Manchester City 0:1 Wigan
Wigan produced one of the biggest shocks in FA Cup history as they earned a 1-0 final win over Manchester City on Saturday.
City toiled for much of the game against a Wigan side willing to show plenty of endeavour and, after Pablo Zabaleta was sent off for a second bookable offence, Roberto Martinez's side capitalised as Ben Watson headed home a late, late corner to win it.
The headline team news for Manchester City came in the shape of Roberto Mancini's decision to pick Joe Hart in goal over Costel Pantilimon.
The Romanian had featured in every round prior to the final, conceding just one goal, but
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Category: News
Views: 824
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Date: 11.05.2013 - 23:19
Juventus 1:1 Cagliari
Newly-crowned Serie A champions Juventus came from behind to claim a 1-1 draw at home to Cagliari on Saturday.
The hosts fell behind thanks to Victor Ibarbo's brilliant solo effort, before Mirko Vucinic came off the bench in the second-half to snatch a point.
Juventus made five changes to the side that won at Atalanta last week, with Andrea Barzagli, Leonardo Bonucci, Claudio Marchisio, Arturo Vidal and Sebastian Giovinco all given starts.
Cagliari made three alterations to the side that lost 1-0 at home to Parma last week, in an attempt to turnaround a run of form that had seen them record four games without a win.
Juventus were keen to get the title celebrations off to a g
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Date: 11.05.2013 - 23:17
Wolfsburg 3:3 Borussia Dortmund
Borussia Dortmund fought back to earn a 3-3 draw at Wolfsburg on Saturday and confirm a second-place finish in the Bundesliga.
Two late strikes from Marco Reus rescued a point for the visitors, after they went 3-1 behind when a brace from former Dortmund player Ivan Peresic and a cool finish from Naldo cancelled out Sven Bender's opener.
The home team made only one change to the side that drew 1-1 away to Hamburg, with Maximilian Arnold making way for Perisic.
Juergen Klopp made four changes to the side that drew with rivals Bayern Munich last week, with Lukasz Piszckek, Mats Hummels, Sven Bender and Reus all handed places in the starting line-up.
Category: News
Views: 646
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Date: 11.05.2013 - 23:15
Bayern Munich 3:0 Augsburg
Bayern Munich enjoyed a comfortable 3-0 win over Augsburg in the champions' last home game of the Bundesliga season.
There was a carnival atmosphere at the Allianz Arena for the last home fixture of coach Jupp Heynckes' reign and there was a danger that relegation-threatened Augsburg may spring a surprise and spoil the party.
However, three second-half goals put paid to that despite the visitors having good spells of pressure throughout the first period.
Diego Contento dropped to the bench for the home side along with Luiz Gustavo and Anatoliy Tymoschuk, while Jerome Boateng and Rafinha were left out of the squad completely.
Category: News
Views: 660
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Date: 11.05.2013 - 23:13
Premier League: Aston Villa 1:2 Chelsea
Frank Lampard scored twice to become Chelsea's all-time leading goalscorer in the 2-1 win at Aston Villa.
The 34-year-old midfielder broke Bobby Tambling's long-standing record haul of 202 goals with a second-half double that practically assures Rafael Benitez's side a place in next season's UEFA Champions League and leaves Villa looking nervously over their shoulders at the bottom three.
The hosts took an early lead through Christian Benteke before Lampard levelled after 61 minutes, while Ramires and Benteke were dismissed either side of half-time.
Villa looked set to hold on for a valuable draw but Lampard struck late to write his name in the history books and cli
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Date: 11.05.2013 - 19:17
FA Cup: Manchester City Vs Wigan Athletic - Betting Tip
The England FA Cup football match between Manchester City and Wigan Athletic kicks off on 11 May 2013.
Manchester City has played 18 English Premier League matches this season on City of Manchester Stadium. On home ground Manchester City has won 14, drawn 3 and lost 1 matches. This ranks the Citizens 1st in home team performance in the English Premier League.
Wigan Athletic has played 18 English Premier League matches this season away from home. On away ground Wigan Athletic has won 5, drawn 3 and lost 10 matches. This ranks the Latics 11th in away team performance in the English Premier League.
Category: Betting Tips
Views: 1701
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Date: 11.05.2013 - 12:49
Mourinho emotional at Ferguson retirement
Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho says he was devastated to hear the news that Sir Alex Ferguson was retiring as Manchester United manager.
The former Porto, Chelsea and Inter boss revealed the United legend and called him personally to inform him of the decision, and also said he had told Ferguson where his next managerial job would be.
