed Villarreal with four games remaining.

Madrid headed into the match knowing they could not mathematically secure the crown on

Sunday due to Villarreal’s earlier 1-0 win at Real Betis.

A wonder goal from Marcos Senna ensured the title race will last one more week at least. Senna

struck from just inside the Betis half with a superb lob and that was all it took for the Yellow

Submarine to take all three points in Seville.

Barcelona’s already faint title hopes were all but ended on Saturday after they crashed to a

deserved 2-0 defeat at in-form Deportivo La Coruna. Juan Rodriguez and Pablo Amo struck

Depor’s goals in the second half as the Galician side made it 10 wins in their last 14 matches.

At the other end of the table, calling off a threatened strike in order to play did nothing to save

Levante from relegation as they suffered a 2-0 defeat to Recreativo Huelva.

Levante’s players thrashed out a deal on Friday night to receive a portion of their pay and avert

a cancellation and automatic 3-0 loss, but it made little difference as they succumbed to goals

from Erson Martin and Javier Camunas.

The result condemns Levante to the drop, while giving Recre renewed hope in their battle to

avoid a similar fate. New Valencia coach Salvador Gonzalez Marco ‘Voro’ got off to the perfect

start as his side comfortably beat 10-man Osasuna 3-0 in his first game in charge.

The game turned on its head in the 17th minute when Osasuna goalkeeper Ricardo was

dismissed for a professional foul on David Villa, conceding a penalty in the process which Villa

duly slotted home.

With a numerical disadvantage Osasuna never really troubled their fellow Primera Liga strugglers

and any real hope of nicking a vital point evaporated when Juan Mata doubled Valencia’s tally

early in the second half.

Joaquin added a third with eight minutes remaining to put the icing on the cake and restore some

much-needed confidence to Valencia after their 5-1 humbling at Athletic Bilbao last week. That

result - Los Che’s fourth league defeat on the trot - spelled the end for former coach Ronald

Koeman.

Racing Santander missed the opportunity to move into a Champions League place as they

crashed to a 3-1 defeat at Real Mallorca. Marcelino Garcia Toral’s team have enjoyed a

memorable season thus far, however their hopes of playing in Europe’s elite competition for the

first time have suffered after three defeats from their past four games.

Their hopes of arresting that run were undermined by a Jose Nunes header in first-half stoppage

time and the game looked safely in Mallorca’s possession when Oscar Trejo doubled their

advantage eight minutes from time.

However, a Aldo Duscher penalty five minutes later revived the visitors’ hopes only for top scorer

Daniel Guiza to end them again a minute from time. Despite the defeat Santander did not lose too

much ground on fourth-placed Atletico Madrid, who could only draw 1-1 at out-of-sorts neighbors

Getafe.

Juan Albin had given hosts Getafe a 13th-minute lead but Atletico star Sergio Aguero drew the

visitors level just before half-time at the Coliseum Alfonso Perez. Atletico will be slightly relieved

to have escaped even with a point though, as Getafe midfielder Ruben De la Red missed an

82nd-minute penalty that could have sentenced Javier Aguirre’s side to defeat.

Real Zaragoza are back in the drop zone despite securing a 1-1 draw at Espanyol thanks to

Ricardo Oliveira’s last-gasp penalty. Albert Riera gave the home side the lead shortly before the

hour mark and it looked like they had clinched all three points until Zaragoza were awarded a

spot-kick six minutes from time and Oliveira duly converted to steal a share of the spoils.

The result has done neither side any favors as Espanyol’s hopes of reaching Europe grow ever

fainter - although they are still only five points off sixth-placed Sevilla, who drew 0-0 at Real

Murcia on Saturday.

Real Valladolid boosted their chances of survival with a 1-0 home win over Almeria. Jonathan

Sesma struck a crucial last-minute winner after visiting goalkeeper Diego Alves had earlier saved

a Victor Fernandez penalty.(source: yahoo/ap)

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Chelsea win keeps title bid alive; Chelsea 2-1 Man Utd

Michael Ballack's penalty blew the title race open as Chelsea moved level on points with leaders Manchester United with only two matches left. Joe Cole's shot hit the bar as United, who lost Nemanja Vidic to injury, backtracked before Ballack headed Chelsea in front on 45 minutes.

Wayne Rooney drove in the equaliser after Ricardo Carvalho's error to put United back in the driving seat. But after Michael Carrick handled in the area, Ballack won it from the spot.

It was the first penalty United had conceded all season - and a contentious one at that - and could prove decisive at the end of the season when silverware is handed out. And as United pressed at the very end of the game, it took goal-line clearances from Ashley Cole and Andriy Shevchenko to deny first Cristiano Ronaldo and then Darren Fletcher and ensure Chelsea claimed a vital three points.

Chelsea, with their inferior goal difference, knew a win was their only realistic chance of keeping alive their hopes of overhauling United - and they started the match powerfully. But although the Blues were much the better side in the first half but, Cole's volley against the bar aside, they created few clear-cut chances.

Whether United were affected by the loss of Vidic, who was stretchered off on 11 minutes after catching a knee in the face from Drogba, is debatable. For United's reshuffled defence, which saw substitute Owen Hargreaves come on at right-back and Wes Brown moved to centre-back, had coped well with Chelsea's threats.

But questions will be asked as to how the German international was allowed to ghost in unmarked at the far post to score the opener. Michael Essien's running from deep was causing United problems, but too often the midfielder was not played in when in a good position as Chelsea made the wrong decisions. But the power of Drogba, the combative qualities of Essien and Cole's darting movement had United pinned back in their own half.

And when United did find an outlet, often in right winger Nani, they failed to make any impact as time and again Chelsea snuffed out a limp attack and hit back themselves. A quiet Rooney looked isolated, and United seemed toothless without Ronaldo, who had been left on the bench.

After the interval, Chelsea again tried to pick up the pace but their game plan appeared to be in tatters when Carvalho made an awful mistake to let United back into the match. The Portuguese defender casually played the ball towards his own goal, straight into the path of Rooney, who raced clear of John Terry and scored with an excellent low drive.

It proved to be Rooney's last contribution as he was went off injured shortly after to be replaced by Ronaldo. Regardless, United were now in the ascendancy and Chelsea looked shell-shocked. Ryan Giggs ahead a fierce shot well saved by Petr Cech and United were stroking the ball around confidently. Frustration was building for Chelsea and Ballack and Drogba argued with each other as they prepared to take a free-kick. Drogba eventually took aim and was only denied by a magnificent save by Edwin van der Sar.

And there was still time for more drama as Carrick was penalised for blocking Essien's right-wing cross with his arm. Up stepped Ballack, who brilliantly sent the keeper the wrong way and put Chelsea back into the lead. Yet it almost did not end there as United came so close to snatching another equaliser but Cole and Shevchenko cleared efforts off the line.

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Chelsea-MU= Prediction Goal.com 1-1: Forecast Ade Adran Syahlan 1-2

PREDICTION by Graham Lister (goal.com)

Chelsea 1-1 Manchester United

It is a typical clash between heavyweights that is likely to be decided by the narrowest of margins. With luck it will be more of a spectacle than either side's European game in midweek, but whether it will match the flair of United's recent Big-4 clash against Arsenal is debatable. This game is likely to be more more cautious though Chelsea have no option but to go looking for the win.

The Blues have netted in each of their last nine, and failed to score in only one of their last 18. They've also won 33, drawn 11 and lost five of 49 league and cup matches under Avram Grant, which is an impressive batch of results.

United, meanwhile, are undefeated in 10 in all competitions, and have lost just one of their last 16, that defeat being 0-1 at home to Portsmouth in the quarter-final of the FA Cup. They are unbeaten in nine (collecting 23 points out of 27) since losing 1-2 at home to Manchester City on 10th February, and haven't yet lost away from home in 2008, winning four and drawing three of their last seven on the road since going down 1-2 to West Ham at the Boleyn Ground on 29th December.

