Beijing 2008 - Phelps becomes greatest Olympian

Michael Phelps became the most successful Olympian of all time by winning two more Beijing gold medals to take his career tally to an unprecedented 11 victories.

The mighty Phelps overtook an elite group including Mark Spitz and Carl Lewis who had won nine golds by breaking his own world record in the men's 200 metre butterfly.

An hour later, the 23-year-old was back in the pool with his American team-mates to win the men's 200 metres freestyle relay, knocking over four seconds off the previous world best.

It was his fifth gold from these Games adding to six in Athens in 2004.

Phelps is now within reach of Spitz's record of seven golds in one Games. With each of his Beijing golds coming in record times he is also tracking Spitz's achievement of winning each of the 1972 titles in world best times.

Phelps overcame his goggles filling with water to touch in 1:52.03 in the fly.

Hungarian Laszlo Cseh took the silver medal and Japan's Takeshi Matsuda the bronze as the American bettered his previous world record time, set at the world championships in Melbourne last year, by 0.06 seconds.

The Baltimore-born Phelps trailed New Zealander Moss Burmester at the 50-metre mark but then took charge from the halfway stage.

Phelps said he had been disturbed by a problem with his goggles and was typically nonchalant about his result.

"My goggles filled up with water all the time and I had difficulty seeing the walls," he said. "I wanted a world record, I wanted a 1.51 or better but under the circumstances, it's not a bad result."

He was soon back in the pool as the United States smashed the world record to easily win the 4x200 metres freestyle relay in a time of six minutes, 58.56 seconds.

Football veteran Lampard signs new five-year contract with Chelsea

LONDON (AFP) - Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard ended speculation about his future by signing a new five-year contract with the Premier League club on Wednesday.

Lampard, 30, had been repeatedly linked with a move away from Stamford Bridge during the last year, but he finally agreed to stay just four days before Chelsea's Premier League opener against Portsmouth.

"We've signed my new contract today (Wednesday)," Lampard told Chelsea TV. "I'm personally very happy and I hope I've made the Chelsea fans happy. I've had seven great seasons here and now I can have many more.

"It's been a difficult summer for many reasons and that was one of the frustrating things, a lot of things were said that were untrue, some things were said that were slightly true and that was frustrating. Now we can put that to bed and concentrate on football."

The England star had been negotiating a new contract since last season, with Chelsea offering a four-year deal and Lampard holding out for an extra year.

Former Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho, now in charge at Inter Milan, tried to take advantage of the stalemate during the close-season when he made an offer for Lampard.

Chelsea rejected Inter's bid but they were aware Lampard would have been out of contract at the end of this season and could walk away on a free transfer.

The Blues have avoided that scenario by agreeing to Lampard's demands and the former West Ham player, who is now contracted until 2014, should finish his career in west London.

Lampard, who cost Chelsea 11 million pounds (13.7 million euros) from the Hammers in June 2001, thanked the club for giving him time to decide on his future following the death of his mother last season.

"My world got turned upside down and I don't think it is anything anyone appreciates until you go through it," Lampard said. "The club gave me time and I appreciate that.

"I feel for sure I've made 100 percent the right decision, for myself, for my family and for Chelsea Football Club.

"This has always been a very important contract for me, I've just turned 30 and I see it as my final big contract to see my playing days out at Chelsea."

Blues manager Luiz Felipe Scolari believes the dynamic midfielder's decision bodes well for Chelsea's bid to overhaul Premier League champions Manchester United.

"I am delighted that Frank has committed his future to the club," Scolari said. "He is a key player for me and vital to Chelsea's future successes.

"Frank is one of the best professionals I have worked with. Everyday he tries to learn something and bring new elements to his game.

Chelsea chief executive Peter Kenyon explained the contract talks had taken time because it was a major decision for Lampard.

"These are big issues for the club, for Frank and any other player," Kenyon said.

"Whatever has gone on I think there is that underlying desire that we get there. It's taken both Frank and the club longer than we originally thought.

"It allows us to kill all the speculation of the last 18 months and allows us to concentrate on the really important thing - next season."

Source: Eurosport

Fernando Torres struck a hat-trick in a surprise start for Liverpool as they edged an entertaining Carling Cup third-round clash at Reading 4-2.


While Manchester City and Arsenal both came through with narrow victories in tough encounters.

There are also two games in extra-time - follow the latest LIVE by clicking the link below the picture.

Yossi Benayoun broke his Liverpool duck with a goal of the highest quality to give the Reds the lead at Reading, scoring past Adam Federici from distance in the 23rd minute.

Bobby Convey levelled four minutes but Torres made the most of his run-out by firing Liverpool back in front early in the second half.

John Halls equalised in the 64th minute but Torres put Liverpool in front for a third time with another fabulous finish in the 71st minute, before converting a one-on-one for his hat-trick.

A youthful Arsenal side left it late to beat Newcastle at the Emirates Stadium.

