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Rutashubanyuma · Apr 17, 2011

Apologetic Rio Ferdinand claims Mario Balotelli taunted United fans

• Rio Ferdinand says sorry for role in spat at final whistle
• Manchester United defender criticises Mario Balotelli's antics

Press Association
guardian.co.uk, Sunday 17 April 2011 10.27 BST <li class="history">Article history

Rio Ferdinand was riled by Mario Balotelli's taunts at Manchester United fans at the end of the FA Cup semi-final. Photograph: Tom Jenkins

Rio Ferdinand has criticised Mario Balotelli for taunting Manchester United fans after Manchester City's FA Cup semi-final win at Wembley but apologised for his spat with the Italian striker.
The Italian incensed Ferdinand after the final whistle on Saturday by reportedly thrusting the badge on his shirt in the direction of opposition supporters.
Ferdinand, writing on Twitter , said: "If you score a goal and give a bit to opposing fans I kind of accept that but at the final whistle [you should] go to your own fans and enjoy it, not opposing fans."
Balotelli also winked at Ferdinand as the players left the field and the pair had to be separated by their team-mates. Ferdinand added: "If I offended anyone, I apologise, emotions obviously running high."
Yesterday's defeat ended United's bid for the treble and Ferdinand urged his team-mates to bounce back by winning the Premier League and Champions League. "Disappointed we didn't get the win we were looking for," he said. "Now let's go and win some silverware.
Ferdinand did have something to celebrate on Saturday after his wife gave birth to his first daughter. The defender travelled 200 miles to Cheshire at 2am and was just in time to be at wife Rebecca's side for the birth before racing back to London for the match.
He said: "We had a baby girl named Tia Ferdinand! Want to thank the ambulance service and all the Wythenshawe Hospital staff for helping my baby arrive safely."

Rutashubanyuma · Apr 17, 2011

Rutashubanyuma · Apr 17, 2011

Rutashubanyuma · Apr 17, 2011

Rutashubanyuma · Apr 17, 2011

Paul Scholes set to miss out on Manchester United's trip to Arsenal

• Scholes likely to be suspended for three matches
• Manchester United rue midfielder's red card in FA Cup semi-final

Press Association
guardian.co.uk, Sunday 17 April 2011 10.13 BST <li class="history">Article history

Manchester United's Paul Scholes is sent off by Mike Dean during the FA Cup semi-final defeat to Manchester City. Photograph: Robin Parker/EPA

Paul Scholes is set to miss Manchester United's potentially crucial match with Arsenal on 1 May following his sending-off in Saturday's FA Cup semi-final.
Scholes was dismissed for a studs-up challenge on Pablo Zabaleta during the second half of the derby with Manchester City at Wembley as his side lost 1-0.
If violent conduct is confirmed as the reason for his sending-off when the referee Mike Dean's report is received by the Football Association on Monday, it will condemn Scholes to a three-match suspension.
That would rule the 36-year-old out of Tuesday's trip to Newcastle United, the Easter Saturday encounter with Everton at Old Trafford and that key trip to the Emirates to face their closest title challengers.
Scholes' latest transgression is a blow to United given that the veteran midfielder had only just returned from a two-match ban for amassing 10 yellow cards.
The United manager Sir Alex Ferguson could offer no explanation for a woeful tackle that left his team trying to overhaul City with only 10 men. "We've seen over his career, Paul has had unbelievable moments," said Ferguson. "He is one of the greatest players this club has ever had. But he has his red-mist moments – he caught the boy on his thigh."

