All Sport Club

Scolari gives instructions on Sunday.
SCOLARI DEMANDS APOLOGY FROM REF

Chelsea manager Luiz Felipe Scolari called for referee Mike Dean and his assistant to make an apology for allowing Robin van Persie’s offside goal which turned Sunday’s Premier League clash against Arsenal at Stamford Bridge.

An own goal from Johan Djourou had given the home side a first-half lead, before the Gunners fought back.

Van Persie was clearly in an offside position as he collected a pass from Denilson on the edge of the penalty area, before smashing the ball past Petr Cech.

There was, though, nothing controversial about what proved to be the winning goal, when the Dutchman spun in the box to drill a low shot into the far corner.

However, the fact his team were “killed” by such a crucial decision did not sit well with the Brazilian coach.

He said: “Have you ever heard me speak about referees any time in the games I have been here? Never, in 15 in the Premier League, four in the Champions League, the Carling Cup, I have not said anything, but today is different.

“I do not want the referee to make something different - I want only after tomorrow that he looks at the television, that the referee and the linesman see they are wrong, and they say ’sorry’.

“That is all I want, no more, because they were not good and made a mistake, which I understand.

“I do not want three points, all I want is them to say sorry it was a mistake, because in the first half, the same linesman made a mistake against us with [Salomon] Kalou.

“He is human and he can make a mistake, but the offside has killed my team. I just want them to say they are wrong, because I am wrong when I put some players in, or the players are wrong when they make a mistake in front of goal or are not covering.

“These are all wrong, but the referee is never wrong.

“I do not think they came here to deliberately make a mistake against us.

“It is difficult to play for my team after this, because they lost their concentration. The offside killed my team.

“We lost today because one goal was not a goal, and it was a goal which changed the result.

“If we won, Arsenal would have been 13 points behind us and their championship would have been finished.”

While Scolari’s men remain top on goal difference from Liverpool on Sunday night, the Merseysiders will replace Chelsea if they get at least a point from their clash with West Ham at Anfield on Monday.

“We have now lost three points and in the last five games we have not played well, but that is my mistake and the players’ mistake,” said the Chelsea boss.

“The players are very angry about the first goal, but the players understand they have not played well.

“Now, I need to say, okay, this game is finished and I have a week to work with the players and try to make it better than before to get started again, to get in a good position.”

Scolari added: “Now when we play away against our title rivals, we need to win.

“The gap will sometimes be six points, sometimes three and in the last two or three games of the season, that will decide who is the champion.”

Histon celebrate.
HISTON PULL OFF LEEDS CUP SHOCK

Blue Square Premier promotion chasers Histon won the biggest match in their history with a 1-0 victory over Leeds putting them into the draw for the FA Cup third round.

Matthew Langston scored the only goal of the game in the 39th minute at a wet and wild Glassworld Stadium when he headed in Gareth Gwillim’s cross.

Histon dominated the first half and could have gone into the break further ahead, but they had to withstand a barrage of pressure in the second half.

Lubomir Michalik twice came within a whisker of equalising for Leeds, first seeing his shot cannon back off a post then a fierce drive headed off the line by Jack Midson late on.

In Sunday’s other tie, Notts County will face Kettering, with the winners to face Saturday’s giantkillers Eastwood Town.

Brett Solkhon gave the non-league outfit the lead after 18 minutes but Sean Canham equalised 11 minutes before half-time.

Keane - under pressure.
KEANE FRANK ABOUT BLACK CATS WOES

Sunderland boss Roy Keane insists he is not yet interested in discussing a new contract and has “no excuses” for his side’s sorry slide into the Premier League relegation zone.

Keane stressed he could neither offer nor receive any assurances about his future after Saturday’s dismal 4-1 home defeat by Bolton, and painted a bleak picture of the remainder of the season for the Black Cats.

Keane, whose current deal expires at the end of the season, said: “I don’t think it’s a case of discussing a new contract or what (chairman) Niall (Quinn) or the owners feel. Whatever they’re feeling, we’re feeling the same.

“It’s a disappointment. We always said the table would take shape after eight, nine or 10 games and we are where we are and we all know that it’s not good enough.”

Keane will spend Sunday morning pondering the future, just like he claims to do on a daily basis, and he may come to a grim conclusion after watching his side press the self-destruct button once again at the Stadium of Light.

Djibril Cisse opened the scoring for the home side but calamitous defensive errors cost them dear as Matt Taylor and Gary Cahill turned the match in Bolton’s favour and Johan Elmander’s brace added to the misery.

