Portsmouth 0 - 1 Man City

Emmanuel Adebayor kept up his record of scoring in every league game this season to help Manchester City maintain their 100% start to the season.
The Togo striker rose above the Pompey defence to thump in a header from Gareth Barry's excellent corner.
Micah Richards had a goal ruled out for offside as City turned the screw.
After the break, John Utaka fizzed a shot narrowly wide, while fellow substitute David Nugent hit his volley straight at City goalkeeper Shay Given.
The win pushed City up to fourth in the table with nine points out of nine, three points behind Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur who lead the table with 12 points from four matches.
With wealthy owners at the helm of each club - Pompey's takeover by Sulaiman Al Fahim going through only on Thursday - it was a fascinating meeting between two sides who represent the new wave of the Premier League.
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City, though, are 12 months into their new ownership and further down the road of realising their potential.
As a result, the big name stars they have attracted - and the team's greater cohesion - proved too strong for a much-changed Portsmouth side.
While it will take a while for Pompey to stabilise after a period of uncertainty - and to bed in new players - City are showing signs that their revolution is gaining momentum.
Adebayor was once again in excellent form, providing the fulcrum for his side's attacks, and Joleon Lescott - finally making his league debut for City after a protracted move from Everton - gave an assured performance.
Initially, however, Pompey more than held their own, despite fielding a team with five changes from their last league game.
Tommy Smith and Michael Brown had completed their moves to Fratton Park in time to make their debuts and were immediately drafted into the starting line-up.
And for a time, the hosts were the better side, passing the ball around neatly and went close through a rasping shot from Frederic Piquionne.
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Yet there was always the feeling that once City settled, they would pose more of a threat.
That possibility became a reality when Barry swung in a corner from the right and Adebayor nodded home powerfully.
City thought they had doubled their lead when Richards converted a low cross from Craig Bellamy, who started ahead of Robinho, but the goal was ruled out for offside.
After the break, the imposing Adebayor continued to cause Pompey problems and one moment of magic saw him drag the ball between two defenders before forcing a fine save from Asmir Begovic.
And Stephen Ireland lashed a shot over the bar as a Portsmouth struggled to keep their opponents out.
All seemed to be going City's way but they suffered a blow when Richards limped off injured and watching England boss Fabio Capello will share City's concern, as he may want to pick the defender for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Slovenia and Croatia.
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It signalled a change in fortunes for Pompey and they began to create a few chances - a Hayden Mullins shot was deflected wide and Younes Kaboul headed over.
Utaka went agonisingly close with a fierce drive that flew just past the post and Richard Hughes wasted a great chance when he volleyed wide from 12 yards.
Parity really should have been restored soon after but Nugent hit his shot into the ground and an upright Given saved the ball with his shoulder.
In the end, City did just enough, while Pompey will hope results will pick up when their new signings are eligible and the team starts to gel.
Portsmouth manager Paul Hart:"It is tough at the moment. But we played very well today.
"We restricted City to only a few chances and we should have nicked a draw at the death.
"We played with spirit and discipline against terrific players and went about our job in a proper way. If we can keep doing that we can turn things around."
Manchester City boss Mark Hughes:"We are keeping clean sheets and that always gives you a chance of winning games.
"Fratton Park is a hard place to come and get something but we were always in control of the game. We took the lead and we should really have had a second goal, which we deserved.
"Micah Richards' goal was chalked out for offside, wrongly in my opinion.
"But we have come out of the blocks and made a statement and three wins out of three league games is great for us."

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by tuan.blogger.hettien ~ Sunday, August 30, 2009 0 comments