Rutashubanyuma · Apr 17, 2011

Paul Scholes set to miss out on Manchester United's trip to Arsenal

Scholes likely to be suspended for three matches
Manchester United rue midfielder's red card in FA Cup semi-final

Press Association
guardian.co.uk, Sunday 17 April 2011 10.13 BST <li class="history">Article history

Manchester United's Paul Scholes is sent off by Mike Dean during the FA Cup semi-final defeat to Manchester City. Photograph: Robin Parker/EPA

Paul Scholes is set to miss Manchester United's potentially crucial match with Arsenal on 1 May following his sending-off in Saturday's FA Cup semi-final.
Scholes was dismissed for a studs-up challenge on Pablo Zabaleta during the second half of the derby with Manchester City at Wembley as his side lost 1-0.
If violent conduct is confirmed as the reason for his sending-off when the referee Mike Dean's report is received by the Football Association on Monday, it will condemn Scholes to a three-match suspension.
That would rule the 36-year-old out of Tuesday's trip to Newcastle United, the Easter Saturday encounter with Everton at Old Trafford and that key trip to the Emirates to face their closest title challengers.
Scholes' latest transgression is a blow to United given that the veteran midfielder had only just returned from a two-match ban for amassing 10 yellow cards.
The United manager Sir Alex Ferguson could offer no explanation for a woeful tackle that left his team trying to overhaul City with only 10 men. "We've seen over his career, Paul has had unbelievable moments," said Ferguson. "He is one of the greatest players this club has ever had. But he has his red-mist moments he caught the boy on his thigh."

Rutashubanyuma · Apr 17, 2011

Rutashubanyuma · Apr 17, 2011

McLaren's Lewis Hamilton ranks Chinese grand prix win among his best

• Lewis Hamilton satisfied with manner of his victory
• Championship leader Sebastian Vettel is impressed

Paul Weaver in Shanghai
guardian.co.uk, Sunday 17 April 2011 19.12 BST <li class="history">Article history

Lewis Hamilton celebrates his victory in Shanghai. Photograph: Franck Robichon/EPA

Lewis Hamilton's first victory in almost eight months, in the Chinese grand prix, has breathed fresh life into the Formula One season. The young British driver declared: "I live, breathe and exist to win."
Hamilton said he had stroked his McLaren home as if it was a winning racehorse in its final furlongs. "I was rubbing the cockpit of the car [on] the last five laps, saying, 'Please baby please, I swear on my life, please just stay together.' I wasn't worried that the car would fail. I was worried that my left tyre would go or something. This is one of my top three wins. It's up there with Silverstone and Monaco. When you win from the start it's beautiful. But when you win having come through people and you really have to earn it, it feels that much better."
It was Hamilton's first race win since his victory in Spa at the end of August 2010 and it narrowed the gap between himself and championship leader, Sebastian Vettel of Red Bull, to 21 points. It was an old-fashioned charge by Hamilton and he produced memorable moves to get past Vettel at the start, his own team-mate, Jenson Button, Nico Rosberg, Felipe Massa and Vettel again just four laps from the end.
He said: "It feels like forever since I had my last race win. I can't even remember it as it is that long ago. Every inch of the race, every second, was incredibly enjoyable. I love being able to fight with different drivers and have the battles and have them at their best. I really felt that today. While the tyres were going off on some cars I felt they were really performing and driving very well to defend their position, so it made it even more exciting.
Hamilton made the start with only 30 seconds to spare, after his flooded engine would not start. The McLaren team principal, Martin Whitmarsh, said afterwards: "As a team we went through far from a perfect afternoon. We were lucky to get the car out of the garage with seconds to spare. It would have been very easy to go into a blind panic mode and the team did a great job. To start pulling a car apart at that time you would expect not to get out so we almost had to start from the pit lane.
"The first [tyre] stops were wrong because Jenson didn't hear the call, so he came in one lap too late and went into the wrong box, which lost a position. Then Lewis couldn't stop until one lap too late and that cost a position for Lewis.
"A decisive point was to change strategy and switch from a two-stop to a three-stop and that was the point we were able to win this race. But I'm not sure I can survive 19 races like that."
Button finished fourth after his bizarre mistake on lap 15. He came into the pits but stopped at Vettel's bay and had to be beckoned through by the Red Bull mechanics. The 2009 champion said: "As I came into the pits I flicked the wrong switch. So I thought, 'Oh my god, it's not the right switch.' So I looked down and went into Seb's stop. It cost me about two seconds. I still would have finished in the same position. It was playing on my mind for a while after that."
Vettel adopted a two-stop strategy and his tyres were fading as Hamilton made ground on him by a second a lap in the closing stages, before passing him on the 52nd. The German said: "It was quite a nice fight with Lewis. Twice, down the long straight, I was able to stay ahead. To be honest, I was quite surprised by his move into turn seven. I think he did a very good move there."
Vettel's team-mate, Mark Webber, started in 18th place and cut his way through the field to finish third. Asked if it was one of the best races of his career, the Australian said: "It's easy to sit here and say, 'Yeah, it was phenomenal, top-three drive, rah rah rah.' But in the end that's my job, mate, isn't it? You've just got to [get your] head down, arse up and get into it. So that's what I did."
The Red Bull team principal, Christian Horner, said: "Second and third is still a fantastic result. The strategy so nearly paid off for Seb. We felt it was the best way to beat [the] McLarens. Seb lost a bit of time when Jenson decided to check out our pit crew. He is obviously so eager to drive for Red Bull that he wanted to stop there. I am sure Jenson is wondering how he finished fourth behind Mark, who started 18th. Kers worked in the first half of the race. We still need to improve on it and we have three weeks until Turkey to get it right."

