Paris Saint-Germain 1 Valencia 1 (aggregate 3-2): Ezequiel Lavezzi scores

Posted on March 7, 2013 by adminsports

PSG 1 Valencia 1 (agg 3-2): Beckham celebrates from the bench as Lavezzi secures progression to the last eight

PUBLISHED:

21:37 GMT, 6 March 2013

UPDATED:

10:18 GMT, 7 March 2013

David Beckham led the celebrations as Paris Saint-Germain slugged rather than sashayed their way through to the Champions League quarter-finals after drawing with Valencia at the Parc des Princes.

It took the jolt of a fine Valencia goal from Jonas early in the second half to rouse the home side, and Ezequiel Lavezzi's equaliser secured a draw on the night and a narrow aggregate win.

It was Lavezzi's second goal of the tie after he and Javier Pastore scored in Spain three weeks ago. PSG were in full control at the Mestalla until a dramatic injury-time period saw Adil Rami pull a goal back and Zlatan Ibrahimovic sent off, making tonight's second leg increasingly complicated on two counts.

Just about: Ezequiel Lavezzi bundled home the equaliser before receiving a yellow card for removing his shirt

Nice tats: Lavezzi showed off his tattoos, including Jesus and compatriot Diego Maradona

MATCH FACTS

Paris Saint-Germain: Sirigu, Thiago Silva, Alex, Maxwell, Matuidi, Chantome, Jallet (Van der Wiel 27), Motta (Gameiro 58), Lucas (Sakho 83) Moura, Lavezzi, Pastore

Subs not used: Douchez, Camara, Armand, Beckham

Goal: Lavezzi 66

Booked: Lavezzi

Valencia: Guaita, Cissokho, Barragan, Ruiz, Mathieu, Albelda (Banega 46), Feghouli (Piatti 63), Parejo, Facundo Costa, Jonas (Valdez 76), Soldado

Subs not used: Diego Alves, Joao Pereira, Guardado, Canales

Booked: Ruiz, Albelda, Soldado, Parejo

Goal: Jonas 55

Referee: Milorad Mazic

Ibrahimovic was given a two-match ban
by UEFA, and the Sweden striker was certainly missed on the field for
this return leg as he watched from the stands. Without him, the home
side were toothless in the first half.

They certainly did not appear a side capable of reaching the Wembley final on May 25, but on they go.

Those looking for romance forged at
home in the story of Parisian resurgence might prefer to overlook the
fact it has been funded by overseas money, since the 2011 takeover by
the Qatar Investment Authority.

Their budget is more Champions League
than Ligue 1, and the personnel brought to the Parc des Princes over
the last two years reflects it.

The sudden wealth means tangible
success in Europe is a requisite, so winning in Spain three weeks ago
was not the achievement it might have been considered before the
takeover and more another step in the plan for growth.

PSG are unbeaten in
their last 23 European home matches now but they were clinging on at
the end as Valencia sought the goal that would have forced extra-time.

Overjoyed: David Beckham celebrates Lavezzi's equaliser from the sidelines

Pick that one out: Jonas rifled Valencia into the lead in the second half

Game on: Jonas celebrates his stunning goal after half-time to bring Valencia back into the tie

Twisting: Lucas (left) turns away from his marker Jeremy Mathieu

With Ibrahimovic and Marco Verratti
suspended, and winger Jeremy Menez injured, manager Carlo Ancelotti –
who won the Champions League in 2003 and 2007 with AC Milan – had a
weakened hand before kick-off.

Lucas started alongside Lavezzi in attack.

There was no room in the starting XI
for Beckham, squeezed out of central midfield by Thiago Motta and
Blaise Matuidi. The former England captain was primed on the bench but
stayed there.

PSG fans might have been wary that
their expensively-assembled team are prone to aberrations, such as their
league defeat to Reims at the weekend.

Jonas almost got in behind the home defence in the eighth minute but a foot in by Christophe Jallet denied him.

Valencia had a further chance when
Jonas linked up with strike partner Roberto Soldado. Salvatore Sirigu
smothered his low 15-yard shot.

Ouch: Blaise Matuidi lies on the turf after taking a hefty challenge

Putting the boot in: Lucas Moura (right) swings in a cross

Jonas sent a 20-yard shot bobbling wide, and Tino Costa cracked an ambitious effort several yards off target.

