Tag Archives: stead

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain getting better for England and Arsenal

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England's Ox growing stronger and stronger after rapid rise with Three Lions stardom

European Championships, where he started the opening game against France in Donetsk.

Oxlade-Chamberlain has certainly come a long way in a short time since being signed by Arsene Wenger as a raw talent from Southampton two years ago.

Better and better: Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, pictured here with the new Vauxhall Adam, intends to take everything in his stride as England push on towards the World Cup

Better and better: Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, pictured here with the new Vauxhall Adam, intends to take everything in his stride as England push on towards the World Cup

The midfielder, though, is determined to keep himself focused on each new challenge as it comes along.

Speaking at an event organised by England sponsor’s Vauxhall, Oxlade-Chamberlain told Press Association Sport: 'I have a bit more experience now, from both club and international level, on and off the pitch.

'The experience of going to the Euros with tournament football stands me in better stead looking towards the World Cup, but I still have a lot of hard work to do to make that squad for Brazil, if we do qualify.'

Oxlade-Chamberlain added: 'My progress into the first-team at Arsenal and the senior England squad was quite quick, probably quicker than I ever thought it was going to be.

Room to grow: The 19-year-old is likely to play in England's qualifying double header with San Marino and Montenegro this weekend

Room to grow: The 19-year-old is likely to play in England's qualifying double header with San Marino and Montenegro this weekend

'I really just try to keep my head down, focused on my targets, and take everything in my stride.

'I have only achieved a tiny percentage of what I want to achieve in a small fraction of my career.

'I know I have got a lot more hard work to do and a long way to go, so I don’t really think about how quick things have gone because I just want to keep improving myself and keep pushing on.'

Unfazed: Oxlade-Chamberlain fighting the elements and Swansea's Angel Rangel in Saturday's 2-0 win at Swansea

Unfazed: Oxlade-Chamberlain fighting the elements and Swansea's Angel Rangel in Saturday's 2-0 win at Swansea

Natural similarities are drawn between the progress of Oxlade-Chamberlain and his Arsenal team-mate Theo Walcott, another product of the Southampton Academy and now regular for Roy Hodgson’s England squad.

'Theo is a brilliant player, so I don’t really mind getting compared to him,' Oxlade-Chamberlain said.

'He really helps me out a lot and has done ever since I stepped into Arsenal and coming away with England.

Young gunner: Oxlade-Chamberlain has been inevitably compared to teammate Theo Walcott

Young gunner: Oxlade-Chamberlain has been inevitably compared to teammate Theo Walcott

'This season he has been really good for Arsenal, scoring a lot of goals, which is what I am trying to add to my game, so I can learn from him in that sense.

'But I don’t really look at it in terms of what he has done and what I am doing, I just focus on what I need to do to achieve the goals I set for myself.'

Vauxhall are official lead sponsors of England. Check out www.vauxhallfootball.co.uk

Huddersfield 1 Bristol City 0: Sean Scannell strike leaves Robins in trouble

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Huddersfield 1 Bristol City 0: Scannell strike leaves Robins in trouble

PUBLISHED:

17:22 GMT, 3 November 2012

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UPDATED:

19:13 GMT, 3 November 2012

Sean Scannell's first-half goal sentenced Bristol City to their fifth successive defeat.

The former Crystal Palace attacker rounded off a smart move from Simon Grayson's side on 43 minutes to net what proved to be the winning goal.

City came closest to grabbing an equaliser deep into added time but Alex Smithies pulled off a superb save to keep out Stephen McManus' header.

On target: Sean Scannell (second left) celebrates his winner for Huddersfield

On target: Sean Scannell (second left) celebrates his winner for Huddersfield

The Terriers, without the suspended Jack Hunt and injured strike duo Jermaine Beckford and James Vaughan, made four changes with Scannell, Oliver Norwood, Calum Woods and Paul Dixon getting the nod.

Match facts

Huddersfield Town: Smithies, Woods, Dixon, P Clarke, Lynch, Norwood (Robinson, 80), Clayton, Hammill (Ward, 73), Southern, Scannell (Gerrard, 88), Novak Subs not used: Bennett, Wallace, Arfield, Lee

Yellow card: Woods

Scorer: Scannell, 43

Bristol City: Gerken, Foster, Fontaine, McManus, Briggs, Skuse, Pearson (Woolford, 80), Elliott (Kilkenny, 64), Adomah, Baldock, Stead (Taylor, 75) Subs not used: Heaton, Wilson, Nyatanga, Anderson

Yellow cards: Fontaine, Adomah

Referee: Salisbury

Att: 12,561

Latest Championship table, fixtures and results

City, missing hamstrung top scorer Steven Davies, also shuffled their pack.

