News sport : Ticket Punched: Northern Iowa wins to the relief of all bubble teams

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They can exhale in Bloomington, Champaign, Provo, College Station and all the other bubble outposts around the nation.


Northern Iowa has thwarted a potential bid thief with a memorable second-half comeback.


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Having fallen behind upset-minded Illinois State by 18 points late in the first half of Sunday's Arch Madness title game, the 11th-ranked Panthers roared back with a momentum-altering 25-4 surge to start the second half. That was enough to carry Northern Iowa to a 69-60 victory that actually felt somewhat routine by the end of it.


Northern Iowa's first conference tournament championship since 2010 could propel the Panthers as high as a No. 3 or 4 seed when the NCAA tournament brackets are unveiled next Sunday evening. They don't have as many RPI top 50 wins as teams from power conferences, but they're 30-3 with victories over Iowa, Wichita State, Richmond and a very good Stephen F. Austin team.


Had Illinois State followed up its semifinal victory over top-seeded Wichita State by toppling Northern Iowa as well, the Redbirds would have claimed the Valley's automatic bid and reduced the number of available at-large bids by one. The Valley would have become a three-bid league because the Shockers and Panthers are locks to reach the NCAA tournament.


Northern Iowa's second-half surge ensured that would not happen, transforming a 14-point halftime deficit into seven-point lead nine minutes later. Valley player of the year Seth Tuttle had eight of his 15 points during the run and his teammates sank four 3-pointers.


Though the Panthers shot poorly from the field on Sunday, they made up for it by sinking 22 of 26 foul shots and committing only three turnovers. Illinois State got 16 points from guard Daishon Knight and 14 from forward Deontae Hawkins, but the Redbirds never mounted a serious charge in the final five minutes.


If the conference tournament championship was just a tad bittersweet for Northern Iowa because it didn't come at the expense of Wichita State, the Panthers will nonetheless surely relish in the outcome.


They're headed back to the NCAA tournament for the first time since Ali Faroukhmanesh's thunderbolt of a jump shot delivered one of the great upsets in recent years. And this time if Northern Iowa is playing in a Sweet 16 again, it won't be nearly as big a shock.


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Jeff Eisenberg is the editor of The Dagger on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at daggerblog@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!







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News sport : Tim Duncan went an entire game without hitting a field goal, world continues apace

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Tim Duncan missed this shot. (Getty Images) The San Antonio Spurs easily dispatched the injury-plagued Chicago Bulls on Sunday afternoon, utilizing crisp ball movement and perfect spacing on their way to a 116-105 win. Tony Parker emerged as a go-to force, nailing 13-19 shots for 32 points in his best game since his admission that hamstring woes have hampered him all year. Kawhi Leonard seemed to be everywhere on both sides of the ball yet again, and Patty Mills kept the offense flowing off the bench with 15 points.


Also, Tim Duncan didn’t hit a single field goal. That seems kind of weird.


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Duncan missed all eight of his attempts from the floor in nearly 28 minutes of rather strong all-around play, the first time in his career that he’s gone an entire game without hitting a shot. Duncan hit three of four free throws and managed eight boards and three assists, but his ohfer from the floor marked the first such goose egg in 1310 career NBA games.


It wasn’t even a bad game for the future Basketball Hall of Famer – that’s the kicker. Had Duncan rattled in one of his eight attempts from the floor, nobody would have even noticed Tim’s supposed misstep.


Spurs coach Gregg Popovich has been limiting the big man’s minutes for years, literally dating back to a decade ago when Coach Pop decided to only play Duncan 33 minutes a contest on his team’s way to a third championship ring in 2005. Duncan, who will turn 39 in April, isn’t quite the offensive force he once was, but he can still carry a team on that end when called upon, and he went into Sunday averaging 5.7 makes a game, while nearly shooting 50 percent from the field.


The Spurs’ win allows them to briefly tie the Dallas Mavericks for the sixth seed in the loaded Western Conference playoff bracket, though the Mavs will take on the lowly Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday evening and likely vault back into the lead.


