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Tottenham may lose prized players if they miss Champions League spot

• Club must finish in top four, says Heurelho Gomes
• Spurs keeper says they can upset odds and beat Real Madrid



  • David Hytner
  • guardian.co.uk, Monday 11 April 2011 22.30 BST <li class="history">Article history
    Heurelho-Gomes-007.jpg
    Tottenham's Heurelho Gomes says if Spurs play like they did against Stoke and do not concede they can upset Real Madrid. Photograph: Matthew Childs/Action Images

    Heurelho Gomes says Tottenham Hotspur could face a battle to keep their prized assets if the club do not qualify for the Champions League again next season.
    Tottenham are fighting to finish in the Premier League's top four and they have a daunting run-in, which features matches against Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester City and Liverpool.
    The goalkeeper is confident his team can stay the course and qualify for Europe's elite tournament but he predicted that the manager Harry Redknapp would find it more difficult in the summer transfer market if he did not have the attraction of Champions League football.
    Redknapp is determined to add "one or two that will make the difference" when the window opens but his biggest task is arguably to retain his key players, most notably Gareth Bale and Luka Modric, who have no shortage of high-profile suitors.
    "When you play Champions League, every player wants to sign for Spurs," Gomes said. "And maybe without Champions League, it's a little bit difficult to sign very good players, and also to keep the best players. Of course, it's important to keep the likes of Gareth Bale but I think the whole team is very important for us.
    "We've loved playing in the Champions League, it's a massive competition. The club thinks big and when a club thinks big, we have to be there and we have to play Champions League. To finish in the top four, we need to beat Arsenal, Chelsea and City but we've beaten them before, we did it at the end of last season and we can do it again."
    The 4-0 defeat at Real in the quarter-final first leg last Tuesday was deflating and the priority on Wednesday in the White Hart Lane return is to restore pride and ensure that a thrilling campaign can at least end on a high. Gomes continues to believe that an outlandish comeback is not beyond the bounds of possibility, largely because he has experience of something similar.
    The Brazilian was a PSV Eindhoven player in 2006-07 and on the final day of the Dutch league season, his team was level on points at the top of the table with AZ Alkmaar and Ajax. The goal differences made PSV the outsiders. Alkmaar were +53, Ajax +47 and PSV +46.
    In reality, Gomes's team needed Alkmaar to fluff their lines at Excelsior Rotterdam and for PSV's margin of victory over Vitesse Arnhem to be two goals better than Ajax's against Willem II. Unexpectedly, Alkmaar did lose in Rotterdam and although Ajax won 2-0, PSV triumphed 5-1 to take the title.
    "No one expected us to do it," Gomes said. "They said the competition was over for us. But miracles can happen. The games started at the same time and I think our game finished two minutes earlier than the Ajax game and we were just waiting for the final whistle."
    Another five-goal home victory would do nicely for Gomes.
    "It's going to be a massive game with Madrid but I spoke to a couple of the boys and I said, 'If you score like we did against Stoke City on Saturday [in the 3-2 win] and not concede any goals, we can get through'," Gomes said. "I think it's more difficult to score against an English team in England than against a European team. It's not easy to score against Stoke. They are big lads and they block everything.
    "We have shown a lot of character before to come back from difficult situations and I think we can show it again. We think first about winning the game and then maybe, maybe ... why not? It's going to be difficult but we still feel we can do it."

 


Ferguson: Chelsea obsessed with Champions League


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Updated Apr 11, 2011 4:32 PM ET
Chelsea's signing of Fernando Torres shows how obsessed the club is about winning the Champions League, according to Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson.
The 50 million-pound ($80 million) signing of Torres came in January as Chelsea's hopes of winning a trophy were fading.


Now Europe offers the last realistic route to glory for a Chelsea side that is 11 points behind United in the Premier League title race and must overturn a 1-0 deficit at Old Trafford on Tuesday in the Champions League quarterfinals.
Chelsea, which is owned by Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich, has never won Europe's top prize before, having lost the 2008 final to United in a penalty shootout.
''It seems to be an obsession for them to win the European Cup and that's certainly why they signed Torres,'' Ferguson said Monday. ''Abramovich has nailed his colors to the mast in that respect.''
Ferguson took charge of United in 1986 but took 13 years to produce the club's first European Cup since 1968.
''To have an obsession of winning the European Cup is stretching yourself a wee bit,'' Ferguson said. ''I had that obsession myself for a time, losing semifinals and thinking we were never going to do it so when we did it in Barcelona (against Bayern Munich in 1999) it was the greatest feeling in the world and it took the monkey off my back.''
Torres hasn't scored in 10 matches for Chelsea to date. Manager Carlo Ancelotti must decide whether to keep faith with the Spain striker on Tuesday after he and strike partner Didier Drogba failed to find the net in the home leg.
Chelsea midfielder Yossi Benayoun, fit again after seven months out with an Achilles tendon injury, is convinced it's only a matter of time before Torres starts scoring.

Tue, Apr. 12​
Man Utd vs. Chelsea | Preview
Shakhtar vs. Barcelona | Preview
Wed, Apr. 13​
Schalke vs. Inter Milan
Tottenham vs. Real Madrid
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''He is the best striker in the world,'' Benayoun said. ''For any midfielder, it is easy to play with him and I think he will score a lot of goals because he's just quality.''
Torres couldn't pick a better time than Tuesday's high-stakes game to open his account, with Benayoun conceding that ''we are playing to save our season.''
''Chelsea proved the last few years that they can score at Old Trafford,'' Benayoun said. ''Man United like to attack at home but now maybe they will have to stay a little bit back because they are 1-0 up so maybe that will work for us better. We will do our best to create chances and win the game.''
Ferguson's main concern is over the fitness of right back Rafael da Silva, who is recovering from a knee injury sustained in last Wednesday's first leg.
''Rafael did a bit of jogging this morning,'' Ferguson said. ''Hopefully he will be able to be ready for tomorrow but I am not sure about it. There is a little doubt and it is not something I want to be risking in a major game. He really has to do something special tomorrow morning to change my mind about it.''
 