Sirigu palmed away a stinging 20-yard drive from Jonas just before the break, but it was a ball he might have caught.

From the corner that followed, Costa
struck the ball so sweetly it was missed by everyone in blue and red,
and also his team-mates as it swerved wide of the far post.

Limbering up: Beckham stretches ahead of Paris Saint-Germain's match

Eyes on the prize: The former England captain performs some kick-ups ahead of the game

Waiting in the wings: Beckham warms up ahead of the clash with Valencia

Benched: Beckham started the match on the sidelines

Ever Banega stepped out in place of Albelda for the second half, an attacking move by Valencia.
Jonas made the breakthrough in the 55th minute with a crashing 25-yard drive inside the left post.

Valencia had more zip about their
game, but PSG were level 11 minutes later though and it was Lavezzi who
woke the home crowd from an understandable stupor. Kevin Gameiro, on in
place of Thiago Motta, bustled through a couple of challenges before the
ball rolled kindly for his team-mate.

Vicente Guaita repelled Lavezzi's
15-yard blast but could then do nothing to prevent him tucking the ball
over the line with his knee.

Clement Chantome's 25-yard swipe drew a solid save from Guaita, with PSG on top for perhaps the first time in the match.

Valencia poured pressure on the Paris
goal in the closing minutes but they struggled to get in behind as their
campaign reached its end.

Manchester United 2 West Brom 0 – match report

Posted on December 29, 2012 by adminsports

Manchester United 2 West Brom 0: RVP climbs off bench to add gloss to narrow win

UPDATED:

17:27 GMT, 29 December 2012

Robin van Persie's 17th goal of the season ensured Manchester United claimed yet another scalp on their march towards what they hope will be a 20th league title at Old Trafford.

Yet the performance of skipper Nemanja Vidic was equally notable, as he guided United to only their fourth Premier League clean sheet of the season after Gareth McAuley's early own goal had put the hosts in front against West Brom.

Plagued by injury for the past 16 months, and restored to the United line-up for the only the second time since his most recent knee operation, Serbian Vidic used all of his experience to ensure the hosts were not made to pay for a lacklustre second-half display.

Game over: Robin van Persie celebrates scoring his team's second goal

MATCH FACTS

Man Utd: De Gea, Smalling, Vidic,
Evans, Evra, Carrick, Cleverley (Scholes 82), Valencia, Kagawa (Van Persie 65), Young, Welbeck.

Subs not used:
Lindegaard, Ferdinand, Giggs, Hernandez, Buttner.

Goals: McAuley 9 (og), Van Persie 90

Booked: Valencia

West
Brom: Foster, Jones, McAuley, Tamas, Ridgewell, Thorne, Brunt (Morrison 75),
Rosenberg (Lukaku 67), Dorrans (Fortune 83), Odemwingie, Long.

Subs not used: Myhill, El
Ghanassy, Jara Reyes, Dawson

Referee: Jon Moss (W Yorkshire)

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And when Van Persie curled home a brilliant effort in the final minute, the Red Devils` handsome seven-point lead at the top of the table was preserved.

After all the furore around Ferguson's confrontation with Mike Dean on Boxing Day, mascot Fred the Red probably approached the United boss with a degree of trepidation as the pair met on the touchline prior to kick off.

The exchange was cordial, though, as was the jocular encounter between Ferguson and fourth official Phil Dowd shortly afterwards.

And once the match started, referee Jon Moss did little to get the United manager vexed, beyond an inexplicable free-kick against Tom Cleverley when the midfielder had been looking at a dropping ball on the edge of his own box when Billy Jones crashed into him.

/12/29/article-2254524-16AF5D93000005DC-775_634x384.jpg” width=”634″ height=”384″ alt=”Bullet: Van Persie climbed off the bench to seal all three points for United against West Brom” class=”blkBorder” />

Bullet: Van Persie climbed off the bench to seal all three points for United against West Brom

Vidic was wide with a couple of headers and Gabriel Tamas turned away Michael Carrick's goalbound shot.

The nearest United went to doubling their lead was when Young strode onto a deflected Antonio Valencia cross.