Mourinho said he was saddened to hear the Scot's 26-year reign at Old Trafford was coming to an end and admitted fielding a team against the Premier League champions will never feel the same again.
"When Sir Alex called me to give me the honour of knowing from him his decision, I was surprised and sad," he said in an interview with Sky Sports.
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Views: 889
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Date: 11.05.2013 - 09:37
Moyes the perfect fit for United
Former Everton star Tim Cahill has thrown his support behind Manchester United's hiring of his former boss David Moyes.
The New York Red Bulls player was a standout for the Toffees from 2004-2012 under Moyes' guidance, developing a tight bond with the coach, who he said is a perfect candidate to take the reins at Old Trafford.
"I'm so happy for him and his family," Cahill said. "I think for the whole of what he's done in football in general, he deserves it.
"He's done so much in the game, and to be rewarded to have the opportunity at the start of his journey to go to one of the biggest clubs in the world...it's the mark of the stature of a man he is and how much they resp
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Views: 789
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Date: 11.05.2013 - 09:36
Mancini hails Martinez´s strength
Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini has praised Wigan manager Roberto Martinez ahead of their meeting in the FA Cup final.
The two sides meet at Wembley in what will be Wigan's first ever FA Cup final, and Mancini believes the Spaniard is adept enough to handle both the weekend showpiece and Wigan's relegation run-in.
"Martinez is a strong manager and he knows this situation very well," the Italian told reporters. "The final is the final. It's not important what happens in the Premier League.
"Afterward, though, I think they have a good chance to stay in the Premier League as they have two games left."
Category: News
Views: 777
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Date: 11.05.2013 - 09:34
McCarthy hails Adkins influence at Reading
Reading goalkeeper Alex McCarthy believes the appointment of manager Nigel Adkins has given the club a boost.Adkins was brought in to replace Brian McDermott and while he only recorded his first victory last Saturday at Fulham, McCarthy says the former Southampton boss has brought something different to the players and fans.
"You can see by the way we are playing now - the style the new manager has brought in gives the fans more enjoyment from their perspective," McCarthy, whose impressive form has seen him linked with a summer move to Liverpool.
While Reading's relegation was confirmed prior to their 4-2 win at Craven Cottage, McCarthy believes there have already been p
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Date: 11.05.2013 - 02:02
Premier League: Aston Villa Vs Chelsea - Betting Tip
The English Premier League football match between Aston Villa (13th) and Chelsea (4th) kicks off on 11 May 2013.
Aston Villa has played 18 English Premier League matches this season on Villa Park. On home ground Aston Villa has won 5, drawn 5 and lost 8 matches. This ranks the Villans 17th in home team performance in the English Premier League.
Chelsea has played 18 English Premier League matches this season away from home. On away ground Chelsea has won 9, drawn 4 and lost 5 matches. This ranks the Blues 3rd in away team performance in the English Premier League.
When looking at Aston Villa home performance in league points, Aston Vil
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Category: Betting Tips
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Date: 11.05.2013 - 01:50
The Premier League is going to be completely different without Ferguson
Brighton manager Gus Poyet believes English football will be drastically different without the retiring Alex Ferguson.
The Uruguayan has never met Ferguson as a manager but having come across him in his playing days, he knows the impact the Scot has had on the English game during his career with Manchester United.
After finishing fourth in the Championship this season, Brighton are bidding to join United in the Premier League for the first time but first have to successfully negotiate a play-off semi-final against Crystal Palace and a prospective final at Wembley.
Poyet, who has been in charge at Brighton since 2009, is eager to achieve promotion for the club, but admitte
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Views: 850
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Date: 11.05.2013 - 01:27
Players are ready for Sunderland test
Mauricio Pochettino says his Southampton players are mentally prepared for their clash with Sunderland at the Stadium of Light on Sunday.
Southampton can mathematically secure their place in the Premier League next season with a win against Paolo Di Canio's men, who also need a win to stave off relegation fears.
As well as helping Southampton move away from the relegation spots, Pochettino is also keen to try and finish as high up the table as possible and says his side are in good mood ahead of the game.
Speaking about the players' mood following their last gasp 1-0 defeat to Tottenham last week, the Argentine told the club's official website his squad has "reacted well".
Category: News
Views: 786
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Date: 11.05.2013 - 01:16
Alex reveals PSG nerves
Paris Saint -Germain defender Alex has admitted stress is affecting his side as they attempt to secure the Ligue 1 title.