Hibernian 0 - 1 Celtic

Celtic were reduced to 10 men in a thrilling win over Hibernian at Easter Road in the Scottish Premier League.
A Georgios Samaras header put Celtic ahead four minutes from half-time after Andreas Hinkel had crossed in.
The visitors were reduced to 10 men when Aiden McGeady was shown a second yellow after a Paul Hanlon challenge.
Artur Boruc kept Celtic in the match by saving Hanlon's blistering 25-yard shot and Hibs goalkeeper Graham Stack kept out a late Samaras solo effort.
Less than 60 seconds after kick-off, Samaras was caught late by Patrick Cregg, to set the tone for a hotly-contested match.
Hibs had the first real chance of the match when David Wotherspoon fired in a cross from the right and Glenn Loovens was forced to clear.
McGeady then completed a sweeping move through the Hibs midfield but blasted his long-range effort over the bar.
The pace quickly picked up, with good build-up play at both ends, including a Samaras header that clipped the top of the Hibs bar from a corner.
McGeady was lucky to escape a red card in the 22nd minute when he felled Derek Riordan after the striker had broken free down the left.
However, the former Celtic man failed to convert the resulting free-kick, inching it past Artur Boruc's right-hand post.
A Danny Fox free-kick shortly after the half hour mark looked promising, but Samaras miscued his shot and the ball was finally cleared.
The stalemate was broken four minutes from the break when Samaras headed in from close range after Hinkel powered down the right and flighted in a searching ball for the Greek international.
Following the restart, Boruc was forced into a double-save from Riordan's 18-yard shot and subsequent corner.
Celtic looked confident on the counter-attack, with Maloney sending a ball across the face of the Hibs goal in the 55th minute with which Samaras failed to connect.
Souleymane Bamba missed an opportunity to level the scores as the hour mark approached, sending the ball over from six yards out with only Boruc to beat.
In the 63rd minute, McGeady was issued his second yellow of the day and sent in for an early bath following a challenge from Hanlon.
Referee Dougie McDonald decided that no contact had been made and the Republic of Ireland international was dismissed for simulation.
Moments later, Wotherspoon blasted in a spectacular half-volley from 25 yards out that Boruc pushed on to his right-hand post.
Riordan was again denied by Boruc from a searching corner, when the Polish keeper parried a curving shot after the ball landed at the feet of the Hibs striker.
Hibs keeper Stack was forced into a similar save late in the match from a Chris Killen shot as 10-man Celtic piled on the pressure.
Samaras could have sealed the points in the dying minutes when he broke free with only Stack to beat, but he fired his shot straight at the English keeper.
A frantic period of added time produced some heart-stopping goalmouth scrambles, but Celtic's defence held out to deny their hosts a point.
Hibernian manager John Hughes:
"It was end-to-end stuff, and we were a bit cavalier - that was my disappointment.
"Even at 11 v 10, we were We were a bit open, but we gave it plenty, so I'm disappointed not to take anything from the match.
"Celtic were in front in the first half, and we only got an advantage when Aiden McGeady was sent off, and we were unfortunate not to take advantage of that.
"I can't ask any more of the boys' commitment, on another day, something might have fell for us.
"People get booked for nothing, and if we keep going the way we're going, we'll be playing with slippers on.
"It's a contact sport, and you need to get stuck in. Tackling is an art.
"Even if Aiden McGeady take a dive, is it not just a case of saying 'let's get on with it'?
"Where's the common sense? It spoils the game.
"You never want to see that, especially with a talent like Aiden McGeady.
"I'm the opposition manager, I want to see him doing his stuff and see if my boys can handle him."
Celtic manager Tony Mowbray:"I was disappointed with the quality of my team today, but we stood our ground.
"I hope as we go along, we're going to build a reputation as a team that can not only win battles, but a team that can play you off the pitch.
"There was a lot of things that weren't right today, not just from our team, but things on the pitch.
"We've all made a patch about not criticising officials, but for me it's an understanding of the game. I've been shown it in isolation. McGeady ran 40 or 50 yards before the incident and skipped past a couple of tackles - a third tackle has come in and he went down before he anticipates the challenge and gets a sending off.
"If you put it into context of the week we've just had with the Eduardo sensation, if we hadn't had the week we've had in the media. I would suggest the referee would never have made it a sending off.
"It was right in front of me. I saw it and I know exactly how it happened. In my opinion, it's a lack of understanding of the game from an official who is a very honest guy, who gives his best the way the players give his best, but he made a wrong decision regarding Aiden McGeady."

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Chygrynskiy to seal Barca switch

Ukrainian international Dmytro Chygrynskiy has arrived in Barcelona to undergo a medical ahead of completing a£22m move from Shakhtar Donetsk.
The 22-year-old defender has agreed a five-year deal and will be officially presented by the club on Monday.
Chygrynskiy played has last game for Shakhtar on Friday, when they lost 1-0 to Barcelona in the European Super Cup.
He joins former Inter Milan pair Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Maxwell as new summer arrivals at the Nou Camp.
Chygrynskiy arrives with a burgeoning reputation, having won 19 caps for his country.

Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola has been keen to strengthen his squad in the summer, despite them having won the Spanish League and Cup and Champions League last season - his first season in charge.