He hit it sweetly on the half volley, only for former Red Devils keeper Ben Foster to respond with a brilliant save, which earned his slice of good fortune when he shoved the ball onto the crossbar and over.

Provider: Ashley Young's cross was turned in by McAuley for the opening goal of the game

West Bromwich Albion's Gareth McAuley, second left, reacts after deflecting in a shot by Manchester United's Ashley Young, second right, for a own goal

Danny Welbeck – afforded a rare start in a central striking berth – and Shinji Kagawa – back for the first time since suffering a knee injury in October – both sparkled for the hosts, who were so obviously on top.

With a defence that has leaked so many goals this season, Ferguson would not have felt safe.

Yet the presence of Vidic offered some degree of comfort.

Steel: Nemanja Vidic helped shore up a previously leaky Unite defence

The Serbian has been absent so often over the past 15 months it has almost been forgotten what a calming influence he is.

His bravery is unquestioned too. And when Chris Brunt drilled a free-kick goalwards in the final throes of the opening period, it was no surprise Vidic should be the one to emerge from a crowd of bodies having headed it away.

However, with the clock ticking by and heavy rain continuing to pour down on a sodden surface that required a precautionary inspection a couple of hours before kick-off, United started to get stuck.

Doubt: The match at Old Trafford went ahead despite torrential rain prior to kick off

Young completely miskicked when Valencia's cross presented a golden opportunity on the hour, which offered a Baggies outfit already growing in self-belief more reason for optimism.

Had Brunt's piledriver been either side of David de Gea it surely would have brought the visitors level.

As it was, the shot went straight to the Spain keeper.

Friendly chat Sir Alex Ferguson with fourth official Phil Dowd and mascot Fred the Red

Little wonder Van Persie's arrival midway through the second period was greeted with such enthusiasm, underlining the Dutchman's influence since his summer move from Arsenal.

West Brom were in the mood, though.

And with United's passing becoming increasingly sloppy, they continued to push on with force.

Back in action: Shinji Kagawa made his return for United following an injury lay-off

Vidic needed to be in the right place to clear a Romelu Lukaku cross that threatened panic inside the United six-yard box and the sight of his fellow defenders throwing themselves at anything that moved, it had turned into an unedifying backs-to-the-wall effort so unlike the thrill-a-minute action this stadium has become used to.

Van Persie was denied by Foster with nine minutes remaining but the former England keeper could do nothing about the Dutchman's late shot, which curled expertly into the top corner from Paul Scholes' pass.

Sebastian Vettel takes European Grand Prix pole

Posted on June 23, 2012 by adminsports

It won't be three 'n' easy for me, insists Vettel after taking pole for European GP

UPDATED:

17:27 GMT, 23 June 2012

Sebastian Vettel is refusing to believe his latest pole position will automatically lead to a third consecutive European Grand Prix victory on Sunday.

Unlike what we can expect from the race which has lacked thrills and spills in the past, qualifying at the Valencia Street Circuit was at least a spectacle.

Pace ace: Vettel knows he can dominate from pole over Valencia's street circuit

Come the end of the second 15-minute session in particular, the top 13 were separated by a virtually unheard of 0.291 seconds, such were the tight margins between success and failure.

Remarkably, in the top-10 shoot-out, Vettel then blew his rivals away to finish 0.324secs clear of McLaren's Lewis Hamilton.

It was Vettel's 33rd pole of his Formula One career, moving him up to third in the sport's all-time list alongside double world champion Jim Clark and four-times king Alain Prost.

It only leaves Michael Schumacher and Ayrton Senna ahead of the 24-year-old German, but with 68 and 65 apiece respectively, it means Vettel has some way to go before overhauling either.

Pole star: Vettell gained a 33rd start from the front row of the grid

For now, Sunday's race is paramount, one where Vettel has triumphed from pole the last two years in which he has led all but one lap.

However, after leading away the field in Canada a fortnight ago only to finish fourth, Vettel knows he cannot count any chickens just yet.

'In the end it was a surprising gap (to Hamilton), but all in all I have felt good this weekend,' said Vettel, three points adrift of Hamilton in the championship.

'Of course it would be nice to win, no doubt, but it's going to be a difficult race, difficult to predict.