With that in place, the Spurs will still enter the postseason as The Team Nobody Wants To Play for, near as we can tell, the 17th time in the 18 seasons Tim Duncan has played in San Antonio. We’re excepting the 1999-00 postseason, which saw Duncan on the bench recovering from injury, the only other time in his career that he’s actually looked fallible before our adoring eyes.


The only other time until Sunday afternoon, that is. Here’s hoping Duncan does the right thing and stay after practice tomorrow to get some extra shots up. He’s been slacking for too long.


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Kelly Dwyer is an editor for Ball Don't Lie on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at KDonhoops@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!






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Blacburn frustrate Liverpool

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Liverpool were left frustrated by Championship side Blackburn Rovers who defended heroically to draw 0-0 at Anfield and force a replay in their FA Cup quarter-final.


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London - Liverpool were left frustrated by Championship side Blackburn Rovers who defended heroically to draw 0-0 at Anfield and force a replay in their FA Cup quarter-final.


After an even first half Liverpool dominated the second period but wave after wave of attack was thwarted by a Blackburn side who had already accounted for Premier League sides Swansea City and Stoke City in the two previous rounds.


Kolo Toure headed against a post, while Daniel Sturridge, Philippe Coutinho and Raheem Sterling failed to break down their second tier visitors despite relentless pressure.


Aston Villa - who beat West Bromwich Albion 2-0 on Saturday - are the only side to seal a semi-final spot so far while Manchester United host holders Arsenal on Monday.


Giant-killers Bradford City travel to Reading on Mar. 16 for a replay after their 0-0 draw.


“It was 90 minutes of concentration because they had a lot of the ball and they had some great players out there,” Blackburn captain Matthew Kilgallon told BT Sport.


“It was just about concentration and working for each other.


“Massive games like this you really enjoy and they're the ones you tell people about when you finish (playing).”


While third tier Bradford had captured the imagination with their storied march to the quarter-final, Blackburn had gone about their business quietly in dumping out Swansea and Stoke before they arrived at Anfield.


Pre-match renditions of 'You'll never Walk Alone' had barely ended when Liverpool lost their defensive rock Martin Skrtel.


The Slovakia defender contested a header against Blackburn's Rudy Gestede but fell heavily on his neck and, after an eight-minute delay, was carried off on a stretcher.


Liverpool had lost just one of their previous 21 games in all competitions but Blackburn coped comfortably in the opening stages and led by the powerful Gestede were carving out opportunities of their own.


Craig Conway spurned the best chance of the opening period, blazing high and wide from close-range.


Sturridge's rasping shot in first half stoppage time drew a smart stop from Blackburn keeper Simon Eastwood.


Immediately after the break the hosts were indebted to goalkeeper Simon Mignolet who produced a wonderful save to palm away Alex Baptiste's bulleted goal-bound header but thereafter Liverpool were dominant.


Toure hit the post and Sturridge became increasingly influential though he was thwarted by Blackburn's determined rearguard. Mario Balotelli was introduced midway through the half but was restricted to speculative long-range efforts.


Liverpool laid siege to Blackburn's goal in the closing stages but failed to force Eastwood into many meaningful saves. – Reuters






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Relegation worries for Swallows

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Moroka Swallows slumped into the relegation-threatened second-bottom position in the Premier League after going down 1-0 against Platinum Stars.


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Johannesburg – Moroka Swallows slumped into the relegation-threatened second-bottom position in the Premier League after going down 1-0 against Platinum Stars at the Royal Bafokeng Sports Palace .


The outcome was important and actually worth six points in view of the fact that Stars, who occupied second-bottom place on the log before the match, now vault over Swallows and are ahead of the Birds by two points.


One of the original stalwart clubs of South African soccer nothing seems to be going right for The Birds.


An own goal decided the issue and placing their future in the PSL's premier division in dire danger.


