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[Rutashubanyuma]

Carra desperate to make Europe


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Updated Apr 21, 2011 5:16 AM ET
Jamie Carragher is "desperate" for Liverpool to make Europe next season - but Milan Jovanovic does not want to be at Anfield even if they do.
The sixth-placed Reds still have a chance of qualifying for the Europa League again, especially if Manchester City win the FA Cup and fail to finish in the top four as it would mean an extra European place will go to the Premier League.

BARCLAY'S PREMIER LEAGUE ​

Tue., Apr. 19​

Newcastle 0-0 Man Utd | Recap

Wed., Apr. 20​

Chelsea 3-1 Birmingham
Tottenham 3-3 Arsenal | Recap

Sat., Apr. 23​

Man Utd vs. Everton
Aston Villa vs. Stoke City
Blackpool vs. Newcastle
Liverpool vs. Birmingham
Sunderland vs. Wigan
Tottenham vs. West Brom
Wolves vs. Fulham
Chelsea vs. West Ham

Sun., Apr. 24​

Bolton vs. Arsenal

BPL Scores | Table | Fixtures​

And the club's European appearance record holder Carragher is optimistic a disappointing season could still finish on a high note.
"I think (European hopes) are realistic," he said.
"We've got another opportunity now with City reaching the FA Cup final so I'm looking at all the different ways we can get in there.
"I'm desperate for us to get back into Europe - Liverpool have to be in Europe."
However, it seems Jovanovic is just desperate to end his Anfield nightmare after just one season.
The Serbia international has not featured since February 12 against Wigan and won the last of his five Premier League starts in the defeat at Blackpool in mid-January.
Those are the only two matches the 30-year-old has featured in since Kenny Dalglish took over as manager from Roy Hodgson in early January.
Having been signed on a free transfer by Rafael Benitez in the summer, Jovanovic then saw the Spaniard leave Anfield before he even arrived.
And the former Standard Liege player admits he is lonely in England and feels the changes of manager have not helped his cause.
"If I would move to Italy or Germany I would be happier than in England - my life would be nicer," he told Sportske.
"In Belgium I was living in an area where there were so many people from Serbia and my life was different, more dynamic.
"Liverpool is such a different place. I'm here alone, without anybody. I'm just a very lonely stranger.
"If I wouldn't have my wife and my kids I just couldn't speak Serbian with anybody.
"Liverpool is a club which you can't refuse; my only regret is that the coach who brought me to Anfield left the club before my arrival.
"If Rafa Benitez would have stayed at Liverpool I believe everything would be different for me.
"There were 15 other clubs which followed me but I chose Liverpool and made a mistake."

 

[Rutashubanyuma]

Carra desperate to make Europe


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Updated Apr 21, 2011 5:16 AM ET
Jamie Carragher is "desperate" for Liverpool to make Europe next season - but Milan Jovanovic does not want to be at Anfield even if they do.
The sixth-placed Reds still have a chance of qualifying for the Europa League again, especially if Manchester City win the FA Cup and fail to finish in the top four as it would mean an extra European place will go to the Premier League.

BARCLAY'S PREMIER LEAGUE ​

Tue., Apr. 19​

Newcastle 0-0 Man Utd | Recap

Wed., Apr. 20​

Chelsea 3-1 Birmingham
Tottenham 3-3 Arsenal | Recap

Sat., Apr. 23​

Man Utd vs. Everton
Aston Villa vs. Stoke City
Blackpool vs. Newcastle
Liverpool vs. Birmingham
Sunderland vs. Wigan
Tottenham vs. West Brom
Wolves vs. Fulham
Chelsea vs. West Ham