Rutashubanyuma · Apr 17, 2011

McLaren's Lewis Hamilton ranks Chinese grand prix win among his best

Lewis Hamilton satisfied with manner of his victory
Championship leader Sebastian Vettel is impressed

Paul Weaver in Shanghai
guardian.co.uk, Sunday 17 April 2011 19.12 BST <li class="history">Article history

Lewis Hamilton celebrates his victory in Shanghai. Photograph: Franck Robichon/EPA

Lewis Hamilton's first victory in almost eight months, in the Chinese grand prix, has breathed fresh life into the Formula One season. The young British driver declared: "I live, breathe and exist to win."
Hamilton said he had stroked his McLaren home as if it was a winning racehorse in its final furlongs. "I was rubbing the cockpit of the car [on] the last five laps, saying, 'Please baby please, I swear on my life, please just stay together.' I wasn't worried that the car would fail. I was worried that my left tyre would go or something. This is one of my top three wins. It's up there with Silverstone and Monaco. When you win from the start it's beautiful. But when you win having come through people and you really have to earn it, it feels that much better."
It was Hamilton's first race win since his victory in Spa at the end of August 2010 and it narrowed the gap between himself and championship leader, Sebastian Vettel of Red Bull, to 21 points. It was an old-fashioned charge by Hamilton and he produced memorable moves to get past Vettel at the start, his own team-mate, Jenson Button, Nico Rosberg, Felipe Massa and Vettel again just four laps from the end.
He said: "It feels like forever since I had my last race win. I can't even remember it as it is that long ago. Every inch of the race, every second, was incredibly enjoyable. I love being able to fight with different drivers and have the battles and have them at their best. I really felt that today. While the tyres were going off on some cars I felt they were really performing and driving very well to defend their position, so it made it even more exciting.
Hamilton made the start with only 30 seconds to spare, after his flooded engine would not start. The McLaren team principal, Martin Whitmarsh, said afterwards: "As a team we went through far from a perfect afternoon. We were lucky to get the car out of the garage with seconds to spare. It would have been very easy to go into a blind panic mode and the team did a great job. To start pulling a car apart at that time you would expect not to get out so we almost had to start from the pit lane.
"The first [tyre] stops were wrong because Jenson didn't hear the call, so he came in one lap too late and went into the wrong box, which lost a position. Then Lewis couldn't stop until one lap too late and that cost a position for Lewis.
"A decisive point was to change strategy and switch from a two-stop to a three-stop and that was the point we were able to win this race. But I'm not sure I can survive 19 races like that."
Button finished fourth after his bizarre mistake on lap 15. He came into the pits but stopped at Vettel's bay and had to be beckoned through by the Red Bull mechanics. The 2009 champion said: "As I came into the pits I flicked the wrong switch. So I thought, 'Oh my god, it's not the right switch.' So I looked down and went into Seb's stop. It cost me about two seconds. I still would have finished in the same position. It was playing on my mind for a while after that."
Vettel adopted a two-stop strategy and his tyres were fading as Hamilton made ground on him by a second a lap in the closing stages, before passing him on the 52nd. The German said: "It was quite a nice fight with Lewis. Twice, down the long straight, I was able to stay ahead. To be honest, I was quite surprised by his move into turn seven. I think he did a very good move there."
Vettel's team-mate, Mark Webber, started in 18th place and cut his way through the field to finish third. Asked if it was one of the best races of his career, the Australian said: "It's easy to sit here and say, 'Yeah, it was phenomenal, top-three drive, rah rah rah.' But in the end that's my job, mate, isn't it? You've just got to [get your] head down, arse up and get into it. So that's what I did."
The Red Bull team principal, Christian Horner, said: "Second and third is still a fantastic result. The strategy so nearly paid off for Seb. We felt it was the best way to beat [the] McLarens. Seb lost a bit of time when Jenson decided to check out our pit crew. He is obviously so eager to drive for Red Bull that he wanted to stop there. I am sure Jenson is wondering how he finished fourth behind Mark, who started 18th. Kers worked in the first half of the race. We still need to improve on it and we have three weeks until Turkey to get it right."