Liam Fontaine and Marvin Elliott returned from injury, Dean Gerken made his first npower Championship start of the season while Sam Baldock and Albert Adomah joined former Huddersfield man Jon Stead up front for struggling City.

The only real chance of an extremely quiet opening 40 minutes came from a free-kick after nine minutes after Stead was fouled on the edge of the box.

Adomah stepped up with a right-footed effort that drifted wide of Smithies' goal.

And there was very little to worry the Bristol City backline until two minutes before the break when Lee Novak's cut-back from the left wing was perfectly timed for the onrushing Scannell to mark his return to the starting line-up with a finish past Gerken from six yards out.

The visitors nearly drew level on the stroke of half-time when Cole Skuse's half-volley deflected off Peter Clarke and bounced wide.

There was another good chance shortly after the interval with Gerken forced into a fine save at his near post from Woods.

At the other end Huddersfield-born Stead had his first real sight of goal but his curling shot could not test Smithies.

The young keeper did have to be at his best just after the hour mark to deny Baldock on the line and keep his side's lead intact after the ball fell to the former West Ham forward.

Winger Adam Hammill had already seen one effort fall just wide before letting rip with a left-footed effort that fizzed over Gerken's crossbar on 68 minutes.

Ryan Taylor and Martyn Woolford were then introduced as Derek McInnes' men searched for a goal to end their miserable run of defeats.

Their next opportunity came from the right foot of the former York winger, who tried his luck from the edge of the box but his rising effort went over the bar as City continued to press.

Woolford then produced a lovely inviting ball across the box which was inches away from connecting with Baldock in added time and then in the final move of the match McManus looked to have grabbed a dramatic leveller but Smithies, at full stretch, got a hand to the Scot's effort.

Bristol City 2 Leeds United 3: El-Hadji Diouf scores twice

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Bristol City 2 Leeds United 3: Diouf double hands Warnock's men the win

By
Sportsmail Reporter

PUBLISHED:

17:08 GMT, 29 September 2012

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UPDATED:

17:08 GMT, 29 September 2012

El-Hadji Diouf's second-half double helped Leeds register their third straight win and back-to-back successes in the npower Championship.

The controversial Senegalese striker raised eyebrows when teaming up with Leeds manager Neil Warnock in the summer, but has been grabbing the attention for all the right reasons in recent weeks.

Thunderbolt: Michael Tonge (right) set the seal on Leeds' victory with the third goal

Thunderbolt: Michael Tonge (right) set the seal on Leeds' victory with the third goal

Match facts

BRISTOL CITY: Heaton, Foster, Fontaine, Wilson, Elokobi (Bryan 43, Carey 61), Kilkenny, Woolford, Pearson, Adomah, Stead (Baldock 64), Taylor.

Subs Not Used: Gerken, Morris, Elliott, Davies

Goals: Adomah 79, Austin 90 (o.g)

Booked: Bryan, Kilkenny

LEEDS: Kenny, Peltier, Lees, Pearce, Byram, Austin, White, Brown, Tonge, Becchio (Gray 89), Diouf.

Subs Not Used: Ashdown, Drury, Varney, Pugh, Norris, Poleon.

Goals: Diouf 63, 80, Tonge 83

Referee: Stuart Attwell

Att: 15,692

Latest Championship results, fixtures and table

Diouf, instrumental in the Yorkshire
side's midweek Capital One Cup win over Everton, opened the scoring just
after the hour, and although Albert Adomah equalised, he struck again
nine minutes from time as Leeds regained the lead.

Midfielder Michael Tonge's
thunderbolt clinched Leeds a two-goal advantage with seven minutes
remaining and although Adomah's corner deflected off Leeds defender Sam
Byram in the 90th minute for an own goal, Warnock's men saw out the
remaining minute.

City were dealt a blow just before
half-time when defender George Elokobi, making his debut after signing
on loan from Wolves on Wednesday, required medical attention following
an awkward landing while blocking a cross and was later carried off on a
stretcher. Teenager Joe Bryan replaced him.