Sun., Apr. 24​

Bolton vs. Arsenal

BPL Scores | Table | Fixtures​

And the club's European appearance record holder Carragher is optimistic a disappointing season could still finish on a high note.
"I think (European hopes) are realistic," he said.
"We've got another opportunity now with City reaching the FA Cup final so I'm looking at all the different ways we can get in there.
"I'm desperate for us to get back into Europe - Liverpool have to be in Europe."
However, it seems Jovanovic is just desperate to end his Anfield nightmare after just one season.
The Serbia international has not featured since February 12 against Wigan and won the last of his five Premier League starts in the defeat at Blackpool in mid-January.
Those are the only two matches the 30-year-old has featured in since Kenny Dalglish took over as manager from Roy Hodgson in early January.
Having been signed on a free transfer by Rafael Benitez in the summer, Jovanovic then saw the Spaniard leave Anfield before he even arrived.
And the former Standard Liege player admits he is lonely in England and feels the changes of manager have not helped his cause.
"If I would move to Italy or Germany I would be happier than in England - my life would be nicer," he told Sportske.
"In Belgium I was living in an area where there were so many people from Serbia and my life was different, more dynamic.
"Liverpool is such a different place. I'm here alone, without anybody. I'm just a very lonely stranger.
"If I wouldn't have my wife and my kids I just couldn't speak Serbian with anybody.
"Liverpool is a club which you can't refuse; my only regret is that the coach who brought me to Anfield left the club before my arrival.
"If Rafa Benitez would have stayed at Liverpool I believe everything would be different for me.
"There were 15 other clubs which followed me but I chose Liverpool and made a mistake."



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• Report Abuse REDRunsInmyBloodSince2010
  
  • 4/21/2011 12:24:38 PM
  this is a sad story. i feel for the lad. i hope that he will be transfered somewhere where he can be happy.
  
• Report Abuse dutchboy88
  
  • 4/21/2011 9:32:20 AM
  Well Jova,, I a not sure what happened but I was a supporter and think you didnt get a fair chance for whatever reason. good luck on your new club . I think I heard Athetico Madrid has made inquiries
  

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[Rutashubanyuma]

Real Madrid player Sergio Ramos drops Spanish cup under a bus

Trophy takes a tumble and disappears under vehicle's wheels as footballers celebrate victory over arch-rivals Barcelona

• Giles Tremlett in Madrid
• guardian.co.uk, Thursday 21 April 2011 10.50 BST <li class="history">Article history Real Madrid defender drops the Copa del Ray from the top deck of an open-topped double-decker bus, which then runs over the trophy Link to this video Exuberant Real Madrid footballers rode triumphantly back into town on Thursday morning with the Spanish cup in their hands, but then accidentally dropped it from the top of a double-decker bus &#8211; which ran over it.
  Defender Sergio Ramos was at the front of the top deck as the bus neared the central Cibeles fountain where Real Madrid fans traditionally gather to celebrate their victories.
  A 1-0 win over arch-rivals Barcelona in the Copa del Rey, thanks to an extra-time goal from Cristiano Ronaldo, filled the city centre in the early hours of Thursday morning with chanting Real Madrid fans waving white flags and scarves.
  Ramos had the huge cup perched on his head and appeared to be trying to jump up and down with team-mates when it slipped from his hands.
  The trophy fell on to the tarmac in front of the moving bus and was run over. "The cup has fallen!" Ramos cried out.
  TV pictures showed the cup disappearing under the slow-moving bus at a spot close to its right front wheel.
  The bus came to halt while some players peered over the edge to see where the cup had gone and others continued to bounce up and down.
  A group of firemen and police then appeared to recover the cup, which was not seen again as the party continued. El Mundo newspaper's website reported that the cup had been smashed into 10 different pieces.
  But Ramos later told the Telemadrid TV station: "The cup is all right."
  The incident did not prevent Real Madrid fans enjoying their victory over Barcelona in the clubs' second of four encounters in just 18 days.
  A huge number of fans had stayed on the streets until the team arrived home from eastern Valencia, where the final was played, at 4am.
  The club's captain, Iker Casillas, tied a Real Madrid scarf around the neck of the Cibeles statue.
  The two teams meet again next week &#8211; on 27 April &#8211; to play the first round of their Champions League semi-final at Real Madrid's Bernabéu stadium. They will play the second leg at Barcelona's Camp Nou on 3 May.
  On Saturday they drew a league match, leaving Barcelona comfortably ahead in the table as the season draws to a close.
  Ramos joked about the incident on Twitter on Thursday morning. "There has been a misunderstanding about the cup," he wrote.
  "It didn't fall, it jumped when it got to Cibeles and saw so many Madristas [Real Madrid fans]."
  But he later added in a second tweet: "Don't worry, it is fine."
  