Rutashubanyuma · Apr 17, 2011

Andy Murray looks for consistency after Rafael Nadal takes title

• Scot acknowledges missing element in his game
• Nadal beats Ferrer in final as Murray heads for a scan

Simon Cambers in Monaco
guardian.co.uk, Sunday 17 April 2011 17.54 BST <li class="history">Article history

Andy Murray, left, shakes hands with Rafael Nadal after losing in the semi-final of the Monte Carlo Masters that Nadal went on to win, beating David Ferrer in the final. Photograph: Julian Finney/Getty Images

It was the former Wimbledon champion Goran Ivanisevic who famously revealed he had a split personality, introducing the world to "Good Goran, Bad Goran and Emergency Goran" to explain his fragile mental state. No one would ever suggest Andy Murray is in the same league as the eccentric Croat but the Scot admitted that the real Andy Murray had been missing too long.
After two months he would probably rather forget, in which his form and motivation disintegrated, the world No4 bounced back to his best on the clay here, giving Rafael Nadal a real fright in the semi-finals. The world No1 Nadal clinched a 6-4, 7-5 victory over David Ferrer to win the Monte Carlo Masters for a record seventh straight time today and Murray acknowledges he needs to play flat out every day if he is to match the Spaniard and the rest of the world's best.
"In the US I didn't feel as if it was me on the court," Murray said. "I wasn't doing myself justice at all and I need to make sure it never happens again. I need to play like I did against Rafa every week, that's what he does and that's why he's No1.
"Novak Djokovic has been very consistent this year but to beat those guys and to overtake them in the rankings you need to do it every week. You can't go out and play crap for two to three weeks in a row because it gives guys a feeling that they can beat you and you don't want to have that. That was happening and I'm glad I managed to turn it around this week."
It was interesting to hear Nadal say that he believed Murray had all the tools to be successful on clay. The Scot has always said he enjoys playing on it and the patience, movement and fitness required to succeed on clay should all be a good fit for him. "There are a lot of people who said: 'You don't play well on it, it's not your best surface,'" Murray said.
"I feel I can play well on clay. It's easy to think, 'Ah, no pressure, I'm not going to do that well.' I need to make sure I go for the win in all the tournaments because it's possible, you just need to be very, very patient and very fit."
Fitness may be a short-term problem for Murray after he needed a cortisone injection to calm a right elbow injury before playing Nadal. Murray travelled to Barcelona for this week's ATP event but is due to have an MRI scan to assess the damage. He will not take any risks but he is desperate to keep the momentum going.
"I'm happy with the way I was competing and with my attitude," he said. "I was moving well and hitting the ball how I should hit it every time I play. That's why I'll be frustrated if I have to miss any tennis because I want to play right now."
Both Nadal and Ferrer struggled for consistency in an enthralling final with Nadal making the crucial breakthrough to take a 6-5 lead in the second set.