Shakhtar to face Barcelona after away drubbing


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Updated Apr 11, 2011 10:25 AM ET
With a four-goal deficit to make up against Barcelona in the second leg of the Champions League quarterfinals, Shakhtar Donetsk will be looking to maintain its two-year unbeaten home record in European matches.
Barcelona beat Shakhtar 5-1 in the first leg, and could face Real Madrid four times in 18 days if the two teams advance as expected.

Tue, Apr. 12​
Man Utd vs. Chelsea | Preview
Shakhtar vs. Barcelona | Preview
Wed, Apr. 13​
Schalke vs. Inter Milan
Tottenham vs. Real Madrid
CL Scores | Tables | Fixtures

''Definitely, we have slim chances of advancing - everyone understands this,'' Shakhtar coach Mircea Lecescu said. ''But we would like to finish with our heads high. And we'll do our best for this. We will try to win the game.''
Besides playing each other in the league on Saturday, Barcelona will play Madrid in the Copa del Rey final and is set to face its biggest rival in the Champions League semifinals.
''Before Madrid we have to play Shakhtar and we've got a long trip to make,'' Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola said. ''We'll need to make a great effort to convince the players that they need to win this game.''
Forward Pedro Rodriguez said Barca ''don't take any team lightly, and certainly not Shakhtar.''
Lionel Messi's pair of goals in Barcelona's labored 3-1 win over Almeria on Saturday took the Argentina forward's overall total to 47 for the season, matching the record total scored by himself last year, and former Brazil striker Ronaldo in 1996/97.
Barcelona is without striker Bojan Krkic, who is out six to eight weeks with a knee injury sustained in the victory.
''It's a big deal for him and for us. He provides great spark. He's a special player, dynamic and with fresh legs,'' Guardiola said.
France defender Eric Abidal continues to recover from surgery to remove a liver tumor, while Guardiola is unlikely to rush center back Carles Puyol back from a knee injury that has sidelined him since January with Saturday's clasico match at Real Madrid looming.
The Ukrainian champion will have to do without influential captain Dario Srna, who was injured in the team's shock 1-0 home defeat by Obolon Kiev on Saturday, their first home loss in any competition for 2 1/2 years.

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Srna will be joined on the sidelines by fellow full back Razvan Rat, who is suspended. Defenders Dmytro Chygrynskiy and Oleksandr Kucher are also doubts for the game, which could force Lucescu to field a weak and inexperienced defense.
Lucescu rested many of its best players for the game against Obolon, but will have been disappointed to lose to a late free kick, as its opponent was down to 10 men for most of the second half.
''We need to pick ourselves up and show character,'' Srna said. ''We're playing for the honor of our club, city and for the fans. I'm sure the players will give it their all to beat Barcelona.''
Lucescu criticized his second-string players afterward for not stepping up to the necessary level.
''We need to get over this (defeat) as soon as possible. We've got a match with Barcelona ahead ... it's important not to play like today for the sake of our image,'' the coach said.
Shakhtar could be boosted by the return of Brazilian playmaker Fernandinho, who came on as a substitute in the first game as he works his way back to fitness after several months out with a broken leg.
 
Rafael remains doubt for United


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Updated Apr 11, 2011 10:25 AM ET
Rafael appears to be Manchester United's only serious injury doubt ahead of Tuesday's Champions League return against Chelsea at Old Trafford.
Rafael was forced off with a knee injury during last week's first leg, which ruled him out of Saturday's Premier League win over Fulham.


Sir Alex Ferguson had stated the problem was merely bruising rather than ligament damage, a fact confirmed by his presence on a side pitch at United's Carrington training complex on Monday morning.
However, as the defender was restricted to running rather than ball work with the rest of the group, whether he will be included in Ferguson's side against Chelsea remains open to question, especially as both John O'Shea and Wes Brown are available to play at right-back.
With the exception of Scotland skipper Darren Fletcher, who has been laid low by a virus, the remainder of Ferguson's first-team squad were training.
That included Rio Ferdinand, who also missed Saturday's game after returning from a calf injury at Stamford Bridge, and Wayne Rooney who was suspended.
However, Rooney is available on Tuesday as United look to protect the one goal lead given to them by the England international last week and book a semi-final place almost certainly against German challengers Schalke.
 
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  • Report Abuse kfhjfghd
    • 4/11/2011 10:18:01 PM
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  • Report Abuse freedtoo
    • 4/11/2011 9:03:35 PM
    OsacarMadison1000...also a bit off topic, did you see Tiger use the f word at the Masters on Saturday when he missed a short putt. The camera zoomed in for a close up and boom out came the profanity.Shocking I say, simply shocking.Do you think the PGA will should ban him for two tournaments?
  • Report Abuse SevenNSeven
    • 4/11/2011 6:58:26 PM
    the twins are NOT that good...just my opinion....
  • Report Abuse SevenNSeven
    • 4/11/2011 6:57:30 PM
    impress..and teenager...
    the keyboard and my brains are shot....
  • Report Abuse SevenNSeven
    • 4/11/2011 6:55:27 PM
    Stupid Avatar BTW....

    You must be a teeanger....
  • Report Abuse SevenNSeven
    • 4/11/2011 6:53:48 PM
    The twins do not impess me at all and Zone, stuff it and your comments...
  • Report Abuse UnitedDevilAmped
    • 4/11/2011 4:12:23 PM
    SAF can always stick Valencia in at RB. lol, just kidding. Rafael will be ready. SAF and his mind games.
  • Report Abuse ZIBBIE
    • 4/11/2011 1:14:59 PM
    The twins have yet to begin to influence Man Utd the way they will for a decade wow what a talented pair of skillful buzz saws!!!! With a pipeline of South American talent to be sent to FC 20 and Man Utd have the right to buy the ones they want and FC 20 get the rest. Off to the Netherlands for 2-3 years and now a work permit please.
  • Report Abuse ZIBBIE
    • 4/11/2011 1:14:55 PM
    The twins have yet to begin to influence Man Utd the way they will for a decade wow what a talented pair of skillful buzz saws!!!! With a pipeline of South American talent to be sent to FC 20 and Man Utd have the right to buy the ones they want and FC 20 get the rest. Off to the Netherlands for 2-3 years and now a work permit please.
  • Report Abuse OscarMadison1000
    • 4/11/2011 12:28:25 PM
    A little off topic here, but just waiting for the FA two game suspensions for Reina, Beckford, Crouch and Charlie Adam, all caought swearing on camera this weekend (actually Reina's "no f****** way"" was last weekend).
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Spurs confident of Lennon lift


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Updated Apr 11, 2011 8:01 AM ET
Harry Redknapp is confident of having Aaron Lennon available for Wednesday night's Champions League quarter-final second leg with Real Madrid.
The Tottenham winger missed the first leg at the Bernabeu after being withdrawn due to illness minutes before kick-off.