However, United have drawn their last two away league games, and the last three away, in all competitions. Another draw will almost certainly end Chelsea's title hopes, but that could be how this game ends, since Chelsea are extremely to difficult to beat, but may find the United defence tough to breach repeatedly.

Forecast by Ade Adran Syahlan

Chelsea 1-2 Manchester United

Iam forecast Man United win. Score result good to Man United. Because on fire Ronaldo cs. (sebenarnya feeling saya saja mengatakan MU yang bakal menang. Susah juga menterjemahkannya ke English. He..he...)

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Grant: We don't want them to take the title here, or...

Chelsea boss Avram Grant is determined to stop Manchester United from all but retaining the Premier League crown with a win at Stamford Bridge on Saturday

"We don't want them to take the title here, or to become champions at all," said Grant ahead of the key clash.

Victory for United would open up a six-point lead, with two games left, and, given their vastly superior goal difference, virtually seal the title. "There is a great incentive for us," said United manager Sir Alex Ferguson.

He is concerned his players have not fully recovered after Wednesday's match at Barcelona but is confident they will be back to their best. United drew 0-0 at the Nou Camp in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final - 24 hours after Chelsea drew their last-four clash with Liverpool. "What we have to do first is get the players recovered from Barcelona. Hopefully we will be all right," added Ferguson.

"We have the disadvantage of a day's less rest than Chelsea and then there is the travelling of course.

"The game takes care of itself in terms of focus, we just have to make sure we are properly rested and prepared.

"We also have to recover our passing ability because it was an area that let us down against Barca.

"It was surprising because normally we are very good at that part of our game. But I am sure we will get it back on Saturday."

The United boss is also wary that the Blues will go into the game on a high after John Arne Riise's late own goal gave them a 1-1 draw at Anfield. "As far as the second leg is concerned, there is no doubt Chelsea's morale will have been boosted," explained Ferguson.

"It was a great result for them, particularly the time of their equaliser. They have a marvellous chance of getting to Moscow after that game."

The Blues' impressive home record - they have not lost in 80 league games at Stamford Bridge stretching back to February 2004 - will give them further hope that they can keep their own title hopes alive.

However, United winger Cristiano Ronaldo is focused on sealing the three points that would all but end Chelsea's challenge. "It will be a tough game, but we have a great chance as the team is very confident," he said.

"We do not want to drop any points at Chelsea, so it is important we go for the victory."

Even a draw would leave the odds stacked in United's favour but Grant insists his team have not given up hope of overhauling their rivals. "We are happy that we're still in the race for the championship," said Grant. "The players are highly motivated.(source: bbc)

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Forecast Primera by Ade Adran Syahlan

Minggu Dini Hari WIB, 27 April 2008

Deportivo v Barcelona

Murcia v Sevilla

Minggu, 27 April 2008

Espanyol v Zaragoza

Getafe v Atletico Madrid

Mallorca v Racing Santander

Recreativo v Levante

Valencia v Osasuna

Valladolid v Almeria

Senin Dini Hari WIB, 28 April 2008

Betis v Villarreal

Real Madrid v Athletic Bilbao

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Forecast Serie A by Ade Adran Syahlan

Minggu, 27 April 2008

Palermo v Atalanta 1-0

Roma v Torino 2-0

Livorno v AC Milan 1-2

Inter Milan v Cagliari 2-1

Napoli v Siena 0-0

Juventus v Lazio 1-0

Fiorentina v Sampdoria 1-1

Genoa v Empoli 2-1

Reggina v Parma 1-0

Udinese v Catania Calcio 0-0

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Draw at Home: UEFA CUP

Bayern Munich was held to a 1-1 tie at home by Zenit St. Petersburg, and Rangers drew 0-0 with Fiorentina in the opening legs of the UEFA Cup on Thursday. Bayern, the four-time European champion playing in the UEFA Cup for the first time since winning it in 1996, gave up an own-goal to allow the Russian champions to draw in Munich.

Bayern defender Lucio headed the ball into the net while trying to clear a shot from Victor Fayzulin in the 60th minute. “Making up a goal is difficult but possible,” Bayern forward Lukas Podolski said. “If not for that stupid goal we allowed, we might have scored a second.”

Franck Ribery had given Bayern the lead in the 18th minute, scoring on a rebound after his initial penalty kick was blocked by goalkeeper Vyacheslav Malafeev. The penalty was given after Zenit defender Fernando Ricksen fouled Ze Roberto with a raised leg.

Zenit nearly scored in the 83rd when Fayzulin’s shot bounced off substitute goalkeeper Michael Rensing and then off Lucio. The ball was going into the net until Ze Roberto dived to clear on the line.

For Bayern, Lucio’s powerful 79th-minute shot was tipped over the crossbar by Malafeev, while striker Podolski had an injury-time shot that just missed the post.

Ricksen’s yellow card from the penalty will suspended him for next week’s second leg in St. Petersburg. Zenit, which is owned by gas giant Gazprom, knocked out Bayern’s Bundesliga rival, Bayer Leverkusen, in the quarterfinals. “We will get our chances in the second leg because Zenit likes to attack,” Bayern coach Ottmar Hitzfeld said. “Then we have to convert them.”

Bayern has already won the German Cup and is on target to win the Bundesliga. Having lost eight players to injury and suspension, Rangers looked tired in their match with Fiorentina. As well as battling for the league title, the club has already clinched the Scottish League Cup and reached the Scottish Cup final.

“We go away from home with confidence, knowing we can get goals away from home,” Rangers coach Walter Smith said.

“We were up against a brick wall,” Fiorentina coach Cesare Prandelli added. “The match is still open, but it could end up going to penalties. Rangers may have won their games away from home this season, but there’s always a first time for everything.”

The Fiorentina game was a rematch of the first European Cup Winners’ Cup. Fiorentina won it 4-1 on aggregate after a two-legged final in 1961. Rangers won the same competition in 1972 for their only European title.

Fiorentina reached the 1990 UEFA Cup final, losing to Juventus. Rangers, who played their 17th European game on Thursday, have not conceded a goal in UEFA Cup play this season. The club dropped down from the Champions League after the group stage.

The UEFA Cup final is on May 14 at the City of Manchester Stadium in northern England.(source: yahoo/ap)

Photo: Goalkeeper Vyatcheslav Malafeyev of Zenit St.Petersburg chats with his daughter after his team tied 1 -1 with FC Bayern Munich in their UEFA Cup semifinal first leg soccer match in Munich, southern Germany, Thursday, April 24, 2008.

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Forecast Premier League by Ade Adran Syahlan

Sabtu, 26 April 2008

Birmingham v Liverpool 0-1

Chelsea v Man Utd 1-2

Man City v Fulham 1-0

Sunderland v Middlesbrough 1-0

Tottenham v Bolton 0-0

West Ham v Newcastle 1-0

Wigan v Reading 1-2

Minggu, 27 April 2008

Portsmouth v Blackburn 0-1

Everton v Aston Villa 1-1

Selasa Dini Hari WIB, 29 April 2008

Derby v Arsenal 1-3

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Yaman Memuji, Pembuktian Dinanti

Tim Yaman memuji atas prestasi Indonesia saat tampil di Piala Asia 2007. Makanya mereka ingin belajar pada partai persahabatan besok di Bandung. Saatnya, timnas Indonesia pun kembali membuktikan pantas dipuji.

Nada merendah terlontar dari mulut pelatih tim nasional Yaman, Mohsin Salah. Menurutnya, ia besama pemain asuhannya ingin belajar banyak dari Indonesia. Sebab, masih kata Salah, dirinya melihat penampilan luar biasa para pemain Indonesia di ajang Piala Asia 2007 lalu.