'We have seen too much this year to sit here on Saturday and predict what's going to happen.

'It's probably easier to guess the results of the football (in Euro 2012) than for tomorrow's race.

'There will be a lot of cars to look out for tomorrow. Ferrari has been very competitive and Williams have been quick on their long runs.

Street car named desire: Vettel drives out of his garage during qualifying for the European Grand Prix

'Then there's Lotus. They proved in Bahrain, the first time we had hot conditions, that they're up there.

'This year grid position is important, but maybe not as important as it used to be.'

For Hamilton, who has finished second three times in four years in Valencia, it appears at this early stage as if runner-up is the best he can hope for.

Asked to assess how he could potentially achieve victory around a circuit renowned for its lack of overtaking, his response was simple as he said: 'Make a good start. That's all I can do.'

In fairness, Hamilton has already suggested this season that in a year when collecting consistent points will be key to winning the title, finishing second again will not be a disappointment.

'It would be a big plus for me to be honest,' said Hamilton. 'When the weekend started I wasn't expecting to be as high up as I am now given the way I have struggled with the set-up of the car.

'This is also a very tough circuit for tyres, and it will be tomorrow, so the initial target is to finish where I'm starting.

'Beyond that will be a positive.'

Star is crucial: Lewis Hamilton know McLaren are up against it

Hamilton will have behind him Williams' Pastor Maldonado, the Venezuelan enjoying his return to Spain after triumphing from pole in the Spanish Grand Prix last month.

Of greater danger perhaps are the Lotus duo of Romain Grosjean and Kimi Raikkonen starting from fourth and fifth, followed by the Mercedes of Nico Rosberg.

Disappointingly, Jenson Button starts from ninth, whilst Paul di Resta is 10th, the latter making a mistake on his final run in his Force India he feels cost him six to seven places.

A dejected Button, with just two points from his last four races, is not expecting a massive haul as he said: 'It's going to be difficult. It's not a place famed for its fantastic overtaking manoeuvres, so I think we're pretty much stuck with what we've got at the moment because you can't overtake around here.'

Directly behind the British duo are Ferrari's Fernando Alonso and team-mate Felipe Massa sandwiching seven-times champion Michael Schumacher. Alonso, two points behind Hamilton in the standings, described the result as 'a cold shower', believing the race will now be 'naturally tougher'.

It will be worse for Red Bull's Mark Webber who starts 19th as he was hampered by a lack of DRS that resulted in him failing to make it out of Q1 for the first time in 24 races.

Race stewards, meanwhile, have taken no action against Hamilton after a complaint was made by Mercedes that Rosberg was held up by the Briton before starting his final flying lap.

Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button back London Grand Prix at Olympic Stadium

Posted on June 23, 2012 by adminsports

Hamilton and Button back F1 grand prix plan for London's Olympic Stadium

UPDATED:

17:44 GMT, 22 June 2012

Britain's trio of Formula One stars have thrown their weight behind the prospect of a grand prix being staged in and around the Olympic Stadium.

Among five bids on the table for the London Legacy Development Corporation (LLDC) to mull over is one from Intelligent Transport Solutions Ltd, based at Wanstead in east London.

The company are proposing using the venue for a race, which would naturally become the new European Grand Prix given Silverstone's long-term contract to stage the British Grand Prix.

Street circuit: Valencia plays host to this weekend's European Grand Prix

If successful, it would certainly fulfil Bernie Ecclestone's dream of staging a race in London, just as his aims of holding an event with Manhattan as a backdrop are slowly coming to fruition with next year's planned Grand Prix of America in New Jersey.

Although there would appear to be considerable logistical and financial hurdles to overcome, McLaren's Jenson Button said: 'You are only going to get positive comments from me when it comes to British grands prix.

'It's lovely to travel, but we all love racing in our home country with home supporters.

London calling: Hamilton has backed a grand prix being staged in and around the Olympic Stadium

'Whether you drive quicker or not is questionable, but it's just a lovely atmosphere having the home crowd there.

'With regard to the Olympic Stadium, it's a fantastic facility we're going to see opened to the world in a few weeks' time.

'It would be great if we had the opportunity to race there as well.'