Rutashubanyuma · Apr 17, 2011

Pakistan's Zulqarnain Haider withdraws application for UK asylum

• Wicketkeeper receives assurances about safety in Pakistan
• U-turn could pave way for return to international cricket

Andy Wilson
guardian.co.uk, Sunday 17 April 2011 18.04 BST <li class="history">Article history

Zulqarnain Haider fled the Pakistan squad in Abu Dhabi in November because of alleged death threats. Photograph: Rex Features

Zulqarnain Haider has withdrawn the application for UK asylum that he filed after fleeing Pakistan's one-day squad because of alleged death threats last November, setting the scene for a probable return to international cricket.
The 24-year-old wicketkeeper, who scored 88 on his Test debut against England at Trent Bridge last summer, was given assurances that he and his family would be protected in Pakistan by the interior minister, Rehman Malik, at a meeting in London last week.
He gave an interview to Pakistani television over the weekend saying: "After meeting with [the] interior minister and getting assurance of my and my family's safety in Pakistan, I have decided to return home on 24 April. After getting this assurance there is no need for me to continue with my asylum application, which I will withdraw."
It is a major turnaround, both by Haider and the Pakistani cricket authorities, who described him as "mentally ill" after he had fled to London on the morning of a one-day match during the "home" series against South Africa in Abu Dhabi. He held a press conference in a west London restaurant in which he spoke darkly of the threats from underworld betting syndicates over fixing matches in that series, and regularly made claims that he would expose elements of fixing within Pakistan cricket.
The Pakistan Cricket Board terminated Haider's contract and banned him for life. But his brother Aqeel told Pakistani media that a meeting with the PCB has already been set up to discuss a possible recall.
The Pakistan team are currently in the Caribbean preparing for one-day and Test series against West Indies with an uncapped wicketkeeper, Mohammad Salman, after Kamran Akmal was dropped for his World Cup performances.
James Harris bowled Glamorgan to a 189-run victory over Gloucestershire in Cardiff on Sunday. The England Lions seamer, who is 19, took three for 62 for match figures of eight for 101 as Gloucestershire lost their last seven wickets for 31 after a battling 83 from Chris Taylor.
Middlesex, Derbyshire and Northamptonshire had completed victories on Saturday in the other three Second Division fixtures, while Nottinghamshire launched their Championship defence by beating Hampshire at Trent Bridge. But the title favourites, Somerset, suffered a humiliating defeat by Warwickshire at Taunton,, losing by an innings and 382 runs - the fifth biggest margin in Championship history - after being bundled out for 50 inside 15 overs in their second innings. Chris Woakes took nine wickets in the match for Warwickshire.

Rutashubanyuma · Apr 17, 2011

Pakistan's Zulqarnain Haider withdraws application for UK asylum

Wicketkeeper receives assurances about safety in Pakistan
U-turn could pave way for return to international cricket Andy Wilson

guardian.co.uk, Sunday 17 April 2011 18.04 BST <li class="history">Article history

Zulqarnain Haider fled the Pakistan squad in Abu Dhabi in November because of alleged death threats. Photograph: Rex Features