Secara khusus Salah menyebutkan dua nama pemain timnas Indonesia, yakni Elie Aiboy dan Bambang Pamungkas, sebagai pemain berkelas. “Kami ingin belajar banyak dari tim luar biasa, seperti yang kami pernah lihat di televisi. Kami sama sekali tidak punya target dalam laga uji coba ini. Karena itulah, apa pun hasil pertandingan nanti, itu tidak masalah. Yang pasti, kami ingin memberikan pengalaman bertanding bagi anak-anak,” tutur Salah.

Lebih lanjut Salah menambahkan, mayoritas pemain yang ia boyong adalah pemain muda. Tim Yaman yang dibawanya kali ini menjalani uji coba internasional dalam rangka persiapan terjun ke turnamen Gulf Cup 2009. Nantinya, Yaman bakal menjadi tuan rumah turnamen tersebut.

“Itu sebabnya saya katakan, hasil akhir laga uji coba nanti tidak begitu penting. Yang pasti, bagaimana pemain bisa enjoy dan menambah pengalaman bertandingnya. Kami pun berharap tim Indonesia bisa berkunjung ke Yaman guna melakoni laga uji coba nanti,” tambah Salah.

Rombongan Yaman tiba Jakarta, Rabu siang. Dipimpin Sekjen Yemeni Football Association (YFA), Hamid MA al-Shaibany, tim yang berkekuatan 16 pemain plus lima orang ofisial ini mendarat pukul 14.00 WIB, dan langsung bertolak ke Bandung menggunakan bus.

Sementara itu pelatih Indonesia Benny Dollo mengatakan,semua pemain sudah dalam kondisi siap tanding. “Tidak ada masalah dengan fisik pemain. Latihan sudah dalam tahap pemantapan pola permainan tim,” kata Bendol.

Minggu (20/4), saat uji coba dengan PSAU di SUGBK ,timnas bisa menang mudah 4-0. Namun, menghadapi Yaman, yang menekuk Tanzania 2-1 pada 4 April, timnas perlu kerja keras untuk membuktikan pujian Yaman.(sumber:goal.com/bola.com)

Prediksi Skor by Ade Adran Syahlan: Indonesia v Yaman 2-1

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Forecast Scores Semifinal UEFA Cup

Semifinal Piala UEFA

Jumat Dini Hari WIB, 25 April 2008

Rangers v Fiorentina 0-1

Bayern Munich v Zenit St Petersburg 1-0

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Man Utd rue Ronaldo penalty miss;Barcelona 0-0 Man Utd

Cristiano Ronaldo missed a penalty as Manchester United held Barcelona in a cagey Champions League semi-final, first leg at the Nou Camp.Gabriel Milito needlessly threw his hands up to block a Ronaldo header in the box in only the second minute.But Ronaldo wasted the opportunity by sidefooting wide from the spot.

Barcelona dominated the game without creating much, although substitute Thierry Henry almost caught out United keeper Edwin van der Sar late on.

United will be rightly pleased with their defensive display, especially having lost Nemanja Vidic before the game to a stomach problem.But they may live to regret Ronaldo's early miss from the spot when the two sides meet again at Old Trafford next Tuesday.They could not have imagined a better opportunity to grab an away goal and silence the home fans early on.

When the ball was played into the centre, Ronaldo went up for the header and Milito stuck out an arm to block.Barcelona protested Milito's innocence but referee Massimo Busacca correctly pointed to the spot.

The Argentine defender was, however, given a let off when Ronaldo opened his body and screwed his spot-kick wide of the upright.Barcelona responded by taking a grip on the game, probing in and around the visitors' area.

But United's reworked backline - with Wes Brown at centre-back and Owen Hargreaves filling in at right-back - held firm. Van der Sar was largely untroubled, except for the problems he caused himself with a couple of errant clearances.

United had vowed to attack but they were forced to play a containing game as Barcelona played possession football, with Lionel Messi at the heart of everything. Wayne Rooney found himself almost in a defensive role and Ronaldo had little say in the game, being forced to pick the ball up deep and was wasteful with the odd free-kick opportunity that came his way.

He was almost handed a chance to atone for his early penalty miss when he latched on to an errant and dangerous pass from Andres Iniesta.

Ronaldo looked set for a run on goal but Rafael Marquez got his body in the way to shepherd the ball back to Victor Valdes and United's penalty appeals came to nothing. Samuel Eto'o had his first sight of goal just before half-time, but after cutting inside Rio Ferdinand his effort was charged down by Brown.

Barcelona continued to dictate play after the break, with United fortunate that Eto'o chose not to go to ground in the box after skipping past Ferdinand. When he squared he could not find a team-mate and a minute later the Cameroon striker shot poorly into the side netting after a neat move involving Messi and Deco.

Michael Carrick could have proved himself an unlikely hero as he did brilliantly to weave his way into the box, but he then wasted his good work by firing into the side-netting rather than square for a team-mate.

Messi was replaced by Krkic Bojan and though they continued to enjoy the bulk of the ball, they looked short of a cutting edge without their most potent weapon. Henry was handed 15 minutes to show his worth and he looked keen to impress as he fired in a shot that Van der Sar managed to parry to safety. However, there was to be no dramatic ending to a game that promised so much after such a splendid start.

Barcelona: Valdes, Zambrotta, Marquez, Milito, Abidal, Xavi, Toure Yaya, Deco (Henry 77), Messi (Bojan 62), Eto'o, Iniesta.
Subs Not Used: Pinto, Gudjohnsen, Sylvinho, Giovanni, Thuram.

Booked: Marquez.

Man Utd: Van der Sar, Hargreaves, Ferdinand, Brown, Evra, Ronaldo, Carrick, Scholes, Park, Rooney (Nani 76), Tevez (Giggs 85).
Subs Not Used: Kuszczak, Anderson, Pique, O'Shea, Silvestre.

Booked: Hargreaves.

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Liverpool v Chelsea 1-1;Riise own-goal gives Chelsea hope

Liverpool’s John Arne Riise accidentally headed the ball into his own net in the fifth minute of injury time, giving Chelsea a 1-1 tie Tuesday night in the first leg of the Champions League semifinals.

Dirk Kuyt put Liverpool ahead in the 43rd minute when he beat goalkeeper Petr Cech from close range after Javier Mascherano’s mis-hit spun over Chelsea’s Claude Makelele.

But Riise tied it when his diving header to clear Salomon Kalou’s cross for Nicolas Anelka went in from about 5 yards. Goalkeeper Pepe Reina had no chance to stop the ball.

“These ties are decided on small details, and unfortunately the little bit of luck’s gone to Chelsea at the end,” Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard said. “But maybe we’ll get a bit of luck at Stanford Bridge. No fingers pointed at John; we’re all in this together.”

Liverpool and Chelsea are meeting in the semifinals for the third time in four seasons. Liverpool advanced in 2005 and 2007 but played the second leg of the total-goals series at home. The teams meet April 30 at London, with the winner advancing to the May 21 final against Manchester United or Barcelona, who play their first leg Wednesday in Spain.

“I think we deserved definitely to get the draw at the end,” Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard said. “They had chances, we had chances. It was a battle and we carried on to the end.”

Liverpool co-owner Tom Hicks met with manager Rafa Benitez before the game and attended his first match at Anfield since December. Fans flicked abusive hand signals at the Texan as he appeared to join in the club anthem “You’ll Never Walk Alone” before the game while his son, Tom Hicks Jr., waved a Liverpool scarf. Chelsea fans bellowed taunts of “U-S-A! U-S-A!” during the early stages of the match.

Hicks is being blamed for threatening to block George Gillett Jr. from selling of his 50 percent stake in the Premier League club to Dubai International Capital. Gillett had been planning to also attend but he didn’t travel to northern England on doctors’ advice.

