Millwall 1 Sheffield Wednesday 2 – match report – Chris Maguire scores in stoppage time

Posted on April 10, 2013 by adminsports

Millwall 1 Sheffield Wednesday 2: Lions tamed at the last as Maguire eases Owls relegation fears

PUBLISHED:

21:08 GMT, 9 April 2013

UPDATED:

21:08 GMT, 9 April 2013

Chris Maguire grabbed a last-gasp winner to fire Sheffield Wednesday away from the drop zone and send Millwall to Wembley on the back of a defeat.

The Lions, who face Wigan in the FA Cup semi-final on Saturday, got off to the perfect start when Jimmy Abdou scored after just 63 seconds.

But Wednesday equalised through Miguel Llera's free-kick before the interval, and substitute Maguire struck in stoppage time as the Owls moved six points clear of the bottom three.

Twit-too: Chris Maguire struck late on to seal all three points for Sheffield Wednesday at Millwall

MATCH FACTS

MILWALL: Forde, Dunne, Shittu, Beevers, Lowry, Chris Taylor, Abdou, St. Ledger, Saville, Easter, Hulse. Subs: Maik Taylor, Batt, Henry, Woolford, Keogh, Jack Smith, Adam Smith.

SHEFF WED: Kirkland, Buxton, Gardner, Llera, Pugh, Lee, Olofinjana, Prutton, Helan, Lita, Howard. Subs: Bywater, Taylor, Semedo, Maguire, Jermaine Johnson, Mattock, McCabe.

Referee: Phil Gibbs (West Midlands)

Latest Championship results, fixtures and table

It brought an end to Millwall's three-game unbeaten run and means they are not out of the woods themselves yet.

But for the time being they can focus on Wigan and potentially 90 minutes from a place in Europe.

They are unlikely to find the Latics as charitable as Wednesday, who conceded the opener with the first attack of the match.

Chris Taylor was allowed to cut in
from the left wing, charge into the penalty area unchallenged and
deliver a low cross for the unmarked Abdou to bundle home at the far
post.

It was recalled midfielder Abdou's
first home goal for the Lions, five years since he joined, and the
perfect way to stake his claim for a Wembley appearance.

Millwall were certainly not playing like a team with their minds elsewhere, though, and continued to bombard Wednesday's goal.

Rob Hulse burst into the area but could not get round Owls keeper Chris Kirkland, and Shane Lowry fired narrowly wide.

Bright start: The hosts took the lead after just 63 seconds through Jimmy Abdou

Hat trick: Miguel Llera got the Owls back on track before half-time with a cute free-kick

Latest Championship table

Wednesday had barely threatened in the
opening half hour, apart from a close-range effort from Steve Howard
which was well saved by David Forde.

But five minutes before half-time they drew level through Llera, who curled a 25-yard free-kick around the wall.

Forde appeared to have the shot covered, but the ball bounced in front of him, over his hands and into the net.

Taylor could have put Millwall back
into the lead on the stroke of half-time but his backheel from Lowry's
cross flew straight at Kirkland.

The Lions had a let-off moments after
the interval when a half-cleared corner fell to David Prutton on the
edge of the area and his shot was cleared off the line by Lowry.

Both sides had chances late on with
Jermaine Easter firing wide and Kirkland denying Taylor and Sean St
Ledger with fine saves, while referee Phillip Gibbs waved away some
strong Millwall penalty appeals after Seyi Olofinjana appeared to
handle.

Wednesday sub Jermaine Johnson should have put the visitors ahead 10 minutes from time but fizzed his shot narrowly wide.

However, the winner came deep into
four minutes of stoppage time when Maguire hooked in Danny Pugh's corner
to seal a valuable three points.

Rory McIlroy can break Jack Nicklaus record before Tiger Woods, says Greg Norman

Posted on December 12, 2012 by adminsports

Rory stands a better chance than Tiger of breaking Nicklaus' record, says Norman

PUBLISHED:

12:30 GMT, 12 December 2012

UPDATED:

12:31 GMT, 12 December 2012

Golf blog

Former world No 1 Greg Norman believes Rory McIlroy is more likely to break Jack Nicklaus’ record of 18 major championships than Tiger Woods.