He had not recovered sufficiently to feature in the Premier League victory over Stoke on Saturday, but Redknapp is more hopeful about his chances of being fit for midweek.
Spurs have a 4-0 deficit to contend with against Jose Mourinho's men at White Hart Lane but Redknapp has promised supporters a special occasion.
"Aaron wasn't well again on Friday and not well enough to play against Stoke," he confirmed.
"He did some work on Friday with the fitness coach and then joined in with a little game but didn't feel well enough.
"I think he will be fit enough to play on Wednesday.
"The crowd already know that we will give it a hell of a go."
 
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  • Report Abuse AREACODE876
    • 4/12/2011 12:59:27 AM
    Even if Spurs had 12 players on the pitch the way Madrid play they still would have loss.
  • Report Abuse AREACODE876
    • 4/12/2011 12:56:16 AM
    In the ruby league EPL you can get away with tactless but not in the CL no wants to see Messi or CR out because of a tactless like those.
  • Report Abuse gjkhkhjkghj
    • 4/11/2011 11:42:08 PM
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  • Report Abuse drkhors7
    • 4/11/2011 11:29:26 PM
    The Spurs weren't cheated at all. Crouch led with his spikes and thats a card every time. Even the announcers said if you go down and tackle at this stage of the competition, then you will get a yellow and they went on to say the first yellow earned him the second. Simple soccer rules. You don't lead with you cleats; Crouch did, and he got the cards to go with it. He had no chance at the ball either time so stop whining. And those who complain about CR seem to forget the Champions League title he helped bring to OT. Stop hating on the guy.
  • Report Abuse PhiladelphiaHotSpur
    • 4/11/2011 10:33:22 PM
    RD

    Good luck w/ the EPL and looking forward to the day when the Spanish embarrass you..............wanker
  • Report Abuse PhiladelphiaHotSpur
    • 4/11/2011 10:32:30 PM
    Single Asian Female......

    I'm not the one who went MIA for a good month after the Camp Nou / OT debacle..............

    I thought we lost you forever..........a month later, like a coachroach, you come out your hiding spot............how were those under the fridge ?

    G
    S
  • Report Abuse kfhjfghd
    • 4/11/2011 10:18:09 PM
    ----------- www.so aol.com ---------

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    SOCCER JERSEY 16


    UGG $48


    nike sh ox $35

    Christan Audigier bikini $16

    Air jordan(1-24)shoes $36

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  • Report Abuse kzagura
    • 4/11/2011 5:04:47 PM
    I believe he will be fit enough to play on Wednesday
  • Report Abuse karlosthejackal
    • 4/11/2011 3:18:02 PM
    Pssssssssssst...Philly-Smalls...you're just shrieking in the dark...NOBODY CARES.

    Figure it out already.

    OR start wearing a MUZZLE!!
  • Report Abuse karlosthejackal
    • 4/11/2011 3:14:49 PM
    RedDevilz...

    That's some funny shjiit.

    Philly-Smalls still pissing & moaning about the Ref and Real Madrid 7-8 days after the match.

    Ironic for a person who fancies himself some sort of FoxSports "hard-man".

    Priceless.
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Lamps: Don't get mad, get even


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Updated Apr 7, 2011 4:31 PM ET
Frank Lampard wants Chelsea to unleash the burning sense of injustice over their Champions League setback in the second leg at Old Trafford.
Lampard and his team-mates were left fuming after being denied a "blatant" penalty in Wednesday night's 1-0 defeat to Manchester United, which left their season on the brink of unravelling completely.
Patrice Evra appeared to chop down Ramires in the dying seconds at Stamford Bridge, but Spanish referee Alberto Undiano Mallenco became the latest official to rule controversially against Chelsea in a crunch Champions League match in recent seasons.


Midfielder Lampard, who will not have happy memories of what was his 500th appearance for the club, does not want his team-mates to feel sorry for themselves in the build-up to Tuesday's second leg at Old Trafford.
"We can't really think like that too much because it's negative thoughts," he said.
"We just use it to motivate us, really."
He added: "Everyone knows it was a penalty, but he didn't give it - simple as that.
"I can't believe he didn't give it.
"It was blatant - everyone in the stadium saw that."
Mallenco is the same referee who disallowed Chelsea a Champions League goal at Juventus two years ago, despite the ball being a whole foot over the line.
Lampard said: "Things do sometimes go in your favour and sometimes they don't.
"It seems in the Champions League that we've had some bad luck."
As well as the penalty incident, Lampard was desperately unfortunate not to equalise when Evra cleared his shot off the line, but otherwise Chelsea found chances hard to come by.

Tue, Apr. 12​
Man Utd vs. Chelsea | Preview
Shakhtar vs. Barcelona | Preview
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Schalke vs. Inter Milan
Tottenham vs. Real Madrid
CL Scores | Tables | Fixtures