Zulqarnain Haider has withdrawn the application for UK asylum that he filed after fleeing Pakistan's one-day squad because of alleged death threats last November, setting the scene for a probable return to international cricket.
The 24-year-old wicketkeeper, who scored 88 on his Test debut against England at Trent Bridge last summer, was given assurances that he and his family would be protected in Pakistan by the interior minister, Rehman Malik, at a meeting in London last week.
He gave an interview to Pakistani television over the weekend saying: "After meeting with [the] interior minister and getting assurance of my and my family's safety in Pakistan, I have decided to return home on 24 April. After getting this assurance there is no need for me to continue with my asylum application, which I will withdraw."
It is a major turnaround, both by Haider and the Pakistani cricket authorities, who described him as "mentally ill" after he had fled to London on the morning of a one-day match during the "home" series against South Africa in Abu Dhabi. He held a press conference in a west London restaurant in which he spoke darkly of the threats from underworld betting syndicates over fixing matches in that series, and regularly made claims that he would expose elements of fixing within Pakistan cricket.
The Pakistan Cricket Board terminated Haider's contract and banned him for life. But his brother Aqeel told Pakistani media that a meeting with the PCB has already been set up to discuss a possible recall.
The Pakistan team are currently in the Caribbean preparing for one-day and Test series against West Indies with an uncapped wicketkeeper, Mohammad Salman, after Kamran Akmal was dropped for his World Cup performances.
James Harris bowled Glamorgan to a 189-run victory over Gloucestershire in Cardiff on Sunday. The England Lions seamer, who is 19, took three for 62 for match figures of eight for 101 as Gloucestershire lost their last seven wickets for 31 after a battling 83 from Chris Taylor.
Middlesex, Derbyshire and Northamptonshire had completed victories on Saturday in the other three Second Division fixtures, while Nottinghamshire launched their Championship defence by beating Hampshire at Trent Bridge. But the title favourites, Somerset, suffered a humiliating defeat by Warwickshire at Taunton,, losing by an innings and 382 runs - the fifth biggest margin in Championship history - after being bundled out for 50 inside 15 overs in their second innings. Chris Woakes took nine wickets in the match for Warwickshire.

Rutashubanyuma · Apr 17, 2011

Celtic march into Scottish Cup final against 10-man Aberdeen

Aberdeen 0-4 Celtic

Comments (17)

Ewan Murray at Hampden Park
guardian.co.uk, Sunday 17 April 2011 14.54 BST <li class="history">Article history

Kris Commons celebrates scoring Celtic's third goal against Aberdeen from the penalty spot. Photograph: Jason Cairnduff/Action Images

For 45 minutes, this was an almighty struggle for Celtic. No doubt reeling from some half-time truths from their manager and benefiting as Aberdeen's early reduction to 10 men finally told, the Parkhead club improved markedly thereafter.
Neil Lennon's dream of a double during this, his first full season in charge, remains alive. Celtic will meet Motherwell in the Scottish Cup final on 21 May.
Aberdeen, who were thumped by the same opponents in this season's League Cup semi-final, had their hopes of a final appearance fatally undermined by the 18th-minute dismissal of Andrew Considine. The centre-half clipped Gary Hooper as he bore down on goal; Anthony Stokes saw his resultant penalty beaten away by Jamie Langfield but Celtic's numerical advantage always looked likely to be decisive.
Still, Aberdeen had held their own during that opening period. Chris Maguire headed their best opportunity at Fraser Forster while, aside from the spot kick, Stokes had been denied at close, one-on-one range by Langfield.
Aberdeen's goalkeeper was deceived by the Celtic opener. Charlie Mulgrew, a former Dons player, curled in a free-kick that was intended as a cross for Stokes. Not only did the striker fail to connect with a header, the bounce of the ball was also sufficient to beat Langfield for the first time.
Aberdeen lacked the resource and belief to recover. They had watched a goal from Maguire chalked off for offside only seconds before Joe Ledley doubled the Celtic advantage. Stokes was the provider, with a cut-back that the Welshman stroked home from 12 yards.
Celtic's second penalty of the tie extended their aggregate advantage over Aberdeen this season to 20-1. Derek Young conceded it, with a needless challenge on Stokes as he and the ball seemed to be running out of play. A change of taker prompted a change in result, Kris Commons slotting past Langfield from 12 yards.
The substitute Shaun Maloney completed the scoring from close-range after build-up work from Scott Brown and the impressive Mark Wilson. Aberdeen's only source of solace is that they do not have to meet Celtic again this season.