  

 

[Rutashubanyuma]

Real Madrid player Sergio Ramos drops Spanish cup under a bus

Trophy takes a tumble and disappears under vehicle's wheels as footballers celebrate victory over arch-rivals Barcelona

• Giles Tremlett in Madrid
• guardian.co.uk, Thursday 21 April 2011 10.50 BST <li class="history">Article history Real Madrid defender drops the Copa del Ray from the top deck of an open-topped double-decker bus, which then runs over the trophy Link to this video Exuberant Real Madrid footballers rode triumphantly back into town on Thursday morning with the Spanish cup in their hands, but then accidentally dropped it from the top of a double-decker bus – which ran over it.
  Defender Sergio Ramos was at the front of the top deck as the bus neared the central Cibeles fountain where Real Madrid fans traditionally gather to celebrate their victories.
  A 1-0 win over arch-rivals Barcelona in the Copa del Rey, thanks to an extra-time goal from Cristiano Ronaldo, filled the city centre in the early hours of Thursday morning with chanting Real Madrid fans waving white flags and scarves.
  Ramos had the huge cup perched on his head and appeared to be trying to jump up and down with team-mates when it slipped from his hands.
  The trophy fell on to the tarmac in front of the moving bus and was run over. "The cup has fallen!" Ramos cried out.
  TV pictures showed the cup disappearing under the slow-moving bus at a spot close to its right front wheel.
  The bus came to halt while some players peered over the edge to see where the cup had gone and others continued to bounce up and down.
  A group of firemen and police then appeared to recover the cup, which was not seen again as the party continued. El Mundo newspaper's website reported that the cup had been smashed into 10 different pieces.
  But Ramos later told the Telemadrid TV station: "The cup is all right."
  The incident did not prevent Real Madrid fans enjoying their victory over Barcelona in the clubs' second of four encounters in just 18 days.
  A huge number of fans had stayed on the streets until the team arrived home from eastern Valencia, where the final was played, at 4am.
  The club's captain, Iker Casillas, tied a Real Madrid scarf around the neck of the Cibeles statue.
  The two teams meet again next week – on 27 April – to play the first round of their Champions League semi-final at Real Madrid's Bernabéu stadium. They will play the second leg at Barcelona's Camp Nou on 3 May.
  On Saturday they drew a league match, leaving Barcelona comfortably ahead in the table as the season draws to a close.
  Ramos joked about the incident on Twitter on Thursday morning. "There has been a misunderstanding about the cup," he wrote.
  "It didn't fall, it jumped when it got to Cibeles and saw so many Madristas [Real Madrid fans]."
  But he later added in a second tweet: "Don't worry, it is fine."

 

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[Rutashubanyuma]

Stoke manager Tony Pulis dismisses complaint over rearranged fixture

&#8226; Stoke will play Man City in final week of the season
&#8226; Tottenham's Harry Redknapp unhappy with timing

• Press Association
• guardian.co.uk, Thursday 21 April 2011 12.45 BST <li class="history">Article history
  
  Tony Pulis has dismissed Harry Redknapp's complaint over Stoke's rescheduled match against Manchester City. Photograph: Carl Recine/Action Images
  
  Tony Pulis has responded to the row surrounding Stoke City's rearranged fixture with Manchester City and insisted the matter has "nothing to do with anyone else".
  The two clubs were due to meet at Eastlands on FA Cup final weekend but, having reached the final, their Premier League game has now moved to Tuesday 17 May, in the final week of the domestic season.
  That prompted a complaint from the Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp, who is concerned that Stoke could benefit from not winning the match.
  But Pulis said: "I can see where he [Redknapp] is coming from but whichever team we send out will do their best. The fixture is there, we are happy with it, Manchester City are happy with it and it has nothing to do with anyone else."
  If Stoke were to lose the FA Cup final, they could still qualify for next season's Europa League if Manchester City were to finish in the top four in the Premier League.
  That would mean City make the Champions League and would not need the FA Cup's Europa League place, which would instead go to Stoke. City are currently in fourth place, two points ahead of fifth-placed Spurs.
  Pulis, though, believes the competitive nature of the Premier League means it is impossible to predict the outcome of a specific game. He added: "Spurs have played Wigan twice this year, and Wigan have taken four points off them.
  "Harry has picked a team on two occasions to win both games. You can never pick a game and say it won't be difficult. We will go out and do our best. If they shifted the fixture I would be more annoyed than Harry."
  
