Aston Villa (1) 1 Milner 5(pen)
Manchester United (1) 2 Owen 13, Rooney 74
WAYNE ROONEY came off the bench to head the winning goal as Manchester United became the first team for 20 years to retain the League Cup with a 2-1 win against Aston Villa at Wembley.
Rooney's goal was his 28th of the season and enabled United to emulate Nottingham Forest's achievement of back-to-back wins but Villa will consider that it could have been all so different.
The final had an explosive start as Gabriel Agbonlahor was hauled down by Nemanja Vidic and the referee Phil Dowd awarded a penalty inside the first five minutes, converted by James Milner.
But, astonishingly, Dowd obviously considered it to be too early to produce any sort of card for Vidic despite him denying Agbonlahor a clear goal-scoring opportunity.
There could be no other explanation for Dowd's failure to send off the Serbian defender as Villa lost out on what would have been a clear advantage.
Dowd further infuriated the Villa fans by producing early yellow cards for James Collins and Stewart Downing while United players continued to escape punishment for similar fouls.
But there could be few Villa complaints from the manner in which they conceded the equaliser on 13 minutes.
Richard Dunne clumsily lost the ball to Dimitar Berbatov inside his own half and although the Irish international recovered with a brilliant tackle in the box, the ball fell kindly for Michael Owen to slot home cooly from 18 yards.
To his credit, Owen finished well but the calls for his return to the England squad based solely on the goal which followed from BBC commentator Guy Mowbray were cringeworthy.
And, within half an hour of Mowbray's lauding of Owen, he had been proved wrong. Another regulation run towards the box forced Owen to break down with a suspected hamstring injury.
Fabio Capello has not included him in the squad for this week's friendly at Egypt anyway and yet another injury casts further doubts over Owen's reliability.
It is certainly unlikely to convince the Italian to change his mind when he comes to make his decision for the 23 places on the plane to South Africa.
Rooney's introduction coincided with a push by United just before half time, though - for once - the United talisman was not involved in the Red Devils' best chance.
Instead, that fell to Ji-Sung Park after Antonio Valencia slipped his marker all to easily and pulled the ball back perfectly to Park, in space about 12 yards out.
The South Korean could only hit the post and, as the ball came back out to him, Milner smothered the remaining danger.
If the first half had started like an exocet, the second period began like a damp squib, save for once chance to Michael Carrick, and a sodden Wembley pitch had cut up badly.
Sir Alex Ferguson had to make a second enforced subsitution as Gary Neville came on for Rafael da Silva at right-back.
United continued to dominate possession but Villa's organised defence were able to cope well enough as the Rooney-Berbatov partnership failed to spark once again.
But one man who Villa failed to deal with all afternoon was Valencia, and it was no surprise to see the Ecuadorian had a heavy involvement in the winner.
With time starting to run out, man of the match Valencia skipped down the right and put up a cross towards Rooney.
Rooney still had much to do with the header as there was not much pace on the ball but the striker was able to loop the ball cleverly into the top corner above Brad Freidel.
The same pair, Valencia and Rooney, combined again minutes later as United looked to put the result beyond doubt.
This time, Rooney was desperately unlucky not to double his own tally having directed a powerful header off the inside of the post.
While there was only one goal between the teams, Villa remained in with a chance and Martin O'Neill introduced John Carew from the bench with ten minutes left.
By then, though, the narrative of the match seemed to have been set. Even with three strikers on the field, Villa made little headway and United had chances on the break.
Just one chance fell Villa's way in the closing stages and Dunne was unable to atone for his earlier error by just failing to connect with Downing's cross.
After the game, Villa - and O'Neill in particular - railed about the injustice of Dowd's early decision over Vidic.
O'Neill has a point, of course, and United may not have been able to control the game in the manner which they did if they had been reduced to 10 men.
Once again, though, Rooney proved the difference. Ably assisted by Valencia's fine performance down the right, Ferguson has a remarkable 33rd trophy to celebrate as United manager.
Teams
Aston Villa
Friedel - Cuellar (Carew 80), Collins, Dunne, Warnock - A Young, Milner, Petrov, Downing - Heskey, Agbonlahor. Booked: Collins, Downing.
Manchester United
Kuszczak - R Da Silva (Neville 66), Vidic, Evans, Evra - Valencia, Fletcher, Carrick, Park (Gibson 85) - Owen (Rooney 42), Berbatov. Booked: Vidic, Evra.
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Preview
ASTON VILLA will go in search of their first silverware since they won this competition in 1996 by beating Leeds United 3-0.
The League Cup has often brought the best out of Villa who have five previous wins, ahead of Manchester United's three wins and indeed second only on the all-time list to Liverpool's seven.
But this match will mark Villa's first appearance at the new Wembley Stadium, having not played in a final since losing 1-0 to Chelsea in the FA Cup in 2000.
Of course, Martin O'Neill's men will hope to invoke the spirits of 1994 when Villa deservedly beat United 3-1 in 1994 with goals Dalian Atkinson and Dean Saunders.
Or perhaps O'Neill will recall his own fond memories of this competition having won it twice as a player with Nottingham Forest in 1978 and 1979 and twice as a manager with Leicester City in 1997 and 2000.
By contrast, the League Cup has not often been seen as a priority by Sir Alex Ferguson and Manchester United.
But their recent record of two wins in the last four years suggests that view is changing.
In 2006, United thrashed Wigan Athletic 4-0 with two goals from Wayne Rooney, and one each from Louis Saha and Cristiano Ronaldo.
And in 2009, United beat Tottenham Hotspur 4-1 on penalties after a tight 0-0 draw. Ben Foster was the hero of the hour, saving penalties from Jamie O'Hara and David Bentley while United converted all of theirs.
Recent form
Villa are the only unbeaten Premier League team in 2010 and go into the final on the back of a 12-match unbeaten run.
One of those matches was a hard-fought 1-1 draw with United at Villa Park in which Carlos Cuellar gave the Villans the lead.
Villa have not yet been behind in the two league matches against the Red Devils this season, from which they took four points.
O'Neill's men beat United 1-0 in December for their first win at Old Trafford since 1983.
That loss is one of nine defeats which United have suffered during the season so far in which Ferguson's men have shown uncharacteristic vulnerability.
But Ferguson got the usual reaction to their latest league loss at Everton last week when United beat West Ham with ease on Tuesday night to close the gap at the top back to one point.
Routes to the Final
Aston Villa began their campaign with a 1-0 win against Cardiff City at Villa Park in the third round. Gabriel Agbonlahor's third-minute goal was enough to separate the teams.
In the fourth round, American goalkeeper Brad Guzan saved four Sunderland spot-kicks, including one in normal time, as Villa beat the Black Cats 3-1 on penalties after a 0-0 draw at the Stadium of Light.
Villa then beat Portsmouth 4-2 in the fifth round, despite Stilyan Petrov scoring an own goal after just 10 minutes.
Villa fought back with goals from Emile Heskey, James Milner and Stewart Downing to lead 3-1 before Nwankwo Kanu gave Pompey some late hope, only for that to be extinguished by Ashley Young.
In the two-legged semi final against Blackburn Rovers, Villa - struggling for goals in the league - seemed to have saved all of them for this tie as they ultimately prevailed 7-4.
After Villa gained a narrow first leg advantage at Ewood Park, the two teams were embroiled in a ten-goal thriller at Villa Park.
Early on, Blackburn fought back to lead 2-0 on the night, 2-1 on aggregate, with two goals from Nikola Kalinic before Stephen Warnock levelled the tie at 2-2.
The vital moment came just before half time when Christopher Samba was sent off for hauling down Agbonlahor and James Milner converted the penalty to make it 3-2.
Villa stretched their lead against the ten men in the second half with an own goal from Steven N'Zonzi and further strikes from Heskey and Agbonlahor.
But, even at 5-2 down, Rovers refused to give up and Martin Olsson and Brett Emerton put the tie back in the balance before Ashley Young scored another breakaway goal to make it 6-4.
Manchester United made serene progress through the early rounds to set up their own dramatic semi final against Manchester City.
United beat Wolverhampton Wanderers 1-0 in the third round at Old Trafford with a goal from Danny Welbeck after Fabio da Silva had been sent off.