Police warned the club about the fans potentially targeting Hicks and Gillett.
“Security advice was provided to the club based on standard ongoing risk assessments,” the Merseyside Police said. “As with any other event, the safety of all those attending has been considered.” (source; yahoo/ap)

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Goal.com Prediction: Liverpool v Chelsea 1-1

CL Preview: Liverpool - Chelsea

What: Champions League, Semi-Final, First Leg

Who: Liverpool (4th, Premier League) v. Chelsea (2nd, Premier League)

When: Tuesday, 22nd April, 20:45 (CET)

Where: Anfield, Liverpool

Referee: Konrad Plautz (Austria)

The first of this week’s Champions League semi-finals is an all-English affair and sees Liverpool and Chelsea go head-to-head at this stage of the competition for the third time in four years. Can the Blues exact revenge for the previous two defeats?

Chelsea Looking For Revenge

Things are never calm at Chelsea football club and this has been made abundantly clear in the past week.

Monday night at Stamford Bridge – the Blues are 1-0 up and Emile Heskey pops up to net Wigan Athletic a late equaliser. Chelsea are done for, the title is United’s, Grant is a loser and it’s all his fault.

Fast forward to Thursday, where up on Merseyside Michael Essien snatches the all-important goal as Chelsea earn a vital win at Everton. By Saturday, United’s inability to claim all three points at Blackburn means the gap is once again three points. Avram Grant might have grumped his way through the post-match Press conference, but suddenly this is the guy who could lead Chelsea to an historic league and European Cup double.

This is the Blues’ fourth trip to the Champions League semi-finals in five years. They have yet to reach the final but it is perhaps fitting that they one again face Liverpool, twice the architects of Chelsea’s European demise at this stage.

With the showpiece event scheduled for Roman Abramovich’s homeland and the bitterness of 2005 and 2007 still evident in the Blues camp, there has never been a greater incentive to exact revenge. Avram Grant’s side made light work of Fenerbahçe at Stamford Bridge but stumbled to a defeat in the away leg. A similar result at Anfield is not an option against a Reds side who will likely not roll over like the Turks did in London.

Chelsea, meanwhile, know that they need to score on this trip to Anfield. They’ve failed to do so on any of their previous three Champions League games there, and recent profligacy in front of goal will be a concern. In cagey cup ties you must take what few chances you get.

After Athens Comes Moscow?

Liverpool go into the semi-final as outsiders with the bookmakers and behind Chelsea in the league. Will that worry the Reds? It was exactly the same in 2005 and 2007. Blues fans have often pointed to Liverpool’s fortune in Europe (lucky penalties, goals that never were) but when you’ve reached two finals in three years and dispatched the likes of Arsenal, Inter Milan, AC Milan, Barcelona and Juventus – as well as Chelsea twice – you must be doing something right.

Going into this first leg it’s fair to say that the psychological advantage lies with Liverpool, not only because of what has transpired in years past, but also because of results in Europe this season. The confidence gained from eliminating Inter and Arsenal, where three games were won and one was drawn, will be far greater than that the Blues can yield from overcoming the relative minnows of Olympiacos and Fenerbahçe.

After a close call earlier in the campaign, the European mentality at Anfield is alive and well. Belief, tradition and a useful run of form (eleven wins and just one defeat in the last 14 games) give Rafa Benítez’ side every confidence of ruining Abramovich’s dream for a third time.

This Liverpool side is stronger than those fielded on those previous occasions, but this remains the Reds’ toughest task yet thanks to the second leg taking place down in London. The atmosphere at Anfield will still be tremendous, but without knowing their Stamford Bridge fate the Reds will not so easily be able to sit on a 1-0 or 0-0 like in those previous encounters. The search for a healthy home win carries with it the danger of exposure at the back, but that is a risk Liverpool must take: Stamford Bridge has been a miserable away ground for 20 years.

PREDICTION

In theory Liverpool’s freshness having rested their stars at the weekend and the fact that they cannot bank on a result at the Bridge mean this encounter should be more open than previous ones. Whether that holds true we’ll have to see, but I think Chelsea may be the happier side at full-time.

Liverpool 1-1 Chelsea

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Barcelona aims to copy AC Milan’s Champions League triumph

Last season, it was AC Milan vs. the Premier League. The Italian club won.
This time, it’s FC Barcelona’s turn to take on English soccer in the Champions League with Manchester United, Liverpool and Chelsea all in the semifinals for the second season in a row.

If last season is any guide, bet on a Barcelona triumph when the final comes around in Moscow on May 21.
Although the current form and odds suggest the famous trophy will be headed for England, fate could send it to Spain.

The English teams are great at reaching the last four, and there will be at least one Premier League club in the final for the fourth season in a row. Actually picking up the trophy is another thing altogether—they’ve won just two since 1984.

Since then, the Italian clubs (seven titles) and Spanish (five) have proved to be much better at that, and the English trio could well be beaten to the top prize by Barcelona, which defeated Arsenal 2-1 in the 2006 final.

Like Milan a year ago, Barcelona is way off the lead in its domestic league, plagued by injuries to big players and struggling for consistency.

Milan finished fourth and 36 points behind Inter Milan in the 2007 Italian league, although that included eight points imposed for its part in a match-fixing scam. Saving its best form for the Champions League, it beat Liverpool 2-1 in the final in Athens, Greece.

Barcelona is third and 11 points behind Real Madrid in the Spanish title race and that means, like Milan last season, it realistically only has the Champions League to focus on.

Now, with Lionel Messi, Samuel Eto’o and Deco fit again, Barcelona has the talent to beat Manchester United in Wednesday’s first leg at the Camp Nou a day after Liverpool and Chelsea face each other at Anfield. The return legs are next week.

Barcelona comes off a 0-0 tie at home against cross-city rival Espanyol on Saturday, although midfielder Andres Iniesta says that’s a good sign.

“The Champions League is another story,” Iniesta said. “A good example is that after a terrible (3-2 loss) in Seville against Betis, we were able to beat Schalke in Germany. It’s very important for us to get to the final, and we have 180 minutes ahead of us to do so.”

Barcelona just has to shrug aside its league form and switch into Champions League mode. But pressure has been mounting on the Barca players since they began falling too far behind Madrid in the league title race.

Barcelona started the season expecting great things from its new-look strikeforce with Thierry Henry joining Messi, Eto’o and Ronaldinho. But the French striker has failed to make an impact in Spanish soccer, Messi and Eto’o have spent long spells on the sideline with injuries and Ronaldinho, clearly putting on weight, has been accused of enjoying the nightlife a little too much.

The Brazilian great is out of action with a torn leg muscle and there is strong speculation he might be moving to AC Milan. With 17-year-old Bojan Krkic producing standout performances on his introduction to the team, however, Barcelona still has the players capable of beating Manchester United.

The problem for the Catalan team is that it appears to have lost confidence, and the fans can feel it.

They have been getting on the backs of the players, coach Frank Rijkaard and president Joan Laporta, especially with traditional rival Madrid on the way to winning the Spanish league title for the second season in a row.

Now the team has to respond with two big performances against Manchester United, which is leading the Premier League and hoping to win the league title for the second season in a row. United effectively needs only to win at second-place Chelsea on Saturday to clinch. The Red Devils were in a similar situation last term, with Chelsea also back in second place.

But Alex Ferguson’s team couldn’t manage the double. It struggled twice in the Champions League semifinals against Milan, coming from behind to win 3-2 in the first leg at Old Trafford and being soundly beaten 3-0 in the return.

With the home leg first, Rijkaard needs to get the best out of Messi, Eto’o, Henry, Deco and Krkic when the two teams meet at Camp Nou, so it can defend a lead at Old Trafford next week.