Sunderland have spent 80million on players under Keane’s tenure and currently have a whole team out on loan, and the Irishman accepts he has no right to go begging to the board for more resources.

“We can’t bring anybody in until January and there won’t be anything major,” he said. “We’ve still got the option of a loan player but I’ve brought enough players in.

“I could easily sit here and say I haven’t had the chance but I’ve brought in lots and lots of players. As a manager, I have absolutely no excuses.

“As a manager, you’ve got to look at where you can improve and what you’ve got to sort out. You’ve got to look for characters in your dressing room and at your performance and where you can do better.”

Things had looked decidedly brighter when Cisse clinically finished off a fine 11th-minute move involving Kieran Richardson and Steed Malbranque to give his side an encouraging start.

But Taylor’s looping header over the returning Craig Gordon and Cahill’s low shot through a crowded box gave the visitors - already buoyant from last week’s win at Middlesbrough - the lead within eight minutes.

Cisse had a potential equaliser ruled out after referee Chris Foy decided fellow striker Kenwyne Jones had fouled in the box, before Sunderland’s series of howlers gifted the impressive Trotters the points.

Shortly after missing from a tight angle having rounding a stranded Gordon, Elmander made amends when Danny Collins missed a clearance on the right, racing through to strike home a clean left-footed effort.

And early in the second half, Elmander repeated the feat when Kevin Davies pounced on hesitation by Dean Whitehead to send the Swede through to finish in similar style.

In stark contrast to Sunderland’s woes, Bolton’s third consecutive win sent them soaring up to seventh place and delighted boss Gary Megson, who is slowly beginning to win over his side’s supporters.

Megson said: “To come away and score four goals is a great testament to the quality of the players. Even when results weren’t going for us, we were playing well and now we are scoring goals, people are recognising we do play some decent stuff.”

But Megson revealed his side’s good form could be hit by an injury to Taylor, one of the stars of his club’s recent revival, who was forced to come off at half-time due to injury.

Megson said: “It’s not a huge problem but he had a bit of a thigh complaint. We are hoping that Matty will be okay because that is four goals in 10 games for him now.”

Histon celebrate their goal against Leeds.
STUTES HANDED SWANSEA CLASH

Histon’s stunning victory over Leeds did not bring them the FA Cup third-round rewards they were hoping for.

The Stutes, chasing promotion from the Blue Square Premier, were 1-0 winners over Coca-Cola League One giants United in the second round but were visibly disappointed to be handed a home tie with Swansea as they watched the live draw.

Fellow non-leaguers Blyth Spartans will host Barclays Premier League side Blackburn if they win their replay against Bournemouth.

FA Cup holders Portsmouth were drawn at home to Bristol City while Liverpool will travel to Preston, Manchester United face a trip to Southampton, Chelsea host Southend and Arsenal entertain Plymouth.

Histon’s victory at a wet and wild Glassworld Stadium came courtesy of Matthew Langston, who headed in Gareth Gwillim’s cross in the 39th minute.

Histon dominated the first half and could have gone into the break further ahead, but they had to withstand a barrage of pressure in the second half.

Lubomir Michalik twice came within a whisker of equalising for Leeds, first seeing his shot cannon back off a post then a fierce drive headed off the line by Jack Midson late on.

Manager Steve Fallon looked on the draw as a chance to get to the fourth round.

“It’s a good draw for us,” he told ITV1. “Obviously, we wanted to be at home; that’s all you want. You could have the big boys but Swansea are a big side in their own right.

“It’s a good little tie for us and I’m sure we’ll have a full house again and maybe a chance of getting to the fourth round.”

Among the other stand-out ties in the third round, Coca-Cola Championship pace-setters Birmingham and Wolves will face each other at St Andrews.

The local rivals were involved in a pulsating 1-1 draw at Molineux on Saturday.

Blue Square Premier team Barrow were rewarded for their 2-1 victory over Brentford on Friday with a trip to Middlesbrough while there could be an all non-league tie with Notts County or Kettering hosting Eastwood Town.

Northern Premier League side Eastwood caused the shock of the day on Saturday with a 2-0 win over League Two leaders Wycombe while County and Kettering drew 1-1 24 hours later.

Brett Solkhon gave the non-league outfit the lead after 18 minutes but Sean Canham equalised 11 minutes before half-time.

Droylsden will travel to Ipswich if they win their tie against Chesterfield, which was abandoned because of fog with the Blue Square North side 1-0 up.