Button and team-mate Lewis Hamilton are due to unveil a virtual London grand prix on Thursday at the RAC on Pall Mall using the latest CGI technology.

Proposal: A bid to use the Olympic Stadium for a grand prix has been tabled

Although the duo will go head-to-head as they flash past some of the capital's most famous landmarks, using the Olympic Stadium in Stratford would not carry the same kudos.

For Hamilton, however, a London race of any kind would be 'spectacular'.

The 27-year-old added: 'It could possibly be one of the best grands prix of the whole year, so I'd definitely support it.'

On the Button: The McLaren ace has thrown his weight behind the bid

Force India's Paul di Resta, for once quickest Briton following practice for Sunday's European Grand Prix in Valencia that uses the port area for the circuit, offered a degree of realism. Appreciating the difficulties such a race would have in getting off the ground, Di Resta said: 'You'd have a lot of complaints from people living around there about the noise wouldn't you

'Unfortunately I think that's a strong possibility, but the venue would be state of the art and I'm sure you could combine it with some street stuff as well.

'It would be a bit like Albert Park (in Melbourne) for a one-off grand prix.

'London is one of the leading cities in the world, so why should we not enjoy something like that

'We should be entitled to a European Grand Prix. Spain have one, Germany did so for years.

'If you take the ratio of teams based in the UK then I'm sure they would be happy to have it as well.'

Jenson Button hoping to log into Lewis Hamilton"s winning formula in Valencia

Posted on June 23, 2012 by adminsports

Button logs into Lewis' winning formula as he looks to end his barren run in Valencia

UPDATED:

22:46 GMT, 22 June 2012

Imitation may be the sincerest form of flattery but it remains to seen whether Lewis Hamilton views matters quite so philosophically if Jenson Button’s decision to borrow his recipe for success pays off.

The wry smile on Hamilton’s face when discussing the help that has been offered to Button’s side of the garage suggests he may not.

At the wheel: Lewis Hamilton in practice for the European Grand Prix on Friday

The Levante wind was blowing strongly across the Valencia Street Circuit on Friday but with just two points from the last four grand prix Button’s season is very much in the doldrums.

In a bid to cure the technical issues which have led to Button struggles with his tyres, the 2009 world champion will use his team-mate set-up data this weekend — a set-up which helped his Hamilton storm to his first victory of the season in Canada and to the top of the drivers’ championship.

Much is made of the team ethic at McLaren but Hamilton leaves you with the distinct impression he was not best pleased at having to offer Button a leg up.

'It was very interesting when I went to the factory last week,' said Hamilton.

'I was with my engineer and saw all the other top engineers together on one table.

'They had all of my data out lap by lap, noting all the things I did differently to Jenson to try and understand things. So he has absolutely every detail of what I’m doing differently. So I’m sure see a difference result this weekend.'

Brit of all right: Jenson Button and Felipe Massa during second practice on Friday

After admitting to be 'confused and lost’ following his 16th place in Montreal, Button was sounding far more confident in Valencia.

'I am sure he is,' added Hamilton. 'There’s been a lot of work that’s gone on for his car!'

In fairness to Button he has made no of his need for assistance, but the difference in his driving style to that of Hamilton means plenty of work still lies ahead if he is to tailor his teammate’s winning formula to his requirements.

'This weekend we are going to start very similar to Lewis,' conceded Button.

'I was baffled but I understand it a lot more now. I'm confident we’ve found the problems its whether we’ve done the right things to improve the car already. If we haven’t we understand where we need to go. The car is going to be different to the last few races, more like the first few races.'

Legend: Michael Schumacher in the pits at the Valencia Street Circuit

Button better hope he can quickly regain the early season form which saw him win the opener in Australia and come home second in China – especially with the formidable names of Hamilton, Fernando Alonso and Sebastian Vettel occupying the top three places in the championship.

A two-day visit to Royal Ascot failed to yield any winners, but Button is adamant he is not amongst the also-rans just yet even if he does recognise the need for at least a podium finish on Sunday.

'Not a lot is it’ insisted Button of the 43-point gap to Hamilton. 'It’s a very odd championship. I’ve lost those points in the last three races to the guy that’s leading so it can turn around quickly.'