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Shevchenko agrees return to Kiev

Chelsea striker Andriy Shevchenko has rejoined former club Dynamo Kiev on a two-year contract.
The Ukrainian club announced the move on Saturday following Shevchenko's decision to quit Stamford Bridge.
The 32-year-old failed to settle in London, scoring just four goals in 30 Premier League games, following a record £30m transfer in May 2006.
"Sheva didn't have the possibility to play consistently," Chelsea coach Carlo Ancelotti said on Friday.
Shevchenko signed a four-year deal with the Blues but spent last term on loan at his old club AC Milan.
Now his return to Kiev sees his career come full circle, having first emerged through the youth ranks with the Ukrainian club.
Shevchenko, capped 79 times for his country, left Kiev 10 years ago for AC Milan where he became an immensely popular figure, scoring 127 goals in 208 appearances before joining Chelsea.
Owner Roman Abramovich was instrumental in bringing him the former European Footballer of the Year to the club - and although Shevchenko managed 14 goals in all competitions in his first season, his tally fell to eight the following year.
This season, Ancelotti has opted for the forward partnership of Didier Drogba and Nicolas Anelka and has Daniel Sturridge and Salomon Kalou available to provide further striking options.
And although he made a recent substitute appearance against Sunderland in a 3-1 win at the Stadium of Light, Shevchenko looked unlikely to be given a major role in the long-term.
"He would like to play with continuity here for me," Ancelotti explained.
"But it is difficult for me to give him the possibility to play a lot of matches and he will take the right decision for him."
Meanwhile, Ancelotti also denied that Chelsea have made a £57m bid for Bayern Munich's French striker Franck Ribery.

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Ronaldo in winning start for Real

Cristiano Ronaldo scored on his La Liga debut for Real Madrid in a 3-2 victory against Deportivo La Coruna.
The £80m Portuguese - one of eight summer 'galactico' recruits - netted the second goal, but Real had to rely on Lassana Diarra for the winner.
Raul put Real ahead while Riki equalised for Deportivo, before Ronaldo drilled home a 35th-minute penalty after Raul was fouled by Aranzubia.
Juan Carlos Valeron levelled, only for Diarra to fire home on the hour.
"We created a lot of chances, but the most important thing was to achieve the victory," said £65m signing Kaka. "It wasn't an easy game."
Usain Bolt, fresh from his record-breaking exploits in the 100m and 200m at the athletics World Championships, was presented to the Bernabeu crowd prior to kick-off and launched president Florentino Perez's latest 'galactico' era with the ceremonial first kick.
Perez spent about 250m euros bringing in the likes of Ronaldo, Kaka, Karim Benzema and Xabi Alonso to the Spanish capital, and they were all included in new coach Manuel Pellegrini's starting lineup.
Perez is keen to dislodge archrival Barcelona from the pinnacle of European football after the Catalan club became the first Spanish team to win the treble - the Champions League, La Liga and Copa del Rey - in a season.
Although Real looked disjointed in the early stages, they took a 26th-minute lead when veteran Raul finished easily after Karim Benzema's shot was deflected onto the near post by Daniel Aranzubia.
Ronaldo should have made it 2-0 three minutes later but his header from fellow debutant Xabi Alonso's free-kick went over the bar.
Deportivo equalised from an almost identical situation, when Juca launched a free-kick into the box and Riki, the former Madrid youth-team player, got in between two defenders to direct a header past Iker Casillas from seven yards.
The equaliser fired Real into action and the spotlight was on Ronaldo when Raul had been sent sprawling by Aranzubia.
The Fifa World Player of the Year, Real Madrid's record signing, showed no signs of nerves as he drove his spot-kick just inside the post.
Real missed a few chances and were punished for their profligacy when, a minute after the break, Deportivo equalised again.
Andres Guardado's cross to the edge of the box found Valeron unmarked and the veteran had sufficient time to control the ball and fire past Casillas.
Ironically, given the publicity surrounding the high-profile signings this summer, Pellegrini had former Portsmouth player Diarra to thank for getting Real off to a winning start.
The midfielder took aim with a low 25-yard shot which crept inside the far post and handed Pellegrini's men the points as they seek to challenge Barcelona.