Swallows' lack of confidence and concern was reflected in the decision by coach Fani Madida to leave out Nigerian international goalkeeper Greg Etafia, a long-time stalwart of the team, with East European signing Obren Cuckovic taking over between the posts.


Etafia's form of late has fallen below his past high standard, but it is questionable whether it was the right time to dispose with his services and leave him on the bench in the midst of the club's present crisis.


Cuckovic looked uneasy and unsure at the outset and his indiscretion in charging to the edge of the penalty for a cross and missing the ball almost gifted Stars a goal in the opening five minutes.


His nervousness was reflected in Swallows' cautious approach generally in the opening half and although there was an element of luck about Stars' goal in the 45th minute, it was deserved on the basis of their superior and greater composure up to that point of the game.


The solitary critical goal of the match came about after Stars' Tintswelo Tshabalala broke clear down the left flank in referee's optional time of the first half and crossed the ball through Cuckovic's legs.


Mortified Swallows defender Rudi Isaacs deflecting the ball into his own net The Birds came onto the field for the second period with greater resolution and purpose and enjoyed a clear territorial advantage during the final 45 minutes.


Somewhat out-of-touch stars Lerato Chabangu and Siyabonga Nomvethe, as well as the exciting, up-and-coming Cele, all came within a whisker of scoring.


But a succession of inviting opportunities went begging through indecisive and hurried finishing, with Swallows thwarted when they looked like equalising by an inspired, faultless performance from Kabelo Dambe in the Stars' goal.


Swallows throwing everything into desperate attack in the closing stages after referee Danie Bennett's mid-half drink break to counter the extreme heat, Stars came close to increasing their lead from incisive counter attacks initiated by substitute Brice Moon. – Sapa






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Defiant Tuks sink Maritzburg

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A 10-men University of Pretoria outfit showed great resilience to hold on for a 1-0 Premiership win over Mariztburg United.


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Pretoria – A 10-men University of Pretoria outfit showed great resilience to hold on for a 1-0 Premiership win over Mariztburg United at the Tuks Stadium.


The seventh minute goal was a well-worked team effort as Grant Kekana provided the assist for Atusaye Nyondo to tap in from close range.


Vuyisile Ntombayithethi was send off near the half-hour mark which resulted in AmaTuks playing much of the encounter a man down.


In the 13th minute Vigil Vries had his reflexes tested with a low strike from Nyondo that the goalkeeper parried away from danger.


Mohammad Anas gave AmaTuks captain Tebogo Monyai a torrid time and that was exemplified in the 20th minute when the striker easily beat the defender in the box to unleash thunderbolt that went inches wide of goal.


After the near miss, Monyai's relief was short lived as moments later another Mohau Mokate made a blistering run into the box but his tame shot was comfortably saved by goalkeeper Washington Arubi.


AmaTuks went down to 10 men in the 28th minute when Ntombayithethi earned his second yellow card after a foul on Kurt Lentjies near the centre of the pitch.


On the left-flank Philani Zulu posed a threat for AmaTuks as he dribbled past two defenders before delivering a cross into the penalty box in the 36th minute that flew over the crossbar.


Nhlanhla Vilakazi looked to be the creative spark for United when his accurate through-ball found Anas on the edge of the box, who blasted the ball over the target.


The university club was unshaken by the surge of opposition attack and absorbed the pressure.


With a man down, the home side put in a courageous effort would hold on until the final whistle for the points. – Sapa






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News sport : Ndamukong Suh to Dolphins seems like (expensive) done deal

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The Miami Dolphins deserve some credit. Even with plenty of teams having massive amounts of cap space to woo defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh, every indication has been that no other team but the Dolphins ever really had a chance.


Suh to the Dolphins has been a strong rumor for many days, as Yahoo Sports' Charles Robinson reported. Now we have a specific contract amount, which should tell everyone that this is no smoke screen by Suh's representatives.


Suh will sign Tuesday for about $114 million with $60 million guaranteed, ESPN's Chris Mortensen said. Nothing can be official until Tuesday, so technically it could change. But at this point that would be a surprise. Teams and players have been allowed to negotiate since Saturday. Rumors of the Dolphins being Suh's destination have been floating about before then, so make of that what you will.