Striker Jon Stead was the second of three changes for City, while midfielder Neil Kilkenny was back to face his former club.

Goalkeeper Paddy Kenny and skipper
Lee Peltier returned to Leeds' starting line-up. Leeds winger Aidy White
tested City goalkeeper Tom Heaton with an early header and Kenny did
well to hold Robins striker Ryan Taylor's 20-yard shot in a see-saw
opening.

The home side went closest to taking
the lead in the 15th minute when Liam Fontaine lashed a close-range
volley off target and Kenny was in the right place again soon after to
catch Stead's header from Martyn Woolford's free-kick.

Stead fired a 20-yard shot straight
at the Leeds goalkeeper and miscued from six yards in the 35th minute
either side of Leeds midfielder Rudy Austin's textbook volley, which was
comfortably snaffled by Heaton.

Woolford went closest to breaking the deadlock when he headed Richard Foster's inch-perfect cross just wide from eight yards.

But it was Leeds who twice threatened to forge ahead shortly after the restart through Austin.

The Jamaica international first
headed Diouf's free-kick against the woodwork with Heaton well beaten
and then forced the City keeper into a fine save with another header
moments later.

Leeds were not to be denied in the
64th minute however. Byram drilled in a superb low cross from the right
and Diouf steered the ball into the far corner.

But the Robins refused to buckle and were back on level terms within six minutes.

Right-back Foster swung over another telling cross and Adomah flung himself at the ball to head powerfully home.

Leeds continued to carry the greater
threat though and regained the lead in the 81st minute when Diouf
pounced in the penalty area to lash home his second following good work
by Luciano Becchio.

The visitors effectively put the game
to bed two minutes later when Tonge stepped on to the ball 25 yards
from goal and unleashed an unstoppable shot into Heaton's top left-hand
corner.

There was still time for City to pull one back when Adomah's corner flew into the net off Byram's head, but Leeds held on.

Deutsche Bank Championship 2012: Louis Oosthuizen has three-stroke lead

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Oosthuizen takes three-shot lead into final round of Deutsche Bank Championship as McIlroy and Woods remain in the hunt

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UPDATED:

22:49 GMT, 2 September 2012

Former Open champion Louis Oosthuizen will take a three-shot lead into Monday's final round of the Deutsche Bank Championship after a brilliant 63 at TPC Boston.

Oosthuizen began the day one shot behind playing partner Rory McIlroy and watched as the world No 1 birdied the first two holes.

In good stead: Louis Oosthuizen (left) has a three-shot lead over Rory McIlroy (right)

In good stead: Louis Oosthuizen (left) has a three-shot lead over Rory McIlroy (right)

However, the South African also picked up a shot on the par-five second and then fired seven birdies in succession from the fourth.

That meant a tournament-record 29 on the front nine and although his birdie on the 10th was followed by six pars and a bogey, a closing birdie on the par-five 18th saw the 29-year-old finish 19 under par.

'Louis put on a display right there,' McIlroy said. 'I was delighted when I got the honour back on the 12th tee.'

Unstoppable Oosthuizen fired an impressive 63

Unstoppable Oosthuizen fired an impressive 63

Easy Tiger! Tiger Woods is in third place alongside Dustin Johnson

Easy Tiger! Tiger Woods is in third place alongside Dustin Johnson

McIlroy returned a 67 to finish three behind on 16 under, adding: 'I've come from farther behind before.

'It's going to be an interesting day tomorrow.'

Dustin Johnson continued his quest for a Ryder Cup wild card with a 65 to move into third place on 13 under alongside Tiger Woods, who carded a 68.

London 2012 Olympics: Andy Murray eyes place in last 16

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Murray has no drama in mind as Nieminen stands in way of last 16 berth

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UPDATED:

00:03 GMT, 31 July 2012

Olympics 2012

Andy Murray and Jarkko Nieminen might notice there is something – or someone – missing when they step out on court on Tuesday.

Two years ago they played at Wimbledon in front of the Queen and met Her Majesty after the match.

The British No 1 won in straight sets that day and will be hoping for a repeat as he aims to reach the last 16 and move a step closer to an Olympic medal.

Net result: Murray's only hope of glory is in the singles after being dumped out of doubles

Net result: Murray's only hope of glory is in the singles after being dumped out of doubles

'He's a very tough player,' said Murray, who was taken to four sets by the world No 41 in the second round of the French Open this year but has beaten Nieminen on all four occasions when they have met competitively.