Woods claimed his 14th major at the 2008 US Open in a dramatic 19-hole play-off with Rocco Mediate, but has not won one since after seeing his career set back by the sex scandal which led to the breakdown of his marriage.

And Norman, speaking on the eve of the Australian PGA Championship at Coolum, would like to see McIlroy – who has two majors to his name – be the man to surpass Nicklaus instead.

Glory boy: Rory McIlroy celebrated his second major success by winning the PGA Championship earlier this year

'I don’t think so, no,' Norman said when asked if Woods was capable of winning the five majors he requires to pass Nicklaus.

'Every year that passes by that he hasn’t won a major it just gets that much harder to win a major.

'I don’t care how many you have won, it just becomes more and more difficult He might win one or two more but I don’t think he will win the four or five more that he needs to win to break the record.'

Legend: Jack Nicklaus has won the most majors in the history of golf, with 18 to his name

Waiting game: Woods won his last major - and 14th - at the US Open in 2008 when he defeat Rocco Mediate in a sudden death play-off at Torrey Pines

Waiting game: Woods won his last major – and 14th – at the US Open in 2008 when he defeat Rocco Mediate in a sudden death play-off at Torrey Pines

McIlroy won the US Open in 2011 and this year’s US PGA Championship and Norman says the sky is the limit for the talented 23-year-old.

'I think if anybody can break Nicklaus’ record I think he could, because he is young, he is ahead of the game, he is ahead of the curve on a lot of things and he has a very balanced life across the board,' Norman said.

'So I will keep my fingers crossed for him because I would love to see that happen. Somebody will do it one day and it could be Rory.

All smiles: Greg Norman has backed McIlroy to continue his success in 2013

'I am a big fan of Rory’s, he can be as big as he wants to be.'

Norman was bullish about his chances at this week’s PGA Championship but conceded golf is low down on his list of priorities these days.

Asked his goal for the week, Norman quipped, ‘to do a Peter Senior’, referring to the 53-year-old’s victory at last week’s Australian Open.

Preston 1 Middlesbrough 3

Posted on September 26, 2012 by adminsports

Preston 1 Middlesbrough 3: Mowbray's men cruise through at Deepdale

By
Sportsmail Reporter

PUBLISHED:

21:17 GMT, 25 September 2012

UPDATED:

21:34 GMT, 25 September 2012

Goals from Emmanuel Ledesma, Merouane Zemmama and Richard Smallwood put Middlesbrough through to the fourth round of the Capital One Cup as they made easy work of Preston at Deepdale.

North End took Championship scalps from Huddersfield and Crystal Palace to reach this stage of the competition, but the challenge of an impressive Middlesbrough proved too much as a trio of defensive errors put them out at the third round for the fourth year running.

Easy does it: Middlesbrough celebrate as they cruise through against Preston

Match facts

Preston: Simonsen, Mousinho (Procter 86), Huntington,
Cansdell-Sherriff, Laird, Monakana (Hayhurst 79), Wroe, King (Cummins 79), Amoo, Beavon, Byrom.

Subs Not Used: Stuckmann, Buchanan, Welsh, Wright.

Goal: King 40.

Middlesbrough: Leutwiler, Parnaby, Hines, McManus, Halliday, Bailey, Smallwood, Arca (Thomson 86), Zemmama (Emnes 62), Luke Williams, Ledesma (Haroun 63).

Subs Not Used: Ripley, Bikey, Jutkiewicz, Park.

Goals: Ledesma 13,Zemmama 18, Smallwood 61

Both Ledesma and Andrew Halliday claimed to have scored Boro's 13th-minute opener, with the Argentinian's inswinging corner striking the far post and rolling over the line with Halliday making sure by bundling in.

Five minutes later, Preston allowed Zemmama far too much time to shoot into the bottom corner from 25 yards five minutes later, but the hosts pulled one back through Jack King's smart finish on 40 minutes.