[Check out Shutdown Corner's full 2015 free agent rankings – click here for offensive players, and click here for defensive players and specialists]


if the numbers are correct, it sets a new bar for defensive players. Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt got a $100 million deal with $51.8 guaranteed last year. Now Suh, the most coveted defensive player to hit free agency in many years, will beat that by a wide margin.


Suh was considered by nearly everyone to be one of the best defensive free agents to hit the open market since perhaps Reggie White or Deion Sanders in the early- and mid-1990s. But it turns out, he's really not hitting the open market at all. The Dolphins, apparently, made sure of that.


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Frank Schwab is the editor of Shutdown Corner on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at shutdowncorner@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!






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News sport : Bills sign their new running back LeSean McCoy to huge extension

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The Buffalo Bills value LeSean McCoy. A lot.


Not only did the Bills give up young and promising linebacker Kiko Alonso to get him from the Philadelphia Eagles, the Bills are going to pay McCoy the type of money almost no running back makes anymore.


According to Yahoo Sports' Rand Getlin, McCoy has signed a five-year, $40 million extension. That's not just inflated numbers either; the Bills will pay McCoy $16 million in the first season, with $26.5 million guaranteed according to various reports. The contract includes a $13 million signing bonus, and to put that in perspective the New Orleans Saints just retained Pro Bowl running back Mark Ingram for a total of $16 million over four seasons.


With McCoy getting that contract and Marshawn Lynch signing a huge extension to come back to play for the Seattle Seahawks, the market for running backs is looking a lot better for guys like DeMarco Murray, the Dallas Cowboys' All-Pro who can become a free agent on Tuesday. With that kind of guarantee going to McCoy, the odds of Murray coming back to the Cowboys has to take a hit. Dallas hasn't yet shown the inclination to pay Murray that kind of a contract.


The Bills, with Rex Ryan as head coach, are obviously planning to be a run-centric team. They're certainly paying McCoy like he's going to have as many touches as he could ever ask for.


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Frank Schwab is the editor of Shutdown Corner on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at shutdowncorner@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!






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News sport : Former Titans, Jets RB Chris Johnson reportedly shot in Florida

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Running back Chris Johnson, who was with the New York Jets last season, reportedly was shot in Florida Saturday night, according to Fox's Jay Glazer.



According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, Johnson was in a car with friends when they were hit with gunfire. There were multiple casualties, but Johnson is expected to be OK.




Johnson, 29, is a free agent not expected back with the Jets next season after his option was not picked up by the team — a move that was made prior to this incident. He was a first-round pick of the Tennessee Titans in 2008 and is the league's fifth-leading active rusher with 8,628 yards, having rushed for 2,006 yards in 2009.


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Eric Edholm is a writer for Shutdown Corner on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at edholm@yahoo-inc.com or follow him on Twitter!






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Messi breaks Spanish hat-trick record

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Lionel Messi broke a Spanish hat-trick record as a rampant Barcelona took over top spot in La Liga after hammering of Rayo Vallecano.


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Barcelona - Lionel Messi broke a Spanish hat-trick record and Luis Suarez struck twice as a rampant Barcelona took over top spot in La Liga with a 6-1 hammering of Rayo Vallecano on Sunday.


Messi came alive after halftime at the Nou Camp to net his 32nd treble for Barca in all competitions in the space of just 12 minutes.


It meant he eclipsed the record of the most hat-tricks ever recorded in Spanish football that he had shared with Athletic Bilbao striker Telmo Zarra.


The Argentine's second half tour de force against a side reduced to 10 men with the dismissal of Tito - Barca themselves had Dani Alves sent off late in the game - included a goal scored from a retaken penalty after he had seen the first saved.


It helped put Barca back in control at the head of La Liga, after an equal amount of games played, for the first time since the start of November.