Rutashubanyuma · Apr 17, 2011

Rutashubanyuma · Apr 17, 2011

Stephen Craigan leads rout as Motherwell reach Scottish Cup final

Motherwell 3-0 St Johnstone

Comments (4)

Ewan Murray at Hampden Park
guardian.co.uk, Saturday 16 April 2011 15.28 BST <li class="history">Article history

Motherwell's Stephen Craigan (second from left) heads in to give his side the lead against St Johnstone at Hampden Park. Photograph: David Moir/Reuters

Motherwell's bid to make history remains alive. Only twice before have the Lanarkshire team lifted the Scottish Cup, with the class of 2011 now within a game of having their names indelibly etched in club legend.
Earlier this season, Motherwell were plunged into crisis when their manager Craig Brown departed for Aberdeen. The campaign will end with a return to Hampden Park on 21 May and a gala occasion, one which, it is safe to assume, will be attended by more than the 11,920 who turned out for this semi-final.
Aberdeen or Celtic will lie in wait. Motherwell have proved infuriatingly inconsistent in recent months, but on top form have no cause to fear anybody. There is, moreover, now a chance that they could feature in the qualifying stages of next season's Europa League.
Stuart McCall, who succeeded Brown, will have relished this semi-final win more than most. McCall was accustomed to claiming medals during his time as a Rangers player, but sampled the tougher side of football when in charge of Bradford City. For McCall and a cheaply assembled group of players, progression to a cup final is an achievement in itself and worthy of praise. Motherwell were regarded as the narrow favourites to win this tie, with few anticipating them having a final place booked within 39 minutes.
In cantering to the final, Motherwell inflicted a painful blow on St Johnstone and their ambitious young manager, Derek McInnes. It is to the credit of McInnes that the manner of St Johnstone's capitulation came as a shock.
The Perth team had been condemned to defeat by half-time, with their goalkeeper Peter Enckelman at fault for at least two of Motherwell's three early goals. Enckelman, perhaps best known for an astonishing error when playing in a Birmingham derby, has suffered before on the big occasion.
Without the dynamism of the injured Chris Millar, and with their captain Jody Morris making his first start in six weeks because of a back problem, St Johnstone never seemed likely to recover from early punishment. Enckelman came for and missed a Tom Hateley corner inside five minutes, allowing Stephen Craigan to head home a rare goal.
Given their recent scoring troubles, even at one goal behind St Johnstone had a problem. If their toils in front of goal were well known, few could have anticipated the defensive generosity that contributed so strongly to their downfall. Motherwell's Jamie Murphy, for whom bigger things lie ahead if he can progress at the rate his talent deserves, skipped unchallenged through the St Johnstone defence. The low shot that followed beat Enckelman comfortably. A 30-yard dipping shot from John Sutton shouldn't have done likewise, but did, with Enckelman only able to claw the ball into his own top corner.
As is often the case in such situations, the second half was something of a non-event. St Johnstone, who had removed the ineffectual Collin Samuel, understandably rallied, with Murray Davidson driving a long-range effort narrowly over the Motherwell crossbar. There was also a penalty appeal made in vain when Danny Invincibile tumbled over a challenge from the Motherwell full-back Steven Hammell. Davidson's 81st-minute header from a Danny Grainger corner rebounded from the bar.
For St Johnstone, safe in the Premier League and consigned to the bottom six after its annual split, the season is over in all but name. Motherwell's players have the motivation of a place in the cup final team to keep them working throughout the next month.

Rutashubanyuma · Apr 17, 2011

Rutashubanyuma · Apr 17, 2011

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