Smallwood capped a comfortable win for Boro on 61 minutes, pouncing on the loose ball after Preston defender Paul Huntington headed Zemmama's cross back to Steve Simonsen, too powerfully for the keeper to hold, as the visitors eased to victory.

Boro continued their fine form after last week's win over Blackburn Rovers in the Championship.

Liverpool defender Jose Enrique happy for competition

Posted on September 7, 2012 by adminsports

Bring it on! Liverpool defender Enrique welcomes Downing's shift to left-back

UPDATED:

09:33 GMT, 7 September 2012

While Liverpool face a striker shortage, in defence Jose Enrique has welcomed the competition for places and has insisted it will only make him better.

The Spanish left-back moved to Anfield a year ago and was one of the club's standout performers in what was a disappointing campaign.

Shouldering the burden: Jose Enrique is happy for the competition at Liverpool

Enrique has been in and out of the team
under new boss Brendan Rodgers, having seen his position come under
threat from, among others, Stewart Downing.

But the former Newcastle man has no qualms with the extra pressure.

'It's a good thing because before there was just myself and Jack Robinson,' Enrique said. 'With the way we intend to play, that is with the right-back and left-back attacking, Stewart can fit in well.

'He's a good lad and I'm happy for him. We have many games so it's good to have competition for places.

'I want to play here for as many years as I can and play as many games. I hope to be like Carra but that would be really difficult.

'I want to stay here because it’s an amazing club and every player dreams of being here. I’ve played in English football for five years and it’s amazing to play here.'

Enrique added told the Liverpool Echo: 'I'm still learning. At teams like Liverpool you learn quickly. In one year here I have learned a lot and with this manager I have learned plenty too.

Moving back: Stewart Downing has been touted as a potential left-back

'The manager gives us simple instructions. He says more things during the week than he does in his pre-match team talks. He has tried to instruct and improve every player and I think this is a good thing because everyone is still learning. I still make mistakes so I have to learn.

'The manager wants me to make more assists and score more goals and play more like a forward. He has told Glen Johnson and Martin Kelly to do the same and Stewart Downing in the left-back role.'

Jack Taylor dies age 82 – Jeff Powell looks back on his life

Posted on July 28, 2012 by adminsports

Jack Taylor, the fearless man in black: Jeff Powell looks back at the charismatic referee's life

UPDATED:

22:22 GMT, 27 July 2012

Jack Taylor, a referee so firm and fearless that they should have made a template in which to cast the officials of today, died on Friday at the age of 82.

Typically of the large, charismatic, man from Wolverhampton, Taylor’s most controversial moments came in the biggest match of a career spanning an extraordinary 33 years.

In 1974, in the very first minute, Taylor blew for the first penalty to be awarded in a World Cup final.

Final man: Jack Taylor the 1974 World Cup final

And that was in Munich, against West
Germany, in defiance of the angry thousands. Holland’s Johan Cruyff had
been pulled down and Johan Neeskens converted. West Germany captain
Franz Beckenbauer told Taylor: ‘You are an Englishman.’

Twenty-five minutes later, the
official penalised the Dutch in like manner and Paul Breitner equalised.
At half-time, Taylor was confronted by Cruyff, who accused him of
levelling it up and was booked for his pains.

Taylor strenuously denied there was
any element of compensation in the decision, just as he always explained
his verdicts frankly to the media after matches whether the authorities
liked it or not.

West Germany went on to win the World
Cup, Taylor to referee more than 1,000 English league games and 100
international matches.

His other honours included the 1966 FA Cup final and the 1971 European Cup final at Wembley in which Ajax beat Panathinaikos.

Jack the giant brooked no argument on the pitch, famously keeping the fiery likes of Billy Bremner under firm control.

World Cup ref: Jack Taylor took charge of over 1000 games

Taylor, a true gentleman

Born: Wolverhampton, April 21, 1930.

Career: 33 years, refereeing more than 1,000 games and 100 internationals in 60 countries.

Most memorable match: 1974 World Cup final between Germany and Holland, where he awarded two penalties.