In the first half Lukasz Fabianski produced a fine reaction stop from Obafemi Martins on his debut in the Arsenal goal while Nicklas Bendtner looked lively at the other end.

But the match was headed for extra-time until Bendtner's headed goal with eight minutes left and the impressive Denilson fired home a second in the closing seconds.

Manchester City snatched a 1-0 win over Norwich at Eastlands in a turgid encounter.

Forgotten man Georgios Samaras, who has been out in the cold under Sven-Goran Eriksson until tonight, struck in the 90th minute to hand his side a barely-merited victory.

Defeat was hard to take for Coca-Cola Championship side Norwich who battled well against a lacklustre City side.

David Nugent made amends for a glaring first-half miss by scoring to help Portsmouth to a 1-0 win at Burnley.

Nugent wasted a glorious chance to give Pompey the half-time advantage at Turf Moor when his attempted nutmeg of Clarets keeper Gabor Kiraly failed miserably.

However, Pompey made a breakthrough when Nugent scored after 69 minutes with a well taken goal and Harry Redknapp's side held on for victory.

West Brom suffered a catastrophic first half against Cardiff as they lost 4-2.

Veteran poacher Robbie Fowler's pedigree was in evidence as he gave Cardiff an early lead. Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink and Trevor Sinclair scored for the Bluebirds either side of Fowler's second from the penalty spot to hand the Welsh side a 4-0 lead.

Some Albion fans started leaving but the Baggies pulled one back before the break through Ishmael Miller, who also netted a late penalty, but it was too late for a West Brom comeback.

There was no shock at Bramall Lane as Sheffield United enjoyed a 5-0 rout against giant-killing Morecambe.

After 18 minutes, Billy Sharp managed to provide some cutting edge and struck the opening goal to take the wind out of Morecambe's sails.

Sharp made it 2-0 before half-time to make the task even more difficult for the visitors. Luton Shelton (two) and Lee Hendrie finished Morecambe off.

A late goal from Michael Jackson two minutes before the end of extra-time saw Blackpool edge past Southend and avoid a nervy penalty shoot-out.

While goals from Matthew Spring and Drew Talbot in extra-time helped League One side Luton Town upset Charlton 3-1.

Souce: Eurosport

World Cup - Romania dig deep for victory

World Cup regulars Romania narrowly avoided a huge upset when two tries in the last half hour gave them a 14-10 win over Portugal's remarkable amateurs in their Pool C match on Tuesday.

Portugal, who scored a try in each of their four matches, earned their first World Cup bonus point for the narrow loss.
The Portuguese, hugely popular with the crowds in France, were 7-0 up at halftime after hooker Joaquim Ferreira, their captain for the night, went over from a lineout and fly-half Duarte Cardoso Pinto converted.
Romania had to wait for more than an hour to get on the scoreboard when replacement hooker Marius Tincu, having taken the throw at a lineout, went over from the maul and scrum-half Valentin Calafeteanu converted to level the score.
Portugal, with Cardoso Pinto giving them the edge in the tactical kicking for the better part of an hour, went in front again 11 minutes from time when his replacement at fly-half, Goncalo Malheiro, put over a loudly cheered penalty.
However, the Romanians' pressure in the forwards finally gave them the win despite some stern defending by the popular Portuguese side, who can leave the tournament with their heads held high.
Romania's pack camped on the Portuguese tryline with 10 minutes to go and after more than a minute's pressure, replacement back-row forward Florin Corodeanu went over.
Fly-half Dan Dumbrava's conversion ended the scoring as his long range penalty two minutes from time came back off the post.
The result leaves Romania, who have played in all six World Cups and had earned a bonus point from their narrow loss to Italy in their opening pool match, with one win per tournament barring 1995 when they lost all three games.
The Romanians have to play title favourites New Zealand on Saturday but that match is hardly likely deliver an upset.

Champions League - Hagi quits as Steaua coach

Gheorghe Hagi resigned as Steaua Bucharest coach after his team lost their opening Champions League group match 2-1 away to Slavia Prague.

"Hagi told the club's board he had decided to quit without giving any reasons," the club's owner Gigi Becali said.

Hagi's decision was not unexpected after Becali repeatedly interfered in team matters, including picking the lineup.

Hagi, who took over in June, led Steaua undefeated through the Champions League preliminary rounds but they are struggling in seventh place in the domestic league after scoring just four goals in the six matches they have played so far.

Last month, Becali threatened to sack the former Romania midfielder after complaining that he did not stick to the lineup the club owner selected for their first league match.

Becali also asked Hagi to select two players he wanted in the team for Wednesday's Group H match in Prague, saying the coach would have to leave unless he listened to orders.

Becali said there was no way Hagi could change his mind about quitting his job with Steaua.

"It was Hagi's honourable decision," Becali said. "A resignation is a resignation. It is all over now."

In 2001 Hagi quit as Romania coach after failing to reach the World Cup.

He resigned as coach of Turkish club Bursaspor in 2003 after a disappointing start to the season.