  

 

[Rutashubanyuma]

Stoke manager Tony Pulis dismisses complaint over rearranged fixture

• Stoke will play Man City in final week of the season
• Tottenham's Harry Redknapp unhappy with timing

• Press Association
• guardian.co.uk, Thursday 21 April 2011 12.45 BST <li class="history">Article history
  
  Tony Pulis has dismissed Harry Redknapp's complaint over Stoke's rescheduled match against Manchester City. Photograph: Carl Recine/Action Images
  
  Tony Pulis has responded to the row surrounding Stoke City's rearranged fixture with Manchester City and insisted the matter has "nothing to do with anyone else".
  The two clubs were due to meet at Eastlands on FA Cup final weekend but, having reached the final, their Premier League game has now moved to Tuesday 17 May, in the final week of the domestic season.
  That prompted a complaint from the Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp, who is concerned that Stoke could benefit from not winning the match.
  But Pulis said: "I can see where he [Redknapp] is coming from but whichever team we send out will do their best. The fixture is there, we are happy with it, Manchester City are happy with it and it has nothing to do with anyone else."
  If Stoke were to lose the FA Cup final, they could still qualify for next season's Europa League if Manchester City were to finish in the top four in the Premier League.
  That would mean City make the Champions League and would not need the FA Cup's Europa League place, which would instead go to Stoke. City are currently in fourth place, two points ahead of fifth-placed Spurs.
  Pulis, though, believes the competitive nature of the Premier League means it is impossible to predict the outcome of a specific game. He added: "Spurs have played Wigan twice this year, and Wigan have taken four points off them.
  "Harry has picked a team on two occasions to win both games. You can never pick a game and say it won't be difficult. We will go out and do our best. If they shifted the fixture I would be more annoyed than Harry."

 

[Rutashubanyuma]

Wilkinson pens new Potters deal


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Updated Apr 21, 2011 9:41 AM ET
Stoke right-back Andy Wilkinson has "capped an amazing few days" by signing a new contract to keep him at the Britannia Stadium until 2014.
Wilkinson was a part of the the stunning 5-0 FA Cup semi-final win over Bolton on Sunday that earned the club their first ever final appearance.


The 26-year-old, a lifelong Potters fan from nearby Stone, is the club's longest-serving player having made his first-team debut in 2003-04.
"This has capped an amazing few days for me," Wilkinson told the club's official website.
"Being a local lad, it's always been a dream of mine to play for this club, never mind having the chance now to play in an FA Cup final following our win at the weekend.
"It's been remarkable to see the progress this club has made in my time here and I am excited about what the future holds in store for us."
Tony Pulis said Wilkinson's deal was another example of the club looking after the players that got them to where they are today.
"This could go down as one of the most successful seasons in the club's long history and at a time like this it is important that we look after those players who have helped get us where we are today," Pulis said.
"Andy is certainly one such player deserving of that recognition and I am sure that he has an equally vital role to play in our future."

 

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Crouch: Pressure is on City


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Updated Apr 21, 2011 11:44 AM ET
Peter Crouch insists all the pressure is on Manchester City in the race for fourth despite Tottenham's failure to draw level with their rivals.
Spurs sit two points behind City with five matches remaining after Wednesday night's pulsating 3-3 draw with Arsenal at White Hart Lane.


A win against their neighbours would have drawn Tottenham level with Roberto Mancini's men, who have their tails up after dumping Manchester United out of the FA Cup last weekend.
With Liverpool seemingly out of the hunt for fourth, the battle for the final Champions League qualification position mirrors last year's contest - when Spurs overtook their rich north-west rivals by claiming four wins from their last six games, with one of those victories coming at Eastlands.
With Mancini having parted with over £150million to help him succeed where he failed last year, Crouch feels the onus is on the Italian and his team rather than Spurs.
"They're under more pressure than we are," Crouch said.
"That doesn't make us have any less desire to get in there but we have probably got a bit more freedom than them.
"There is pressure on us too, though, because we've loved every minute of being in the Champions League this year. It's been fantastic.
"That's what we want next season. We've proved we can play against the best and that's where we want to be again next year."
Crouch's tap-in at Eastlands in Tottenham's penultimate game of last season ensured that Spurs would dine at Europe's top table for the first time since 1962.