They moved on to 62 points, a point clear of Real Madrid, who were beaten by Athletic Bilbao on Saturday, and are now in pole position two weeks ahead of Madrid's visit to their Nou Camp fortress in El Clasico.


Barca scored with their first shot on goal after five minutes with Xavi releasing Suarez, who tucked a clinical shot into the corner with the outside of his right boot.


Four minutes after halftime, the floodgates opened when Gerard Pique knocked in from close range following a Jordi Alba header from a corner which came back off a post.


When Suarez was felled in the penalty area in the 56th minute by Tito, who received a red card, Messi's penalty was saved by keeper Cristian Alvarez but the referee ordered a retake due to encroachment in the area.


Inevitably, Messi made no mistake second time around and he then knocked in a rebound after 63 minutes, before completing his historic hat-trick, the 24th of his La Liga career, five minutes later. He now has 32 Spanish hat-tricks, compared to Cristiano Ronaldo's 27.


Alberto Bueno netted a consolation penalty for Rayo after he had been fouled by Alves, who was given his marching orders.


Messi then set up Suarez for his second in injury time to complete the rout.


Later on Sunday, third place is at stake when Atletico Madrid, on 54 points, entertain Valencia, who are a point behind. – Reuters






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News sport : Eldora Speedway website hacked with ISIS message

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The website for Eldora Speedway was hacked Saturday with a message referencing ISIS, the extremist group in Iraq and Syria.


If you're as confused about that, don't worry, Tony Stewart, the track's owner, was too.


"Seriously?" Stewart said to USA Today when he was told about the hacking. "I guess we're a big enough blip on the radar now if we've gotten their attention. Maybe we can get them season passes.


"If there's anybody I'd want mad at me, I guess it would be them."


According to track president Roger Slack, the website was hacked for approximately 30 minutes.


Per Motorsport.com, the message on the site said "Hacked by Islamic State. We Are Everywhere :)." It's unclear if the hacking was done by anyone with ties to the group.


Slack also said the issue was with a plug-in and no personal info from any ticket buyers was compromised.



And no, Eldora wasn't singled out as a target – The thought of extremists especially despising dirt-track racing over other types of sports is an odd one. Other sites in the Ohio area were targeted as well.


Stewart purchased the half-mile track in 2004 and it now hosts a Camping World Truck Series race.


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Nick Bromberg is the editor of From The Marbles on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at nickbromberg@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!







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Champions League is United’s priority

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Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal says qualifying for next season's Champions League is the top priority.


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London - The FA Cup could offer him a trophy in his first season in charge of Manchester United but Louis van Gaal says qualifying for next season's Champions League is the top priority.


United have not won the oldest cup competition in soccer since 2004 and host holders Arsenal in the quarter-final on Monday, hoping to move a step closer to ending their wait to lift the trophy for a record 12th time.


But Van Gaal's focus is on restoring United to Europe's elite club competition after the team missed out this season following their worst Premier League finish in the previous campaign when they were seventh.


The Dutch manager, who took over at Old Trafford in the aftermath of that calamitous season, says his side must treat the FA Cup as a mere bonus and concentrate on finishing in the Premier League's top four to secure a Champions League spot.


“I always want to get the goals what we have set. And the goals we have set is the top four,” Van Gaal said.


“A title is fantastic. When you win the FA Cup you are not in the Champions League which is important for the club, but you have won a title. So for the players it is fantastic, for the manager it is fantastic but our goal is to reach in our first year together a place in the Champions League.”


United are fourth in the league with 10 games remaining, 10 points adrift of leaders Chelsea and one behind Arsenal in third, whose own manager Arsene Wenger once said that the “first trophy is to finish in the top four.”


And Van Gaal agrees: “I think that for a club the Champions League is the highest level and that's why he is saying that.”


The Dutchman may have his sights set on European football ahead of hunting domestic silverware but he says it is still important for his side to beat Arsenal at Old Trafford, as it could affect their form for the rest of the league campaign.


“Every match you play has an influence in the next match. So we are in a 'rat race' in the Premier League and the club who wins the FA Cup match has a very good feeling for the next matches,” Van Gaal explained.