Three more Blue Square Premier sides are also in the third round with Kidderminster drawn away at Coventry, Torquay hosting Blackpool and Forest Green Rovers visiting Derby.

League Two Macclesfield were handed a glamour tie at home to Everton while last year’s beaten finalists, Cardiff, host Reading.

Barnsley, who beat Liverpool and Chelsea last year, will have another chance to upset Premier League opposition when they travel to West Ham.

There are three all top-flight ties with Hull hosting Newcastle, Wigan travelling to Tottenham and Bolton visiting Sunderland, where they triumphed 4-1 in the league on Saturday.

Eastwood manager Paul Cox is a former Notts County player and was thrilled with the draw.

He told Sky Sports News: “It’s a dream tie for me, it’s just fabulous, living in Nottingham. I’m keeping my fingers crossed now they actually beat Kettering.

“I think it’s a winnable tie and it’s a tie we’ll be relishing.”

Wales - backed to shine again.
AUSSIES BACK WALES

Wales have received a ringing endorsement of their 2009 RBS 6 Nations title credentials - from Australia coach Robbie Deans.

New Zealander Deans voiced his admiration for the reigning Six Nations champions after they toppled the Wallabies 21-18.

And he backed Wales to once again shine in European rugby’s showpiece tournament following a November tour when Australia beat England, France and Italy.

Deans fielded 13 of the side that recorded Australia’s biggest victory over England at Twickenham since 1984, while 10 were involved in Paris, yet Wales proved a test too far.

“We feel Wales are better equipped going into the Six Nations than the other sides we’ve played,” said Deans.

“You don’t pick up a Six Nations title easily. Since the (2008) Six Nations, their conditioning has improved and their collective understanding has improved.

“It was a very good performance and pretty much what we expected. It was everything that we anticipated. They are playing good rugby, playing with ambition.

“They are looking to play on the tackle line and to use their width.

“Defensively, they really push the boundaries and make your life difficult, and that’s been evident throughout the year.

“They have good running lines and work hard at playing a better game of rugby.

“Evidently, in the last three weeks, they have challenged the southern hemisphere nations and I’m sure (head coach) Warren Gatland wants them to continue to do that up to the 2011 World Cup.

“Wales will obviously take a lot of belief out of being the only side to have tipped over a southern hemisphere team (in November). It all adds to what they’ve got.”

A Wallabies win would have completed their first unbeaten European Test trip for 12 years, and they were only narrowly denied after matching Wales 2-2 on tries through touchdowns from lock Mark Chisholm and wing Digby Ioane.

Had dazed skipper Stirling Mortlock not been forced off inside three minutes, then it might easily have proved a different story.

And Deans delivered an upbeat verdict following a memorable Millennium Stadium occasion as his squad now head to Wembley for Wednesday’s London Olympic Centenary Match against the Barbarians.

He added: “The whole experience of this tour has been fantastic for us.

“It was just a privilege to play rugby at the Millennium Stadium - it is a credit to the nation,” he insisted.

“We have played at some great arenas this year, but while we came up short on this occasion, the blokes will be better for the experience.”

Flanker Phil Waugh, who took over as captain after Mortlock went off, insisted the skipper’s absence did not unduly affect the Wallabies’ performance.

Waugh said: “I thought the guys were pretty composed, considering.

“Obviously, Stirling has been a big part of the team for a number of years, and he had played every minute of this tour.

“Considering that loss, I thought we did pretty well.”

Screen Hero wins the Japan Cup.
MOON NINTH BEHIND CUP HERO

Britain’s three challengers made no impact as Screen Hero caused a 40-1 upset in the Japan Cup.

Purple Moon did best of the trio in ninth place while Sixties Icon was 13th and Papal Bull 14th behind the Yuichi Shikato-trained winner.

Ridden by Italian Mirco Demuro, Screen Hero held Japanese Derby winner Deep Sky by half-a-length with Vodka three-quarters of a length away third.

“I always believed in my horse and he won his last race very well,” Demuro told At The Races.

Demuro had only received a 30-day license to ride in Japan a day earlier.

Inglis Drever - career in the balance.
DREVER HEADING HOME

A decision on the future of Inglis Drever is not expected for at least a month following the hock injury he sustained at Newbury on Saturday.

The triple World Hurdle hero was pulled up by Denis O’Regan in his bid to win the Long Distance Hurdle for a fourth time.