"We didn't play as well as we can do," Lampard said.
"That's probably what I'd look at mainly rather than the decision.
"You wanted to keep a clean sheet and you wanted to try to win the game at home, so it's not the result we look for.
"But it's half-time and we have to remain confident that we can go and win, as we've done before at Old Trafford."
Chelsea have a better record there than almost anyone, clinching a 2-1 victory in what proved a Premier League title decider last season.
"We know we can win there but, obviously, it makes it a bit more difficult," Lampard said.
"Ideally, you get a result at home, in front of your home fans. But it wasn't to be.
"So we've made it a must to go and win there."
United have never lost a European tie after winning the first leg away from home.
Lampard added: "People will make Man United favourites and probably rightly so, considering they've won at our place.
"But we're certainly still in the game and we've got a belief in ourselves that we can go there and win."
Lampard's sentiments were echoed by captain John Terry, who claimed he could be banned by UEFA if he said what he really thought about the penalty incident.
Manager Carlo Ancelotti questioned Mallenco's "courage" in failing to award a spot-kick and Terry appeared to feel even more strongly.
But he said: "I think the most frustrating thing for the players is that we can't come out here and be honest about it. We would face possible bans.
"We're seeing players receiving bans left, right and centre for speaking honestly after games.
"You guys lose out, the players can't be honest and we end up walking on eggshells.
"Unfortunately, I can't say more about it but it was a clear penalty."
Terry, who famously missed a penalty in the 2008 final which would have handed Chelsea victory against United, added: "I can 100% see us turning the tie around.
"They know we're still in it and we certainly do as well."
Terry also refused to rule out an even more sensational comeback in the Premier League title race, despite Chelsea falling 11 points behind United - albeit with a game in hand - on Saturday.
He said: "We're also still in the title race - we realise we're many points away but we've got one of the strongest squads in the league and everybody is now fully fit."
 
Guardiola urges Barca caution


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Updated Apr 7, 2011 4:31 PM ET
Pep Guardiola says "this isn't over" despite Barcelona holding a 5-1 first-leg lead over Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League.
Andres Iniesta, Dani Alves, Gerard Pique, Seydou Keita and Xavi were the goalscorers for Barca while Shakhtar's reply came from a Yaroslav Rakitskiy strike when they were already 3-0 down in the quarter-final clash.


Barca are now overwhelming favourites to progress through and, barring a huge upset in both games, in the semi-finals will meet arch rivals Real Madrid, who boast a 4-0 lead over Tottenham following their quarter-final first leg.
If that does happen, then Barca and Madrid will face each other four times in a matter of weeks as they also have a league encounter and the Copa del Rey final to contest.
Shakhtar coach Mircea Lucescu admitted after the match that he thought the semi-finals were now beyond his side, saying: "I think the tie is already decided and they are going through."
However, Guardiola, whose team were fortunate to only concede once against a Shakhtar side that created several good chances and who are very strong at home, is preaching caution.
He said: "I'm more than happy but I'm aware that this isn't over. We must take things very seriously. Shakhtar are one of the best teams I've ever seen."
Guardiola highlighted his side's recent Copa del Rey quarter-final against Real Betis as a reason not to get carried away.
In that tie Barca recorded a 5-0 win in the first leg but had a nervous time of it in the return meeting as they found themselves 2-0 down after seven minutes and 3-1 down at half-time.
Betis could not make any further inroads in the second half and Barca would end up reaching this month's final after knocking out Almeria in the semis, but the memory is fresh in Guardiola's mind.
"We still remember the 5-0 against Betis and how bad we had it there in the cup," he said.
Barca midfielder Iniesta, who celebrated the birth of his baby at the weekend by opening the scoring inside two minutes against Shakhtar, also refused to assume a semi-final place was now theirs.
He said on his club's website: "We would be wrong if we thought that it was already done.
"I think everybody has seen the opportunities Shakhtar had. They created a lot of chances, they've hit the post, they had a one-on-one. In the return match we have to be careful."
 
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  • Report Abuse grad0n
    • 4/10/2011 6:10:40 PM
    You mean 2nd win at the Bernabeu in the semis 😉
  • Report Abuse elnik06
    • 4/7/2011 9:14:25 PM
    We'll see what adjustments Guardiola makes to help the make-shift defense. I hope he doesn't go all out in El Clasico and Copa Del Rey final as I'm sure Mourinho won't. The big one will be the semis and you can expect Mourinho to have his team play Barca's midfielders close to make guys like Pique, Busquets and Alves hold on to the ball longer and give them the choice of trying to force passes into tight spaces to the mids or play it safe and play it long to Villa, Messi or Pedro. We'll see though, it'll be interesting although, I agree with Guardiola's attitude that there is a 2nd leg coming up and it's not over as he hasn't won an away game in the knockout stages as coach, let's hope he can get another away tie in Ukraine and get his first win at the Bernabeu in the semis!
  • Report Abuse elnik06
    • 4/7/2011 9:05:35 PM
    Once they give the ball up around midfield, since they are always looking to move forward, teams recover the ball and counter with terrific space on both wings as Alves and be it Adriano or Maxwell are often caught upfield leaving the central defenders and defensive mid with tons of ground to cover. I agree with those who have said the team needs Puyol back badly, but I'd add that Abidal's absence is equally important. Abidal covers so much ground and is very cautious about going forward, in other words, he picks his spots and rarely leaves the team in bad shape defensively. Having Busquets and Masch playing at the same time is also a problem as they both tend to cough up the ball, but what can you do, management thought it was better to add a backup DM than a back up CD
  • Report Abuse elnik06
    • 4/7/2011 8:57:22 PM
    I'm glad more and more Barca fans are seeing what others have been warning about. So far no damage though, so I'm certainly hoping I end up being wrong, but I continue to believe that one of the remaining teams will exploit Barca's defensive lapses and score a few on them. I also suspect it'll be that man Mourinho again as let's not forget that Inter won the semis last year by winning 3-1 at home and then frustrating Barca at Camp Nou. I don't put much stock in the 5-0 win, it means nothing unless Barca beats RM in the semis coming up just like it didn't much matter that Barca beat Inter in last year's group stage.

    The problems for Barca start with dwelling on the ball and trying to be cute inside their own half and up to midfield especially when under pressure.
  • Report Abuse Barca-v-History
    • 4/7/2011 7:46:12 PM
    The new clip of Messi trying to move onto Cardozo's girl is hilarious. He might be the worlds greatest football player, but hes definitely not a "player" when it comes down to women. She's even denied being with him. Its almost like asperger's syndrome, (being incredibly talented in one area and less so in another).

    Can't blame him though, like all men his second head does the talking when hes off the pitch.
  • Report Abuse Diosesdel10
    • 4/7/2011 6:57:00 PM
    i like the way, no ADMIRE AND RESPECT the Way el FILOSOFO Guardiola carries and handles himself.