“It could be damaging for the team that loses, but you can also react.” – Reuters






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Giggs’ wonder goal still haunts Wenger

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Arsene Wenger is still haunted by the game which was the catalyst for Manchester United’s greatest ever achievement.


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Arsene Wenger is still haunted by the game which was the catalyst for Manchester United’s greatest ever achievement.


It was in 1999, another FA Cup tie, a semi-final. It was at Villa Park, with 90 minutes of a replay having failed to separate the two teams that then dominated English football in that era.


United were down to 10 men and Dennis Bergkamp had missed a penalty for Arsenal in the final minute of normal time with the game locked at 1-1.


Then on 109 minutes, Patrick Vieira misplaced a pass, Ryan Giggs picked up the ball in his own half and set off on a run which would end up in him revealing an alarming amount of chest hair after scoring one of the great goals in the history of the tournament.


In Wenger’s mind, it tipped the balance in the title race and provided the foundation for United to achieve an unprecedented treble of FA Cup, Premier League and Champions League.


“I can still hear the shouts of that team, having won,” said Wenger. “They couldn’t believe it because they were down to 10 men. And I think that put them in a state of euphoria. In the same way, they won the title, just.


“I saw that goal again when Giggs retired. I think that goal won them the treble because, if Bergkamp scores, I think the game is over. It was a trauma for us and a positive for them. That goal was certainly what decided their season.”


Wenger still remembers the details of the title run in, saying: “They played at Blackburn and we lost at Leeds in the last minute, when Nigel Winterburn was kicked off [the pitch]. Jimmy Floyd-Hasselbaink scored at the far post and Kaba Diawara hit the bar twice. After that, they won the Champions League final in the last minutes “1999 was a miracle year for them.”


Bergkamp in his book, Stillness And Speed, said: “I still took the odd [penalty] without problems, without hesitation and without missing. But that miss did bother me for quite a while and next season Thierry Henry became our penalty taker.”


Ray Parlour, who was interviewed for the same book, said: “In those days it was only us and United. Dennis, if he scores that penalty, we win the double because...their heads would have gone down in the league.”


As for tomorrow, Wenger said: “Let’s not consider Man United. Let’s focus on our performance. They play at home where they feel confident. So, to compensate that we have to put more effort in and produce a really top-level performance.” - Mail on Sunday






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Real suffer surprise Bilbao defeat

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La Liga leaders Real Madrid suffered a surprise defeat at mid-table Athletic Bilbao after a bullet header from Aritz Aduriz .


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La Liga leaders Real Madrid suffered a surprise 1-0 defeat at mid-table Athletic Bilbao after a bullet header from Aritz Aduriz in the first half secured the points.


Aduriz outjumped defender Pepe to power a Mikel Rico cross into the top corner after 26 minutes of a frenetic first-half.


“The game was lost in the first half when Athletic scored and then in the second half we were unable to get back into the match,” Real coach Carlo Ancelotti told a news conference.


“It is not a physical problem as in the second half we had a lot of the ball but we were unable to create clear chances.”


Real have taken just one point from their last two games and, although they are two points clear, will be overhauled if Barcelona beat visitors Rayo Vallecano on Sunday.


“The league is difficult now but it was also difficult when we had a four-point lead,” Real midfielder Isco told reporters.


“There is a long way to go and there are a lot of games. Things didn't go well today but they can change from one moment to another. Our heads are a bit down now but that can change quickly.”


Real were denied time on the ball by Bilbao, who are on a high after booking a place in the King's Cup final with victory over Espanyol on Wednesday.


Bilbao were unable to maintain the pressure after the break and Real began to dominate possession but the visitors struggled to create openings.


Instead Aduriz came within inches of getting a second goal with another header which hit the outside of the post.


Real forward Gareth Bale almost equalised but hit the post with a spectacular effort seven minutes from time when he lobbed keeper Gorka Iraizoz midway inside the Bilbao half.