Welbeck scored again as United made light work of a trip to Barnsley in the fourth round. Michael Owen also scored to make it 2-0 at Oakwell in a match marred by crowd trouble.
And in the fifth round, another youngster Darron Gibson scored twice in the first half as United easily overcame Tottenham Hotspur 2-0 at Old Trafford.
That set up a much anticipated semi final with City which lived up to its billing.
Carlos Tevez struck twice against his former club as City came back from Ryan Giggs' early goal to lead the tie 2-1 after the first leg.
But Rooney had the vital last word as United beat City in stoppage time for the second time this season after a controversial 4-3 league success in September.
Leading 2-1 from the first leg, City reached half time with the score at 0-0 at Old Trafford.
United turned up the style in the second half as Paul Scholes and Michael Carrick sent them 3-2 ahead on aggregate.
But Tevez scored his third goal of the tie with less than quarter of an hour to play and extra time beckoned before Rooney's close-range header from Giggs' cross.
Aston Villa
R3 v Cardiff City (h) W1-0 Agbonlahor
R4 v Sunderland (a) D0-0, won 3-1 on penalties
R5 v Portsmouth (a) W4-2 Heskey, Milner, Downing, A Young
SF1 v Blackburn R (a) W1-0 Milner
SF2 v Blackburn R (h) W6-4 Warnock, Milner (p), Nzonzi og, Heskey, Agbonlahor, A Young
Manchester United
R3 v Wolverhampton W (h) W1-0 Wellbeck
R4 v Barnsley (a) W2-0 Wellbeck, Owen
R5 v Tottenham Hotspur (h) W2-0 Gibson 2
SF1 v Manchester City (a) L1-2 Giggs
SF2 v Manchester City (h) W3-1 Scholes, Carrick, Rooney
Odds
Match betting: Manchester United 5/6, Aston Villa 7/2, Draw 12/5
To win the trophy: Manchester Utd 2/5, Aston Villa 7/4
Prediction: 2-0 to Manchester United
Sunday 28 February 2010
Saturday 27 February 2010
The Season 2009/10 - February: Chelsea crumble at home to City
Premier League
Table
CHELSEA failed to extend their lead with Manchester United in Carling Cup action after Manchester City stunned Stamford Bridge with a 4-2 win.
Braces apiece from Carlos Tevez and Craig Bellamy gave City only their fourth away win of the season and a rare double over the Londoners.
The match will also be remembered as the first time that John Terry and Wayne Bridge faced each other since Terry's affair with Bridge's ex-girlfriend became public.
Bridge has retired from international football as a result of the tabloid exposure and refused to shake Terry's hand as the teams lined up.
Despite the acrimonious build-up, the match took a while to develop any pattern but, as the first half wore on, Chelsea began to dominate and Frank Lampard gave them the lead on 40 minutes.
But City were level at half time after a comedy of errors in the Blues' defence allowed Tevez to trickle the ball past Chelsea goalkeeper Hilario.
Hilario was then beaten by Bellamy on his near post as City started the second half well before Gareth Barry won a penalty and Julio Belletti was sent off for his clumsy last-man tackle.
Tevez dispatched the penalty and, after Michael Ballack was also sent off for two bookings, Bellamy's breakaway goal gave Roberto Mancini's men an emphatic 4-1 lead.
Lampard scored a penalty in stoppage time but it was little more than a consolation for Carlo Ancelotti's nine men who, nevertheless, remain top on 61 points from 28 games.
Manchester United recovered from their sixth league defeat of the season, 3-1 at Everton last week, to beat West Ham United 3-0 in midweek and cut the gap back down to one point.
Arsenal stayed in the hunt for the title, despite recent losses to both United and Chelsea, but only after a fine comeback against Stoke City.
The Potters led 1-0 after Danny Pugh's goal from Rory Delap's long throw. But, after Nicklas Bendtner equalised on the half-hour mark, a late penalty from Cesc Fabregas and an even later goal by Thomas Vermaelen gave the Gunners a 3-1 win.
The match was marred by a sending off for Ryan Shawcross who was devastated as he left the field, having broken teenager Aaron Ramsey's leg.
The incident bore a distinct similarity to the injury suffered by Eduardo against Birmingham City at St Andrew's in 2008-09.
And, just like back then, television executives decided against showing replays of the horror tackle with Arsenal players visibly upset by their team mate's condition.
The Gunners, then, will be pleased to have come out of the match with a win which leaves them just three points behind Chelsea.
The other top half race for fourth place looks as open as ever with Manchester City staking a real claim after that win at the Bridge put them on 49 points.
Tottenham Hotspur, in fifth on 46 points, could move back above City by beating Everton tomorrow while Liverpool, in sixth on 45 points, face Blackburn Rovers.
Aston Villa, in seventh on 45 points, are out of league action this weekend as they play United in the Carling Cup final at Wembley.
Meanwhile, the clash of the bottom two saw Portsmouth beat Burnley but it was a hollow victory for the south-coast club after yesterday's announcement that they had gone into administration with up to £70m of debt.
It means Pompey will lose nine of their 19 points and, even with this victory, they are now 14 points adrift of safety and almost certain for relegation.
Burnley look destined to join them after a woeful performance made it just one league win in 16 matches for the Clarets.
Brian Laws' men remain just one point adrift of safety but many more home displays like this and that gap will surely grow.
Hull City were out of action due to Villa's League Cup participation and that allowed Bolton Wanderers to dump the Tigers in the bottom three.
The Trotters beat Wolverhampton Wanderers to go up to 15th and that defeat also leaves Wolves in trouble on 24 points, only above Hull on goal difference.
Wigan Athletic are in 16th place on 25 points after a 1-0 defeat to Birmingham City who reach the 40 point mark with 11 games left thanks to James McFadden's penalty winner.
Bolton, in 15th, have 26 points, just below Sunderland on goal difference.
The Black Cats spent big in the summer but it has not paid dividends and, despite an encouraging start to the season, they find themselves in a familiar position of fighting relegation.
A home match against Fulham tomorrow straight after the Cottagers' European exertions provides a fine chance to extend the gap over the bottom three to five points.
That would leave West Ham looking back over their shoulders as despite recent wins over Hull (3-0) and Birmingham (2-0), the Hammers are still only three points clear of relegation.
The Championship
Table
NEWCASTLE UNITED beat Watford 2-1 to extend the lead at the top of the Championship to six points as third-placed Nottingham Forest faltered against Leicester City.
Headed goals from Fabricio Coloccini and Andrew Carroll early in each half gave the Magpies a first away win since early December while Forest lost their fourth straight away game.
It looked like it was going to be an even better day for Chris Hughton's men with second-placed West Bromwich Albion falling behind at home against Derby County.
But the Baggies hit back to win 3-1 and put defeats in their last two games - against Bristol City in the league and Reading in the FA Cup - behind them.
With 13 matches left, Newcastle have 69 points and West Brom are on 63 points with Forest on 61 points having played a game more.
The remaining playoff positions are becoming clearer with Swansea City and Leicester City both going through February unbeaten to cement their top six places.
Indeed, the Swans have not lost for 12 league games with six wins and six draws stretching back to mid-December to reach 56 points.
Leicester have enjoyed a run of eight matches without defeat and lie two points further back in fifth place.
The final playoff spot is very much up for grabs with current occupants Cardiff City in typically patchy form.
The Bluebirds' main problem appears to be in defence with Newcastle hitting five and previously struggling Preston North End scoring three against the creaky back line in two heavy defeats on the road.
Nevertheless, Cardiff on 49 points are still a point clear of seventh-placed Sheffield United having played one game fewer.
The Blades are unbeaten at Bramall Lane in the league since early November but five away losses in a row have prevented the habitual late-season charge so far.
Blackpool on 47 points remain in the mix for the top six after consecutive 2-0 home wins against Middlesbrough and Reading.
But, with three points from 15 on the road, again it is the Tangerines' away form which is preventing them from capitalising further on their unexpected position.
Boro are level on points with Blackpool, and Coventry City - with six wins and a draw from their last seven home league games - are just a point further back.
Barnsley, in 11th place, have won their last two games to reach 45 points, four points adrift of Cardiff with a game in hand.