BARCLAY'S PREMIER LEAGUE ​

Tue., Apr. 19​

Newcastle 0-0 Man Utd | Recap

Wed., Apr. 20​

Chelsea 3-1 Birmingham
Tottenham 3-3 Arsenal | Recap

Sat., Apr. 23​

Man Utd vs. Everton
Aston Villa vs. Stoke City
Blackpool vs. Newcastle
Liverpool vs. Birmingham
Sunderland vs. Wigan
Tottenham vs. West Brom
Wolves vs. Fulham
Chelsea vs. West Ham

Sun., Apr. 24​

Bolton vs. Arsenal

BPL Scores | Table | Fixtures​

He admits that Spurs' visit to Eastlands on May 10 this year may prove to be decisive in this season's battle for a lucrative place in the Champions League.
"I hope it comes down to that match again. I enjoyed that last year, it was great," Crouch added.
"It will be like a cup final in many ways.
"This year they will be trying all out. I don't think they'll maybe go as easy as they did last year. We were fantastic there last year and hopefully we can repeat that."
Crouch admits Wednesday night's draw all but ends Arsenal's hopes of winning the Premier League now that they are six points behind leaders Manchester United.
The England striker has title ambitions of his own, which match those of Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp.
Redknapp believes his side's credentials have been shown in Europe this year, when they beat AC Milan and Inter Milan on the way to making it into the Champions League quarter-finals.
Spurs have beaten Arsenal and Liverpool in the league this year but have thrown away points by losing to the likes of Wigan, Blackpool, West Ham and Bolton.
With fixtures against the Tangerines, Birmingham and West Brom on Saturday to come before the end of the season, Crouch admits Spurs must become more clinical when facing teams they are expected to beat.
"It looks like Arsenal's title challenge is over but I'm not worried about Arsenal, I'm worried about us, as our main objective is to get fourth," Crouch said.
"Against the top teams we've been magnificent for a couple of years but to have any aspiration of winning the league, you have to make sure you win games against lower teams in the division.
"We've slipped up a few times this season. They're the most frustrating ones to have dropped. On the big occasion and big games we've proved we can play against anyone."
On the flip side, the fact that Spurs have raised their game against the bigger teams this year could play into Tottenham's hands given that they still have to face Chelsea, City and Liverpool.
"That will suit us. We'll raise our game and get points out of those games and hopefully that will be enough for us," Crouch said.

 

[Rutashubanyuma]

Simpson wants strong finish


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Updated Apr 21, 2011 9:35 AM ET
Newcastle full-back Danny Simpson knows Tuesday's point against Manchester United will count for little if the Magpies lose at Blackpool.
Newcastle moved seven points clear of the bottom three with the draw and are currently ninth ahead of Saturday's trip to Bloomfield Road.


The Magpies are virtually certain of safety with just five games to play but Simpson will not be easing off.
"We don't want to go to Blackpool and waste this point," he told the Northern Echo.
"We don't want to make this result into a bad one by losing there. It's going to be a tough game, we went there last season and lost.
"That will be in our thoughts when we go there because we didn't like that result.
"They have beaten us up here this season so we need to go there and get some revenge.
"They are down at the bottom and they will give it their all, but we are not easing off.
"We've still got to get some more points on the board and hopefully end the season with a bit of momentum for next time."

 

[Rutashubanyuma]

Stuttgart slammed by president


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Updated Apr 21, 2011 11:17 AM ET
Stuttgart's honorary president Gerhard Mayer-Vorfelder has blamed the club's fall from grace on their dealings in the transfer market.
The Swabians are in danger of being relegated to the second division with four games of the season remaining and Mayer-Vorfelder, who was the club's president between 1975 and 2000, says too many wrong decisions have been made since they won the Bundesliga in 2007.