If he doesn’t, European soccer will be looking at a first all-English Champions League final, Premier League dominance will be complete and Rijkaard probably will be searching for another job.

source; yahoo

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Forecast Scores Semifinal Champions League

Forecast score by Ade Adran Syahlan

Rabu Dini Hari WIB, 23 April 2008

Liverpool v Chelsea 2-0

Kamis Dini Hari WIB, 24 April 2008

Barcelona v Man United 1-2

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Del Piero and Kaka score hat tricks in Italian

Inter Milan beat Torino 1-0 Sunday and moved six points clear of AS Roma at the top of Serie A with only four rounds remaining.

If Inter beats Cagliari next week, the Nerazzurri can clinch the title with a win over city rival AC Milan on May 4.

“We’re on the right road,” Inter midfielder Dejan Stankovic said. “But we’ve got to remain focused and fight until it’s over.”

Julio Ricardo Cruz scored with a diving header off a corner in the 30th minute for his first league goal since the Milan derby on Dec. 23.

Also, Alessandro Del Piero and Kaka scored hat tricks in wins for Juventus and Milan, respectively.

Del Piero tallied the final three goals in Juve’s 4-0 rout of Atalanta, and Kaka converted two penalties then added another goal in Milan’s 5-1 win over Reggina.

Still trying to secure a place on Italy’s European Championship squad, Del Piero was asked if he thought Azzurri coach Roberto Donadoni would phone him after the match.

“I don’t think so. We haven’t spoken lately,” Del Piero said. “The important thing is that he calls me at the right moment. Then, if it doesn’t happen, life goes on the same.”

Sampdoria shut out Udinese 3-0 with two goals from Claudio Bellucci. Milan and Sampdoria are still trying to catch fourth-place Fiorentina in the race for the final Champions League berth.

Inter leads with 78 points. Roma is next with 72, Juventus has 67 and Fiorentina 59. Milan and Sampdoria are tied for fifth with 55 each.(source: yahoo)

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Inter goes six points clear in Serie

Internazionale took a major step towards retaining their Serie A title on Sunday night with a hard-fought 1-0 win over Torino.

Julio Cruz scored the only goal of the game in the 30th minute, heading Mario Balotelli’s corner past Alberto Fontana from point-blank range.

The win moved Roberto Mancini’s men six points clear of second-placed Roma - who drew on Saturday - with four games of the season remaining.

AC Milan are still in the hunt for fourth spot after a resounding 5-1 victory over relegation-threatened Reggina. A Kaka hat-trick that included two first half penalties and late strikes from Filippo Inzaghi and Alexandre Pato gave Milan the points.

Edgar Barreto scored an outstanding consolation for the visitors, who slipped to the bottom of the table on goal difference.

Alessandro Del Piero also helped himself to a treble and set up the opener for Nicola Legrottaglie as Juventus romped to a 4-0 away at Atalanta which moves them to within five points of Roma.

Ten-man Genoa kept alive their hopes of claiming a place in Europe next season with a 1-0 win at Siena. Former Siena player Abdoulay Konko netted the only goal of the game in the 24th minute, while the visitors held out despite the sending off of Gaetano De Rosa 10 minutes before the interval.

Genoa are now eight points off a UEFA Cup berth. Sampdoria enjoyed a resounding 3-0 triumph over Udinese to tighten their grip on a European place. Antonio Cassano and Claudio Bellucci put them two goals ahead at half-time before Cassano added a second from the penalty spot after the break.

Sampdoria are now four points clear of their opponents in the race for sixth place. Napoli came from behind to win 2-1 away at Parma in a bad-tempered match which saw the hosts end the game with just eight men.

Igor Budan gave relegation-threatened Parma a valuable lead from the spot in the 22nd minute, but McDonald Mariga was then sent off for conceding a penalty which was duly dispatched by Maurizio Domizzi.

Giulio Falcone and Andrea Gasbarroni were dismissed after the break as Parma’s disciplinary problems mounted. Napoli midfielder Walter Gargano was also sent off for his part in the fight with Falcone in the 75th minute, while visiting boss Edoardo Reja was sent from the bench for demanding Gasbarroni’s dismissal.

All those red cards came after Mariano Bogliacino’s 71st-minute winner. Catania’s hopes of avoiding relegation received a boost as they claimed a 1-0 victory over nine-man Lazio. Gionatha Spinesi scored the winner from the penalty spot after Luciano Zauri had been shown his second yellow card in as many minutes for hauling down Giuseppe Mascara.

Ousmane Dabo was also sent off for his protestations after he was penalized for a foul on. Catania are joined five points clear of the drop zone by Cagliari, who claimed a 2-0 win at lowly Empoli despite finishing the game with nine men.

A goal in each half from Robert Acquafresca and Michele Fini secured the win for the Sardinians, who could even afford to have both Fini, for whipping his shirt off in celebration, and Francesco Pisano sent off.(source: yahoo)

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Owen leads Magpies to victory

Michael Owen demonstrated exactly why manager Kevin Keegan is so desperate for him to sign a new contract by claiming a derby day double in a 2-0 win over Sunderland on Sunday.

The 28-year-old England international headed the Magpies into a fourth-minute lead and then made it six goals in as many games in the final minute of the first half from the penalty spot.

The win maintained Keegan’s perfect record against the Black Cats, which now stretches to five games, on a day when his mission to keep the club in the Premier League was successfully completed.

By contrast, Roy Keane’s side face a tense conclusion to the season with just five points separating them from the relegation zone with three games remaining.

John Carew and Ashley Young grabbed a brace apiece to keep Aston Villa on course for Europe and send humiliated local rivals Birmingham closer to the Premier League relegation trapdoor with a 5-1 drubbing.

Martin O’Neill’s side outgunned their woeful opponents in all departments to close the gap on fifth-placed Everton to three points.

Gabriel Agbonlahor completed the Villa rout and all third-from-bottom Blues could manage in reply was a consolation goal from substitute Mikael Forssell.

Manchester City took some of the heat off under-pressure manager Sven-Goran Eriksson with a convincing 3-1 victory over 10-man Portsmouth.

Eriksson was hugely displeased at City owner Thaksin Shinawatra’s comments that he will “review” the club at the end of the season, and his players gave their answer to the Thai tycoon in the best possible manner.

Inspired by the powerful Benjani Mwaruwari, City took full advantage of an off-day for the Portsmouth defence to keep themselves in with a chance of qualifying for Europe.

Whether that will suffice for Thaksin has yet to be seen, and Eriksson certainly needs to shore up his team in key areas, specifically in defence and central midfield, if he keeps his position for next season.

Benjani scored the third to seal victory and end Portsmouth’s hopes of a comeback. Darius Vassell had opened the scoring after a bad mix-up between David James and Sol Campbell, Martin Petrov made it 2-0 before John Utaka’s goal gave the visitors hope again.(source: yahoo/afp)

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Sir Alex: Ferdinand Could Emulate Maldini

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson believes that Rio Ferdinand is capable of following in the footsteps of legendary AC Milan defender Paolo Maldini by playing until he's 40.

The 29-year-old England defender just penned a banner new deal that will keep him at the club past his 34th birthday, but his manager is convinced that this would not be the end of the road for him.

"Of course, Maldini is an exception and whether Rio wants to go on until he is 40 is another matter," said Ferguson.

"But with his athleticism and pace - and the fact he has no weight problems, there is no reason why he cannot play on well into his late 30s.

"His performance against Arsenal last Sunday was absolutely fantastic. Together with Gerard Pique, he took care of all the threats that can arise against Arsenal."

As for Maldini, it appears that his epic career may have come to an anti-climatic end, as he picked up an injury in training on Friday that looks likely to rule him out for the rest of the season. Maldini had stated recently that he was considering overturning his decision to retire for another year, however the widespread belief is that this will not happen.

by Derek Wanner, Goal.com

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Mau Dibawa Kemana Kompetisi PSSI BATAM Ini?

