Bordeaux back on top of French pile

PARIS (AFP) - Bordeaux marched two points clear of the chasing pack in the French league on Sunday with a 3-0 win at modest Nancy to end a sticky run of two straight domestic losses.

Although Laurent Blanc's Girondins have dominated their Champions League group at the expense of Juventus and Bayern Munich they had slipped up in their last league outings at Lille and against Valenciennes to leave the field clear to Auxerre.

But Auxerre's 1-0 loss Saturday at Paris Saint Germain gave the southwesterners the chance to move back to the summit and they did not let the chance slip, with Brazilian pair Fernando and Wendel and Gouffran all hitting the target at the Stade Marcel Picot.

Blanc was well satisfied after his side took their points tally to 28 from 14 games with Auxerre on 26, surprise package Lorient on 25 and Lyon - in action in the late match at home to Rennes on 25.

"I think my players realised their performances in the past four matches were not those of a side seeking to place in the top three but rather the bottom three," said the former France defender.

"We realised this could not continue, rediscovered our motivation, and our mobility to put our rivals under pressure. We produced a lot of dangerous situations, created a lot and were solid at the back.

"We have realised we must now put the Champions League to bed until February-March and concentrate on the important thing, which is being able to play in it next season."

Coming off a midweek win over Juventus and already through to the knockout phase in Europe, Bordeaux were further cheered by Lorient dropping two points in a 2-2 draw with winless tailenders Grenoble.

Bordeaux had not scored a win over Nancy since the latter's return to the top flight two seasons ago but after losing three of their last four encounters against the northerners they turned the tables and left their hosts hovering dangerously close to the drop zone.

Even more satisfying for Blanc would have been a win achieved at cruise control in the absence of French international playmaker Yoann Gourcuff, still getting over a groin strain.

Blanc, a disciple of rotation most weeks, thus kept faith with the side which proved too strong for Juve.

"That's the only thing we hadn't tried," said Blanc in allusion to picking the same side for consecutive matches.

"So we did!"

Gouffran set up Fernando to bag the opener on 24 minutes and on the hour Wendel slalomed through the home defensive lines to make it 2-0.

Gouffran sealed the issue with a shot on the turn 15 minutes from the whistle.

Also Sunday, Le Mans and St Etienne parted 1-1 to leave Les Verts just outside the drop zone with a five-point cushion over their opponents.

On Saturday, an injury-time goal by Brazilian striker Eduardo earned Lens a 1-0 victory at home to Marseille on Saturday that prevented Didier Deschamps' inconsistent side from moving to within a point of top spot.

Auxerre's loss at PSG following Jeremy Clement's fine second-half header - but the win was marred after the Parisians' goalkeeper Gregory Coupet sustained a serious leg injury whiuch could keep him out for most of the rest of the season.

Former Lyon keeper Coupet's left leg buckled underneath him after he caught his studs in the turf while making an 82nd-minute clearance and the former France international was stretchered off.

Coach Antoine Kombouare said he was unlikely to play again this season.

"It's definitely a fracture of the left leg," Kombouare said.

"He went straight to hospital and we'll know more about how serious it is on Sunday. He'll be unavailable for a long time and it will be very complicated (to get him back before the end of the season)."

The end of Auxerre's seven-game winning streak irked coach Jean Fernandez.

"We're disappointed that our run has come to an end," said Fernandez. "We weren't up to speed in the first half and Paris put us under a lot of pressure in the second."

Barca edge past Real in 'El Clasico'

Zlatan Ibrahimovic's superb second-half volley was enough to give Barcelona a 1-0 victory over fierce rivals Real Madrid in the Primera Division's first 'El Clasico' of the season at the Nou Camp and move the Catalans back to the top of the table.

Ibrahimovic replaced Thierry Henry early in the second half and fired Barca in front less than five minutes later as he volleyed home Dani Alves' cross.

Barcelona were reduced to 10 men with almost half an hour left, when Sergio Busquets was sent off for a second bookable offence.

But Madrid, who had earlier missed a fantastic chance to take the lead when the unmarked Cristiano Ronaldo - in his first ever 'Clasico' - shot straight at Victor Valdes with only the Barca keeper to beat, failed to take advantage and themselves had Lassana Diarra dismissed late on.

Ronaldo went off with 25 minutes left and Barca should have made things easier with two minutes to go, when Lionel Messi found himself alone with only Iker Casillas to beat, but the Argentina winger shot straight at the Madrid keeper, who deflected the ball over with his feet.

Barca looked the more fluid of the two sides early on, but Madrid proved to be just as dangerous on the break.

Marcelo and Xavi both blasted over the bar in the opening 10 minutes as both sides began brightly.

Casillas had to be alert to gather Thierry Henry's cross after a trademark Messi run and the Madrid keeper also intercepted well moments later as Iniesta tried to set up Xavi.