Favourite anecdote: After being struck by a coin thrown from the crowd at Luton, Eric Morecambe visited him to ask if he was OK and to see if he was going to report his club. When Jack said no, the comedian replied: ‘Good, now can I have my penny back’

It would have been interesting to see
him deal with the frothing likes of Joey Barton. There would have been
only one winner there, with Taylor standing over the little upstart and
making him look ridiculous.

Yesterday Football League chairman
Greg Clarke said: ‘Jack Taylor set the benchmark for refereeing, not
just in this country but across the world and in later life he applied
the same levels of integrity, commitment and sheer love of the game to
his other roles.

‘Very few people in football can match
the contribution he made and fewer still have managed to do it whilst
retaining the respect and admiration of absolutely everyone they have
come into contact with.’

Taylor was a man for the big occasion
and it is so characteristic of him that he should pass away hours before
the flame was lit last night at the opening ceremony for the London
2012 Olympic Games.

Football in general and refereeing
associations here and around the world will be lighting a candle to the
archetypal man in black.

Former World Cup referee Jack Taylor dies age 82

Posted on July 27, 2012 by adminsports

Former World Cup final referee Taylor dies at home aged 82

UPDATED:

16:34 GMT, 27 July 2012

The Football League have paid tribute to former referee Jack Taylor OBE, who has died at his Shropshire home at the age of 82.

Described by the Football League as 'perhaps the finest English referee of all time', Taylor officiated in more than 1,000 matches during a career than lasted more than 30 years.

He also took charge of more than 100 international fixtures, including the 1974 World Cup final between West Germany and Holland in Munich, where he made history by awarding the first-ever penalty in a World Cup final.

Final man: Jack Taylor the 1974 World Cup final

Taylor was also inducted into FIFA's Hall of Fame before working with the Football League following his retirement from refereeing, which included serving on The League's Referees Committee.

Football League chairman Greg Clarke said: “Jack Taylor set the benchmark for refereeing, not just in this country but across the world, and in later life he applied the same levels of integrity, commitment and sheer love of the game to his other roles in football.

'Very few people in football can match the contribution made by Jack Taylor and fewer still have managed to do it whilst retaining the respect and admiration of absolutely everyone they have come into contact with.

'He will be greatly missed by everybody at The Football League and its clubs and our thoughts are with his family and friends.'

World Cup ref: Jack Taylor took charge of over 1000 games

Premier League chief executive, Richard Scudamore added: 'Jack was one of English football's finest ambassadors who reached the pinnacle of refereeing and, until his very last days, continued to help the development of young referees. The game has lost a great servant and a true friend.'

Mike Riley, general manager of the Professional Game Match Officials, echoed those thoughts, saying: “This is a terribly sad moment for English officiating and we send our condolences to his family and many friends.

'Every referee of our generation looked up to Jack Taylor because he set the standard. His performances at the 1974 FIFA World Cup inspired a whole generation of referees in this country.

'I was fortunate to travel to the 2010 World Cup Final in South Africa with Jack for him to watch Howard Webb. He was incredibly proud that another Englishman had taken charge of the biggest game in world football.

'But then that was Jack, he was not only very well respected throughout the game by players and managers, he was also an extremely nice man and wonderful fun to be around.

'And he never stopped inspiring match officials. Over the last five years he has played an important role for PGMOL passing on his many years of experience to tomorrow's referees. We will miss him greatly.'

Wolves also paid tribute to Taylor, who was born in Wolverhampton and had a spell as commercial manager at Molineux in the 1980s following his retirement, as well as being involved in matchday television work in recent years.

Wolves announced their players will wear black armbands during tomorrow's friendly at Walsall and flags at Molineux will be lowered to half-mast.

A statement on www.wolves.co.uk read: 'The club offers its sincere condolences to Jack's wife Sue and the rest of the Taylor family, and his many friends both inside the game and out.'

Jack Nicklaus questions Rory McIlroy"s decision to play at St Jude"s before US Open

Posted on June 7, 2012 by adminsports

A rocket for Rory: Nicklaus questions McIlroy's decision to play at St Jude's before US Open

UPDATED:

20:30 GMT, 6 June 2012

Rory McIlroy has received an on-air rocket from Jack Nicklaus over his decision to play in the St Jude Classic in Memphis, which begins today.