At the bottom, Peterborough United were condemned to an eighth consecutive away defeat in all competitions after a 1-0 loss at Swansea.
There have been some positive signs in home wins against Queens Park Rangers and Ipswich Town under new manager Jim Gannon, their third boss of the season.
But it all looks too little too late for Posh who have not won away all season and the loss at the Liberty Stadium leaves Peterborough on 24 points from 33 games, 10 points adrift of safety.
Plymouth Argyle have also been in trouble all season long. The Pilgrims remain five points adrift of safety, after picking up just five points from their six matches in February.
One of their losses was at recovering Reading who gained further breathing space by dumping Sheffield Wednesday back into the bottom three after a 5-0 thrashing at the Madjeski.
Wednesday had picked up their form under new manager Alan Irvine during January but four losses in five games in February have sent the Owls spiralling once again.
Nevertheless, crisis club Crystal Palace will be considered eminently catchable after their 10-point deduction for going into administration and concerns over manager Neil Warnock's future.
Only goal difference separates the Eagles from Wednesday in the drop zone after a recent run of one point from 12, though they could yet be saved by another London team.
Just two wins from 16 have seen Queens Park Rangers fall away from playoff contention to two places and three points above the bottom three.
It is a remarkable tumble down the table yet perhaps not surprising given that Mick Hartford became the Rs' third manager of the season in a caretaker capacity in mid-January.
But, in a cruel twist for Palace, there are strong rumours that Warnock will move across the capital to be the latest in the hot-seat at Loftus Road.
League One
Table
NORWICH CITY stretched their lead at the top of League One to five points with a tight 1-0 win against Oldham Athletic as Leeds United could only draw.
A week ago, the Canaries lost 2-1 at home against Southampton for their first league defeat at Carrow Road since that infamous 7-1 mauling against Colchester United on the opening day of the season.
But Norwich have reacted well to that setback by grinding out hard-fought victories against Southend United and Oldham to reach 72 points, nine clear of third place.
Having led the division until Christmas, Leeds are in danger of losing out on an automatic spot after their patchy form continued into February.
The 2-2 draw at Huddersfield Town means United have won just two of their last 10 league games, though they have a game in hand on Norwich.
That point keeps the Terriers unbeaten at home all season and in the thick of a tight playoff places battle, currently headed by Charlton Athletic on 63 points.
Colchester United are just a point behind the Addicks with a game in hand after 13 points from their six February games signalled an improvement from Aidy Boothroyd's Us.
But it is fifth-placed Swindon Town on 60 points in the best form in the division despite Saturday's disappointment of a 0-0 draw with Leyton Orient.
That stalemate means the Robins are now unbeaten in 13 league games, and they have suffered just one defeat in their last 18.
Huddersfield follow in sixth place on 58 points, level with Millwall who remain the only realistic challengers for a playoff berth.
The Lions have won seven of their last eight league games to open up a gap of nine points to eighth-placed Milton Keynes Dons who have lost three of their last four matches.
Nine points is also the difference between Stockport County and safety, despite the Hatters' second league win in three, 4-3 against second-bottom Wycombe Wanderers.
It was a devastating defeat for the Chairboys who were 4-0 down before a second-half comeback nearly salvaged a point.
Wycombe may only be four points adrift of safety but Gary Waddock's men have played at least one match more than all of their rivals.
Meanwhile, Tranmere Rovers - third-bottom for most of this campaign - have turned it around to get out of the relegation zone.
But Rovers remain just a solitary point clear of the drop on 33 points and they are yet to put together consecutive league wins this season.
In Rovers' place are Exeter City after a real poor run has put their hard-fought League One status in jeopardy.
The Grecians have been promoted for the last two years and have stayed out of real trouble all season.
But just one win in 11 matches - against Leeds - has seen them drop to 22nd place on 31 points.
That is still just one point adrift of Oldham, who are in the final relegation place, and Southend who are outside the drop zone on goal difference only.
Both the Latics and the Shrimpers have lost their last three matches, and though it is the Latics in the drop zone, they have two games in hand.
League Two
Table
ROCHDALE'S quest to achieve a long-awaited promotion moved a step closer after they beat Macclesfield Town 1-0 while rivals Bournemouth and Bury failed to win.
The Dale, on 65 points from 32 games, stretched their lead at the top of League Two to five points over second-placed Bournemouth.
More importantly, Keith Hill's men hold an eight-point advantage over fourth as they seek to secure a first promotion for 35 years.
Second-placed Bournemouth lost at Shrewsbury while third-placed Bury could only manage a 0-0 draw with Barnet at Underhill.
Those results put the Cherries on 60 points from 34 games while the Shakers are a point further back but with a game in hand.
Chesterfield are in fourth place on 57 points from 33 games but their good run of five consecutive wins came to an end with a 1-0 home defeat to Aldershot.
Rotherham United, unbeaten in five, are in fifth place with 56 points from 31 matches while Shrewsbury are still in sixth place after a win, a draw and a loss against three of the top five.
The Shrews started that set of fixtures with a 1-0 loss to Bury but an encouraging draw with Rotherham gave them the confidence to beat Bournemouth and hold on to their top-seven place.
Notts County, in seventh on 51 points, complete the playoff picture as it stands, and with several games in hand on all the clubs above them, the Magpies remain a promotion threat.
It would be a fitting end to a tumultuous season and a 5-0 thrashing of Hereford United perhaps signalled County's intentions in the run-in.
At the bottom, desperate Darlington lost for the 22nd time in the league in 29 matches.
The 1-0 defeat at Valley Parade against Bradford City left the Quakers on 15 points, fully 16 adrift of safety.
Of course, Grimsby Town have been Darlington's bedfellows in the bottom two almost all of the way through the season.
After four consecutive draws encouraged hopes for survival, the Mariners then lost to Dagenham & Redbridge to make it 25 league games without a win.
Unsurprisingly, Grimsby have also been cut adrift on their 24 points from 33 matches.
Neil Woods' men are seven points from safety while third-bottom Cheltenham Town also have a game in hand.
FA Cup Fifth Round
CHELSEA remained on track for a possible league and cup double after an ultimately easy 4-1 win over Cardiff City.
Didier Drogba opened the scoring inside two minutes and Cardiff, on the back of a 5-1 loss to Newcastle United, looked ropey in the early stages.
But an opportunistic goal by Michael Chopra put the Bluebirds on level terms at half time at Stamford Bridge.
Just as it was getting interesting, second half goals from Michael Ballack, Daniel Sturridge and Seb Kalou took the tie away from the Welsh team and ensured the Blues' progress was never really in doubt.
The holders face Stoke City after they followed up their fine 3-1 win over Arsenal in the last round with victory by the same score against ten-man Manchester City in a replay at the Britannia Stadium.
Extra time goals from Ryan Shawcross and Tuncay put Stoke in the last eight for the first time since 1972 after Dave Kitson and Craig Bellamy had exchanged strikes late in normal time.
There will be an all-London quarter final as Tottenham Hotspur face Fulham after both eventually recorded resounding wins in the fifth round.
Fulham completed the job at the first time of asking, brushing aside Notts County, the remaining challenge from League Two, in a 4-0 win at Craven Cottage.
Spurs were forced to take a replay against Bolton Wanderers after fighting back for a 1-1 draw at the Reebok Stadium.
Their 4-0 win in the replay at White Hart Lane was no less resounding than Fulham's thrashing of County.
Two goals from almost-forgotten Russian Roman Pavlyuchenko and two own goals were more than enough to overcome a subdued and disinterested Bolton side.
With seven of the eight quarter finalists from the Premier League, Reading are the lowest-ranked team left in the Cup after they beat fellow Championship side West Brom in the fifth round over two entertaining games.
Joe Mattock rescued a replay for the Baggies with a late goal in the first game after Simon Church looked to have won it for the Royals.
And there was more late drama in the replay at the Hawthorns as Reading striker Brian Howard forced extra time with a goal in the 93rd minute before Gylfi Sigurdsson's curling effort won the tie.
Reading will face Aston Villa in their first FA Cup quarter final for 83 years after the Birmingham side eventually beat Crystal Palace in the fifth round.