Barca were edging it on possession and play, but Madrid had the best chance of the half after 19 minutes.

It fell to Ronaldo and the former Manchester United forward should have scored after he was brilliantly set up by Kaka, but his shot was too close to Valdes and the Barca keeper made a smart save.

Marcelo then got into a great position eight minutes later, but Carles Puyol intercepted the Brazilian's shot with a perfectly-timed block.

At the other, Casillas did well to cut out Iniesta's low cross as half-time approached and the Spain keeper also pushed Henry's cross-shot over the bar moments later.

With the score still goalless, the rather ineffective Henry was replaced by Ibrahimovic six minutes into the second half.

And the Sweden striker was quickly involved in the build-up as Xavi found a great position in the box, but the Spain midfielder hesitated and saw his effort deflected wide for a corner.

From the resulting centre, Madrid raced forward and Gonzalo Higuain looked certain to score after turning Eric Abidal in the area, but Puyol once again appeared from nowhere with another majestic block.

Madrid were certainly having their chances, but Manuel Pellegrini's side soon found themselves behind when Ibrahimovic smashed home Alves' looping cross with a thumping left-footed volley at the far post which gave Casillas no chance.

Barca's joy turned somewhat sour six minutes later, though, when Busquets - who had already been booked - was shown the red card for a cynical handball.

Ronaldo then headed just over the bar from Marcelo's cross as Madrid immediately threatened to draw level.

But the Portugal winger, perhaps feeling the effects of his recent injury, departed straight after that.

His replacement, Karim Benzema, was quickly involved.

The France striker saw one effort blocked by the impressive Puyol and then flashed another wide moments later as Madrid looked for a way back into the game.

Raul also came on as Pellegrini rolled the dice once more in an attempt to make the most of his side's numerical advantage.

But Barca still looked dangerous on the break and Abidal drilled an angled drive just wide of Casillas' far post with 14 minutes left.

And Guardiola's side should have made sure of the points with two minutes left, but Messi shot straight at Casillas from point-blank range.

Diarra was then dismissed a minute later for scything down Xavi as frustration got to Madrid, who are now two points behind leaders Barca.

Early bird Bowyer deepens Wolves woe

WOLVERHAMPTON, England (AFP) - Alex McLeish paid tribute to veteran Premier League midfielder Lee Bowyer for his match-winning role in an important victory over local rivals Wolves that keeps Birmingham City on course for top flight survival.

Bowyer, a free signing from West Ham in the summer after he spent the second half of last season helping City win promotion from the Championship, claimed the game's only goal with a superb finish after just three minutes.

McLeish paid tribute to the role played by the club's former owner David Sullivan in the signing and clearly feels that after the 32-year-old's career appeared to be in terminal decline due to injuries and controversies on and off the field, Bowyer still has an important role to play in keeping his club in the top division.

"Bowyer's goal was amazing," said McLeish. "There were a few people who criticised signing him last season.

"A lot of people were suggesting that his legs had gone. But he is answering that. He has five goals already and he is like the Bowyer of old. He has matured and he controls himself much better these days. His goals are a bonus.

"(Former owner) David Sullivan was always obsessed with midfield players scoring goals. Whenever I mentioned anyone to him he would always ask about the number of goals they score. Bowyer gets goals. We thought he would be good for us in the Championship, but he is getting back to his days when he was at Leeds.

"Five goals is an unbelievable return at this stage. But I never had any doubt about him like others did. I did my due diligence and knew that he is the right type. The biggest concern about players when they get older is do they still have the legs and he still has the legs.

"David Sullivan trusted me and we got it right. To get him on a free transfer was a great bit of business."

Bowyer's goal means that Birmingham have won three of their last five games, a run which also includes draws against Manchester City and Liverpool, and the victory, against a dishevelled Wolves side, was far easier than the scoreline suggested.

"It was not painless for me watching, it even looked painless for the players out there," claimed McLeish. "But I thought it was a terrific performance. It was a fantastic performance from all the players. We were awesome from start to finish. We passed it well. We showed great composure and our defending was magnificent.

Wolves manager Mick McCarthy, meanwhile, has now seen his team play eight Premier League games without a victory but, after four-goal defeats by Chelsea and Arsenal in successive games, this was a far more worrying result for the former Ireland manager.

"It is a hugely disappointing experience. It was certainly not the way I was intending it," he said. "I never expected us to play as poorly as that in the first half. We did not compete like we normally do.

"Today is worrying. I am not worried about losing to Arsenal and Chelsea. That was expected. But we were playing Birmingham at home and we were expecting to win and we did not.

"Birmingham deserved their win. They were better than us. We did not start the game very well and it was hard after that. It was about character after that and it was hard.