EUROPEAN LEAGUES ​

Italian Serie A​

Scores | Fixtures | Table | Stats

Spanish La Liga​

Scores | Fixtures | Table | Stats

German Bundesliga​

Scores | Fixtures | Table | Stats

French Ligue One​

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Scottish Premier League​

Scores | Fixtures | Table | Stats

Dutch Eredivisie​

Scores | Fixtures | Table | Stats

"The biggest problem in recent years has been their transfer policy," he told the Stuttgarter Zeitung newspaper.
"Big errors have been made with this. I have never understood why Stuttgart have neglected their youth system so much.
"Huge talents such as Andreas Beck or Sebastian Rudy have been sent away and old stars like Yildiray Basturk and Mauro Camoranesi have come and done absolutely nothing for the club."
Stuttgart's youth development programme is the envy of many in the Bundesliga having recently nurtured the likes of Sami Khedira, Mario Gomez and Alexander Merkel, all of whom are no longer at the club.
In their place, large sums of money have been spent on the likes of Camoranesi and Pavel Pogrebnyak, who both failed to make an impact.
Mayer-Vorfelder says that would never have happened while he was in charge.
"No new player was signed who I did not agree to," he said.
"I sometimes even chose the players myself to a certain extent."
Nevertheless, Stuttgart will not go down, according to the former president of the German Football Association (DFB), although "it will be tight".

 

[Rutashubanyuma]

#

Team​

GP
Pts

1

Borussia Dortmund​

30
69

2

Bayer Leverkusen​

30
61

3

Bayern Munich​

30
55

4

Hannover 96​

30
54

5

FSV Mainz 05​

30
48

6

1. FC Nurnberg​

30
46

7

Hamburg​

30
43

8

SC Freiburg​

30
41

9

1899 Hoffenheim​

30
40

10

Schalke 04​

30
40

Full Standings »

 

[Rutashubanyuma]

West Ham's Carlton Cole fined for Tweets about Ghana friendly

&#8226; FA fines Cole £20,000 and warns him about his future conduct
&#8226; PFA issues Twitter warning: 'This is not a private conversation'

• Associated Press
• guardian.co.uk, Wednesday 20 April 2011 20.35 BST <li class="history">Article history
  
  West Ham's Carlton Cole has been fined by the FA for comments made on Twitter. Photograph: Paul Childs/Action Images
  
  The West Ham striker Carlton Cole has been fined by the Football Association for jokes he made on Twitter during England's friendly against Ghana last month. The FA warned Cole about his future conduct and fined him £20,000.
  Cole joked that the match at Wembley Stadium was a trap by the British government to find illegal immigrants. He deleted the comment but was still charged.
  The players' union in England also issued a Twitter warning on Wednesday. "It is ironic that at a time when players are accused of being distant and out of touch with supporters that attempts to communicate can bear such potential sanctions," Bobby Barnes, the deputy chief executive of the Professional Footballers' Association, wrote on the organisation's website.
  Barnes stressed the need for players to be vigilant when using Twitter and other social networking websites. "We would advise players not to stop tweeting but to bear in mind that this is not an intimate private conversation but a medium open to a potentially wide audience," Barnes said. "A useful point to consider in posting tweets might be whether you would be comfortable in being so open with a journalist either from written or news media.
  "It is also worth bearing in mind that something that may appear humorous or harmless when spoken can take on a totally different dimension when put down in print."
  
  

 

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Kris Commons strikes twice to ease ruthless Celtic past Kilmarnock

• Comments (&#8230😉

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• Guardian report
• Match facts
• Ratings

Scottish Premier League

Kilmarnock 0 Celtic 4

• Commons 4,
• Commons 34,
• Hooper 41,
• Stokes 58

• Ewan Murray at Rugby Park
• guardian.co.uk, Wednesday 20 April 2011 21.33 BST
  
  Celtic's Kris Commons, left, celebrates with his team-mates after scoring against Kilmarnock in their SPL clash. Photograph: David Moir/REUTERS
  