WHEN AND WHERE…

Andy Murray plays Jarkko Nieminen in the second round of the tennis singles on Wimbledon's Centre Court at 2pm

'He has lots of experience and has been around the tour for a long time.’
Murray’s grandma cried when she saw her grandson meet the Queen but it was the 25-year-old who was almost in tears at Roland Garros in May when a back injury nearly saw him lose to the Finn.

'He recovered to win but his struggles led to former Wimbledon champion Virginia Wade calling him a 'drama queen'.

Nieminen would not be drawn into that
debate but thinks his experience with the Queen rather than the drama
queen will stand him in good stead for the match.

Finn-ished Nieminen stands in Murray's way and a place in the last 16

Finn-ished Nieminen stands in Murray's way and a place in the last 16

'It’s great,' added Nieminen, who beat Somdev Devvarman in the first round. 'I have nothing to lose, he’s a big favourite here, and he almost won Wimbledon.'

Already in the last 16 is the man who beat Murray in the Wimbledon final. Roger Federer breezed past Julien Benneteau in straight sets, no mean feat considering the Frenchman took him to five at The Championships.

Dale Steyn exclusive: South Africa are coming for you, England

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Dale Steyn exclusive: Watch out England, South Africa are coming for you

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UPDATED:

23:38 GMT, 18 July 2012

The South Africa paceman is the world’s No 1 bowler and a series victory over England would propel his side to the top of the Test rankings. He introduces his team-mates…

Graeme Smith

It’s just amazing that our leader is about to play his 100th Test match. Wow! What an achievement that is. Graeme has captained every game that I’ve played for South Africa and has been a fantastic leader and a great player for the team.

He has always led from the front with the bat. He never has to force people to listen to him.

Be prepared: South Africa captain Graeme Smith at The Oval

Be prepared: South Africa captain Graeme Smith at The Oval

Alviro Petersen

I have known Alviro for many years, ever since I started playing for the Titans when I was about 20. One of his biggest assets is how mentally strong he is.

Everything is in order in his game and he’s a very organised person off the pitch too.
I remember going to his flat years ago and everything was so neat and tidy. He brings that to his game.

Hashim Amla

The silent warrior. He is a very quiet man but just a great batsman for us with a very good head on his shoulders and a real thinking cricketer who has a lot of experience now.

He’s played some county cricket so knows the scene and conditions here well and that should stand him in good stead for this series.

Nuggety: Hashim Amla hit 275 runs on tour in England in 2008

Nuggety: Hashim Amla hit 275 runs on tour in England in 2008

Jacques Kallis

He’s the ultimate professional with the the most incredible career behind him.

Does everything — bat, bowl, catch, and if he wanted to he could probably captain!

He’s got new hair, too! Jacques steps in when you really need him and has a golden arm with the ball, delivering it with more pace than you realise. But more than anything he’s just a great batter.

Jacques Rudolph

Jacques has played a lot of cricket here with Yorkshire but has now come back to play for South Africa again and has been welcomed back to the fold.

He proved that he deserved his recall and then got a hundred against New Zealand. He’s always been a very good player in the 10 years that I’ve known him.

All-rounder: AB de Villiers will keep wicket in the first Test after Mark Boucher's horrific eye injury

All-rounder: AB de Villiers will keep wicket in the first Test after Mark Boucher's horrific eye injury

AB de Villiers

Perhaps the best of the lot. He’s a great batsman, could bowl if you wanted him to and has ridiculously good wicketkeeping skills too.

Would probably be playing for South Africa at rugby or tennis if he wasn’t doing so at cricket, he’s just the complete all-round sportsman.

Another guy I’ve known since I was a teenager, we all grew up together.

JP Duminy

A very good left-handed batsman, which is nice to have, and also bowls some off-spin which is a bonus for us.

Whenever there are guys in the team who can bowl some overs and give me a break I’m pleased!

He has always had to fight for a place in the side but got some good runs in Australia and has his opportunity now after the injury to Mark Boucher.

A long hop: JP Duminy lengthens the Proteas' batting order

A long hop: JP Duminy lengthens the Proteas' batting order

Morne Morkel

An awkward customer. His pace and bounce mean it’s really ugly to face him.

All of these tall guys get this bounce from nowhere and no batsmen enjoy the ball coming at their ribs or under their armpits.