This was another tie to go to a replay after a dramatic finish to the original match as Stilyan Petrov scored from a corner that should not have been awarded to level the scores at 2-2.
Lightning struck twice in the tie as Gabriel Agbonlahor gave Villa the lead in the replay, again from a corner that should not have been given, before Darren Ambrose's penalty levelled things up again.
But two late penalties, converted by John Carew, were enough for Villa to dream of a second Wembley appearance in one season.
The remaining quarter final tie, Portsmouth v Birmingham City, was the only one in which both clubs got through the fifth round at the first attempt.
Portsmouth made light of their dire financial situation to silence the Southampton jeers with a 4-1 win at St Mary's Stadium.
The match was actually a lot more even than the final score suggested and, indeed, was level at 1-1 with 20 minutes left.
Quincy Owusu-Abejie gave Pompey the lead before Ricky Lambert for quickly equalised for the Saints.
But three late Pompey goals by Aruna Dindane, Nadir Belhadj and Jamie O'Hara tipped this fierce south-coast derby in their favour.
Birmingham City overcame a scare to beat Derby County and continue their fine season - but only after a last-minute Liam Ridgewell goal.
Joe McEveley had given the Rams a lead on 55 minutes before Scott Dann equalised with 20 minutes left.
The tie looked destined to be heading for a replay at St Andrew's before Ridgewell's late intervention sent Alex McLeish's side through.
Results
Saturday:
Chelsea 4-1 Cardiff City
Derby County 1-2 Birmingham City
Manchester City 1-1 Stoke City
Reading 2-2 West Bromwich Albion
Southampton 1-4 Portsmouth
Sunday:
Bolton Wanderers 1-1 Tottenham Hotspur
Crystal Palace 2-2 Aston Villa
Fulham 4-0 Notts County
Replays
Aston Villa 3-1 Crystal Palace
Stoke City 3-1 Manchester City (after extra time)
Tottenham Hotspur 4-0 Bolton Wanderers
West Bromwich Albion 2-3 Reading (after extra time)
FA Cup Sixth Round Draw
Portsmouth v Birmingham City (Sat 6 Mar, 12:30)
Fulham v Tottenham Hotspur (Sat 6 Mar, 17:20)
Reading v Aston Villa (Sun 7 Mar, 13:45)
Chelsea v Stoke City (Sun 7 Mar, 16:00)
All matches shown live on ITV1
Table
CHELSEA failed to extend their lead with Manchester United in Carling Cup action after Manchester City stunned Stamford Bridge with a 4-2 win.
Braces apiece from Carlos Tevez and Craig Bellamy gave City only their fourth away win of the season and a rare double over the Londoners.
The match will also be remembered as the first time that John Terry and Wayne Bridge faced each other since Terry's affair with Bridge's ex-girlfriend became public.
Bridge has retired from international football as a result of the tabloid exposure and refused to shake Terry's hand as the teams lined up.
Despite the acrimonious build-up, the match took a while to develop any pattern but, as the first half wore on, Chelsea began to dominate and Frank Lampard gave them the lead on 40 minutes.
But City were level at half time after a comedy of errors in the Blues' defence allowed Tevez to trickle the ball past Chelsea goalkeeper Hilario.
Hilario was then beaten by Bellamy on his near post as City started the second half well before Gareth Barry won a penalty and Julio Belletti was sent off for his clumsy last-man tackle.
Tevez dispatched the penalty and, after Michael Ballack was also sent off for two bookings, Bellamy's breakaway goal gave Roberto Mancini's men an emphatic 4-1 lead.
Lampard scored a penalty in stoppage time but it was little more than a consolation for Carlo Ancelotti's nine men who, nevertheless, remain top on 61 points from 28 games.
Manchester United recovered from their sixth league defeat of the season, 3-1 at Everton last week, to beat West Ham United 3-0 in midweek and cut the gap back down to one point.
Arsenal stayed in the hunt for the title, despite recent losses to both United and Chelsea, but only after a fine comeback against Stoke City.
The Potters led 1-0 after Danny Pugh's goal from Rory Delap's long throw. But, after Nicklas Bendtner equalised on the half-hour mark, a late penalty from Cesc Fabregas and an even later goal by Thomas Vermaelen gave the Gunners a 3-1 win.
The match was marred by a sending off for Ryan Shawcross who was devastated as he left the field, having broken teenager Aaron Ramsey's leg.
The incident bore a distinct similarity to the injury suffered by Eduardo against Birmingham City at St Andrew's in 2008-09.
And, just like back then, television executives decided against showing replays of the horror tackle with Arsenal players visibly upset by their team mate's condition.
The Gunners, then, will be pleased to have come out of the match with a win which leaves them just three points behind Chelsea.
The other top half race for fourth place looks as open as ever with Manchester City staking a real claim after that win at the Bridge put them on 49 points.
Tottenham Hotspur, in fifth on 46 points, could move back above City by beating Everton tomorrow while Liverpool, in sixth on 45 points, face Blackburn Rovers.
Aston Villa, in seventh on 45 points, are out of league action this weekend as they play United in the Carling Cup final at Wembley.
Meanwhile, the clash of the bottom two saw Portsmouth beat Burnley but it was a hollow victory for the south-coast club after yesterday's announcement that they had gone into administration with up to £70m of debt.
It means Pompey will lose nine of their 19 points and, even with this victory, they are now 14 points adrift of safety and almost certain for relegation.
Burnley look destined to join them after a woeful performance made it just one league win in 16 matches for the Clarets.
Brian Laws' men remain just one point adrift of safety but many more home displays like this and that gap will surely grow.
Hull City were out of action due to Villa's League Cup participation and that allowed Bolton Wanderers to dump the Tigers in the bottom three.
The Trotters beat Wolverhampton Wanderers to go up to 15th and that defeat also leaves Wolves in trouble on 24 points, only above Hull on goal difference.
Wigan Athletic are in 16th place on 25 points after a 1-0 defeat to Birmingham City who reach the 40 point mark with 11 games left thanks to James McFadden's penalty winner.
Bolton, in 15th, have 26 points, just below Sunderland on goal difference.
The Black Cats spent big in the summer but it has not paid dividends and, despite an encouraging start to the season, they find themselves in a familiar position of fighting relegation.
A home match against Fulham tomorrow straight after the Cottagers' European exertions provides a fine chance to extend the gap over the bottom three to five points.
That would leave West Ham looking back over their shoulders as despite recent wins over Hull (3-0) and Birmingham (2-0), the Hammers are still only three points clear of relegation.
The Championship
Table
NEWCASTLE UNITED beat Watford 2-1 to extend the lead at the top of the Championship to six points as third-placed Nottingham Forest faltered against Leicester City.
Headed goals from Fabricio Coloccini and Andrew Carroll early in each half gave the Magpies a first away win since early December while Forest lost their fourth straight away game.
It looked like it was going to be an even better day for Chris Hughton's men with second-placed West Bromwich Albion falling behind at home against Derby County.
But the Baggies hit back to win 3-1 and put defeats in their last two games - against Bristol City in the league and Reading in the FA Cup - behind them.
With 13 matches left, Newcastle have 69 points and West Brom are on 63 points with Forest on 61 points having played a game more.
The remaining playoff positions are becoming clearer with Swansea City and Leicester City both going through February unbeaten to cement their top six places.
Indeed, the Swans have not lost for 12 league games with six wins and six draws stretching back to mid-December to reach 56 points.
Leicester have enjoyed a run of eight matches without defeat and lie two points further back in fifth place.
The final playoff spot is very much up for grabs with current occupants Cardiff City in typically patchy form.
The Bluebirds' main problem appears to be in defence with Newcastle hitting five and previously struggling Preston North End scoring three against the creaky back line in two heavy defeats on the road.
Nevertheless, Cardiff on 49 points are still a point clear of seventh-placed Sheffield United having played one game fewer.
The Blades are unbeaten at Bramall Lane in the league since early November but five away losses in a row have prevented the habitual late-season charge so far.
Blackpool on 47 points remain in the mix for the top six after consecutive 2-0 home wins against Middlesbrough and Reading.
But, with three points from 15 on the road, again it is the Tangerines' away form which is preventing them from capitalising further on their unexpected position.