PSG's lead at the top of the division was cut to seven points following their 1-1 draw with Valenciennes, in which centre-back Thiago Silva was sent off after an altercation with referee Alexandre Castro.
Carlo Ancelotti's men face UEFA Champions League-chasers Lyon on Sunday knowing they can secure the league crown with a win, and former Chelsea man Alex is eager for the Parc des Princes outfit to recover from last weekend's setback.
"The last two games have been very stressful for us, but we have the experience to bounce back and forget about it. We want to a
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Views: 777
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Date: 11.05.2013 - 01:13
West Brom block Viagogo tickets for Manchester United game
West Brom have blocked tickets sold via exchange site Viagogo for the game against Manchester United on May 19.The fixture will be the last game of Alex Ferguson's tenure at United and many tickets for the home end at The Hawthorns sold via the site have ended up in the hands of visiting supporters.
Ordinarily, the system is used as a way of allowing fans with season tickets to sell their seat for games when they cannot attend but, such is the attraction of attending Ferguson's last game in charge, West Brom have had to put a ban in place.
Any tickets sold after 08:00 GMT on May 8 will not be honoured and a West Brom spokesperson said the decision had been made with the
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Views: 856
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Date: 11.05.2013 - 01:10
Alba: Barcelona still world´s best
Barcelona full-back Jordi Alba believes they are still the best side in the world despite failing to reach the UEFA Champions League final.The Catalan club were knocked out at the semi-final stage for the second straight year as they were hammered 7-0 on aggregate by German champions Bayern Munich.
However, although Alba accepts Bayern were the better team over the two legs, he insists Tito Vilanova's men are still the benchmark for sides looking to join the world's elite.
"The facts are there. In the last few years Barcelona have been the best in the world, and in my opinion we still are," the Spain international continued. "I respect the opinion
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Views: 680
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Date: 11.05.2013 - 01:08
Pulis calls for focus ahead of Tottenham clash
Stoke City boss Tony Pulis wants his players to fully focus on the job at hand when they face Tottenham at the Britannia Stadium on Sunday.
The club is to celebrate its 150th anniversary at the weekend and will put on a host of events to mark the occasion.
Appearances from the likes of Geoff Hurst and Gordon Banks are scheduled and while Pulis wants it to be an enjoyable day for the fans, he is keen to ensure his squad are prepared for the game.
Stoke sit in 11th place, within touching distance of a top half finish, and Pulis says he wants his side to go all out for three points against Andre Villas-Boas' men.
Category: News
Views: 657
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Date: 11.05.2013 - 00:59
Conte aiming to clinch points record
Juventus manager Antonio Conte is eager for his side to maintain consistency in order to secure the all-time Serie A points record.Conte's men wrapped up their second consecutive league title with a 1-0 win over Palermo last weekend, and following their triumph at Atalanta on Wednesday, they are now on the cusp of bettering the mark of 91 points set during the Turin outfit's 2005 title-winning campaign.
Fabio Capello's side were eventually stripped of their crown after being convicted of wrongdoing in the Calciopoli match-fixing scandal.
However Conte, whose team face Cagliari on Saturday, is still eager for his troops to keep pushing and set the standard in what has been an ex
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Views: 657
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Date: 11.05.2013 - 00:56
Heynckes plays down praise
Jupp Heynckes feels he does not merit acclaim for his achievements this term despite leading Bayern Munich to domestic and European success. Bayern have already clinched the Bundesliga title going into their derby clash with struggling Augsburg on Saturday and face Borussia Dortmund in the UEFA Champions League final on May 25.
Heynckes is set to be replaced by former Barcelona manager Pep Guardiola in the off-season, but has still received praise from Bayern chief-executive Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, who labelled the 68-year-old as their very own 'special one'.
However, Heynckes does not believe he has earned such plaudits and was keen to stress his view that there are oth
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Views: 551
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Date: 11.05.2013 - 00:54
Points all that matter for Hughton
Norwich manager Chris Hughton has dismissed the suggestion there has been "turmoil" at the club this season.
His side are just three points clear of the relegation zone with two games left to play in the Premier League, but victory against West Brom on Sunday would all but secure safety for another season.
The club cancelled their end-of-season awards dinner scheduled for last Monday in order to fully focus on the task of securing survival.
"Turmoil is certainly the wrong word," said Hughton.
"We know we are playing in a very competitive division, there are clubs around us who are bigger than we are, wit
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Views: 573
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Date: 11.05.2013 - 00:52