  Celtic handed Neil Lennon the emphatic victory he craved at the end of a day in which this keenly contestedtitle race paled into insignificance. Revelations that Lennon was one of three people sent explosive devices in the post overshadowed events in Kilmarnock. As rude awakenings go, for Scottish football and the country's society, this should count.
  Nonetheless, Celtic afforded their young manager at least an enjoyable evening's work. Lennon's team, largely by virtue of a ruthless first-half display in which a Kris Commons double and goal from Gary Hooper all but sealed success, will start Sunday's Old Firm derby a point behind Rangers with a game in hand. There seemed extra emotion attached to Lennon taking to the field at full-time here, as he routinely does after away matches, to salute the Celtic following.
  The fans had chanted Lennon's name throughout the previous 90 minutes, during which the manager was afforded simply a normal night at the office. It is to the former Celtic captain's continued credit that off-field turmoil does not appear to impact at all on his working routine.
  "What has happened to him is madness," Lennon's assistant, Johan Mjällby, said of the manager's treatment. "It shouldn't happen to anyone, no matter what they do in life. He probably had a tear in his eye tonight. The supporters showed what he means to them."
  There was little surprise attached to Lennon's avoidance of media duties after the match in Ayrshire. Television crews had been camped outside Rugby Park for hours, awaiting the arrival of Celtic's team bus in what was merely the start of an evening in which the manager's every move would be monitored and further analysed.
  On the field, for all Kilmarnock were poor and guilty of trying to pass the ball in areas that were always likely to do them more harm than good, Celtic attacked with eye-catching, relentless verve. Commons supplied the latest indication of his useful scoring touch with only four minutes played, collecting a Hooper pass before slotting home from 12 yards. Quite why the Kilmarnock defence saw fit to leave Commons completely unmarked is another matter.
  Some 16 minutes later, there was an orchestrated show of support from the Celtic fans towards their manager by virtue of applause, and song ensued. Kilmarnock's error-strewn opening had not givenCeltic punished Kilmarnock's lameness further before the break. Commons claimed possession as it was cheaply conceded in midfield, the former Derby County man played a one-two with Hooper which was followed up by an angled finish.
  Not to be outdone, Hooper promptly added his name to the scoresheet. The striker's 18-yard effort took a deflection on its way past Anssi Jaakkola, not that it seemed to matter.
  For Kilmarnock's interim manager Kenny Shiels, this was hardly a glowing endorsement of his full-time job credentials. "That was the best display I have seen from a team in the SPL all season," Shiels said of the Celtic showing, a indication that Kilmarnock's visitors had a cause behind which to rally.
  Commons's hat-trick bid was only narrowly thwarted, by the upright. Still, Kilmarnock's porous defending rendered their further concession of goals almost inevitable. Anthony Stokes endorsed that point, driving high into the net in rounding off a brisk move involving Charlie Mulgrew and the outstanding Hooper.
  For the closing stages, Celtic's support could enjoy themselves. The display had given Lennon equal, professional peace of mind. Onwards, now, to Ibrox.
  
  

 

[Rutashubanyuma]

Kris Commons strikes twice to ease ruthless Celtic past Kilmarnock

• Comments (…)

• Guardian report
• Match facts
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Scottish Premier League

Kilmarnock 0 Celtic 4

• Commons 4,
• Commons 34,
• Hooper 41,
• Stokes 58

• Ewan Murray at Rugby Park
• guardian.co.uk, Wednesday 20 April 2011 21.33 BST
  
  Celtic's Kris Commons, left, celebrates with his team-mates after scoring against Kilmarnock in their SPL clash. Photograph: David Moir/REUTERS
  