Boro are level on points with Blackpool, and Coventry City - with six wins and a draw from their last seven home league games - are just a point further back.
Barnsley, in 11th place, have won their last two games to reach 45 points, four points adrift of Cardiff with a game in hand.
At the bottom, Peterborough United were condemned to an eighth consecutive away defeat in all competitions after a 1-0 loss at Swansea.
There have been some positive signs in home wins against Queens Park Rangers and Ipswich Town under new manager Jim Gannon, their third boss of the season.
But it all looks too little too late for Posh who have not won away all season and the loss at the Liberty Stadium leaves Peterborough on 24 points from 33 games, 10 points adrift of safety.
Plymouth Argyle have also been in trouble all season long. The Pilgrims remain five points adrift of safety, after picking up just five points from their six matches in February.
One of their losses was at recovering Reading who gained further breathing space by dumping Sheffield Wednesday back into the bottom three after a 5-0 thrashing at the Madjeski.
Wednesday had picked up their form under new manager Alan Irvine during January but four losses in five games in February have sent the Owls spiralling once again.
Nevertheless, crisis club Crystal Palace will be considered eminently catchable after their 10-point deduction for going into administration and concerns over manager Neil Warnock's future.
Only goal difference separates the Eagles from Wednesday in the drop zone after a recent run of one point from 12, though they could yet be saved by another London team.
Just two wins from 16 have seen Queens Park Rangers fall away from playoff contention to two places and three points above the bottom three.
It is a remarkable tumble down the table yet perhaps not surprising given that Mick Hartford became the Rs' third manager of the season in a caretaker capacity in mid-January.
But, in a cruel twist for Palace, there are strong rumours that Warnock will move across the capital to be the latest in the hot-seat at Loftus Road.
League One
Table
NORWICH CITY stretched their lead at the top of League One to five points with a tight 1-0 win against Oldham Athletic as Leeds United could only draw.
A week ago, the Canaries lost 2-1 at home against Southampton for their first league defeat at Carrow Road since that infamous 7-1 mauling against Colchester United on the opening day of the season.
But Norwich have reacted well to that setback by grinding out hard-fought victories against Southend United and Oldham to reach 72 points, nine clear of third place.
Having led the division until Christmas, Leeds are in danger of losing out on an automatic spot after their patchy form continued into February.
The 2-2 draw at Huddersfield Town means United have won just two of their last 10 league games, though they have a game in hand on Norwich.
That point keeps the Terriers unbeaten at home all season and in the thick of a tight playoff places battle, currently headed by Charlton Athletic on 63 points.
Colchester United are just a point behind the Addicks with a game in hand after 13 points from their six February games signalled an improvement from Aidy Boothroyd's Us.
But it is fifth-placed Swindon Town on 60 points in the best form in the division despite Saturday's disappointment of a 0-0 draw with Leyton Orient.
That stalemate means the Robins are now unbeaten in 13 league games, and they have suffered just one defeat in their last 18.
Huddersfield follow in sixth place on 58 points, level with Millwall who remain the only realistic challengers for a playoff berth.
The Lions have won seven of their last eight league games to open up a gap of nine points to eighth-placed Milton Keynes Dons who have lost three of their last four matches.
Nine points is also the difference between Stockport County and safety, despite the Hatters' second league win in three, 4-3 against second-bottom Wycombe Wanderers.
It was a devastating defeat for the Chairboys who were 4-0 down before a second-half comeback nearly salvaged a point.
Wycombe may only be four points adrift of safety but Gary Waddock's men have played at least one match more than all of their rivals.
Meanwhile, Tranmere Rovers - third-bottom for most of this campaign - have turned it around to get out of the relegation zone.
But Rovers remain just a solitary point clear of the drop on 33 points and they are yet to put together consecutive league wins this season.
In Rovers' place are Exeter City after a real poor run has put their hard-fought League One status in jeopardy.
The Grecians have been promoted for the last two years and have stayed out of real trouble all season.
But just one win in 11 matches - against Leeds - has seen them drop to 22nd place on 31 points.
That is still just one point adrift of Oldham, who are in the final relegation place, and Southend who are outside the drop zone on goal difference only.
Both the Latics and the Shrimpers have lost their last three matches, and though it is the Latics in the drop zone, they have two games in hand.
League Two
Table
ROCHDALE'S quest to achieve a long-awaited promotion moved a step closer after they beat Macclesfield Town 1-0 while rivals Bournemouth and Bury failed to win.
The Dale, on 65 points from 32 games, stretched their lead at the top of League Two to five points over second-placed Bournemouth.
More importantly, Keith Hill's men hold an eight-point advantage over fourth as they seek to secure a first promotion for 35 years.
Second-placed Bournemouth lost at Shrewsbury while third-placed Bury could only manage a 0-0 draw with Barnet at Underhill.
Those results put the Cherries on 60 points from 34 games while the Shakers are a point further back but with a game in hand.
Chesterfield are in fourth place on 57 points from 33 games but their good run of five consecutive wins came to an end with a 1-0 home defeat to Aldershot.
Rotherham United, unbeaten in five, are in fifth place with 56 points from 31 matches while Shrewsbury are still in sixth place after a win, a draw and a loss against three of the top five.
The Shrews started that set of fixtures with a 1-0 loss to Bury but an encouraging draw with Rotherham gave them the confidence to beat Bournemouth and hold on to their top-seven place.
Notts County, in seventh on 51 points, complete the playoff picture as it stands, and with several games in hand on all the clubs above them, the Magpies remain a promotion threat.
It would be a fitting end to a tumultuous season and a 5-0 thrashing of Hereford United perhaps signalled County's intentions in the run-in.
At the bottom, desperate Darlington lost for the 22nd time in the league in 29 matches.
The 1-0 defeat at Valley Parade against Bradford City left the Quakers on 15 points, fully 16 adrift of safety.
Of course, Grimsby Town have been Darlington's bedfellows in the bottom two almost all of the way through the season.
After four consecutive draws encouraged hopes for survival, the Mariners then lost to Dagenham & Redbridge to make it 25 league games without a win.
Unsurprisingly, Grimsby have also been cut adrift on their 24 points from 33 matches.
Neil Woods' men are seven points from safety while third-bottom Cheltenham Town also have a game in hand.
FA Cup Fifth Round
CHELSEA remained on track for a possible league and cup double after an ultimately easy 4-1 win over Cardiff City.
Didier Drogba opened the scoring inside two minutes and Cardiff, on the back of a 5-1 loss to Newcastle United, looked ropey in the early stages.
But an opportunistic goal by Michael Chopra put the Bluebirds on level terms at half time at Stamford Bridge.
Just as it was getting interesting, second half goals from Michael Ballack, Daniel Sturridge and Seb Kalou took the tie away from the Welsh team and ensured the Blues' progress was never really in doubt.
The holders face Stoke City after they followed up their fine 3-1 win over Arsenal in the last round with victory by the same score against ten-man Manchester City in a replay at the Britannia Stadium.
Extra time goals from Ryan Shawcross and Tuncay put Stoke in the last eight for the first time since 1972 after Dave Kitson and Craig Bellamy had exchanged strikes late in normal time.
There will be an all-London quarter final as Tottenham Hotspur face Fulham after both eventually recorded resounding wins in the fifth round.
Fulham completed the job at the first time of asking, brushing aside Notts County, the remaining challenge from League Two, in a 4-0 win at Craven Cottage.
Spurs were forced to take a replay against Bolton Wanderers after fighting back for a 1-1 draw at the Reebok Stadium.
Their 4-0 win in the replay at White Hart Lane was no less resounding than Fulham's thrashing of County.
Two goals from almost-forgotten Russian Roman Pavlyuchenko and two own goals were more than enough to overcome a subdued and disinterested Bolton side.
With seven of the eight quarter finalists from the Premier League, Reading are the lowest-ranked team left in the Cup after they beat fellow Championship side West Brom in the fifth round over two entertaining games.
Joe Mattock rescued a replay for the Baggies with a late goal in the first game after Simon Church looked to have won it for the Royals.