Sore kemarin, sudah tergelar Kompetisi PSSI Batam 2008. Ada yang ''aneh'', Ketua PSSI Batam adalah Walikota Batam Ahmad Dahlan juga. Tapi yang membuka dengan tendangan pertama, justru Wakil Walikota Ria Saptarika. Masih ingatkah Dahlan, bahwa sebenarnya yang ketua bola di Batam ini dirinya?

Pantas dipertanyakan, karena bisa jadi, ini pertanda, bahwa kompetisi ini juga tak penting menurut ketua umumnya sendiri. Terlebih lagi, ternyata kompetisi yang diikuti 32 klub tak akan berujung ke mana nanti tujuannya. Betapa tidak, kalaupun nanti pemenangnya akan mewakili Batam ke kompetisi Divisi 3 Liga Indonesia, tim itu harus bermaterikan usia 21 tahun ke bawah. Nah, 32 tim sekarang, apa punya banyak pemain seusia itu?

''Ini semua akibat peraturan dari PSSI pusat yang selalu berubah. Sedangkan untuk PS Batam sendiri yang sudah Divisi 2 justru pemainnya harus berusia 23 tahun, dan hanya boleh lima pemain senior. Kompetisi sekarang, sebenarnya untuk mencari itu juga. Semoga masih ada pemain yang berusia 23 tahun terpantau. Apalagi, klub peserta memang antusias''

Info itu saya dapat dari salah seorang pengurus bola di Batam. Namun, harus diakui juga, jika 32 tim nanti terseleksi dan akan bisa terpilah, mana yang divisi utama dan divisi satu, lalu kompetisi terus berlanjut bertahun-tahun, maka sepakbola Batam bisa bangkit. Semoga ya...

Hasil Pertandingan

Jumat 18 April 2008

PS Joker v PS Gading Mas 2-3

Jadwal Pertandingan

Sabtu 19 April 2008

PS Panasonic v PS Batamindo 15.00 WIB

PS McDermott vs PS Rubycon 16.15 WIB

Ahad, 20 April 2008

PS Arkad v PS Evox Rifa 15.00 WIB

PS Panataran vs Ivans 16.15 WIB

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Pembagian Grup Kompetisi PSSI Batam

Hari ini kompetisi PSSI Batam periode 2008 digelar. Sebanyak 32 klub ikut. Semoga ini awal kebangkitan lagi sepakbola di Batam.

Grup A

PS Joker

PS Gading Mas

PS Mbotu Rizky

PS Teratai Laut

Grup B

Panasonic

PS Batamindo

PS McDermott

PS Rubycon

Grup C

PS Arkad

PS Evox Rifa

PS Putra panataran

PS Ivans

Grup D

PS Praja Wibawa

PS POP

PS Gempar

PS Ongis Batam

Grup E

PS Batam View

PS Teac

PS Budi kemuliaan

PS NOK

Grup F

PS Skye

PS Muaro

PS Bengkong

PS Jaya

Grup G

PS AD

PS Bida

PS Permata

PS Epson

Grup H

PS Otorita Batam

PS Nippon Steel

PS Crystal

PS Rajawali

Jadwal Kompetisi PSSI Batam

Jumat 18 April 2008

PS Joker v PS GAding Mas 16.000

Sabtu 19 April 2008

PS Panasonic v PS Batamindo 15.00 WIB

PS McDermott vs PS Rubycon

Ahad, 20 April 2008

PS Arkad v PS Evox Rifa 15.00 WIB

PS Panataran vs Ivans 16.15 WIB

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Forecast Score by Ade Adran Syahlan

Premier League Inggris

Sabtu, 19 April 2008

Arsenal v Reading 1-0

(Siaran langsung ESPN-Astro, 18.45 WIB)

Fulham v Liverpool 0-1

(Siaran langsung ESPN-Astro, 21.00 WIB)

Middlesbrough v Bolton 1-0

(Siaran langsung TV One, 21.00 WIB)

West Ham v Derby 2-1

Wigan v Tottenham 1-0

(Siaran langsung Star Sports-Astro, 21.00 WIB)

Blackburn v Man United 0-1

(Siaran langsung Star Sports-Astro, 23.15 WIB)

Minggu, 20 April 2008

Aston Villa v Birmingham 1-0

(Siaran langsung Star Sports-Astro, 18.00 WIB)

Newcastle v Sunderland 0-1

(Siaran langsung ESPN-Astro, 19.30 WIB)

Man City v Portsmouth 2-1

(Siaran langsung ESPN-Astro, 22.00 WIB)

Liga Primera Spanyol

Minggu Dini Hari WIB, 20 April 2008

Atletico Madrid v Real Betis 1-0

Barcelona v Espanyol 3-2

(Siaran langsung RCTI, 01.00 WIB)

Real Zaragoza v Recreativo Huelva 1-0

Sevilla FC v Almeria 1-0

(Siaran langsung RCTI, 03.00 WIB)

Minggu, 20 April 2008

Levante v Getafe 1-0

Murcia v Mallorca 2-0

Osasuna v Deportivo La Coruna 0-2

Villarreal v Valladolid 2-0

Senin Dini Hari WIB, 21 April 2008

Racing Santander v Real Madrid 1-0

(Siaran langsung RCTI, 00.00 WIB)

Athletic Bilbao v Valencia 1-1

(Siaran langsung RCTI, 02.00 WIB)

Serie A Italia

Sabtu, 19 April 2008

Roma v Livorno 1-0

(Siaran langsung Trans7, 23.00 WIB)

Minggu Dini Hari WIB, 20 April 2008

Fiorentina v Palermo 2-1

Minggu, 20 April 2008

Atalanta v Juventus 1-2

Sampdoria v Udinese 1-0

Siena v Genoa 0-1

Parma v Napoli 1-0

Catania Calcio v Lazio 1-0

AC Milan v Reggina 2-0

(Siaran langsung Trans7, 20.00 WIB)

Cagliari v Empoli 1-0

Senin Dini Hari WIB, 21 April 2008

Torino v Inter Milan 0-1

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Chelsea maintain title hopes with win at Everton

Chelsea kept their title hopes alive when they beat Everton 1-0 at Goodison Park on Thursday with a first-half goal from Michael Essien.

The victory lifted Chelsea, who have three matches to play, on to 78 points, two behind leaders Manchester United who have a game in hand. Manchester United visit Chelsea on April 26.

Defeat dented Everton’s chances of catching Liverpool and securing fourth spot and a Champions League qualifying berth next season.

With three matches to play, fifth-placed Everton have 61 points, five behind Liverpool, who have a game in hand.

The only goal of a dour match came with Chelsea’s first shot on target after 41 minutes.

Shaun Wright-Phillips’s reverse pass into the box was deflected into Essien’s path and the Ghanaian midfielder chested the ball down before lifting it over goalkeeper Tim Howard.

Essien was also on target in Chelsea’s 1-1 draw with Wigan Athletic at Stamford Bridge on Monday, when a late Wigan equaliser dented Chelsea’s title aspirations.

Chelsea manager Avram Grant made five changes from Monday, but Frank Lampard and Didier Drogba were both out of the side, Lampard for family reasons and Drogba through injury.

Chelsea were still a little too sharp for Everton, but although they stretched their unbeaten league run to 18 matches, Chelsea will fail in their title bid if United win their next two matches at Blackburn Rovers and Chelsea.

Neither side produced much of note and Everton rarely threatened to score as they bid to beat Chelsea for the first time in 20 matches dating back to May 2001.

Everton manager David Moyes told his club’s Web site (www.evertonfc.com) afterwards he was disappointed with the result.

“We didn’t play well enough to take anything out of the game,” he said. “You never want to lose a goal but before the break it makes it a little bit more difficult. It’s hard to get goals against them.”

The match was moved to Thursday to suit TV schedules and Chelsea paid for their fans’ tickets and travel costs for making the journey to Merseyside.