"I can't lay the defeat at the door of losing to Chelsea. Getting beaten by Chelsea is not the issue. We are at home against Birmingham and we needed a performance and we did not get one.

"Losing 1-0 at home to Birmingham is always hard to take and bound to give me some discomfort - whether we have been brilliant or not."

Wolves now face a home game with fellow strugglers Bolton on Saturday that could define both clubs' seasons.

Reina "one of the best in the world" says Benitez

LIVERPOOL, England (AFP) - Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez labelled Jose Reina "one of the best keepers in the world" after the Spain international inspired his side to victory in the Merseyside derby.

With Liverpool leading 1-0, Reina produced a stunning stop to claw away Tim Cahill's header before denying Marouane Fellaini with the follow up.

It was a key moment in the game, Kuyt going on to double his side's lead soon afterwards, as Liverpool bounced back from their premature exit from the Champions League.

"We have seen that he is a top class keeper," said Benitez, after his side climbed into fifth spot in the table.

"When we signed him we knew that we were getting a very good keeper. For me he is one of the best in the world."

Dirk Kuyt also praised Reina as Liverpool recorded their first clean sheet victory away from home in the Premier League since last season.

"He is one of the best in the world," said the Holland international. "He really helped us out today."

When Liverpool beat Manchester United last month, Liverpool followed it up with a double defeat in London. After crashing out of the Carling Cup at Arsenal, Benitez's side then lost at Fulham.

Benitez is now urging his players to learn from that and use their latest victory as a springboard to kick on.

"It's always important win games in a row," added Benitez.

"We have some days to go before we go to Blackburn so we will prepare like we always do.

"This was a really important win for us because this was always going to be a difficult game.

"We are higher in the table now, everyone is happier and we'll see if we can go on from here."

Everton manager David Moyes thought his side deserved more from the game.

Diniyar Bilyaletdinov spurned a glorious chance to make it 1-1 in the first half before Reina's heroics in the second half.

Everton are just three points above the relegation zone after their third straight Premier League defeat.

"My players worked extremely hard and deserved more than they got," said Moyes, whose side visit Greece to face AEK Athens in the Europa League on Wednesday.

"Liverpool had one chance in the first half and in the main we kept them quiet."

Liverpool triumph relieves pressure on Benitez

LIVERPOOL (AFP) - Liverpool bounced back from their premature Champions League exit to beat neighbours Everton 2-0 on Sunday, a result which relieved some of the pressure that has been building on manager Rafa Benitez.

Javier Mascherano's long range 12th minute effort, which took a heavy deflection off defender Joseph Yobo, set Liverpool on their way before Dirk Kuyt sealed victory 11 minutes from time.

It was enough to put a smile back on the face of Benitez, who has come under pressure since the five-times European champions were eliminated from the group stages of the Champions League in midweek.

The win lifted Liverpool into the top five while problems continue to mount for Everton, who were the better side for long periods.

Having won just once in 11 games, David Moyes's strugglers are three points above the relegation zone.

Benitez had demanded an aggressive, high-tempo start from his players and he got one as his side took control inside the opening quarter-of-an-hour - thanks to a huge slice of fortune.

Liverpool have found themselves out of luck on the injury front this term while they were undone at Sunderland last month by a beachball, Darren Bent's effort deceiving keeper Jose Reina after hitting an inflatable object as Benitez's side lost 1-0 on Wearside.

But this time Liverpool profited from a stroke of good fortune in the 12th minute as Mascherano, one goal in his previous 71 Premier League outings for the club, attempted to find the target from 25-yards.

The south American is not renowned for his accuracy from distance and his shot was drifting well wide before taking a heavy deflection off Yobo and finding the net with Tim Howard rooted to his line.

Mascherano celebrated as though he had scored the winning goal for Argentina in the World Cup final yet the Premier League's dubious goals panel is almost certain to award to as an own goal.

It was just the start Everton, their confidence fragile following a run of one win in 10 outings, did not want.

History was against Moyes, who had tasted success just twice over Benitez on the Premier League stage in five years.

Yet despite missing key players Phil Jagielka, Phil Neville and Mikel Arteta due to long-term injuries, and Louis Saha, scorer of 10 goals this season, unable to start because he is not fully fit, Everton refused to feel sorry for themselves.

They went on to carve out a string of chances without managing to hurt Liverpool before half time.

Diniyar Bilyaletdinov, playing in his first Merseyside derby, spurned the best chance, the Russian screwing a shot horribly wide from the edge of the six-yard area after the Liverpool defence fell asleep.

Jo, spearheading the attack on his own in place of Saha, twice had the ball in the back of the net but both efforts were ruled out for offside.

Liverpool, again missing the razor sharp reactions of Fernando Torres in attack, seemed content to soak up spells of Everton pressure in an error-strewn match which summed up why both teams are not firing on all cylinders.