He was taken to Donnington Grove Veterinary Surgery near the Berkshire track where he spent the night, but the gelding was expected back at Howard Johnson’s stables in County Durham later today.

“It’s a bit better news than we expected. He’s on his way home,” said owner Graham Wylie.

“He pulled a tendon off his hock only partially and even put some weight on it last night.

“He’s been strapped up and he’s on his way back. I think Howard will get the vets in when the horse gets home tonight and have a good look at him.

“It’s far too early to say about the future. The horse is fine and the injury was not life-threatening. I think it will take a month or so before we need to decide what to do, but it’s better than we thought.”

Sweden celebrate their victory.
SWEDES CLINCH WORLD CUP CROWN

Robert Karlsson and Henrik Stenson combined to produce a scintillating performance in the final-round foursomes to capture the Omega Mission Hills World Cup for Sweden.

Although they did not lead in any of the previous rounds, Sweden gradually improved upon each performance before saving their best for last to card a superb nine-under-par 63 and comfortably secure a second-ever World Cup title for Sweden by three strokes.

The last time Sweden prevailed at the tournament was when Per-Ulrik Johansson and Anders Forsbrand won the trophy in 1991.

Spain, who had started the day tied for the lead alongside Australia, were unable to match their stunning nine-under 63 in second-round foursomes as Miguel Angel Jimenez and Pablo Larrazabal returned to the clubhouse at two-under 70 to finish in second place at 24 under overall.

Richard Green and Brendan Jones of Australia finished in a share of third place alongside Japan after a disappointing four-over-par 76 today for 18 under overall.

“”I was starting to run out of tournaments, so it was nice to win this one. It has been a while,” said Ryder Cup player Stenson, who despite enjoying a great season in 2008 had failed to secure any victories.

Sweden, featuring the tournament’s highest-ranked players in Karlsson and Stenson, were four shots off the pace at the start of the final round today but quickly made their move up the leaderboard with five birdies in a flawless run on the front nine that saw them climb alongside Spain into a share of the lead at the turn.

They then added two in succession from the 11th before moving three clear when Stenson chipped in from the back of the green for a birdie at the 14th.

Sweden added one more on the 555-yard par-five 15th - the Olazabal course’s signature hole - and then made par on the remaining holes to return to the clubhouse at 27 under overall.

They were left to wait for Spain to complete their round as Jimenez and Larrazabal approached the last needing to card an eagle to force a play-off.

However, Larrazabal sent his tee shot into a bunker and although Jimenez recovered well, Spain could only putt for a bogey and confirm a World Cup victory for Sweden.

England’s Ian Poulter and Ross Fisher finished strongly as a five-under-par 67 today meant they finished in sixth place.

However, the resurgence came too late after disappointing scores in the first two rounds all but ended their chances of a World Cup victory.

“We should have had a chance to win this golf tournament. That’s what we come here for,” said a disappointed Poulter.

“It didn’t happen on Thursday and Friday and that’s just such a shame to be so far out of the picture.”

Paul McGinley and Graeme McDowell endured their worst round of the tournament for Ireland, carding a five-over 77 to drop to 16th while Scotland’s Colin Montgomerie and Alastair Forsyth signed for a 72 today to finish seven under par overall, tied for 19th place.

Eastwood celebrate ousting Wycombe.
EASTWOOD DUMP WYCOMBE OUT

Eastwood pulled off the surprise of the day as they beat League Two high-flyers Wycombe 2-0 in their FA Cup second-round tie at Coronation Park.

A superb curling effort from Lindon Meikle gave the Northern Premier League minnows the lead in the 34th minute after some good work by Anton Foster down the right flank.

Wycombe, who boast an impressive unbeaten league record, piled on the pressure in search of an equaliser but they struggled to beat Shane Redmond who had an excellent match in the Eastwood goal.

The underdogs then put their name into the hat for the third-round draw when Peter Knox finished a superb counter-attacking move in the 89th minute.

Non-league side Forest Green booked their passage into the third round with a 2-0 win over League Two side Rochdale at the New Lawn Stadium.

The Blue Square Premier side took the lead after 27 minutes when Jonathan Smith struck to the delight of the home fans.

Josh Low then doubled the lead 11 minutes into the second period when he scored from just inside the area after a break from a Rochdale corner.

Alfreton’s run came to a shuddering halt as they crashed to a 4-0 defeat against Scunthorpe.

Ben May put the Iron in front on the half-hour and Alfreton’s job was made more difficult when Paul Clayton saw red just three minutes after the break.