The Golden Bear was clearly unhappy after learning the Northern Irishman had broken with his usual pattern of taking the week off before a major championship.

With his defence of the US Open just a week away, McIlroy said he felt he needed to play some competitive rounds. It was too much for Nicklaus, sitting alongside McIlroy in an interview for CNN’s Living Golf.

Close: Rory McIlroy is embraced by Jack Nicklaus in 2010

‘Did you play the week before The Open last year’ asked the 18-time major winner.

‘No,’ replied McIlroy.

‘And you are going to play the week before The Open this year’ Nicklaus went on.

‘Yes,’ was the response.

‘I’ll keep my mouth shut,’ said golf’s greatest ever player, but he couldn’t.

‘You know why I never played the week before a major

‘In 1962 when I turned pro I played the week before the Masters. People wanted me to play and I didn’t do well. I skipped that tournament the next year and I won the Masters.

Out of sorts: McIlroy has missed the cut in his last two tournaments

‘I went back to that tournament the next year and didn’t win the Masters. Then I skipped it the next year and won the Masters. Skipped the tournament the year after and won the Masters again. I am a huge fan of Rory’s but I want him to get smart young.’

Nicklaus was shocked again when McIlroy said he was not going to see the US Open venue until next week.

‘Olympic takes some knowing and I wish he was going out early to practise it, frankly, but that is not my call,’ he said.

McIlroy clearly took the advice on board, flying halfway across America to fit in an impromptu practice round on Monday in the company of his long-game coach Michael Bannon and putting coach Dave Stockton.

The 23-year-old, who has missed three successive cuts, will aim to find some confidence in Memphis in the company of friends Graeme McDowell and Padraig Harrington.

The Memorial Tournament: Live leaderboard

Posted on May 31, 2012 by adminsports

The Memorial Tournament leaderboard: Keep up to date with the latest scores

The PGA Tour is at Muirfield Village this week for The Memorial Tournament.

Steve Stricker took the title last year and you can keep track of all the latest scores right here.

CLICK HERE FOR THE LIVE LEADERBOARD

Honour: Steve Stricker (left) receives the trophy from Jack Nicklaus

West Ham v Cardiff live

Posted on May 7, 2012 by adminsports

LIVE: West Ham v Cardiff – follow the play-off semi-final action from Upton Park

UPDATED:

15:05 GMT, 7 May 2012

Follow Sportsmail's coverage of the Championship semi-final second leg from Upton Park as West Ham attempt to defend their 2-0 lead to book their place in the Wembley final. Whoever progresses will face the winner of Birmingham v Blackpool in the battle for the final Barclays Premier League promotion spot. Send me your thoughts on the action at dan.ripley@dailymail.co.uk or contact me on Twitter @Ripinho.

West Ham v Cardiff (4.30pm)
Aggregate: 2-0

West Ham: Green, Demel, Taylor, Reid, Tomkins, Noble, O'Neil, Nolan, Vaz Te, Collison, Cole.

Cardiff: Marshall, McNaughton, Taylor, Hudson, Turner, Lawrence, Whittingham, Gunnarsson, McPhail, Mason, Miller.

16.04: Full line-ups from Upton Park:

West Ham v Cardiff
West Ham: Green, Demel, Tomkins, Reid, Taylor, O'Neil, Noble, Nolan, Collison, Cole, Vaz Te. Subs: Henderson, McCartney, Maynard, Faubert, Lansbury.

Cardiff: Marshall, McNaughton, Hudson, Turner, Taylor, Lawrence, Gunnarsson, Whittingham, McPhail, Mason, Miller. Subs: Heaton, Kiss, Cowie, Earnshaw, Blake.

Referee: Mike Dean (Wirral)

15.59: To be fair to the Welsh side, many expected them to put up more of a fight in the first leg.

But two first-half Jack Collison goals sealed a straight forward victory for the Hammers who have one foot in the final.

15.56: The cruelty of the play-offs can often have a heavy impact on the team that finishes third.