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FA to probe Forest-Derby scuffle

Tyson's celebrations were not to everybody's liking
The Football Association has said it will investigate ugly scenes which marred the end of Nottingham Forest's 3-2 win over local rivals Derby.
Forest striker Nathan Tyson waved a corner flag bearing the Forest badge in front of 4,376 travelling Derby fans.
Tyson was then confronted by several Rams players before the majority of both teams, as well as coaching staff, became involved in a tussle.
The FA said the incident would be investigated as "a matter of urgency".
Forest boss Billy Davies said: "I didn't see the incident but if that's what Nathan has done then I will look at the video.
"I remember the last time Derby were here and Robbie Savage was waving a Derby scarf around.
"There was very little made of that and we hope it will be the same for this.
"We never complained about it or made a fuss because we understood that Derby should enjoy the victory they had here."
Derby manager Nigel Clough said: "I was in the dressing room, which I personally think all managers and benches should be at the final whistle.
"I'm sure the referee was out there and the officials were out there so I'm sure they've seen it and it will all be included in their report."
Forest were 3-0 up at half-time and held on to win a fiery encounter despite a spirited Derby comeback.

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Life in the old dogs yet

Sir Alex Ferguson claims he may ride off into the sunset with Arsene Wenger when the curtain comes down on the Premier League's most enduring managerial rivalry.
It might be stretching reality to breaking point to describe the old stagers as the game's version of Noel and Liam Gallagher - but their turbulence, talent and creative tension may be even more sorely missed than anything Oasis had to offer when the credits finally roll.
Unlike Oasis however, Ferguson and Wenger are not going anywhere yet and on the evidence of the latest eventful instalment in this drama, football should be thankful.
Manchester United took the honours in fortuitous fashion at Old Trafford - and mixed emotions were the order of the day for Wenger as loser and even Ferguson as winner.
Wenger's mood, almost buoyant and certainly good-humoured, in the Old Trafford media theatre was easily explained after an Arsenal performance that suggests his optimism about their title hopes this season is built on increasingly solid foundations.
Arsenal were in untroubled control courtesy of Andrey Arshavin's wonderful goal until Manuel Almunia gifted Wayne Rooney a penalty - described as "Old Trafford-ish" by Wenger but undisputed in reality - and Abou Diaby decided to defy all laws of football logic and dispatch the most clinical of headers beyond his own goalkeeper.
Galling stuff for Wenger and exacerbated when he was pointlessly sent from his technical area by referee Mike Dean on the say-so of the fourth official after he kicked a plastic bottle in frustration when Robin van Persie's injury-time strike was chalked off for offside.
Wenger's reaction was human nature and his needless dismissal only created a chaotic scene that could have been avoided with only 30 seconds to go - especially as he actually had nowhere to go when he was ordered away from the touchline.
He looked as bemused by the conclusion to his evening, arms outstretched amid baying United supporters, as he was by the result of a game that should have gleaned Arsenal at least a point.
Arsenal looked a more cohesive, unified team than last season. Thomas Vermaelen is a sound defensive addition and Arshavin adds fantasy.
The tiny Russian is a wonderful footballer - and a source of much inspiration for Arsenal fans when it comes to less-than-flattering songs dedicated to Emmanuel Adebayor.
Arshavin's slight frame lurks with intent throughout, that rolling and sometimes disinterested gait disguising his lethal talent, and a world-class ability to surprise with strikes delivered with little or no backlift. It was a tribute to his ability that Old Trafford suffered collective anxiety attacks when he was anywhere near the danger zone.
Whether this is enough to sustain a serious title challenge is still open to debate - the fact remains they lost this game and Arsenal still have a habit of losing composure when all seems under control.
The return of Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri will add to the air of goodwill around the Emirates, but Wenger must ensure losing games they should have won does not become a damaging habit.
For all Arsenal's good work, Manchester United achieved a feat that was beyond them in the Premier League last season by overcoming the Gunners. And they showed one of the tried and trusted trademark of champions by beating a top four rival without coming within a country mile of their best.
But even in victory, and in case we forget a very important one, United have just as many questions to answer as Arsenal.
Ferguson's initial team selection was a source of much debate and not something that could be described as an unqualified success, even with three points as the reward.
Wayne Rooney shouldered huge responsibility through the middle as he was flanked on either side by Nani and Antonio Valencia. Michael Owen and Dimitar Berbatov were restricted to the bench.
Berbatov made an erratic appearance as substitute, and it is worth posing this question: what does it say about your £30m striker if you wave off £100m-plus worth of attacking talent in the shape of Cristiano Ronaldo and Carlos Tevez and he is not an automatic pick for a game against a team regarded as one of your closes title rivals?
There is no mistaking the fact that United have had a major dimension of their game removed with the sale of Cristiano Ronaldo, and this means Rooney is an even more pivotal figure.
Ferguson can relax safe in the knowledge that Rooney is up to the pressure of the task and it was his sheer force of will that kept United above water. He is a reassuring presence for United's manager and their supporters - how they must keep everything crossed that no misfortune befalls him.
Rooney is now Old Trafford's talisman, but the help he receives from others is likely to shape United's hopes of success this season. The season is in its infancy, but the jury remains out.
A word too for goalkeeper Ben Foster. He was at fault for Arsenal's goal, despite the velocity of Arshavin's strike, but he effectively saved the game for United with a priceless block from Robin van Persie just after the interval that prevented his side going two behind.
Ferguson used his programme notes to insist once more that he will not be buying again in this transfer window, light-heartedly suggesting the £80m raked in for Ronaldo "seems to be burning a hole in the pockets of lots of fans."
He added that it was "an insult" to suggest he could lose faith in his current crop of players overnight.
This is a man who knows, who has been over course and distance many times, so it is not a safe occupation to contradict him. The silver-lined career gives him the right to spring selection surprises - but you sense retaining the title for a fourth successive season will be tough work.
Lest this be seen as a wide-ranging questioning of United's credentials, and even their most ardent fans might just accept they may need to take step back to move forward with Ronaldo gone, the simple statistic of victory still marks them out as the team to finish above this season.
The "Pizzagate" days may be a thing of the past and the once icy relationship has thawed - but the competitive edge remains and Old Trafford witnessed compelling evidence of why Ferguson and Wenger will never go quietly while titles are up for grabs.