And there was more late drama in the replay at the Hawthorns as Reading striker Brian Howard forced extra time with a goal in the 93rd minute before Gylfi Sigurdsson's curling effort won the tie.
Reading will face Aston Villa in their first FA Cup quarter final for 83 years after the Birmingham side eventually beat Crystal Palace in the fifth round.
This was another tie to go to a replay after a dramatic finish to the original match as Stilyan Petrov scored from a corner that should not have been awarded to level the scores at 2-2.
Lightning struck twice in the tie as Gabriel Agbonlahor gave Villa the lead in the replay, again from a corner that should not have been given, before Darren Ambrose's penalty levelled things up again.
But two late penalties, converted by John Carew, were enough for Villa to dream of a second Wembley appearance in one season.
The remaining quarter final tie, Portsmouth v Birmingham City, was the only one in which both clubs got through the fifth round at the first attempt.
Portsmouth made light of their dire financial situation to silence the Southampton jeers with a 4-1 win at St Mary's Stadium.
The match was actually a lot more even than the final score suggested and, indeed, was level at 1-1 with 20 minutes left.
Quincy Owusu-Abejie gave Pompey the lead before Ricky Lambert for quickly equalised for the Saints.
But three late Pompey goals by Aruna Dindane, Nadir Belhadj and Jamie O'Hara tipped this fierce south-coast derby in their favour.
Birmingham City overcame a scare to beat Derby County and continue their fine season - but only after a last-minute Liam Ridgewell goal.
Joe McEveley had given the Rams a lead on 55 minutes before Scott Dann equalised with 20 minutes left.
The tie looked destined to be heading for a replay at St Andrew's before Ridgewell's late intervention sent Alex McLeish's side through.
Results
Saturday:
Chelsea 4-1 Cardiff City
Derby County 1-2 Birmingham City
Manchester City 1-1 Stoke City
Reading 2-2 West Bromwich Albion
Southampton 1-4 Portsmouth
Sunday:
Bolton Wanderers 1-1 Tottenham Hotspur
Crystal Palace 2-2 Aston Villa
Fulham 4-0 Notts County
Replays
Aston Villa 3-1 Crystal Palace
Stoke City 3-1 Manchester City (after extra time)
Tottenham Hotspur 4-0 Bolton Wanderers
West Bromwich Albion 2-3 Reading (after extra time)
FA Cup Sixth Round Draw
Portsmouth v Birmingham City (Sat 6 Mar, 12:30)
Fulham v Tottenham Hotspur (Sat 6 Mar, 17:20)
Reading v Aston Villa (Sun 7 Mar, 13:45)
Chelsea v Stoke City (Sun 7 Mar, 16:00)
All matches shown live on ITV1
Sunday 21 February 2010
Election 2010: Labour launch campaign as Tories' poll lead narrows
PRIME MINISTER Gordon Brown unveiled Labour's election slogan, "A future fair for all", as the latest polls showed a narrowing of the Conservatives' lead.
Mr Brown was in Coventry for the launch and he asked voters to "take a second look at Labour". But it would seem that the PM, as ever, has missed the point.
This would not be a "second look" - or indeed a third. Another Labour general election victory would give this government a fourth term which it scarcely deserves.
The wording of their slogan - and Mr Brown's emphasis on fairness - does more to highlight the failings than accentuate the positives of this sham administration.
Interestingly, "A future fair for all" was previously used as a phrase by Labour at their party conference back in 2003.
How can they continue to spout the same mantra years later when evidence continues to be to the contrary?
The National Equality Panel recently reported that the richest 10% of Britons are now 100 times better off than the poorest 10% of society.
It is a damning statistic for a Labour government which will have been in power for 13 continuous years at the next election.
But the Conservatives have hardly been making a convincing argument for proving they would be any more competent as the party in power.
In an embarrassing gaffe, the Tories mistakenly inflated the number of teenage pregnancies in poor areas by 10 times the actual amount.
The claim that 54% of girls in deprived parts of the country get pregnant before turning 18 was such a basic mathematical error, it was like something out of a political satire.
It seems barely believable that such a fundamental faux pas could come from a party which is still odds-on to be running the country from May.
Of course, the Tories backtracked and argued that the real statistic - 5.4% - was still another indictment of the Labour government.
But, while that may be true, it was a hollow response after an original claim which smacked of bashing an easy target.
This being an election year, there have already been plenty of political footballs being kicked about, often without much regard for the issue at hand.
The most recent case of this was the row over care for the elderly.
It became such a point-scoring exercise that it later prompted government-appointed champion for the elderly Dame Joan Bakewell to step in and call the exchange "shameful".
Last month, the institution of marriage came under the political spotlight. More specifically, the debate centred on the Tories' pledge of a tax break for married couples.
It was another awkward moment for Conservative leader David Cameron who had to admit publicly that he had "messed up" in describing the policy to a reporter as only something he would be "hoping" to bring in.
Such uncertain stumbles by Mr Cameron have done little to draw the public towards the Tories.
But it is just as likely that the narrowing poll lead is simply a result of Labour's core support hardening.
Also, while the current base figures suggest that there would be a hung parliament, the Tories are performing significantly better in the vital marginal seats.
With 74 days to go until the expected election date of 6th May, there is still quite a lot of time to go.
And the struggle to engage the public for so long is perhaps the biggest worry for both the main parties at present.
Mr Brown was in Coventry for the launch and he asked voters to "take a second look at Labour". But it would seem that the PM, as ever, has missed the point.
This would not be a "second look" - or indeed a third. Another Labour general election victory would give this government a fourth term which it scarcely deserves.
The wording of their slogan - and Mr Brown's emphasis on fairness - does more to highlight the failings than accentuate the positives of this sham administration.
Interestingly, "A future fair for all" was previously used as a phrase by Labour at their party conference back in 2003.
How can they continue to spout the same mantra years later when evidence continues to be to the contrary?
The National Equality Panel recently reported that the richest 10% of Britons are now 100 times better off than the poorest 10% of society.
It is a damning statistic for a Labour government which will have been in power for 13 continuous years at the next election.
But the Conservatives have hardly been making a convincing argument for proving they would be any more competent as the party in power.
In an embarrassing gaffe, the Tories mistakenly inflated the number of teenage pregnancies in poor areas by 10 times the actual amount.
The claim that 54% of girls in deprived parts of the country get pregnant before turning 18 was such a basic mathematical error, it was like something out of a political satire.
It seems barely believable that such a fundamental faux pas could come from a party which is still odds-on to be running the country from May.
Of course, the Tories backtracked and argued that the real statistic - 5.4% - was still another indictment of the Labour government.
But, while that may be true, it was a hollow response after an original claim which smacked of bashing an easy target.
This being an election year, there have already been plenty of political footballs being kicked about, often without much regard for the issue at hand.
The most recent case of this was the row over care for the elderly.
It became such a point-scoring exercise that it later prompted government-appointed champion for the elderly Dame Joan Bakewell to step in and call the exchange "shameful".
Last month, the institution of marriage came under the political spotlight. More specifically, the debate centred on the Tories' pledge of a tax break for married couples.
It was another awkward moment for Conservative leader David Cameron who had to admit publicly that he had "messed up" in describing the policy to a reporter as only something he would be "hoping" to bring in.
Such uncertain stumbles by Mr Cameron have done little to draw the public towards the Tories.
But it is just as likely that the narrowing poll lead is simply a result of Labour's core support hardening.
Also, while the current base figures suggest that there would be a hung parliament, the Tories are performing significantly better in the vital marginal seats.
With 74 days to go until the expected election date of 6th May, there is still quite a lot of time to go.
And the struggle to engage the public for so long is perhaps the biggest worry for both the main parties at present.
Sunday 14 February 2010
Poem for the lovers
My Luve's Like a Red, Red Rose
Robert Burns
1794
O my Luve's like a red, red rose
That's newly sprung in June;
O my Luve's like the melodie
That's sweetly played in tune.
As fair art thou, my bonnie lass,
So deep in luve am I;
And I will luve thee still, my dear,
Till a' the seas gang dry:
Till a' the seas gang dry, my dear,
And the rocks melt wi' the sun;
I will luve thee still, my dear,
While the sands o' life shall run.
And fare thee weel, my only Luve,
And fare thee weel awhile!