Too quickly for Hamilton’s liking perhaps.

Chelsea v Bayern Munich: How the Blues got to the Champions League final

Posted on May 16, 2012 by adminsports

Bayern Munich v Chelsea: How the Blues got to the Champions League final

UPDATED:

10:40 GMT, 13 May 2012

Chelsea will face Bayern Munich in the Champions League final on May 19. Sportsmail looks at how they got there.

Group E
Chelsea 2 Bayer Leverkusen 0, September 13, 2011

Brazil defender David Luiz showed Fernando Torres how it should be done when he netted a fine strike as Chelsea opened their campaign with a victory over Bayer Leverkusen at Stamford Bridge.

Misfiring 50million striker Torres was given another chance – but it was centre-half Luiz who curled a fine 18-yard effort on 67 minutes, with Juan Mata wrapping things up from close range in stoppage time.

Knee-sy does it: Luiz celebrates his strike against Bayer Leverkusen

Valencia 1 Chelsea 1, September 28, 2011

Andre Villas-Boas' recall of Frank Lampard was totally vindicated in Spain but the then Chelsea manager's decision to substitute him backfired spectacularly as Valencia snatched a draw at the Mestalla.

Lampard looked to have scored a trademark winner that would have put the visitors in complete command of Group E but Villas-Boas brought him off for Salomon Kalou with seven minutes remaining and the new man immediately conceded a penalty, which Roberto Soldado scored.

Chelsea 5 Genk 0, October 19, 2011

Torres doubled his goal tally for the season by scoring a brace as Chelsea thrashed Belgian champions Genk.

The Spaniard calmly stroked past Genk stopper Laszlo Koteles in the 11th minute after Raul Meireles had opened the scoring with a 25-yard strike – his first for the club.

Torres headed home his second from a Meireles cross before Branislav Ivanovic and Kalou completed the rout to help the Londoners consolidate their place at the top of the table at the halfway point of the group stages.

On target: Kalou scores in the 5-0 drubbing of Genk at Stamford Bridge

Genk 1 Chelsea 1, November 1, 2011

Chelsea blew the chance to put one foot in the knockout stage but their failure to beat Genk was overshadowed by another racism storm.

The Blues threw away a half-time lead at the Cristal Arena, with Ramires putting them ahead and Luiz missing a penalty before Jelle Vossen exposed more bad defending by netting Genk's first goal of the competition.

However, of far more concern to Chelsea was the behaviour of their fans, who repeatedly chanted about QPR defender Anton Ferdinand in response to the John Terry racism inquiry.

Bayer Leverkusen 2 Chelsea 1, November 23, 2011

Chelsea crashed to defeat to put them in real danger of failing to reach the knockout stage and pile the pressure on Villas-Boas.

For the third time on their travels the Blues took the lead, Didier Drogba scoring his second goal of the season shortly after half-time.

On target: Leverkusen completed a stunning fightback against Chelsea

But, as against Valencia and Genk, the visitors threw away victory, Eren Derdiyok equalising before Manuel Friedrich completed the comeback in stoppage-time.

Chelsea 3 Valencia 0, December 6, 2011

Chelsea avoided an early Champions League exit thanks to a Drogba-inspired win. The Ivorian rolled back the years to net twice as the Blues secured progression to the knockout stage as group winners.

Drogba broke the deadlock with a third-minute drive and, after Ramires prodded home at second, secured victory by neatly flicking in a Mata through-ball in the second half.

Round of 16
Napoli 3 Chelsea 1 (first leg) February 21, 2012

Out-of-sorts Chelsea produced more poor defending to throw away yet another lead to deservedly lose their last-16 first leg, with an Ezequiel Lavezzi brace sandwiching a controversial Edinson Cavani goal. Mata had given Chelsea the lead.

Chelsea 4 Napoli 1 (second leg, AET, Chelsea win 5-4 on aggregate) March 14, 2012

Interim manager Roberto Di Matteo helped Chelsea beat the odds to progress to the quarter-finals.

The west Londoners took a first-half lead through Didier Drogba and doubled their advantage two minutes into the second period thanks to a Terry header, which would have been enough to put the home side through on away goals.