Sevilla's Vitolo scored twice as they put their Champions League qualification hopes back on track with a dramatic 4-3 victory at Deportivo La Coruna.


Another double from Depor's Oriol Riera could not prevent Sevilla picking up their first win in three league games, which cements fifth place in the table on 49 points.


Riera opened the scoring in the 28th minute only for Vitolo to quickly respond with an equaliser.


The Sevilla striker then demonstrated more clinical finishing after 52 minutes, having been allowed space in the centre of the penalty area.


Sevilla's Kevin Gameiro converted a controversial penalty after Vitolo, played onside by injured defender Juanfran, was felled by Pablo Insua in the box.


Riera pulled a goal back for Deportivo to make it 3-2 before their Brazilian central defender Sidnei diverted a Vitolo shot into his own net.


As the conclusion to a contest featuring some hapless defending, Sevilla defender Nicolas Pareja upended Helder Costa for another spot kick, which Depor's Lucas Perez struck home.


Elche beat Almeria 1-0 after Victor Rodriguez hit a sixth-minute winner while second-bottom Granada won by that scoreline against Malaga with a 57th minute Ignacio Camacho own goal.


Elche's win has taken them out of the relegation places and onto 27 points while Almeria are now third-bottom with 24, one point below the safety zone and two points above Granada.


In Bilbao, Real's Asier Illarramendi was given a rare starting place in the midfield where they are still missing the injured Luka Modric and James Rodriguez.


The hosts were missing highly-rated defender Aymeric Laporte so Carlos Gurpegi started alongside Xabier Etxeita at the back.


Real were unsettled by a high-tempo start from Bilbao and were unable to link up their play in the middle of the pitch.


Their frustration was clearly shown by a wild kick from Toni Kroos on Andoni Iraola, shortly after Aduriz's goal, that brought the Germany midfielder a yellow card.


Exciting Bilbao youngster Inaki Williams and Iker Muniain stretched the Real defence and when the visitors did look to attack they appeared tentative.


Bilbao could not keep up the same rhythm throughout the match but Real were unable to take advantage.


Ancelotti's side have lost their way with just two victories in five games and they misfired again in attack.


They were reduced to shots from distance and in the final stages, aside from Bale's effort, Bilbao seemed comfortable.– Reuters






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Downs keep up title challenge

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Mamelodi Sundowns moved back into second position in the Premiership race and maintained their challenge to log leaders Kaizer Chiefs with victory over Free State Stars.


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Johannesburg – Defending champions Mamelodi Sundowns moved back into second position in the Premiership race and maintained their challenge to log leaders Kaizer Chiefs with a 2-0 victory over Free State Stars at the Charles Mopeli Stadium on Saturday night.


It was a workmanlike, comprehensive and essential success for the Brazilians to stay in the title race after they had been reduced to 10 men for the final 30 minutes following the sending off of Mzikayise Mashaba for a crunching second yellow-card offence.


Mashaba was sent off with Sundowns only leading 1-0 and their supporters in the small crowd would have felt uneasy about holding onto the advantage while playing a man short.


Instead, the Brazilians showed their mettle by scoring a second goal in the 72nd minute and playing their most authoritative football of the game when reduced to 10 players.


Despite this, Stars put up a gritty performance and made life difficult for their more-vaunted opponents to the end, although the defeat left them decidedly more vulnerable in the relegation zone.


AmaZulu, Platinum Stars and Moroka Swallows, the three teams below Stars in the log, have all played fewer games than the Free State team and could make matters more precarious for them when the match tally is evened out.


Stars, however, held their own until what turned out to be the critical 45th minute of the opening half when top PSL scorer Cuthbert Malajila recorded his fourth goal in four games with a precisely-placed, loping header.


Then the tricky Khama Billiat ended his recent scoring drought by guiding the ball through a packed goalmouth of defenders and into the corner of the net.


Sundowns goalkeeper Denis Oyango was chosen “Man of the Match” after making successive spectacular saves in the space of 60


seconds midway through the first half from thunderous Abdul Basit Adam and Danny Venter piledrivers.