It was one-way traffic thereafter with goals from Gary Hooper (62 & 83) and Sam Togwell ensuring the League One side eased through.

A Matt Fryatt hat-trick helped Leicester to a 3-2 win over Dagenham and Redbridge at the Walkers Stadium.

Matt Richie’s fourth goal of the season gave the visitors a shock lead before Fryatt shot into the roof of the net to equalise two minutes later.

Ben Strevens’ low drive put the League Two side back ahead before Fryatt converted a 30th-minute spot-kick to level before scoring the winner on 55 minutes.

Hartlepool survived a second-half scare to see off Blue Square North side Fleetwood 3-2 at the Highbury Stadium.

The home side went ahead with an Andy Bell strike after 14 minutes before Michael Mackay turned home a Jamie McCunnie cross to equalise.

The League One side then raced into a two-goal lead thanks to Mackay’s second and Joel Porter’s 12th strike of the season.

Adam Marlow pulled one back for Fleetwood after 66 minutes but, despite more pressure, they could not find an equaliser.

Bournemouth and Blyth Spartans must do it all over again after drawing 0-0.

Droylsden were leading 1-0 at Chesterfield thanks to a Carl Lamb goal before referee Steven Cook abandoned the match due to fog.

Morecambe’s match with Cheltenham at Christie Park also fell victim to the fog.

Barry Hayles levelled for Cheltenham after Rene Howe’s penalty had put Morecambe ahead before the game was called off.

A second-half header from Danny Granville gave Leyton Orient a 2-1 win over Bradford at Valley Parade.

Michael Boulding had equalised Jason Demetriou’s opener before Granville headed home Dean Morgan’s corner to win the match.

Loanee Junior Stanislas scored either side of the break as Southend beat Luton 3-1 at Roots Hall.

James Walker also bagged for the hosts while Luton’s consolation came from Michael Spillane.

Stefan Moore and Mark Creighton were on target for Kidderminster as they beat UniBond League side Curzon Ashton at the Aggborough Stadium.

A Gary Alexander double and helped Millwall to a 3-0 win over League Two side Aldershot at the New Den.

The midfielder scored either side of half-time before Ashley Grimes rounded off the win with two minutes to spare.

A double strike from Elliot Benyon helped Torquay see off Oxford in the all-Blue Square Premier affair at Plainmoor.

Neither Peterborough nor Tranmere could break the deadlock at London Road while Gillingham and Stockport will also have to replay their goalless draw at Priestfield Stadium.

Goals from Graham Kavanagh and Danny Graham gave Carlisle a 2-0 win over Grays Athletic in their first-round replay at the New Recreation Ground.

Roberts - could be fit to face Scotland.
ROBERTS ON COURSE FOR SCOTLAND

The Wales medical team have revealed Jamie Roberts could be fit for the opening RBS 6 Nations clash against England at the Millennium Stadium on February 14 despite a freak skull fracture.

A clash of heads with Stirling Mortlock at the start of Wales’s 21-18 win over the Wallabies on Saturday saw the Australia captain leave the field.

But Roberts played on for some 15 minutes with the fracture, an injury which Welsh team doctor, professor John Williams, admitted he had not seen before.

Williams said 22-year-old Roberts - a medical student himself - would be out of action until the middle of January, three weeks before the Welsh begin their defence of the championship.

“I’ve never seen anything like this and I was talking to some of my colleagues and they have never seen anything like this,” said Williams.

“It was a collision of heads at a certain angle with a certain momentum causing a crack.

“Second week of January he could be back in contact which is three weeks before the Six Nations. We will just watch over the next two or three weeks while this heals.”

Williams added: “He was admitted last night with a fracture to his skull. He is comfortable, pain-free. He will be out of training for six weeks to give it a chance to heal and then back in the New Year.

“It is a fracture extending back from above the nose along the roof of the eye towards the central structures in the base of the skull.

“It is a clean fracture which should heal very easily. It’s an undisplaced fracture so it means that it is a crack which hasn’t moved so it hasn’t caused any internal damage to the brain.

“After the contact Stirling Mortlock looked like he had come off worse. Jamie was conscious throughout and there were no signs of anything, no suggestion of a fracture or any problem with his nose or eyes. The contact was with his forehead.

“And then the headache gradually came on as he was playing about five minutes after and we pulled him off as the headache got worse.

“He is a pretty tough guy.

“He texted the team (from the hospital) and the team thanked him for taking Stirling Mortlock out of the game!”