And when he drags you forward he still hits the splice, so he’s always bowling those nasty lengths. He really is such an important bowler for us.

Hitting the heights: Vernon Philander

Hitting the heights: Vernon Philander

Vernon Philander

Vernon is unbelievably skilful in the way he can bring the ball in to the batsman and then take it away.
He can swing the ball but he’s probably more of a seamer and batsmen never know when to leave him because he’s so adept at nipping it back and getting lbws.

His career has just taken off since he first played Test cricket last year. Vernon has been around a while but has only just got his chance and has grabbed it with both hands.

Imran Tahir

He has taken over from Paul Harris but is a completely different spin bowler, with a more attacking style.

He
has so many variations: leggies, googlies, flippers, top spinners or
whatever. Morne, Vernon and I are mature enough to hold up an end now
when necessary to allow Imran to attack from the other end.

And me….

I
feel good, fit and as strong as I can be. I started bowling a little
bit quicker in the nets on Tuesday than I have been doing so far on this
tour.

At Taunton and Canterbury I was just
trying to get some miles in my legs and sort out my lines and lengths
but now I feel ready to step it up a level.

It’s now time for me to concentrate on that little bit of extra pace…

Pace demon: Dale Steyn is chomping at the bit to get amongst England's batsmen

Pace demon: Dale Steyn is chomping at the bit to get amongst England's batsmen

And how about the opposition

I have watched Jimmy Anderson playing a lot for England over the years on TV and he’s a fantastic bowler with the Duke ball.

We’re pretty similar bowlers but I’m probably a little bit quicker and more aggressive in my body language.

At the end of the day we’re both trying to get away shape with the ball so in that regard we’re similar bowlers.

He would be the guy in the England team I would look at to say ‘what works for him might work for me’, whereas Stuart Broad is more like Morne in height and what they are trying to achieve.

Similar bowlers: James Anderson bowls during a net session at The Oval

Similar bowlers: James Anderson bowls during a net session at The Oval

Will my battle with Jimmy be the key to the series Not necessarily, because you can sometimes see someone bowling outstandingly well and ending up on the losing side. I don’t really care if I get one or 20 wickets in this series provided I do what the team needs from me to win Test matches.

Don’t get me wrong, I would love to take a lot of wickets here but there is something that is more important than the individual and that is the team.

We don’t think we’re going out there to dominate, but we’re confident in our preparations and the batsmen look ready while the bowlers look hungry.

Let’s go.

Wolves 0 Everton 0: Terry Connor pleased with point

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Connor sees a silver lining after goalless draw with Everton

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UPDATED:

17:06 GMT, 6 May 2012

Point made: Terry Connor happy with a draw

Point made: Terry Connor happy with a draw

Terry Connor was pleased to give the Wolves fans a crumb of comfort at the end of a season of lows as they
held Everton to a goalless draw at Molineux.

Sunday's result ended a run of nine
straight home defeats in the Barclays Premier League and ensured they
avoided an unwanted place in the record books.

Another loss would have equalled the
Premier League marks for longest home losing run and most home defeats
in a season (14), which are both held by Sunderland.

Wolves had to ride their luck in a
game largely dominated by Everton, who twice had the ball in the net but
saw Nikica Jelavic and Denis Stracqualursi both denied by the offside
flag.

Connor, whose tenure as interim boss ends with next week's trip to Wigan, said: 'Everton have not lost in seven, they've scored four goals in three of their last four games, they're a team bang in form, so to get a clean sheet from our point of view is a good effort.

Jump to it: Everton's Marouane Fellaini and Sylvain Distin vie for the ball

Jump to it: Everton's Marouane Fellaini and Sylvain Distin vie for the ball

'It was important to try to leave the fans with something. If we couldn't win it then we wanted to take something from the game so they had something positive to go home with for the summer, and come back next year to support the club in its quest to be back in the Premier League.

'We tried to stay with the game, not concede goals, and nick something if we could. We took a point today and if we can go to Wigan and do the same then that's three games without defeat. That would stand us in good stead for next year.'

On the run: Wolves' Stephen Hunt challenges James McFadden (left)

On the run: Wolves' Stephen Hunt challenges James McFadden (left)

The draw kept Everton a point above Fulham in the race for seventh place, with Liverpool a further three points behind but with a game in hand.