And I will come again, my Luve,
Tho' it ware ten thousand mile.
Friday 12 February 2010
Britons hoping to be Whistler winners
A STRANGE chill from Britain is blowing through winter sports ahead of the 2010 Games at Whistler in Vancouver.
Team GB, of course, has never been a heavyweight in the Winter Olympics with the Games dominated by USA, Russia, Germany and the Scandinavian nations.
Indeed, Britain has won just 20 medals in the 20 competitions dating back to 1924. Ten of the medals had been won by 1952.
But the British are sending a team to Canada capable of drastically improving that record and shrugging off a reputation for gallant failure.
That notion was summed up by Eddie 'The Eagle' Edwards' infamous last-placed finish in the ski jump at Calgary in 1988 but it is more than a little unfair on a relatively flat country with a temperate climate.
In fact, Britain regularly excelled at figure skating in the 1970s and 1980s.
There were gold medals for John Curry (1976), Robin Cousins (1980) and the nation's most well-known winter sports competitors Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean (1984).
After two consecutive Games without medal success in 1988 and 1992, Torvill and Dean returned in 1994 and won one of two bronzes, the other being achieved by speed skater Nicky Gooch.
Britain's only gold since 1984 came in the curling arena in 2002 as Ayr housewife Rhona Martin led her team to a famous 4-3 win over Switzerland in a tense final.
But there has been success on the track with bronze for the four-man bobsleigh team in 1998 and consecutive women's skeleton medals for Alex Coomber (bronze, 2002) and Shelley Rudman (silver, 2006).
Rudman returns, looking to go one better, and she will carry the Union Jack flag at the opening ceremony. Several of her team mates also have strong medal chances.
Can Team GB warm British hearts this winter with success in Whistler?
MEDAL CHANCES
Watch out for...
Shelley Rudman (Skeleton)
The aforementioned Rudman is Britain's strongest chance for a medal after she showed excellent form throughout the season by finishing second place overall in the World Cup over eight rounds. Highlights were undoubtedly the wins in Cesana, Italy and St Moritz, Switzerland. Further chances of medal success in the Skeleton come from Amy Williams and Adam Pengilly who both won silver at the World Championships at Lake Placid in 2009. Rudman's partner Kristan Bromley took gold at the 2008 World Championships in Altenberg and has had two podium finishes this season.
Event dates:
Team GB, of course, has never been a heavyweight in the Winter Olympics with the Games dominated by USA, Russia, Germany and the Scandinavian nations.
Indeed, Britain has won just 20 medals in the 20 competitions dating back to 1924. Ten of the medals had been won by 1952.
But the British are sending a team to Canada capable of drastically improving that record and shrugging off a reputation for gallant failure.
That notion was summed up by Eddie 'The Eagle' Edwards' infamous last-placed finish in the ski jump at Calgary in 1988 but it is more than a little unfair on a relatively flat country with a temperate climate.
In fact, Britain regularly excelled at figure skating in the 1970s and 1980s.
There were gold medals for John Curry (1976), Robin Cousins (1980) and the nation's most well-known winter sports competitors Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean (1984).
After two consecutive Games without medal success in 1988 and 1992, Torvill and Dean returned in 1994 and won one of two bronzes, the other being achieved by speed skater Nicky Gooch.
Britain's only gold since 1984 came in the curling arena in 2002 as Ayr housewife Rhona Martin led her team to a famous 4-3 win over Switzerland in a tense final.
But there has been success on the track with bronze for the four-man bobsleigh team in 1998 and consecutive women's skeleton medals for Alex Coomber (bronze, 2002) and Shelley Rudman (silver, 2006).
Rudman returns, looking to go one better, and she will carry the Union Jack flag at the opening ceremony. Several of her team mates also have strong medal chances.
Can Team GB warm British hearts this winter with success in Whistler?
MEDAL CHANCES
Watch out for...
Shelley Rudman (Skeleton)
The aforementioned Rudman is Britain's strongest chance for a medal after she showed excellent form throughout the season by finishing second place overall in the World Cup over eight rounds. Highlights were undoubtedly the wins in Cesana, Italy and St Moritz, Switzerland. Further chances of medal success in the Skeleton come from Amy Williams and Adam Pengilly who both won silver at the World Championships at Lake Placid in 2009. Rudman's partner Kristan Bromley took gold at the 2008 World Championships in Altenberg and has had two podium finishes this season.
Event dates:
Fri 19 February - Qualifying runs
Women's runs (midnight & 1.10am), Men's runs (2.30am & 4am)
Fri 19 February-Saturday 20 February - Finals runs
Women's runs (23.45pm & 00.55am), Men's runs (2.20am & 3.50am)
Nicola Minichiello and Gillian Cooke (Bobsleigh)
The pair won gold at the World Championships at Lake Placid in 2009 to cap an excellent season in which they also finished third during the World Cup series. This year's form has been less spectacular with a seventh and two eighth-placed finishes in the first three World Cup races but they remain a threat to the rest of the field.
Event dates:
Wed 24 February - Qualifying runs
Women's runs (1am & 2.10am)
Thu 25 February - Finals runs
Women's runs (1am & 2.10am)
David Murdoch and team (Curling)
Skipper David Murdoch will hope to repeat the 2002 success of Rhona Martin by winning curling gold. Strongly fancied in previous Olympics, the men have often let the pressure get to them and failed to live up to expectations, losing in a bronze medal play-off to the USA in 2006. Murdoch's men won the World Championships in April, beating Canada 7-6. They clearly represent a real chance of success for Britain.
Event dates:
Women's runs (1am & 2.10am)
Thu 25 February - Finals runs
Women's runs (1am & 2.10am)
David Murdoch and team (Curling)
Skipper David Murdoch will hope to repeat the 2002 success of Rhona Martin by winning curling gold. Strongly fancied in previous Olympics, the men have often let the pressure get to them and failed to live up to expectations, losing in a bronze medal play-off to the USA in 2006. Murdoch's men won the World Championships in April, beating Canada 7-6. They clearly represent a real chance of success for Britain.
Event dates:
Tue 16 February v Sweden (5pm)
Wed 17 February v France (10pm)
Thu 18 February v Switzerland (5pm)
Fri 19 February v Denmark (3am)
Sat 20 February v China (5pm)
Sun 21 February v Canada (3am), v United States (10pm)
Tue 23 February v Germany (3am), v Norway (10pm)
Thu 25 February - Semi finals (10pm)
Sat 27 February - Bronze medal match (5pm), Final (11pm)
John and Sinead Kerr (Figure Skating)
More than 25 years after Torvill and Dean won gold, Britain has finally produced another figure skating duo with a real medal chance. Siblings John and Sinead Kerr won bronze in the 2008-09 European Championships and are currently ranked fifth in the world.
Event dates:
Sat 20 February - Compulsory (00.45am)
Mon 22 February - Original (00.15am)
Tue 23 February - Free dance (00.45am)
Jon Eley, Elise Christie (Speed skating)
Eley and Christie have outside chances of a medal in their respective events on the speed skating track. Eley will race in the 500m and as part of a five-man relay team while 19-year-old Christie will compete in three individual events - the 500m, 1000m and 1500m. Christie was part of the women's relay team which won gold at the World Championships in South Korea in 2008 and she won silver in the 1500m individual race at the European Championships in 2009.
Event dates:
Men's 5000m relay
Thu 18 February (2.32am) & Sat 27 February (Final 3.51am)
Men's 500m
Wed 24 February (1.47am) & Sat 27 February (Final 3.14am)
Women's 500m
Sun 14 February (1.42am) & Thu 18 February (1am, 2.10am, Final 3.07am)
Women's 1000m
Thu 25 February (1am) & Sat 27 February (2.14am, 2.52am, Final 3.24am)
Women's 1500m
Thu 25 February (1am) & Sat 27 February (2.14am, 2.52am, Final 3.24am)
Women's 1500m
Sun 21 February (1.45am, 2.58am, Final 3.51am)
Monday 8 February 2010
England pitted against Wales in Euro qualifiers
ENGLAND will play Wales in the Euro 2012 qualifiers after a favourable draw for Fabio Capello's men in Warsaw yesterday.