(Editing by Trevor Huggins/yahoo/afp)

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Condition Everton and Chelsea

Everton midfield duo Mikel Arteta and Leon Osman are struggling to be fit for the visit of Chelsea to Goodison Park. Arteta (stomach muscle) and Osman (hamstring) have had treatment this week but are unlikely to be ready.

Chelsea are expected to make the trip north without midfielder Frank Lampard and striker Didier Drogba. Lampard missed Monday's game against Wigan because his mother is in hospital with pneumonia, while Drogba has not trained because of a knee injury.

• Everton boss David Moyes:

"In a strange way maybe the pressure has relented a bit.

"I think Manchester United will now win the Premier League and it's very difficult for us to make fourth position so maybe the game is gone as far as what both teams can do above us.

"But Chelsea won't want to be caught by anyone from behind them and we have a job to at least hang on to fifth."

• Chelsea boss Avram Grant:

"I will not give up until it is over and we will keep fighting - in football anything can happen.

"But first we need to win, it's an important game and then we'll think about other things.

"It's very difficult to play at Goodison Park, they are a good team and it's never easy to play them."

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Trezeguet boosts Juve´s Champions League hopes

A controversial goal by France international David Trezeguet inspired Juventus to a 3-0 win over relegation-threatened Parma on Wednesday and gave the winners an almost certain place in next season's Champions League. (Result game, same prediction by Ade Adran Syahlan, click this)

Trezeguet's first goal since March 22 was fortunate as patently offside he prodded the ball home after Mauro Camoranesi's header had come off the post in the 16th minute and the Frenchman took a while to register the goal had been given.

However the result was virtually ensured when striker partner Raffaelle Palladino lashed in a stunning shot in the 30th minute.

Parma were finally put out of their misery in the 77th minute as the unfortunate Stefano Morrone headed into his own net from Juve's Portuguese international midfielder Tiago.

Victory gave the 'Old Lady' a 14-point advantage with five games remaining over fifth placed AC Milan, with only the top four qualifying for the Champions League.

The final spot looks like being a fight between Sampdoria, Udinese, AC Milan and fourth placed Fiorentina with just five points separating the quartet. Parma's defeat leaves them fourth from bottom.

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Derby want Indonesian star?

Derby are reportedly interested in signing Persija Jakarta's forward Bambang Pamungkas as they prepare for next season in the Championship according to various media sources. Derby boss Paul Jewell has reportedly told impressive Argentinian forward Emanuel Villa there is a future for him at the club, but wants to add an experienced attacker to play alongside him.

The 27 year old Indonesian currently plays for Persija Jakarta, and has played all of his career in the Asian leagues whilst other impressive Indonesian talent Kurniawan tried his luck in Italy with Sampdoria temporarily.

Derby are supposedly preparing a £300,000 offer for Pamungkas, who has already been linked with a move this summer to Australian side Perth Glory.

Pamungkas has over 45 caps for Indonesia bagging 23 goals. Bambang's agent in Europe, Anthony van Dalen, had previously revealed that several clubs in Europe are ready to give the player a try out.

Should Derby sign Pamungkas, it is believed that they are ready to benefit a huge amount commercially as many regard Pamungkas as one of the best players to come from Indonesia. (source:eyefootball)

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Forecast; Juventus Win, Chelsea No

April 16

21:00 GMT - Juventus v Parma 1-0

April 17

20:00 GMT- Everton v Chelsea 2-1

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Chelsea draws with Wigan

An injury-time goal by Wigan striker Emile Heskey put a massive dent in Chelsea’s hopes of winning the Premier League title on Monday.Michael Essien had given the Blues the lead in the 55th minute but Heskey’s shock equalizer left their title hopes in tatters with a 1-1 draw.

Chelsea are now five points adrift of Manchester United at the top of the table and defeat at Everton at Goodison Park on Thursday night would effectively hand Sir Alex Ferguson’s men the title.

Wigan were unchanged with Marcus Bent and Heskey leading the attack while Chelsea coach Avram Grant made seven changes from the side which beat Fenerbahce in the Champions League - including a recall for goalkeeper Petr Cech.

The Czech Republic international played with a special chin guard to protect 50 stitches he required after a training-ground clash with defender Tal Ben-Haim two weeks ago.

But Grant was hampered by the sudden loss of midfielder Frank Lampard, who was pulled out of the side just before kick-off with another illness.

Yet despite the handicap, Chelsea should have been in front in the fifth minute but a cross from Salomon Kalou was headed wide from six yards by Nicolas Anelka.

Five minutes later Wigan goalkeeper Chris Kirkland was alert enough to deal with a through-ball from Essien that threatened to provide Anelka with a goal-scoring opportunity.

But Wigan withstood Chelsea’s early fire and created a real opportunity of their own in the 19th minute when Wilson Palacios back-heeled the ball and Antonio Valencia forced Cech into a fine save at his near post.

Moments later, a fine turn from Michael Ballack in the Wigan penalty area should have caused the visitors more problems but the German’s cross was easily dealt with by Kirkland.

Chelsea were largely disappointing going forward and Anelka was left to chase hopeful long balls that Paul Scharner and Emmerson Boyce dealt with comfortably.

Chelsea almost went in front in the 26th minute when a header from Anelka looked certain to loop over Kirkland and into the net until the Wigan goalkeeper somehow managed to get a hand to it.

But while Chelsea were far from impressive, they continued to pressure the Wigan defense.

In the 34th minute, a corner from Juliano Belletti was headed goalwards by Mikel John Obi only for Josip Skoko to clear off his goalline.

But Steve Bruce’s Wigan side were in no mood to capitulate and it needed a last ditch tackle from Scharner to prevent Anelka from getting on the end of a pass from Essien.

Chelsea were running out of ideas as fast as the home crowd were running out of patience.

There was little to enthuse about Chelsea’s performance during 45 minutes when they failed to impose themselves on the game.

Grant, was regularly out of his seat on the bench, but despite his calm cajoling, Chelsea could not raise its game and not surprisingly was booed off at halftime.

Grant’s displeasure with the tepid opening half from his Chelsea side produced a half-time change with Joe Cole replacing the ineffective Florent Malouda.

The move almost brought an instant reward for the home side when a shot from Cole was charged down by the Wigan defense.

Another effort from Cole in the 49th minute failed to trouble Kirkland but the England international’s introduction had clearly had a galvanizing effect on the home side.

Belletti failed to pick out a Chelsea player when he burst into the penalty area and pulled the ball back from the touchline but Grant’s side were slowly turning the screw on Wigan.

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Wenger: Game Over

Arsene Wenger has conceded defeat in the Premier League race, revealing that it will be difficult to stomach the fact that Arsenal will not be champions this season

The Gunners’ title aspirations were well and truly shattered yesterday when they were defeated 2-1 by league leaders Manchester United at Old Trafford, opening up a surely insurmountable nine-point gap between the two.

And while Wenger yet again bemoaned refereeing decisions not going in their favour, he insists he is nevertheless proud of his team’s performance.

“I believe we played with quality and spirit and were unlucky to lose this game," he said. "I never felt under pressure and I believe defensively we played quite well.

“We lost on a penalty - that you can give or not give but we are used to that now - and on a free-kick when Gilberto did not touch him. I believe these two decisions made a big difference.

“We have to take it but overall I am proud of my team.”

It has not been a very good week for Arsenal. Their defeat at Old Trafford follows Tuesday’s Champions League quarterfinal defeat at the hands of Liverpool, essentially meaning their hopes of collecting a trophy this season have been snuffed out in the course of five days.

But although Wenger is clearly rueful of the way the season has deteriorated over the last two months, he insists bad luck has played a part, and that with persistence and a bit of fortune the Gunners can match their rivals next season.

“Between success and failure this season there was very little,” he said. “We have to accept that we will not win the title and that is hard to swallow.

“We do not feel that there is a difference technically and collectively between us and Chelsea and Manchester United.