    He must have some shortcomings and i seriously wonder what they are cuz he seems INCREDIBLY ON POINT and ADMIRABLE with everything he speaks on.
  • Report Abuse SpidermanItalia
    • 4/7/2011 5:58:56 PM
    Selena Gomez has a better first touch...
  • Report Abuse LaLigaBlaugrana
    • 4/7/2011 5:23:01 PM
    justin bieber is trying out for the youth squad!!! lol
  • Report Abuse marcbarca
    • 4/7/2011 5:06:12 PM
    RealMad LOL
  • Report Abuse milanfan21
    • 4/7/2011 4:38:24 PM
    seriously - no chance in heII they don't advance - inter have a better shot to advance in my opinion!
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JT 'can't be honest' over penalty


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Updated Apr 7, 2011 8:33 AM ET
John Terry says he could be banned by UEFA if he said what he thought about Chelsea being denied a "clear" penalty against Manchester United.
The Blues looked set to earn a stoppage-time spot-kick at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday night after Patrice Evra brought down Ramires in the box, but Spanish referee Alberto Undiano Mallenco waved play on.


The decision ensured United took a precious 1-0 quarter-final lead back to Old Trafford ahead Tuesday night's second leg, leaving Chelsea facing an uphill battle to turn the tie around.
Manager Carlo Ancelotti questioned Mallenco's "courage" in failing to award a spot-kick and captain Terry appeared to feel even more strongly about the latest crucial decision to go against his side in the Champions League in recent seasons.
But he said: "I think the most frustrating thing for the players is that we can't come out here and be honest about it. We would face possible bans.
"We're seeing players receiving bans left, right and centre for speaking honestly after games.
"You guys (the media) lose out, the players can't be honest and we end up walking on eggshells.
"Unfortunately, I can't say more about it but it was a clear penalty."
Terry, who famously missed a penalty in the 2008 final which would have handed Chelsea victory against United, added: "Even from 50 or 60 yards away, I could see Ramires got the first touch.


"After the game, we watched it on the video like everyone else."
United have never lost a European tie after winning the first leg away from home but England captain Terry was adamant the Blues could produce a stunning comeback.
"I can 100% see us turning the tie around," said the defender, who admitted the home side failed to perform last night but pointed out they won 2-1 at Old Trafford in the Premier League last season.
"We're frustrated with the result and losing the game but the manager stressed after the game that it's only half-time and we're right in the tie.
"It's disappointing as we were at home.
"We expected a better performance considering we were at home but we've got the quality to go up there and win the game. We did it in the league last year.
"They know we're still in it and we certainly do as well."
Terry also refused to rule out an even more sensational comeback in the Premier League title race, despite Chelsea falling 11 points behind United - albeit with a game in hand - on Saturday.
He said: "We're also still in the title race - we realise we're many points away but we've got one of the strongest squads in the league and everybody is now fully fit."
 
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  • Report Abuse kpgixxer1k
    • 4/11/2011 6:00:46 PM
    i hate chelsea almost as much as i hate united, but i think anelka is good player for your team and don't get why people don't like him. didn't he share the most goals scored a few seasons ago? i'd like to have him on spurs anyday. i think he should be starting with drogba over torres. don't know why they bought him. you guys are stacked up front. actually your team is pretty set at every position and should win the CL at anytime just keep banging away at it.
  • Report Abuse italiatotti3
    • 4/7/2011 10:36:16 PM
    not to mention the fouls united got away with in that chelsea game you want to try and complain about either
  • Report Abuse italiatotti3
    • 4/7/2011 10:35:09 PM
    if you look at the play, contact was made by smalling on zirkhov, so the penalty was actually a good call, while maybe a bit harsh to call, if you watch it, there is no way you can say he didnt make contact with him, and therefore the penalty was right, plus lets not look at the fact that rooney scored that game, and if the ref in the prior game wasnt in fergie's pocket, rooney wouldn't have been playing in that game, or the next few following it either, and yeah maybe the drogba one was offsides, but it nowhere equals the amount of favors united gets in the league, i would bet my life savings that without a few games with 10 minutes of bogus added time, or a penalty call/no call united would not be in first this year(probably not even in top 3)and prolly have a few epl titles also
  • Report Abuse 805
    • 4/7/2011 10:09:33 PM
    fergie has the refs hey, thats why the last time at stamford bridge chelsea was awarded a penalty to win the game 2-1, and Luis should have been red carded for 3 clear fouls, in which he only got 1 yellow. Furthermore, Drogba winner at United was 2 yards offside!!!!!!! No way to dispute that one.
  • Report Abuse italiatotti3
    • 4/7/2011 9:19:00 PM
    even playing terribly, chelsea still should have tied the game, but once again Sir Alex owns 95% of the refs in the EPL and this one is no exception. Should be a 1-1 game leaving the battle to be taken place at Old Trafford, now Chelsea have to start the game under United's unfair advantage, and unless they get one of the few refs Fergie doesn't own, they will have to play like the team at the start of the season to advance to the next round. Plus if they do tie the score up, expect 20 minutes extra time to be played as well. United scum get the calls again, and while they played better in the game, dshould have still came out in a draw.
  • Report Abuse burn0man
    • 4/7/2011 5:18:34 PM
    24-7 the reason drogba was taken off was because roma wants to be manager l. It's so stupid he wants to make up the managers mind for him but the blames the manager for not winning CL
  • Report Abuse SpidermanItalia
    • 4/7/2011 4:42:08 PM
    And thanks Import 🙂
  • Report Abuse SpidermanItalia
    • 4/7/2011 4:42:08 PM
    And thanks Import 🙂
  • Report Abuse SpidermanItalia
    • 4/7/2011 4:41:56 PM
    I think they should have started Anelka....Drogbas mind may have been on other honestly more important things...
  • Report Abuse Chelsea24-7
    • 4/7/2011 2:49:39 PM
    4lyfe, I WISH I knew why Drogba was subed... Ridiculous IMO.
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Cech suffers the Blues again


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Updated Apr 7, 2011 7:56 AM ET
Petr Cech has claimed it was 'Groundhog Day' for Chelsea after watching them suffer another controversial Champions League defeat.
The Blues lost their quarter-final first leg 1-0 against Manchester United last night after being denied what appeared a clear-cut stoppage-time penalty when Patrice Evra chopped down Ramires.