The Toffees had a good early chance when Tim Cahill shot straight at Dorus De Vries, and they were left with a feeling of injustice in the 28th minute when Jelavic was flagged offside as he fired passed the keeper, with replays showing the Croatian was level.

Wolves' best chance was a header from Christophe Berra over the bar, and the pattern continued after the break, with Marouane Fellaini and Jelavic particularly wasteful from good openings.

Wasted opportunities: Steven Pienaar had a goal disallowed

Wasted opportunities: Steven Pienaar had a goal disallowed

Jelavic thought he had made amends in the 73rd minute when his cross was turned in by Stracqualursi at the far post, but Fellaini, who had also lunged for the ball, was a yard offside.

Everton assistant manager Steve Round admitted his side had paid for a lack of composure in front of goal, saying: 'The players are disappointed in the dressing room. We had enough dominance in possession and created enough opportunities definitely.

'We just couldn't take that defining moment, whether it was the pass or the final shot, and obviously we had a really good goal disallowed.

Sliding in: Pienaar (right) is tackled by George Elokobi

Sliding in: Pienaar (right) is tackled by George Elokobi

'I thought the second one was offside, Fellaini doesn't touch the ball but he does go for it, which makes him interfering. Recently we've been playing as well as that but taking the chances, and today we didn't.'

Connor was again reluctant to discuss his own future after his winless record since taking over from Mick McCarthy in February stretched to 12 games.

Zubar trooper: Ronald Zubar (right) foils Steven Pienaar

Zubar trooper: Ronald Zubar (right) foils Steven Pienaar

He said: 'I finish on May 13. I'll give the club a full review of the season and the club will decide what path to take and how they want to regain their Premier League status. I'll abide by whatever decision is made.'

Bristol City 3 Coventry 1: Jon Stead strikes back to boost Robins

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Bristol City 3 Coventry 1: Stead strikes back to boost Robins in relegation showdown

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UPDATED:

16:26 GMT, 9 April 2012

Jon Stead scored for both teams as Bristol City moved four points clear of Coventry with victory in a crunch clash at the bottom of the npower Championship.

Home striker Stead netted a first-half own goal before wiping out the deficit early in the second period, and Yannick Bolasie, fresh from the bench, fired home the winner in the 82nd minute.

It gave the Robins, who had Brett Pitman sent off late on before adding a third goal through Chris Wood, breathing space with four games to play.

Bouncing back: Jon Stead celebrates scoring Bristol City's equaliser

Bouncing back: Jon Stead celebrates scoring Bristol City's equaliser

Match facts

Bristol City: Gerken, Foster, Amougou, Fontaine, McGivern, Adomah (Bolasie 82), Skuse, Kilkenny, Pearson (Ephraim 78),
Stead (Wood 66), Pitman.
Subs Not Used: James,Cisse.
Sent Off: Pitman (87).
Booked: Adomah,Foster.
Goals: Stead 47,Bolasie 82,Wood 90.

Coventry: Murphy, Clarke, Keogh, Cranie, Hussey (Christie 67),
Deegan (Bigirimana 86), Clingan, Norwood, McSheffrey, McDonald (Nimely 78), Platt.
Subs Not Used: Dunn,Willis.
Goals: Stead 33 og.
Att: 19,003
Ref: Scott Mathieson (Cheshire).

But for Coventry, who saw their seven-match unbeaten run come to an end, it could prove a critical blow to their survival hopes. They are the closest of the teams in the bottom three to safety, however Bristol City now look increasingly safe in 21st place.

Pitman and Stead gave Coventry goalkeeper Joe Murphy some early work to do with a couple of long-range efforts which found the target.

Ryan McGivern's 13th-minute header provided a sterner test for the goalkeeper but he did well to deny the defender after he made good contact with Albert Adomah's pinpoint free-kick delivery.

The visitors' first opportunity to apply some pressure of their own saw Gary McSheffrey whip in a corner which Dean Gerken punched clear with Cody McDonald and Clive Platt lurking.

Neil Kilkenny's superb half-volley from almost 30 yards flashed just wide as the hosts went close again.

A Robins player did get his name on the score-sheet with 33 minutes gone but Stead was credited with an own goal as he inadvertently flicked Sammy Clingan's free-kick beyond Gerken.

The home side responded well to the setback and after Cole Skuse's ambitious effort was well blocked by Richard Keogh, Kilkenny drilled another effort narrowly wide.