“We have to continue to produce the football we produce. We will not always be unlucky. We played well at Liverpool and today.

“With all the bad things that have gone against us we need to be exceptionally strong to produce a performance like we did today.”

Policy Persistence

Arsenal’s youth policy was all the rage earlier in the season, as the likes of Fabregas, Flamini and Adebayor ripped through more experienced opponents to lead the North Londoners to the top of the table.

However, as their title challenge has waned and now vanished altogether, many have questioned whether that lack of experience throughout the line-up has cost the Gunners in their hunt for trophies.

But Wenger is adamant that he will continue to develop players the way he has done so far, and that Arsenal will reap the rewards as their young guns mature over the next few seasons.

“We have the quality and we are young,” said the Frenchman. “I have worked with this team for a long time now and people don't know what that means.

“For example Alex Song played today. It is two years ago since I bought him. Today he played in a massive game and showed he has exceptional quality. He was not like that two years ago.

“We want to be rewarded for the quality we have.”

Confidence

And while pundits have pointed the finger at the youth policy for Arsenal’s faded campaign, Wenger insisted the biggest problem was a collective lack of belief.“The confidence has dropped recently,” he added. “In two months we have gone through a difficult period.“You cannot fault the spirit. That has been exceptional but when you get knock after knock it is difficult to take.

“We led at Liverpool and today for a moment but we have been hit recently by goals. When that happens you become more cautious and that means you are more cautious under pressure.”

(source: goal/Mike Maguire)

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Manchester U. 2 - 1 Arsenal

Stadion Old Trafford gegap gempita, setelah Owen Greaves mencetak gol pada menit ke-70. Gol itu dia cetak dari tendangan bebas berjarak 25 meter dari gawang Arsenal. Bola kencang gagal ditepis kiper Jens Lehmann.

MU tertinggal duluan. Cristiano Ronaldo akhirnya menyamakan kedudukan pada menit ke-54 dari titik penalti. Hadiah penalti itu diberikan kepada MU, setelah William Gallas melakukan handsball di kotak penalti.

Ammanuel Adebayor membuat Arsenal unggul 1-0 pada menit ke-48. Tendangannya gagal dihentikan kiper Edwin van der Sar. Keunggulan Arsenal tak bisa dipertahankan. (sumber: kompas.com)

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Juve beat 10-man Milan in thriller

juventus dealt a potentially fatal blow to 10-man AC Milan's Champions League hopes with a 3-2 win in blockbuster match in Turin on Saturday.

Goals from Alessandro Del Piero, David Trezeguet and Hassan Salihamidzic gave the hosts the edge over the reigning European champions, who counted two Filippo Inzaghi goals while Daniele Bonera was dismissed in the second half.

Juve thus closed the gap on second-placed AS Roma to seven points and they look almost certain to secure a place in Europe's premier competition next season.

Not so Milan who trail fourth-placed Fiorentina, who travel to leaders Inter Milan on Sunday, by four points but also have to contend with Udinese and Sampdoria in the battle for the final qualification spot.

Juventus coach Claudio Ranieri heaped praise on his victorious outfit.

FT Palermo 1 - 0 Catania;
FT Juventus 3 - 2 AC Milan;
17:58 April 13;
FT Empoli 1 - 1 Parma;
FT Genoa 3 - 0 Torino;
FT Lazio 1 - 1 Siena;
FT Livorno 1 - 2 Cagliari;
FT Napoli 2 - 0 Atalanta;
FT Reggina 1 - 0 Sampdoria;
FT Udinese 1 - 3 AS Roma;

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Liverpool 3-1 Blackburn

Fernando Torres scored his 30th goal of the season as Liverpool outfought Blackburn to strengthen their grip on fourth place in the Premier League.

Steven Gerrard, who had a penalty appeal turned down after he was clipped by Brad Friedel, broke the deadlock with a cool finish in the second half.

Torres met Gerrard's deep cross with a precise header to make it 2-0 before Andrei Voronin slid home a third.

Roque Santa Cruz hooked in a late reply for Blackburn, who were well beaten.

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Ferguson prepares to deal final blow to Wenge

The feud which once simmered between Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger has long since come off the boil, but the Manchester United manager would still find it hard to suppress a smile if he inflicted a final ignominy on his old rival on Sunday.

Meetings between these two English Premier League giants always quicken the pulse, but it is no exaggeration to state that Arsenal travel to Old Trafford in disarray.

A season which once promised to be Wenger's finest since taking over in north London in 1996 has collapsed around him in the last 10 weeks, during which his side has been knocked out of both domestic cup competitions and seen their hopes of winning back the league title all but extinguished.

Last Tuesday's late Champions League heartbreak at Liverpool represented perhaps the most grievous blow to Wenger, who now faces a Herculean task in restoring morale ahead of the daunting trip to United.

Defeat would effectively end Arsenal's title challenge and, given the memories of the 4-0 FA Cup thrashing in February are still painfully fresh, Wenger would be forgiven travelling north in trepidation.

Arsenal's players have at least attempted to put on a brave face as they confront D-Day and, if Emmanuel Adebayor is to be believed, Wenger still retains the faith of the dressing room.

"We have the boss to lift us," he said. "He will talk about that for sure. We will meet at the training ground and he will tell us what to do. He has more experience than anyone here and he knows the words to use so that we can come back on the pitch, be more successful and want it more.

"The most important thing now is to stay focused on what we can achieve this season. We are still playing for the title and we still believe we can win something at the end of the season.

"We were so close to the Champions League semi-finals but football decided it the other way. As a player, these things are very difficult to take but it is better now to focus on the game on Sunday. It will be another big game for us and we will see what we can do."

Arsenal's problem is how to ruffle the feathers of a United side who currently have the confident strut and swagger of champions-elect. Ferguson's team marched imperiously into the last four of the Champions League with a routine win over Roma on Wednesday and have not tasted defeat in the league since losing at home to Manchester City in February.

United might have stumbled slightly at Middlesbrough last week but such results remain anomalies and given the confidence coursing through Ferguson's players, it seems inconceivable that they will fail to tighten their grip on the Premier League trophy on Sunday.

With nearest rivals Chelsea facing the treacherous prospect of two games in four days next week, it is even possible United's trip to Stamford Bridge later this month will be largely irrelevant.

"The games against Arsenal and Chelsea are the two big ones," Ferguson said. "They are fantastic occasions which all the players look forward to. It's best if you go into the games in decent form and I think our form is decent.

"It will be a great game on Sunday. As we know Arsenal have been our main competitor for 13 years or whatever and it's not going to change on Sunday. It will be a hard-fought match and hopefully we will take the spoils."

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Defiant Wenger insists Arsenal are still in the title race

Arsene Wenger insists Arsenal can still salvage their season by winning Sunday's make or break match against Manchester United.

Wenger's side are facing a third season without silverware after crashing out of the Champions League against Liverpool in midweek but have one last chance to get back in the Premier League title race.

The Gunners trail United by six points and must win at Old Trafford to have any chance of overhauling the leaders. Wenger is adamant his players haven't thrown in the towel and will rise to the occasion.

"The season is not over. I believe what is at stake on Sunday is the work of the whole year," Wenger said.

"Do you really think that we go to Manchester United on Sunday believing the season is over? That would be ridiculous.

"We have worked extremely hard since the first day of the season against all the odds.

"We will fight until the last second of the championship, especially on Sunday. If we win on Sunday then realistically we can win the title."

Wenger dismissed Germany goalkeeper Jens Lehmann's latest rant after he slammed the Arsenal boss for leaving him on the sidelines this season.

"Basically if you can find a player in the country that is happy that he doesn't play then that is a problem," Wenger said.

"I don't speak about it. I select my team. I have nothing personal against Jens.

"I do not think he has ever been disrespectful to me in any training session or any contact I have had with him." (source: yahoo/afp)

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