It was the latest decision to go against Chelsea in their long quest to be crowned champions of Europe since Roman Abramovich bought the club almost eight years ago.
Goalkeeper Cech said: "I don't want to speak about it because, every year, it is the same thing.
"We are obviously disappointed because everyone could see the incident.
"The main point is that the person who matters most is the referee and if he doesn't give it, you don't get the penalty and that's what happened."
However, Cech insisted Chelsea had themselves to blame as much as Spanish official Alberto Undiano Mallenco.
"We lost the game 1-0, which is not only because of that - it was because we didn't get a goal anyway throughout the game," he said.
"We created enough to score a goal and that's what made the difference.
"We had plenty of shots on target and we didn't score."
United have never lost a European tie after winning the first leg away and Cech admitted Chelsea faced an uphill task in Tuesday's return at Old Trafford.
"When you are losing 1-0 at half-time in the tie, you can still win it, even though you have to play away," he said.
"Now the result means that we allow them to play the same type of game at Old Trafford.
"They will defend and wait for the counter-attack and wait for their chances.
"That is their main strength and it makes the tie difficult for us.
"We go there and we will have a go.
"We want to do better and win every game - we would like to have a perfect performance all the time but that is very difficult to do.
"We know that everybody gave everything.
"It was not the best of performances but we know we have to go there and perform well to get something out of the game."
 
Ade abuse concerns campaigners


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Updated Apr 7, 2011 4:32 PM ET
Anti-racism campaigners Kick It Out have revealed they had contacted UEFA to express concern over the abuse suffered by Emmanuel Adebayor.
Former Arsenal striker Adebayor was the victim of offensive chants during Tuesday night's quarter-final first leg between Real Madrid and Tottenham at the Bernabeu, leading to allegations of racism against Spurs fans.
Tottenham have vehemently denied the abuse was racist and are unlikely to face any action from UEFA, who confirmed on Thursday morning there was "nothing in the delegate's report" that would trigger an investigation from European football's governing body.


But Kick It Out have been in touch both with UEFA and the Football Against Racism Europe (FARE) network and have also given their support to Adebayor.
Lord Herman Ouseley, chairman of Kick It Out, said: "We have pursued this matter with our partners at the FARE network, and UEFA.
"Racist abuse is not as prevalent as it has been in the past, but there are unhealthy trends, such as immigrant hysteria, creeping back during these austere times.
"Kick It Out, with its partners, the governing bodies, the fans and players, has made a difference and will continue to progress towards achieving fairness in football.
"We would urge Emmanuel not to be defeatist and join us to take action, to beat this scourge and to make the playing and watching environment, and atmosphere, better for everyone."
A club whose supporters are deemed guilty of racist chanting can be fined a minimum of £20,000 but Spurs will not be charged unless UEFA receive official notification of an offence from stadium security or the police.
The club accept the abuse directed at on-loan Manchester City forward Adebayor - who scored twice in Real's 4-0 crushing win on Tuesday - was offensive.
But they are adamant the chant which contains the words, "Your dad washes elephants, your mother's a *****", is not racist in nature.
A spokesman said: "The chant referred to has been previously discussed with the Crown Prosecution Service, who do not consider it racist.
"We shall continue to remind our fans that we do not tolerate any form of obscene or abusive chanting."
Adebayor was singled out by the travelling fans following his three-and-a-half-year spell with Arsenal.
The 27-year-old said the fight against racism was ongoing but conceded "we can't do anything to stop it".
He said: "Big players better than me have tried to stop that, but it's not easy at all.
"Racist? We have done everything we can to show the red card to racism. But people are still into it, that's part of life.
"Coming from Africa, I'm just very happy, playing football is like a dream that comes true.
"And I just want to send a big support to all Africa, with what is happening in Libya and what is happening in the Ivory Coast. I've got a lot of family, a lot of friends.
"Racists are always there and we can't do anything to stop it. Samuel Eto'o and big players have spoken about it better than I do, but it's not stopped them."
 
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  • Report Abuse Sangre_Celeste
    • 4/8/2011 4:45:31 PM
    Hey ASSume, I didn't know that the US shared a fence w/Argentina. My my you know your geography. GD troglodyte.
    When are you gonna say anything even remotely intelligent? ...Wait, I forgot who I'm talking about...
    You consistently have to change your handle for racist remarks, whereas I have not. So don't call me racist you Aryan nation reject.
    I'll let you know when I'm in Warwick you pathetic, impotent old phag.
  • Report Abuse HALAMADRID_CR7
    • 4/8/2011 9:46:09 AM
    Adebayor shook it off and put in another goal hahahaha. Besides, he probably didnt even hear those ignorant spur fans becuase the spanish were being to loud praising him. HALA MADRID Y ADEBAYOR!!!!!
  • Report Abuse marcbarca
    • 4/7/2011 11:41:20 PM
    Any mention of animals like elephants or monkeys is definitely racist. They knew exectly what they were doing too. Adebayor is hardly a sypathetic figure, but it doesn't erase the fact that these words are hurtful. They should stick saying he's a crap footballer.
  • Report Abuse DAYJET
    • 4/7/2011 10:45:16 PM
    How many ppl will find it funny if your mother is called a *****?
  • Report Abuse thelastnumber10
    • 4/7/2011 9:35:06 PM
    Just like if someone mentions Egypt the first thing that goes to most people's minds are :desert, pyramids, hieroglyphs. Instead of the beautiful city Cairo is. You all might not take offense to it but any African getting made fun of for 'washing elephants' will view it as racist ONLY because a racist person would say such a shallow and ignorant thing... But you guys see it as everyone washes elephants from zoo keepers to indians etc.... Its not something you could understand unless you were in our positions.
  • Report Abuse thelastnumber10
    • 4/7/2011 9:32:25 PM
    The question is would they mention elephants if he wasn't African? Its stereotypical but not racist...How many of you posters out there are African anyway? Take it from me, most of the abuse I've gotten in this country has included zoo animals of all shape or form.... Monkeys, Zebras, Elephants, Lions, Hyenas etc etc. Its the sole fact that the side of Africa that is exposed by foreign media like the US and Europe almost always includes animals.... and its annoying that people don't see the human side of Africans...
  • Report Abuse SpidermanItalia
    • 4/7/2011 6:06:02 PM
    Yea Ozil is a Turkish name...he's a third generation Turkish-German. What's interesting is alot of Turkish-Germans play for Turkey not Germany like Hamit Altintop I like CR as well I think he and Ozil form a nice partnership....much better than Kaka and anyone.
  • Report Abuse SpidermanItalia
    • 4/7/2011 6:06:02 PM
    Yea Ozil is a Turkish name...he's a third generation Turkish-German. What's interesting is alot of Turkish-Germans play for Turkey not Germany like Hamit Altintop I like CR as well I think he and Ozil form a nice partnership....much better than Kaka and anyone.
  • Report Abuse SevenNSeven
    • 4/7/2011 6:03:36 PM
    As in: when they lost to Sporting Gjon and Mmanuel Preciado the spanish prick last weekend.
  • Report Abuse SevenNSeven
    • 4/7/2011 5:58:09 PM
    understanding...
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Harry hits out at Real play-acting