Despite heading into the interval behind, there were plenty of signs that Derek McInnes' men were still in the contest and within two minutes of the restart they were rewarded for their efforts.

Pitman swung in a corner, Skuse helped it on its way and Stead was there to bundle home from close range and make amends for his own goal.
With both sets of fans appreciating the huge importance of the clash there was an electric atmosphere inside Ashton Gate as the two sides went in search of a crucial three points.

The hosts were next to threaten and Richard Foster's cross was headed on target by Stead but Murphy showed quick reflexes to tip it over the bar.
After a flurry of corners Andre Amougou nodded home but referee Scott Mathieson spotted a foul by Stead on Murphy and the celebrations were cut short.

That was the lively Stead's last involvement after an eventful 66 minutes on the pitch as West Brom loanee Wood was introduced from the bench.
Bolasie came on with eight minutes to play, making an immediate and telling contribution as he turned in the box before steering a shot home from 12 yards.

Hopes of a comfortable finish appeared to have been dashed when Pitman was dismissed for a foul on Jordan Clarke but Wood's injury-time goal put the seal on a hugely important victory.

Sebastien Bassong blasts Wolves team-mates

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Bassong blasts Wolves players for on-pitch scrap as club struggles to escape drop

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UPDATED:

07:36 GMT, 4 April 2012


Appalled: Sebastian Bassong says his colleagues need to be more professional

Appalled: Sebastian Bassong says his colleagues need to be more professional

Sebastien Bassong has lambasted his Wolves team-mates for their unprofessional behaviour during the club's relegation battle.

The defender, on loan from Tottenham, is frustrated his colleagues are not trying to beat the drop in the right fashion and are blaming each other while they make mistakes themselves.

There were incredible scenes at Molineux on Saturday when captain Roger Johnson and goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey nearly came to blows.

'We’ve got to be more professional,
focus on our own work and make sure what each of us is doing is right
before opening our mouths and advising someone else,' Bassong told The
Sun.

'Everyone has to deal with their own problems. If you start focusing on everyone else’s, you’re never going to solve your own.'

Wolves sacked Mick McCarthy in February
and appointed Terry Connor in his stead, but despite his best efforts
the club are rooted to the bottom of the Barclays Premier League.

Unprofessional: Bassong watches on as Wayne Hennessey and Roger Johnson argue

Unprofessional: Bassong watches on as Wayne Hennessey and Roger Johnson argue

Cheltenham Festival 2012: Paul Nicholls discusses his day two runners

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EXCLUSIVE: Stone is solid option, says six-time champion trainer Nicholls

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UPDATED:

00:06 GMT, 14 March 2012

KAUTO STONE (3.20) wasn't disgraced when beaten eight lengths off level weights by Sizing Europe in the Tingle Creek at Sandown, so could be that one's main rival in the Queen Mother Champion Chase.

Winning start: Rock On Ruby was Nicholls' big victory on day one

Winning start: Rock On Ruby was Nicholls' big victory on day one

We upped him in trip last time in the Betfair Chase at Ascot, but that didn't go to plan as he raced too freely before dropping away tamely.

Ignore that run and he has a chance. I think Teaforthree and Allee Garde are the ones to beat in the National Hunt Chase, but we have winning prospects in HARRY THE VIKING (1.30), who is part-owned by Sir Alex Ferguson.

The winning pointer has always looked
the ideal type for this race and he has won at tough staying tracks
such as Chepstow and Towcester.

He has to improve but four miles is a great leveller and stamina is his forte, while his jumping will stand him in good stead.

Chasing was always going to be the game for JOIN TOGETHER (2.40)
and he has proven a smart prospect with a couple of wins this season at
Cheltenham, including over three miles under a brilliant ride from Ruby
in November.

I honestly don't know if I have a well-handicapped horse on my hands in ULCK DU LIN (4.40) off a mark of 130 until I get him on the course.

He won a couple of hurdles and a chase in France and has pleased me in his work since coming to us, which included a racecourse gallop. He jumps well, too. But I can tell you nothing more.

What I can say is if what I hear is right then we all have our work well and truly cut out trying to beat the favourite Vendor.

Gold standard: Kauto Star will race on Friday

Gold standard: Kauto Star will race on Friday

Paul Nicholls discusses all his runners on day two, free to view, on: www.betfair.com/paulnicholls