The tie turned back Napoli's way after Gokhan Inler netted eight minutes later, although Frank Lampard struck from the spot to force extra-time in which Ivanovic hit a 105th-minute winner.

Quarter-final
Benfica 0 Chelsea 1 (first leg) March 27, 2012

Makeshift Chelsea put one foot in the semi-finals thanks to Kalou's late winner at Benfica.

Kalou slid home Torres' low cross 15 minutes from time after the Blues completely snuffed out their opponents' threat at the Estadio da Luz.

Di Matteo had raised eyebrows with his team selection but resting six players paid off spectacularly in what was mostly an insipid game.

Chelsea 2 Benfica 1 (second leg, Chelsea win 3-1 on aggregate) April 4, 2012

Lampard marked his 550th Chelsea appearance with a penalty midway through the first half after makeshift centre-back Javi Garcia was adjudged to have brought down Ashley Cole.

Referee Damir Skomina was the main talking point of the game, though, as he handed out eight yellow cards, with Maxi Pereira sent off for the visitors for picking up two of them in the first half.

Benfica ensured a nervy ending when Garcia nodded home from close range, although Meireles scored in stoppage time.

Semi-final
Chelsea 1 Barcelona 0 (first leg) April 18, 2012

Drogba's first-half strike gave Chelsea a narrow yet hugely impressive victory. Totally against the run of play Drogba got on the end of Ramires' cross in first-half injury-time and slotted past Victor Valdes.

Alexis Sanchez hit the bar and missed a sitter and Cesc Fabregas had a shot cleared off the line as Chelsea took a battering.

Barcelona 2 Chelsea 2 (second leg, Chelsea win 3-2 on aggregate)

April 24, 2012 Barca deservedly took the lead through Sergio Busquets and things got worse for the Blues less than two minutes later when John Terry was sent off for kneeing Sanchez from behind.

Barca went 2-0 ahead through Andres Iniesta, although Ramires clawed a goal back in first half stoppage. Lionel Messi hit the bar with a penalty and later a post, but Chelsea somehow held out and Torres came off the bench to score late on and cap a memorable night at the Nou Camp.

2012 F1 Calendar: Dates and times of the 20 races

Posted on March 8, 2012 by adminsports

2012 Formula One calendar: Full details of the 20 races

All 20 races will be exclusively live on Sky Sports. An asterisk will indicate which grands prix are being shown live on the BBC. All times are UK.

Australian Grand Prix (Melbourne)

Date: March 16-18
Circuit Name: Albert Park
Number of Laps: 58
Lap Record: 1:24.125 – M Schumacher (2004)
Qualifying: 06:00
Race: 06:00

Malaysia Grand Prix (Kuala Lumpar)

Date: March 23-25
Circuit Name: Sepang International Circuit
Number of Laps: 56
Lap Record: 1:34.223 – JP Montoya (2004)
Qualifying: 08:00
Race: 09:00

Champagne moment: Vettel won last year's Malaysian Grand Prix

Chinese Grand Prix (Shanghai)*

Date: April 13-15
Circuit Name: Shanghai International Circuit
Number of Laps: 56
Lap Record: 1:32.238 – M Schumacher (2004)
Qualifying: 07:00
Race: 08:00

Bahrain Grand Prix (Sakhir)

Date: 20-22 April
Circuit Name: Bahrain International Circuit
Number of Laps: 56
Lap Record: 1:30.252 – M Schumacher (2004)
Qualifying: 12:00
Race: 13:00

Spanish Grand Prix (Catalunya)*

Date: 11-13 May
Circuit Name: Circuit de Catalunya
Number of Laps: 66
Lap Record: 1:21.670 – K Raikkonen (2008)
Qualifying: 12:00
Race: 13:00

Jewel in the crown: The famous principality tops the list of must-win races for any grand prix driver

Monaco Grand Prix (Monte Carlo)*

Date: 24-27 May
Circuit Name: Circuit de Monaco
Number of Laps: 78
Lap Record: 1:14.439 – M Schumacher (2004)
Qualifying: 12:00
Race: 13:00

Canadian Grand Prix (Montreal)

Date: 8-10 June
Circuit Name: Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve
Number of Laps: 70
Lap Record: 1:13.622 – R Barrichello (2004)
Qualifying: 18:00
Race: 19:00