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Updated Apr 7, 2011 5:34 PM ET
Harry Redknapp has accused Real Madrid's players of deliberately trying to get Peter Crouch sent off in Tottenham's Champions League defeat.
Tottenham's faint hopes of overpowering the nine-time European champions suffered a serious blow 15 minutes into the quarter-final first leg defeat at the Bernabeu when Crouch was sent off for his second foul on a Real defender in the opposition's half.
The England striker first upended Sergio Ramos before a late sliding tackle sent Marcelo flying in the air and he was given his marching orders with a second yellow.


Redknapp was not impressed by the way that Real defender Pepe immediately pleaded with referee Felix Brych to send the striker off after the second foul, and with the play-acting which he feels followed both tackles.
"They made a meal of it. They made sure they got him sent off," Redknapp told talkSPORT.
"When it happened they were all after the referee and overacting and the player was rolling around."
Crouch apologised for the dismissal - Spurs' third in the competition this year - and Redknapp insists he holds nothing against the towering hitman despite the disastrous effect the red card had on the outcome of the game.
"Crouchy made a mistake and no one could feel more sorry than he does," the 64-year-old added.
"He's been great for me over the years. He's made a mistake. These things can happen."
Tottenham's players will report to training for the first time since the 4-0 defeat today.
Redknapp has a number of fitness concerns ahead of his side's game against Stoke on Saturday. His defensive injury crisis deepened on Tuesday after Vedran Corluka hurt the same ankle he damaged against AC Milan in the previous round.
If the Croatian is ruled out, Redknapp could be facing the prospect of having just four fit defenders for Stoke and the return leg against Madrid four days later.
Corluka himself is not confident about starting at White Hart Lane on Saturday.
He said: "We will see what the results of the scan are. I don't know how long I will be out for. I don't think I will be available for Saturday."
 
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  • Report Abuse UnitedDevilAmped
    • 4/11/2011 8:19:54 PM
    Well said karlo. Crouch shouldn't have been so idiotic in the 1st place. And lets be serious, Madrid were going to dominate either way. Spurs had a full squad against Milan, and they won by 1 goal on aggregrate. What makes them think all of a sudden they were going to beat Madrid with lennon and crouch. cya in 5 years
  • Report Abuse kpgixxer1k
    • 4/11/2011 5:25:48 PM
    you say my spurs won't be in the champs league next year? maybe, maybe not. then again what about when the balancing of the books comes into play? madrid and all those teams won't qualify either. only arsenal will qualify and they'll find a way to d!ck that up and lose too. whatever, we got beat. plain and simple. i will still root for my team good or bad form.
  • Report Abuse karlosthejackal
    • 4/11/2011 3:24:28 PM
    vtheman...

    IF Mourinho lets the players run on a long leash...i sense an offensive beatdown being served up on Spurs by Los Blancos.

    I think Real Madrid will be sharper and more clinical than in the first match where they just cruised for large stretches.
  • Report Abuse vtheman
    • 4/11/2011 10:34:12 AM
    I've said it before about the announcers - harping on the Spurs like hes the bottom ****h and Redknapps the pimp. hooray I cant wait for White Hart Lane for him to start the match with "Lets face it, Spurs represents ENGLAND, WE will send these Tapas eating basterds back to HELLLLLL!!! GOD SAVE THE QUEEEN!!! aRGARGARGARGAGRH HOW DARE HE JUMP OUT OF THE WAY OF A DANGEROUS TACKLE!!! COWARD!!! That boys and ENGLISHMAN!!!!!!!
  • Report Abuse vtheman
    • 4/11/2011 10:29:23 AM
    all you get from the Spurs camp is a bunch of whining and the blame game all the way from the owners to the fans. Karlosthejackal said it all - whining and blaming gets you where you are - trophy-less. truthfully Felix did an AMAZING officiating job during the match. Sure he missed the hand ball but it wasn't game deciding. All I can say is play lennon and everyone you want - madrid is still the better team and WILL beat you.
  • Report Abuse ManinWhite
    • 4/11/2011 7:59:10 AM
    thats the truth about the announcers, madridfan. it was all i could do to not watch it muted. and basically to go with what everyone else is saying, intent is still a card, they had to jump to avoid the moron's gangly legs. If you want to blame someone for the loss, philly, make is crouch for being such a dumb***.
  • Report Abuse karlosthejackal
    • 4/8/2011 3:23:21 PM
    30 Posts on this thread.
    9 of them by Philly-Smalls.
    3 days later and he's still biatching about the Ref.
    When in fact it was Crouch's stupidity and recklessness that got him the 2 yellows.

    Still trying furiously to build the case that Real Madrid need Spurs players sent off to win huh!?!?

    It's very obvious by your attacks on La Liga that you are completely unfamiliar with C.L. football.
    Hardly any surprise since it is Spurs first and last (for at least another decade) appearance in Europe's Top Level competition.

    But hey it serves the double purpose of deflecting attention away from the fact Spurs won't be around next season.