Hagi won the Turkish Cup with Galatasaray in 2005 and then joined Politehnica Timisoara before quitting in 2006.

Becali will ask former Steaua coach Cosmin Olaroiu, currently with Saudi Arabian club Al Hilal, to replace Hagi.

"Olaroiu promised he would be permanently available for me," Becali said. "Just to call him."

Ligue 1 - Niculae brace downs Marseille

Daniel Niculae struck twice in six first-half minutes to give Auxerre a 2-0 victory over Marseille in the early Ligue 1 game.

Romanian striker Niculae opened the scoring after 19 minutes with a shot from close range after being set up by midfielder Benoit Pedretti.

Five minutes later he met a Kevin Lejeune cross to beat goalkeeper Steve Mandanda for the second time.

Lejeune was sent off with 14 minutes remaining after picking a second yellow card but Auxerre held on to clinch their second win in a row and move up to 15th with nine points from nine games.

Marseille, who overcame Besiktas 2-0 in their Champions League opener on Tuesday but have not won in Ligue 1 since beating Caen last month, dropped to 16th on seven points.

Albert Emon's side were without playmaker Samir Nasri, who was ruled out of the game with influenza.

Later on Saturday, leaders Nancy host Lorient.

Source: Eurosport

Premier League - Rampant Arsenal destroy sorry Derby

A hat-trick from Emmanuel Adebayor helped league leaders Arsenal to a 5-0 demolition of Derby at the Emirates on Saturday.

Midfield duo Abou Diaby and Cesc Fabregas were also on the scoresheet as Arsenal maintained their unbeaten run and kept their place at the top of the Premier League.

The performance - albeit against poor opposition who looked out of their depth for much of the game - proved Arsenal are the team to beat at the moment. And with Chelsea in turmoil, Manchester United not firing on all cylinders and Liverpool displaying some erratic form, the north London club could well be the team to take advantage this season.

Adebyaor was effervescent up front, Fabregas brilliant in midfield and Kolo Toure solid at the back as the Gunners followed up their impressive midweek win over Sevilla in the Champions League with a victory that will send out a clear message of intent to their title rivals.

As for Derby, all the good work from Monday's win over Newcastle was undone shortly after kick-off at the Emirates and any confidence taken from that victory - their first of the season - quickly evaporated as Arsenal flew out of the blocks.

The hosts were simply irresistible during the opening exchanges and Derby clearly lacked the quality or experience to cope with the attacking threat the Gunners posed.

Diaby got the scoring underway as early as the 10th minute with a stunning strike that lit up the Emirates and that will certainly feature in most people's suggestions for goal-of-the-month. The young Frenchman received the ball from Cesc Fabregas on the right hand side before cutting inside and unleashing a rocket into the top corner, leaving poor Stephen Bywater no chance whatsoever.

A quarter of an hour later and Arsenal were two up courtesy of Adebayor's first. Fabregas was again the architect, slipping a clever pass through to the onrushing Togolese striker, who rounded Bywater and slotted home with aplomb.

The teams headed into the dressing rooms with just those two goals separating them at half time, but it so easily could have been much worse for the Rams, such was the home team's complete dominance of the opening period.

Adebayor could have bagged his hat-trick before the first half was up but twice he let himself down in front of goal. The former Monaco ace should have opened the scoring as early as the 4th minute, but he somehow conspired to completely miss Gael Clichy's cross-shot, when making any kind of contact would have seen the ball over the line. And then after 23 minutes, his control let him down horribly after having been played in on goal.

Theo Walcott was also guilty of profligacy in front of goal, firing wide on 13 minutes before striking tamely straight at Bywater just before half time, and Eduardo da Silva twice could have got his name on the scoresheet, only to be denied first by a superb Stephen Pearson tackle and then by a diving Bywater save.

Arsenal came out for the second half in a similarly attack-minded mood, and from the outset Derby's back four were put under further intense pressure.

Diaby fired a volley goalwards before, unsurprisingly, Arsenal made it three, Adebayor netting his second from the spot after Matt Oakley tugged Eduardo's shirt in the box.

If ever a performance deserved a goal, Fabregas' display in the centre of the pitch did, and he duly bagged one with 20 minutes remaining, curling a shot from the edge of the penalty area into the top corner to put Arsenal four up.

Addebayor then completed the rout and his hat-trick on 79 minutes, controlling a long high ball on his chest, before turning, losing his marker and firing home in just a few swift movements.

A fourth for Adebayor, and a sixth for Arsenal, nearly followed soon after, but this time Tyrone Mears made a crucially decisive tackle as the rangy striker burst through on goal.

Another 6-0 defeat would possibly have been harsh on Derby, who suffered such a defeat earlier this month to Liverpool, but in reality the only derby worth watching on Saturday was the one up in the north-east, and certainly not Billy Davies' side, who must already be bracing themselves for a short-lived spell in the top flight.

Source: Eurosport