Ironically, however, it was the youthful Johnny Mathole in the Stars' goal who had three times as many saves to make as his Sundowns' counterpart and emerged with flying colours.


And Mathole's performance, in which he made impressive saves from Billiat, Malajila, Thabo Langerman and Sundowns captain Alje Schut in turn, was made more commendable by the fact that he suffered what appeared a serious thigh injury in the 25 minute and courageously limped through the remainder of the game. – Sapa






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Villa Cup win marred by pitch invasion

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Aston Villa sank West Bromwich Albion 2-0 to become the first team to march into the FA Cup semi-finals but the win was marred by chaotic crowd scenes.


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London - Aston Villa sank West Bromwich Albion 2-0 to become the first team to march into the FA Cup semi-finals but the win was marred by chaotic crowd scenes with goalscorer Fabian Delph revealing he was bitten.


After giant-killers Bradford City played out a 0-0 draw with Reading in their quarter-final, Villa's second victory over their local rivals in five days at Villa Park was a full-blooded affair featuring two sendings off and crowd disorder.


Villa captain Delph, whose 51st minute strike set them on the way to victory before Scott Sinclair finished the job five minutes from time, spoke of his alarm as he tried to leave the field at the end while engulfed by hundreds of celebrating fans.


“It was dangerous. Someone tried to take my boot off. People tried to kiss me and were biting me,” the England international told the BBC.


“It was very, very scary. My armband got nicked, someone got my left boot, but I could appreciate the relief the fans are feeling after a result like that.”


Villa's euphoric day, as their resurgence continues under new manager Tim Sherwood, took a bad turn after two late sendings off - Albion's Claudio Yacob and Villa substitute Jack Grealish - added to the fevered atmosphere.


Some Albion fans appeared to rip out seats and hurl them on to the playing surface, while dozens of Villa supporters invaded the pitch in celebration even before referee Anthony Taylor had sounded the final whistle.


At the end, many more Villa fans flooded on to the field but as they swamped their Wembley-bound heroes, it had all seemed largely good-natured, if uncontrolled.


It all meant more derby misery for Albion, who had succumbed to defeat from a late penalty in the Premier League fixture at the same venue on Tuesday.


The visitors' anguish was made complete when, following what seemed a harsh second yellow card for Yacob for an innocuous challenge, Sinclair completed a sweet counter-attack with a delightful, curling finish five minutes from time.


Youngster Grealish then earned a second yellow card in stoppage for what was construed by referee Taylor, perhaps harshly, as a dive.


In the other last eight ties, Liverpool entertain Championship (second-tier) Blackburn Rovers on Sunday and holders Arsenal visit Manchester United on Monday.


While seven-times winners Villa can look forward to a Wembley appearance, third-tier Bradford, who knocked out Premier League leaders Chelsea and Sunderland in a remarkable run to the last eight, will have to try again to book their historic place.


They dominated much of the second half but were unable to break down the resolute defence of second-tier Reading at Valley Parade.


Despite living a charmed life, the visitors could have won it in the closing minutes when Oliver Norwood's looping free kick hit the post and caused havoc in the Bradford area.


“It was just two teams going at it 100 percent in a proper cup tie and it was difficult for both sides I think,” Bradford forward Jon Stead told BT Sport.


“We're still in the hat but there's a little bit of disappointment because we've not got through.


“We (dominated) the second half so that we can take great credit from but it's half a job so we've still got to do the business down there.”


Reading produced the first moment of quality when Russian Pavel Pogrebnyak's well-struck shot cannoned off the post.


Bradford carved out the next opportunity when Gary Liddle's teasing deep cross evaded everyone before clipping the outside of the post.


Stead, who had scored in all the previous rounds, was Bradford's focal point after halftime as they continued to lay siege to the visitors' goal.


The former Sunderland forward set up James Hanson to slide a shot inches wide before Andrew Davies's bullet header flew narrowly over the bar. – Reuters






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