Ten-man Hamburg produced a spirited performance to beat Bremen 2-1 in the north Germany derby on Sunday to go fourth in the Bundesliga and put themselves back in the title race behind leaders Bayer Leverkusen. First-half goals from Dutch defender Joris Mathijsen and Germany defender Marcell Jansen came either side of the dismissal of Hamburg's Jerome Boateng who was shown a straight red card for bringing down Bremen's Marko Marin. Hamburg took the lead when Jansen's cross found Mathijsen... Read Full Story
Lille's phenomenal run of form continued on Sunday as they beat third-bottom Le Mans 3-0 to climb to third place in the French first division standings. The northern club had scored four goals in each of their four previous league games, while also qualifying for the last 32 of the Europa League, and prevailed through goals from Aurelien Chedjou, Gervinho and Eden Hazard. Chedjou headed Lille in front from Hazard's 12th-minute free-kick and they could afford the luxury of a missed Stephane... Read Full Story
Czech international Roman Hubnik has been loaned by FC Moscow to Bundesliga club Hertha Berlin for six months with an option to buy, his agent told the CTK news agency on Monday. "Hertha have reached agreement with the Russian club on a six-month loan until June 30, 2010 with an option to buy for three years," said Pavel Zika. Hubnik, 25, was already loaned by the Russian first division club to Czech outfit Sparta Prague at the beginning of 2009. He has six caps and has scored one goal for... Read Full Story
Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard won't take any pleasure from plunging West Ham deeper into relegation trouble even though the former Hammers star faces another hostile reception at Upton Park on Sunday. Lampard has been public enemy number one in east London since quitting West Ham to join bitter rivals Chelsea for 11 million pounds (12.3 million euros) in 2001. The 31-year-old, who spent nine years at West Ham, has suffered vicious abuse from the Hammers fans every time he has faced his... Read Full Story
Bordeaux coach Laurent Blanc on Monday called for a new stadium to be built for the French champions with a view to France hosting the 2016 European football championships. "If we don't take advantage of Bordeaux's results over the past two and a half years by building a new stadium, new grounds, a new structure which will allow us to have new financial resources, it's absurd," said Blanc, a 1998 World Cup and Euro 2000 winner. Bordeaux will be one of 12 cities to feature in France's bid to... Read Full Story
ROME (Reuters) - Italy is using political and diplomatic channels to try to secure the release of a couple kidnapped in Mauritania, the foreign ministry said. In a statement posted on its website late on Saturday, the ministry asked for media discretion "to guarantee the safety of the hostages and favor a positive solution to the case." Separately, an EU official said it was possible the couple were now in neighboring Mali, where three Spanish aid workers who went missing in Mauritania last... Read Full Story
Manchester United's resources may have made them the envy of world football but Sir Alex Ferguson has admitted a lack of defensive depth may cost them a fourth straight English Premier League title. United are struggling to cope with a crippling injury list which has deprived them of six senior defenders in recent weeks - a scenario which, even for a club with their swollen bank account, has proved untenable. Having already slumped to a surprise defeat at home to Aston Villa this month... Read Full Story
Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard won't take any pleasure from plunging West Ham deeper into relegation trouble even though the former Hammers star faces another hostile reception at Upton Park on Sunday. Lampard has been public enemy number one in east London since quitting West Ham to join bitter rivals Chelsea for 11 million pounds (12.3 million euros) in 2001. The 31-year-old, who spent nine years at West Ham, has suffered vicious abuse from the Hammers fans every time he has faced his... Read Full Story
Roberto Mancini will be confident he can make an immediate impact as the new manager of Manchester City. With City lying sixth in the English Premier League table, six points adrift of fourth spot, the season remains very much alive despite Mark Hughes's sudden dismissal after a 4-3 home win over Sunderland here on Sunday Mancini will know by the ruthless way in which Hughes was sacked that time will not be on his side as he aims to make a quick impression at Eastlands. But with... Read Full Story
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is convinced his side are contenders for the most open Premier League title race since he came to England more than a decade ago. The Gunners moved to within two points of second-place Manchester United, who lost at Fulham, thanks to a 3-0 win over Hull City at the Emirates Stadium here on Saturday. Arsenal, who also have a game in hand, beat Liverpool last weekend but dropped points by drawing at Burnley a few days later. But with no side, including leaders... Read Full Story