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Blackhawks' Kane Guilty of Disorderly Conduct

BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) -- Chicago Blackhawks forward Patrick Kane and his cousin pleaded guilty Thursday to a noncriminal charge of disorderly conduct and were ordered to send an apology to the cab driver they were accused of roughing up over 20 cents.

The 20-year-old player and his 21-year-old cousin, James Kane, were given conditional discharges, meaning they will avoid any penalties if they stay out of trouble for a year and write apologies to cabbie Jan Radecki.

''Obviously, I'm in a little different situation than most kids at this age but at the same time I think it's definitely been a learning lesson and something I want to move forward on,'' Kane told City Court Judge Thomas Amodeo before receiving his sentence. ''It's maybe better I learn it now than later in life.''

Outside the courtroom, Kane apologized to his family, the city, the Blackhawks and his fans ''for being in a regrettable situation.''

''But it's behind me. It's time to move on,'' he said.

Accompanied by his parents, Kane took no questions from reporters, stopping only to deliver his statement as he left the courthouse in his hometown.

In court, defense lawyer Paul Cambria said Kane is a law-abiding person and outstanding athlete.

''He desires to be a tremendous role model and I believe that he is,'' Cambria said.

Radecki told police the cousins attacked him Aug. 9 when he said he didn't have 20 cents in change for their fare. The driver had bruises and broken glasses.

Later reports indicated the dispute started after Radecki, following the practice of some other drivers in college neighborhoods, locked the cab doors until collecting the fare to ensure his passengers did not leave without paying. Radecki said the Kanes gave him $15 for a $13.80 fare and that he gave them a dollar back but did not have coins for the final 20 cents.

Cambria said Radecki has a lesson to learn, too.

''Cab drivers, if any of them try to lock people in the car and just presume that they're not going to pay them, and when they ask to be released so they can get out and get their money out of their pocket, they shouldn't keep the doors locked and drive the car down the street,'' Cambria said.

When asked whether Patrick Kane struck the 62-year-old cabbie, Cambria said, ''I absolutely have no basis to say that he struck Mr. Radecki. I wasn't there. You weren't there.''

Message left by The Associated Press for Radecki's lawyer, Andrew LoTempio, were not immediately returned Thursday. Radecki, reached by phone, declined to comment.

Attorneys said Radecki sought no restitution, just an apology.

Blackhawks general manager Stan Bowman said he was glad to see a resolution.

''We recognize that this has been a difficult time for Patrick, his family and all of those involved,'' Bowman said.

The Kanes were indicted Aug. 19 on misdemeanor charges of assault and theft of services and harassment, a violation. A grand jury dismissed a more serious felony assault charge.

''It's amazing that you're even here,'' Amodeo told the Kanes from the bench. ''If you look at the situation and think of 'what did I do?' and all the other alternatives you had to deal with the situation, it wasn't a smart move.''

Amodeo could have sentenced the Kanes to as many as 15 days in jail and a $250 fine.

Patrick Kane was the No. 1 pick in the 2007 draft and the NHL's rookie of the year in 2008.

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AP Sports Writer Rick Gano contributed to this report from Chicago

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