    LOL...without a doubt you are the biggest panty-waste and hypocrite on these boards.
  • Report Abuse Madridfan6
    • 4/8/2011 11:33:31 AM
    philadelphiahotspur you sound like one of the announcers from the game... tottenham is a good team but madrid is better. much better. crouch made two horrendous tackles and he deserved to be sent off. acting and trying to get the other team cards has and always will be a part of the game that happens everywhere.
  • Report Abuse Spudkilla
    • 4/8/2011 11:13:21 AM
    Philly if those guys did not jump out the way we would probably be looking a some serious injuries,Crotch was the bafoon here especially being on the first yellow.Also refs hand out yellow for intent,Crotch is a pro and should know better that's probably why Marcelo was laughing at him because he fell for the setup.
  • Report Abuse HALAMADRID_CR7
    • 4/8/2011 9:34:20 AM
    When madrid played barca in the first classico of this season Villa scored not 1 but 2 clear offside goals and ronaldo was denied a clear pk the first 5 minutes of the game when valdez body slamed him in the box. Although all of these things happened barca were by far the better team and i knew that so i didnt complain. You should do the same. Oh and if you want to talk about diving, what did bale do when pepe slide in on him? Bale folded his legs and fell to the ground even though pepe didnt make contact at all....oh but pepe still got a yellow. Dving is part of the game and everyone does it...even the british
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Glen Chapple stars as Lancashire topple Sussex at Liverpool

&#8226; Sussex 243 & 174; Lancashire 472
&#8226; Lancashire win by an innings and 55 runs



  • Andy Wilson
  • guardian.co.uk, Monday 11 April 2011 18.03 BST <li class="history">Article history
    glen-chapple-007.jpg
    Glen Chapple took nine wickets in the match as Lancashire beat Sussex by an innings. Photograph: Gareth Copley/PA


    Lancashire defied pessimistic pre-season predictions and their back-to-basics preparations, both caused by the county's financial problems, to win their opening Championship match for the third consecutive spring since the appointment of Peter Moores as coach.
    They did so after a spectacular clatter of Sussex wickets on the last afternoon. Moores' former county lost six wickets for 12 in 35 balls against the contrasting wiles of Glen Chapple and Gary Keedy.
    Lancashire had endured a frustrating morning as rain swept in from the west and threatened to deny them time to complete a victory they had worked so hard to set up on three sun-baked days. But when Sussex resumed on 151 for three after an early lunch, Chapple took only two deliveries to have Joe Gatting caught behind by a tumbling Gareth Cross. In his next over, Chapple pushed one back to remove Ben Brown's off stump as the young wicketkeeper shouldered arms. Keedy made the breakthrough that sealed Sussex's demise as their acting captain, Murray Goodwin, edged to slip as he equally unwisely tried to work the ball against the spin.
    Rana Naved-ul-Hasan launched Keedy for a straight six but the Pakistan seamer perished attempting another and his Denmark-qualified compatriot Naveed Arif went next ball, bowled through the gate. Chapple then had Jimmy Anyon caught by Tom Smith at second slip and although Sussex's last-wicket pair dug in for a while to show that batting was anything but impossible, the capitulation was complete when Monty Panesar was lbw to the Lancashire captain.
    That gave Chapple match figures of nine for 117, a decent start to the 37-year-old's 20th first-class season. Keedy, one year his junior and in his 17th summer since crossing the Pennines, ended with second-innings figures of 26-7-41-5, having stemmed an early flow of Sussex runs when they launched their survival battle on Sunday afternoon.
    "They're both quality performers, and that was a really good win," said Moores, after months scrambling for practice facilities as the redevelopment of Old Trafford put the square out of use and sucked up funds that might otherwise have gone towards a tour. Lancashire have prepared in Southport, St Anne's, Beckenham and Oxford. "We've been lucky with the weather," Moores said.
    "Some inexplicable things can happen in cricket," said Moores' Sussex successor, Mark Robinson, who took his players for 10 days in Abu Dhabi. He is unsure when Luke Wright, Matt Prior and Mike Yardy will return after their various ailments. "We possibly misread the wicket," he said, "and in the end we were found wanting."

 

Day three

Ben Stokes shows his England potential with a century and six wickets

&#8226; Durham 473 & 310-3dec, Hampshire 294 & 87-0



  • Richard Rae at Southampton
  • guardian.co.uk, Sunday 10 April 2011 21.05 BST <li class="history">Article history
    Ben-Stokes-Durham-v-Hamps-007.jpg
    Durham's Ben Stokes celebrates his century at the Rose Bowl. Earlier he had taken career-best bowling figures of six for 68. Photograph: Chris Ison/PA

    It became apparent last season that it was not a question of whether Ben Stokes would play for England but when. The answer must surely be very soon, after the prodigiously talented Durham teenager proved he is not just an outstanding batting prospect but also a potentially very fine all-rounder.
    With Steve Harmison still nursing his bruised forearm in the pavilion as Hampshire resumed their first innings on 280 for six, Stokes, bowling noticeably faster than last season, began his day by taking three quick wickets to finish with career&#8209;best bowling figures of six for 68.
    Having chosen not to enforce the follow-on, presumably in the hope that a flat wicket might at least offer a little turn on the final day, Durham needed to score quickly. Stokes, coming in at No4, duly obliged, going to his 50 off 57 balls, despite contriving to collide with his partner, Gordon Muchall, when on 30, and needing a good 10 minutes of treatment before resuming.
    Hitting another promising 19-year&#8209;old, Hampshire's left-arm spinner Danny Briggs, so far out of the ground that the ball could not be found was the highlight as Stokes went on his century, but then he really opened his powerful shoulders.
    The first five balls of the spinner Liam Dawson's sixth over were all hit a long way over the boundary ropes at long-on or midwicket but the prospect of the first six sixes in a first&#8209;class over bowled in England &#8211; Garry Sobers hit Malcolm Nash for six maximums in Swansea in 1968 &#8211; was dashed when Dawson, after consultation with the captain, Dominic Cork, and the experienced wicketkeeper Nic Pothas, and clearly none too keen on becoming part of cricketing history, speared the final delivery in at Stokes's feet.
    The young man swung hard but a single squeezed off the bottom of the bat was all he could manage.

 
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