The British pair will also face Switzerland, Bulgaria and Montenegro in Group G and will be glad to have avoided the likes of Sweden and Czech Republic from the second seeds.
The Swiss qualified for the World Cup by winning their group while the threat of Bulgaria's Dimitar Berbatov and Martin Petrov is well-known to seasoned Premier League viewers.
But Switzerland's qualification was actually far from convincing and even included a defeat to Luxembourg.
And Bulgaria, like Berbatov, look far too inconsistent to mount a sustained challenge.
England's last meetings with Wales came in the qualifiers for World Cup 2006. England won 2-0 at Old Trafford and 1-0 in Cardiff on their way to topping the group.
But even this youthful Wales side can take heart from the draw in that it offers them a chance for their best performance since Mark Hughes led them to the playoffs for Euro 2004.
By contrast, Scotland got a stinker of a group and must overcome holders Spain as well as the Czechs. Lithuania and Liechtenstein complete Group I.
The Scots' last major tournament appearance was at World Cup 1998 and this is certainly a tough first assignment for new head coach Craig Levein.
The draw was also rather unkind to Northern Ireland who face three World Cup finalists - Italy, Serbia and Slovenia - in their section as well as Estonia and Faroe Islands.
But the improving Northern Irish have done well in the last two sets of qualifiers against bigger opposition, famously beating England and Spain in Belfast.
And Nigel Worthington's men will undoubtedly once again relish their position as underdogs in most of their games.
Having come so close in the World Cup qualifiers, the Republic of Ireland will fancy their chances in Group B against Russia, Slovakia, Macedonia, Armenia and Andorra.
But with five of the six teams coming from eastern Europe, the Irish will be doing a lot of travelling in the next 18 months.
At least, the draw did not pair them with France after that playoff heartbreak for Ireland.
Instead, the French will renew acquaintances with Romania after score draws in both their World Cup qualifying games and a 0-0 at the Euro 2008 finals.
Bosnia-Herzegovina, who reached the World Cup 2010 qualifying playoffs, Belarus, Albania and Luxembourg are the other teams in Group D.
Portugal also find a familiar opponent in Denmark in Group H.
The Danes took four points out of six against the Portuguese in the recent World Cup qualifiers to top the group, forcing Portugal into a playoff.
Denmark's Scandinavian rivals Norway are joined by Cyprus and Iceland to complete the group.
Netherlands also face two Nordic tests in Sweden and Finland who were drawn into Group E along with Hungary, Moldova and perpetual minnows San Marino.
That leaves just two groups. In Group A, Germany should be able to cope against Turkey and neighbours Austria with Belgium, Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan completing the section.
And Group F looks the easiest draw of all. Group seeds Croatia have been pitted against Greece, Israel, Latvia, Georgia and Malta.
Of those six teams, only Greece have made it to the World Cup - and then only via a playoff.
Full Euro 2012 Qualifying Draw
51 teams have been drawn into six groups of six teams and three groups of five teams.
The nine group winners and best runners-up qualify automatically alongside co-hosts Poland and Ukraine. The other eight runners-up contest playoffs for the remaining four places.
GROUP A
Germany, Turkey, Austria, Belgium, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan
GROUP B
Russia, Slovakia, Republic of Ireland, Macedonia, Armenia, Andorra
GROUP C
Italy, Serbia, Northern Ireland, Slovenia, Estonia, Faroe Islands
GROUP D
France, Romania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Belarus, Albania, Luxembourg
GROUP E
Netherlands, Sweden, Finland, Hungary, Moldova, San Marino
GROUP F
Croatia, Greece, Israel, Latvia, Georgia, Malta
GROUP G
England, Switzerland, Bulgaria, Wales, Montenegro
GROUP H
Portugal, Denmark, Norway, Cyprus, Iceland
GROUP I
Spain, Czech Republic, Scotland, Lithuania, Liechtenstein
Matchdays available for fixtures
Note: Fixtures for all groups yet to be announced
2010
3-4 September, 7 September, 8-9 October, 12 October
2011
25-26 March, 29 March, 3-4 June, 7 June, 2-3 September, 6 September, 7-8 October, 11 October
The British pair will also face Switzerland, Bulgaria and Montenegro in Group G and will be glad to have avoided the likes of Sweden and Czech Republic from the second seeds.
The Swiss qualified for the World Cup by winning their group while the threat of Bulgaria's Dimitar Berbatov and Martin Petrov is well-known to seasoned Premier League viewers.
But Switzerland's qualification was actually far from convincing and even included a defeat to Luxembourg.
And Bulgaria, like Berbatov, look far too inconsistent to mount a sustained challenge.
England's last meetings with Wales came in the qualifiers for World Cup 2006. England won 2-0 at Old Trafford and 1-0 in Cardiff on their way to topping the group.
But even this youthful Wales side can take heart from the draw in that it offers them a chance for their best performance since Mark Hughes led them to the playoffs for Euro 2004.
By contrast, Scotland got a stinker of a group and must overcome holders Spain as well as the Czechs. Lithuania and Liechtenstein complete Group I.
The Scots' last major tournament appearance was at World Cup 1998 and this is certainly a tough first assignment for new head coach Craig Levein.
The draw was also rather unkind to Northern Ireland who face three World Cup finalists - Italy, Serbia and Slovenia - in their section as well as Estonia and Faroe Islands.
But the improving Northern Irish have done well in the last two sets of qualifiers against bigger opposition, famously beating England and Spain in Belfast.
And Nigel Worthington's men will undoubtedly once again relish their position as underdogs in most of their games.
Having come so close in the World Cup qualifiers, the Republic of Ireland will fancy their chances in Group B against Russia, Slovakia, Macedonia, Armenia and Andorra.
But with five of the six teams coming from eastern Europe, the Irish will be doing a lot of travelling in the next 18 months.
At least, the draw did not pair them with France after that playoff heartbreak for Ireland.
Instead, the French will renew acquaintances with Romania after score draws in both their World Cup qualifying games and a 0-0 at the Euro 2008 finals.
Bosnia-Herzegovina, who reached the World Cup 2010 qualifying playoffs, Belarus, Albania and Luxembourg are the other teams in Group D.
Portugal also find a familiar opponent in Denmark in Group H.
The Danes took four points out of six against the Portuguese in the recent World Cup qualifiers to top the group, forcing Portugal into a playoff.
Denmark's Scandinavian rivals Norway are joined by Cyprus and Iceland to complete the group.
Netherlands also face two Nordic tests in Sweden and Finland who were drawn into Group E along with Hungary, Moldova and perpetual minnows San Marino.
That leaves just two groups. In Group A, Germany should be able to cope against Turkey and neighbours Austria with Belgium, Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan completing the section.
And Group F looks the easiest draw of all. Group seeds Croatia have been pitted against Greece, Israel, Latvia, Georgia and Malta.
Of those six teams, only Greece have made it to the World Cup - and then only via a playoff.
Full Euro 2012 Qualifying Draw
51 teams have been drawn into six groups of six teams and three groups of five teams.
The nine group winners and best runners-up qualify automatically alongside co-hosts Poland and Ukraine. The other eight runners-up contest playoffs for the remaining four places.
GROUP A
Germany, Turkey, Austria, Belgium, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan
GROUP B
Russia, Slovakia, Republic of Ireland, Macedonia, Armenia, Andorra
GROUP C
Italy, Serbia, Northern Ireland, Slovenia, Estonia, Faroe Islands
GROUP D
France, Romania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Belarus, Albania, Luxembourg
GROUP E
Netherlands, Sweden, Finland, Hungary, Moldova, San Marino
GROUP F
Croatia, Greece, Israel, Latvia, Georgia, Malta
GROUP G
England, Switzerland, Bulgaria, Wales, Montenegro
GROUP H
Portugal, Denmark, Norway, Cyprus, Iceland
GROUP I
Spain, Czech Republic, Scotland, Lithuania, Liechtenstein
Matchdays available for fixtures
Note: Fixtures for all groups yet to be announced
2010
3-4 September, 7 September, 8-9 October, 12 October
2011
25-26 March, 29 March, 3-4 June, 7 June, 2-3 September, 6 September, 7-8 October, 11 October
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