European Grand Prix (Valencia)*

Date: 22-24 June
Circuit Name: Valencia Street Circuit
Number of Laps: 57
Lap Record: 1:38.683 – T Glock (2009)
Qualifying: 13:00
Race: 13:00

Centre stage: Silverstone will play host to the 2012 British Grand Prix

British Grand Prix (Silverstone)*

Date: 6-8 July
Number of Laps: 52
Lap Record: 1:30.874 – F Alonso (2010)
Qualifying: 12:00
Race: 13:00

German Grand Prix (Hockenheim)

Date: 20-22 July
Circuit Name: Hockenheimring
Number of Laps: 67
Lap Record: 1:13.780 – K Raikkonen (2004)
Qualifying: 12:00
Race: 13:00

Hungarian Grand Prix (Budapest)

Date: 27-29 July
Circuit Name: Hungaroring
Number of Laps: 70
Lap Record: 1:19.071 – M Schumacher (2004)
Qualifying: 13:00
Race: 13:00

Enlarge

F1 tracks 2012

Belgian Grand Prix (Spa-Francorchamps)*

Date: 31 August-2 September
Circuit Name: Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps
Number of Laps: 44
Lap Record: 1:45.108 – K Raikkonen (2004)
Qualifying: 12:00
Race: 13:00

Italian Grand Prix (Monza)

Date: 7-9 September
Circuit Name: Autodromo di Monza
Number of Laps: 53
Lap Record: 1:21.046 – R Barrichello (2004)
Qualifying: 12:00
Race: 13:00

Singapore Grand Prix (Singapore)*

Date: 21-23 September
Circuit Name: Marina Bay Street Circuit
Number of Laps: 61
Lap Record: 1:45.599 – K Raikkonen (2008)
Qualifying: 13:00
Race: 13:00

Thumbs up: Vettel celebrates his Monza victory in 2011

Japanese Grand Prix (Suzuka)

Date: 5-7 October
Number of Laps: 53
Lap Record: 1:31.540 – K. Raikkonen (2005)
Qualifying: 07:00
Race: 08:00

Korean Grand Prix (Yeongam)*

Date: 12-14 October
Circuit Name: Korea International Circuit
Number of Laps: 55
Lap Record: 1:39.605 – S Vettel (2011)
Qualifying: 07:00
Race: 08:00

Indian Grand Prix (Buddh)

Date: 26-28 October
Circuit Name: Buddh International Circuit
Number of Laps: 60
Lap Record: 1:27.249 – S Vettel (2011)
Qualifying: 09:30
Race: 09:30

On the Button: The McLaren man larking around ahead of last year's race

Abu Dhabi Grand Prix (Yas Marina)*

Date: 2-4 November
Number of Laps: 55
Lap Record: 1:40.279 – S Vettel (2009)
Qualifying: 13:00
Race: 13:00

United States Grand Prix (Austin)

Date: 16-18 November
Circuit Name: Circuit of The Americas
Number of Laps: 56
Lap Record: N/A
Qualifying: 19:00
Race: 19:00

Brazilian Grand Prix (Sao Paulo)*

Date: 23-25 November
Circuit Name: Autodromo Jose Carlos Pace
Number of Laps: 71
Lap Record: 1:11.473 – JP Montoya (2004)
Qualifying: 16:00
Race: 16:00

Stoke 0 Valencia 1: Potters close to Topal wipeout

Posted on February 17, 2012 by adminsports

Stoke 0 Valencia 1: Potters close to Topal wipeout after Spanish screamer

Stoke's Euro dreams were left hanging by a thread after Mehmet Topal's 30-yard strike in the first leg of their Europa League last-32 tie.

After starting slowly, the Spaniards
began to dominate proceedings but it was out of nothing that they
opened the scoring in the 36th minute, midfielder Topal drilling an
unstoppable shot into the top corner at the Britannia Stadium.

Stoke had only a couple of real
glimpses of goal, Jon Walters firing wide in the first minute and Peter
Crouch sending an acrobatic volley just over.

More to follow

Unstoppable: Valencia's Mehmet Topal let's fly

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Stoke 0 Valencia 1: Potters close to Topal wipeout