The Hammers ended the season just two points off an automatic promotion spot but 11 clear of their semi-final opponents Cardiff who finished sixth.

Class has shown the way so far though with the Hammers winning the first leg 2-0 at the Cardiff City Stadium.

15.51: Cardiff starting XI:

Marshall, McNaughton, Taylor, Hudson, Turner, Lawrence, Whittingham, Gunnarsson, McPhail, Mason, Miller.

15.48: West Ham starting XI:

Green, Demel, Taylor, Reid, Tomkins, Noble, O'Neil, Nolan, Vaz Te, Collison, Cole.

15.45: If there is one element of the Championship that the Premier League just cannot replicate – it's the play-offs.

The drama and suspense that come with four of the division's top teams contesting a mini-knockout competition to reach the top flight is unrivaled.

That brings us to Cardiff v West Ham – only one can reach the play-off final at Wembley but the Hammers go into today's game with a 2-0 advantage. Team news coming up.

Advantage: West Ham have a 2-0 lead from the first leg in Wales

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West Ham assistant manager says Hammers deserve Wembley promotion party

Posted on May 6, 2012 by adminsports

We deserve to go up! Hammers No 2 eyes Wembley ahead of crunch Cardiff return

UPDATED:

13:40 GMT, 6 May 2012

West Ham assistant manager Neil McDonald loves the play-offs but hopes the system does not punish his side after what he feels has been an 'impressive' season.

The Hammers missed out on automatic promotion to Southampton on the final day of the season but have responded superbly, winning the first leg of their semi-final 2-0 at Cardiff on Thursday.

West Ham welcome the Welsh outfit to Upton Park on Monday as they bid to secure a place at the Wembley finale at the expense of a side that finished 13 points behind them in the standings.

Hammer time: West Ham head into their second leg with Cardiff with a two-goal advantage

'I think the play-offs have been one of the best things that has been introduced to football along with three points,' assistant manager McDonald said.

'It gives everybody a chance, it keeps the whole season going and, yes, it is slightly disappointing to finish third and so many points above fourth, [fifth and sixth] but we knew what was happening.

'We knew what the situation was and we've tried to put that to the back of our mind now.

'Everybody is equal, the whole four teams in the play-offs are in good form and the Blackpool v Birmingham game is on a knife edge.

'I suppose so is ours but we have a good advantage going into the second leg 2-0 up and we have to try and take advantage of that.

'I think it has been an impressive season even though we have not got automatic promotion.

'I suppose the fans are looking more so to the Wembley final but we're so concentrated on the one game on Monday against Cardiff.

On the up: Jack Collison scored twice in the first leg to give West Ham hope of reaching the play-off final at Wembley

'If we can get through that then we can start planning to try and enjoy the experience at Wembley.'

Jack Collison's brace in the first leg makes West Ham strong favourites to make the final against Blackpool or Birmingham.

McDonald, though, insists the Hammers are not taking Monday's fixture lightly and believes the home support will spur them forward.

Football League blog

'I think two goals away from home is fantastic and our home form over the last two goals puts us in a good mood,' he said.

'I think the support we had the other night from the travelling fans was absolutely fantastic.

'I that will bounce onto the home game and the whole place will be trying to take the roof off the stadium.

'It will make it an intimidating place to come to, that's for sure.

'There will be a fantastic atmosphere but it still won't be an easy game to get through.

'Planning and preparation is the key and we've done it in one game and hopefully we can do it in the second.'

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Tag Archives: jack

Millwall 1 Sheffield Wednesday 2 – match report – Chris Maguire scores in stoppage time

Rory McIlroy can break Jack Nicklaus record before Tiger Woods, says Greg Norman

Preston 1 Middlesbrough 3

Liverpool defender Jose Enrique happy for competition

Jack Taylor dies age 82 – Jeff Powell looks back on his life

Former World Cup referee Jack Taylor dies age 82

Jack Nicklaus questions Rory McIlroy"s decision to play at St Jude"s before US Open

The Memorial Tournament: Live leaderboard

West Ham v Cardiff live

West Ham assistant manager says Hammers deserve Wembley promotion party