It was another disappointing night for Arsenal fans as they failed to hold on to their 2 – 1 lead from the first leg and were knocked out of the Champions League by Barcelona in the Nou Camp.
The match started in predictable fashion, with the hosts dominating possession. Arsenal came out very defensively and for much of the first half seemed like they might be able to frustrate the Spaniards, only for Andres Iniesta and Lionel Messi to combine just before the break, the latter finishing superbly to score the opener.
Arsenal began the second half in ideal fashion, when Barcelona defender Sergio Busquets headed into his own goal to give them the lead on aggregate. The main talking point followed shortly after though, as Gunners striker Robin Van Persie was given a second yellow card in extremely harsh fashion when he shot after being ruled offside.
A man down, Arsenal were unable to keep their opponents at bay. Iniesta was at work again to set up Xavi for their second, and then Lionel Messi converted a penalty which put them out of reach and through to the quarter-finals with a 3 – 1 victory.
They undoubtedly deserved their win, having shown far more quality and technique, but the referee’s performance will leave Arsenal feeling unfortunate.
http://thenewsportal.net/?p=779089
Wednesday, 9 March 2011
Sunday, 6 March 2011
Liverpool hammer rivals United
Two of the greatest rivals in English football met at Anfield on Sunday afternoon as Liverpool hosted Manchester United in the Premier League. The home side, under manager Kenny Dalglish, were confident of hindering the visitors’ championship bid, following an improvement in recent form.
United were missing central defence pair Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic, and Liverpool looked to exploit that with some attacking play.
Their approach paid off after thirty-four minutes, when Luis Suarez set-up Dirk Kuyt to give them the lead. Kuyt then doubled it a few minutes later after a disastrous header back by Nani.
Liverpool’s dominance continued for the rest of the match, and Kuyt completed his first hat-trick for the club when he finished after Van der Sar fumbled a free-kick. Javier Hernandez grabbed a late consolation to make the final score 3 – 1.
The result leaves United top, three points clear of Arsenal having played one match more. Meanwhile, Liverpool have fresh hope of catching the top four, thanks to their memorable win.
http://thenewsportal.net/?p=685778
United were missing central defence pair Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic, and Liverpool looked to exploit that with some attacking play.
Their approach paid off after thirty-four minutes, when Luis Suarez set-up Dirk Kuyt to give them the lead. Kuyt then doubled it a few minutes later after a disastrous header back by Nani.
Liverpool’s dominance continued for the rest of the match, and Kuyt completed his first hat-trick for the club when he finished after Van der Sar fumbled a free-kick. Javier Hernandez grabbed a late consolation to make the final score 3 – 1.
The result leaves United top, three points clear of Arsenal having played one match more. Meanwhile, Liverpool have fresh hope of catching the top four, thanks to their memorable win.
http://thenewsportal.net/?p=685778
Suspended Toure’s City pass latest test
Man City hosted Wigan in the evening kick-off in the Premier League on Saturday. The team had been hit with the suspension of their captain, Kolo Toure, as he tested positive after a doping test. Apparently the Ivorian accidentally took the discovered substance as a result of using his wife’s slimming pills.
His side did not start well, with the visitors enjoying the better of the play for most of the first half. However, when David Silva shot before the break, the opposing ‘keeper was unable to complete a simple save, allowing the ball to go through him a trickle over the line.
That gave City the advantage, but they were unable to take hold of the game in the second period. Despite their wealth of talent and expensive players, there was a lack of quality which allowed Wigan to stay in the game. However, neither side could find another breakthrough before the final whistle, so City took the three points, 1 – 0.
The afternoon matches resulted in important wins for West Brom, West Ham and Fulham, but Arsenal could only draw as they look to catch Manchester United in the race for the title.
http://thenewsportal.net/?p=808980
His side did not start well, with the visitors enjoying the better of the play for most of the first half. However, when David Silva shot before the break, the opposing ‘keeper was unable to complete a simple save, allowing the ball to go through him a trickle over the line.
That gave City the advantage, but they were unable to take hold of the game in the second period. Despite their wealth of talent and expensive players, there was a lack of quality which allowed Wigan to stay in the game. However, neither side could find another breakthrough before the final whistle, so City took the three points, 1 – 0.
The afternoon matches resulted in important wins for West Brom, West Ham and Fulham, but Arsenal could only draw as they look to catch Manchester United in the race for the title.
http://thenewsportal.net/?p=808980
Deaths reported in battle for Zawiya
A battle for key Libyan city, Zawiya, about fifty Kilometres from Tripoli, has resulted in more deaths and injuries in the current revolution, according to reports on Saturday. Sources suggested that up to fifty people may have died, with hundreds injured.
The fighting intensified after forces under the country’s besieged leader, Muammar Gadaffi, tried to retake the city from rebels in the afternoon. They seem to have a stronghold in the capital.