  Celtic handed Neil Lennon the emphatic victory he craved at the end of a day in which this keenly contestedtitle race paled into insignificance. Revelations that Lennon was one of three people sent explosive devices in the post overshadowed events in Kilmarnock. As rude awakenings go, for Scottish football and the country's society, this should count.
  Nonetheless, Celtic afforded their young manager at least an enjoyable evening's work. Lennon's team, largely by virtue of a ruthless first-half display in which a Kris Commons double and goal from Gary Hooper all but sealed success, will start Sunday's Old Firm derby a point behind Rangers with a game in hand. There seemed extra emotion attached to Lennon taking to the field at full-time here, as he routinely does after away matches, to salute the Celtic following.
  The fans had chanted Lennon's name throughout the previous 90 minutes, during which the manager was afforded simply a normal night at the office. It is to the former Celtic captain's continued credit that off-field turmoil does not appear to impact at all on his working routine.
  "What has happened to him is madness," Lennon's assistant, Johan Mjällby, said of the manager's treatment. "It shouldn't happen to anyone, no matter what they do in life. He probably had a tear in his eye tonight. The supporters showed what he means to them."
  There was little surprise attached to Lennon's avoidance of media duties after the match in Ayrshire. Television crews had been camped outside Rugby Park for hours, awaiting the arrival of Celtic's team bus in what was merely the start of an evening in which the manager's every move would be monitored and further analysed.
  On the field, for all Kilmarnock were poor and guilty of trying to pass the ball in areas that were always likely to do them more harm than good, Celtic attacked with eye-catching, relentless verve. Commons supplied the latest indication of his useful scoring touch with only four minutes played, collecting a Hooper pass before slotting home from 12 yards. Quite why the Kilmarnock defence saw fit to leave Commons completely unmarked is another matter.
  Some 16 minutes later, there was an orchestrated show of support from the Celtic fans towards their manager by virtue of applause, and song ensued. Kilmarnock's error-strewn opening had not givenCeltic punished Kilmarnock's lameness further before the break. Commons claimed possession as it was cheaply conceded in midfield, the former Derby County man played a one-two with Hooper which was followed up by an angled finish.
  Not to be outdone, Hooper promptly added his name to the scoresheet. The striker's 18-yard effort took a deflection on its way past Anssi Jaakkola, not that it seemed to matter.
  For Kilmarnock's interim manager Kenny Shiels, this was hardly a glowing endorsement of his full-time job credentials. "That was the best display I have seen from a team in the SPL all season," Shiels said of the Celtic showing, a indication that Kilmarnock's visitors had a cause behind which to rally.
  Commons's hat-trick bid was only narrowly thwarted, by the upright. Still, Kilmarnock's porous defending rendered their further concession of goals almost inevitable. Anthony Stokes endorsed that point, driving high into the net in rounding off a brisk move involving Charlie Mulgrew and the outstanding Hooper.
  For the closing stages, Celtic's support could enjoy themselves. The display had given Lennon equal, professional peace of mind. Onwards, now, to Ibrox.

 

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FA admits it does not know who owns Leeds United

&#8226; Club under discussion in MPs' inquiry into football governance
&#8226; Premier League would force club to disclose more if promoted

• Press Association
• guardian.co.uk, Wednesday 20 April 2011 20.43 BST <li class="history">Article history
  
  Leeds United fans on the pitch at Elland Road after securing promotion in 2010. The FA admits it does not know who owns the club. Photograph: Anna Gowthorpe/PA
  
  The Football Association has sent a clarification to MPs admitting it does not know who are the ultimate owners of Leeds. The FA has told the culture, media and sport committee it does not know the identities of the people behind the three offshore trusts which own the Championship club.
  The committee is carrying out an inquiry into football governance and the issue of Leeds' ownership is one of the themes the MPs have tackled. The FA general secretary, Alex Horne, gave evidence to the MPs last month and said he was not directly involved in club ownership regulations but believed that "two or three" people within the organisation knew who owned Leeds.
  FA rules state clubs have to confirm the identities only of people with a shareholding of 10% or more. Leeds' ownership statement states no potential beneficiary of the trusts or their immediate family members have more than 10%.
  The FA chairman, David Bernstein, had told MPs: "I think supporters should know who owns any clubs, absolutely. I don't think there should be any exceptions."
  Richard Scudamore said this month Leeds will be forced to reveal exactly who owns the club if they are promoted to the top flight. The Premier League chief executive said the body will apply the rules on ownership transparency more strictly than the Football League has done.
  The Leeds chief executive, Shaun Harvey, told MPs last month the club's owners are a holding company called FSF based on the West Indian island of Nevis, owned by three discretionary trusts. The owners of these trusts are unknown but have appointed two men, Patrick Murrin and Peter Boatman, to run the club, and they had asked Ken Bates to be chairman. Harvey said neither he nor, to his knowledge, Bates knows who the shareholders of the trusts are.