The details remain very unclear as the struggle for power continues unchecked in many different locations spread across Libya. Both sides are desperate to gain an advantage, but the current situation is as confused and unstable as ever, with most Libyans simply hoping for an end to the violence.
http://thenewsportal.net/?p=800677
The fighting intensified after forces under the country’s besieged leader, Muammar Gadaffi, tried to retake the city from rebels in the afternoon. They seem to have a stronghold in the capital.
The details remain very unclear as the struggle for power continues unchecked in many different locations spread across Libya. Both sides are desperate to gain an advantage, but the current situation is as confused and unstable as ever, with most Libyans simply hoping for an end to the violence.
http://thenewsportal.net/?p=800677
Wednesday, 2 March 2011
American intervention in Libya looms
The Libyan crisis was on the break of boiling over on Wednesday as America sent two warships towards the North African country in order to prepare for any necessary action. This comes after further reported bombings were carried out by Colonel Gaddafi on cities held by rebels. He has said that any attempt by the US to enter the country will be met by “a lot of bloodshed”, and also blamed foreign media for creating false stories about the situation.
Anyone found to have had dealings with the country in the past is now coming under heavy criticism. This includes Tony Blair, the London School of Economics, and singer Nelly Furtado.
With Libya approaching a state of civil war, many nations are threatening sanctions and action against Gaddafi, but it is still unclear how the conflict can be resolved. The feuding and tension looks set to continue.
http://thenewsportal.net/?p=788433
Anyone found to have had dealings with the country in the past is now coming under heavy criticism. This includes Tony Blair, the London School of Economics, and singer Nelly Furtado.
With Libya approaching a state of civil war, many nations are threatening sanctions and action against Gaddafi, but it is still unclear how the conflict can be resolved. The feuding and tension looks set to continue.
http://thenewsportal.net/?p=788433
Tuesday, 1 March 2011
Chelsea hit the right target
A huge fixture in the English Premier League on Tuesday night saw leaders Manchester United travel to visit champions Chelsea. Wayne Rooney was available after (somehow) escaping punishment for a clear elbow on an opposition player at the weekend. On a similar note, Chelsea were able to select Ashley Cole, despite him having recently shot a work experience student with an air rifle.
The match started quite sporadically, with a lack of quality in the first half hour. That changed when Wayne Rooney picked the ball up and fired low into the near corner from outside the box to give the visitors the lead at half-time.
Chelsea’s reply came after the break, when new signing David Luiz hit a composed volley to equalise. The hosts then were awarded a penalty near the end as Chris Smalling was adjudged to have tripped Yuri Zhirkov in the box, and Frank Lampard converted emphatically to give the Blues a 2 – 1 victory.
The three points might give Chelsea some hope of clawing themselves back into the title race while United stay top, four points ahead of Arsenal having played a game more. Worse for the Red Devils was the sending off of Nemanja Vidic in injury-time, which means he will not be able to play in the next important game - against Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday.
http://thenewsportal.net/?p=801368
The match started quite sporadically, with a lack of quality in the first half hour. That changed when Wayne Rooney picked the ball up and fired low into the near corner from outside the box to give the visitors the lead at half-time.
Chelsea’s reply came after the break, when new signing David Luiz hit a composed volley to equalise. The hosts then were awarded a penalty near the end as Chris Smalling was adjudged to have tripped Yuri Zhirkov in the box, and Frank Lampard converted emphatically to give the Blues a 2 – 1 victory.
The three points might give Chelsea some hope of clawing themselves back into the title race while United stay top, four points ahead of Arsenal having played a game more. Worse for the Red Devils was the sending off of Nemanja Vidic in injury-time, which means he will not be able to play in the next important game - against Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday.
http://thenewsportal.net/?p=801368
Libyan border becomes critical
The situation in conflict-ridden Libya was growing even more troubling throughout Tuesday as approximately 140,000 people gathered near the border to try to find a way into neighbouring Egypt.
The number is mostly made up of foreigners seeking to escape the unrest. Some have already been evacuated using specially chartered flights, but many still remain.
The man in the centre of it all is the country’s leader, Colonel Muammar Gaddafi, who has been in charge for 41 years. He still claims all the people love him, despite the clear evidence of protests and fights for democracy.
America is rumoured to be preparing to take whatever action is necessary to resolve the situation, and those currently looking for a way across the border will hope that a resolution is reached as quickly as possible.
http://thenewsportal.net/?p=804419
The number is mostly made up of foreigners seeking to escape the unrest. Some have already been evacuated using specially chartered flights, but many still remain.
The man in the centre of it all is the country’s leader, Colonel Muammar Gaddafi, who has been in charge for 41 years. He still claims all the people love him, despite the clear evidence of protests and fights for democracy.
America is rumoured to be preparing to take whatever action is necessary to resolve the situation, and those currently looking for a way across the border will hope that a resolution is reached as quickly as possible.
http://thenewsportal.net/?p=804419
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