Yet it required a superbly saved by Howard to ensure Liverpool did not double their lead in the closing moments of the half.

Johnson was once again as impressive going forward as he was in defence, and it was the England full-back's pinpoint cross into the area which allowed Emiliano Insua to power a header towards goal which Howard did well to claw away.

The second half saw Everton continue to press, the impressive Steven Pienaar coming close to embarrassing Jose Reina with a long range effort which the Liverpool keeper failed to hold in the driving rain.

But Reina quickly redeemed himself with a double save to deny Tim Cahill and Marouane Fellaini 20 minutes from time.

Having kept out Cahill's close range header, the Spanish international quickly picked himself up to block Fellaini's effort from point-blank range.

But Liverpool sealed victory in the 79th minute through Kuyt, the Holland international scoring from close range after Howard had pushed an effort by substitute Albert Riera into his path.

Blackburn home run grinds to a halt

BLACKBURN, England (AFP) - A typically gritty display from Stoke denied Blackburn a fifth straight home win as an uninspiring encounter ended goalless.

With Blackburn boss Sam Allardyce absent following minor heart surgery, his players failed to deliver the kind of tonic he would have desired. Stoke enjoyed the better of the chances although it was the home side who went closest to scoring with Steven Nzonzi striking the woodwork.

Australian midfielder Brett Emerton and French duo Gael Givet and Nzonzi returned to the Blackburn line-up after missing the midweek defeat at Fulham.

Stoke made two changes to the side that beat Portsmouth on their last outing, with Liam Lawrence and Mamady Sidibe replacing Rory Delap and James Beattie.

Blackburn started confidently, with on-loan Chelsea striker Franco Di Santo testing Thomas Sorensen early on with a shot the Danish goalkeeper did well to save.

But Stoke should have claimed the lead midway through the opening period after Ricardo Fuller sent Dean Whitehead clear.

The striker's shot was under-powered and Paul Robinson was able to turn it away relatively comfortably.

Blackburn suffered a blow in the 32nd minute when David Dunn, who has scored six goals for Blackburn this season, had to go off, prompting a tactical reshuffle which saw Jason Roberts come on as a second striker alongside Di Santo.

Stoke were happy to play on the counter-attack and that approach generated a great chance to take the lead six minutes before the break, when Robinson pulled off a fine save to deny Lawrence at close range as the midfielder attempted to finish off Sidibe's inviting cross from the right.

Eight minutes into the second half, Andy Wilkinson struck the side netting after getting past Givet.

That seemed to provoke a reaction from the home side and Sorensen had to be alert to keep out an overhead kick from Rovers captain Ryan Nelsen before Nzonzi beat the goalkeeper with a drive that came back off the post.

Chris Samba had the chance to snatch all three points in injury time but the Blackburn centreback headed substitute Morten Gamst Pedersen's cross wide.

Mertesacker late show sends Werder top

BERLIN (AFP) - A last-gasp equaliser from Germany international Per Mertesacker just preserved Werder Bremen's leadership of the Bundesliga in securing a 2-2 home draw Saturday against reigning champions Wolfsburg.

Bosnian sharpshooter Edin Dzeko had opened the scoring three minutes before the break to end a five-game personal barren run in front of goal for Wolsfburg, who began the game five points adrift of their rivals just outside the top five.

Portuguese star Hugo Almeida levelled on the hour but Dzeko's second five minutes from time looked to have settled it for the visitors until Mertesacker struck in injury time with a header from a corner to presevre their 20-match unbeaten sequence.

Bayer Leverkusen will still go to the summit if they avoid defeat Sunday against Stuttgart as they and Werder both have 27 points.

But so tight is the situation at the top that Schalke, with 25 points, could muscle in if they beat Borussia Moenchengladbach later Saturday.

On Sunday, struggling Bayern Munich, currently just eighth in the table after only five wins in 13 league games, travel to midtable Hanover badly needing a win which would take them towards the top five - though they will have to achievce it without injured pair Franck Ribery and Arjen Robben.

Hamburg stayed fourth but only just a point ahead of Hoffenheim after a disappointing 1-1 home draw with Mainz.

Already missing star man Ze Roberto, Hamburg then also saw Dutchman Eljiro Elia pick up an injury.

Hoffenheim were unable to take advantage of Hamburg as they fell 2-1 at home to Dortmund.

At the other end of the table Hertha Berlin look a solid bet for the drop after a 3-1 home loss to Eintracht Frankfurt brought their 11th defeat of the campaign to leave the capital club seven points from safety.

Late Valero penalty frustrates Valencia

MADRID (AFP) - Valencia failed to put pressure on Barcelona and Real Madrid at the summit of the Spanish first division falling victim to a late penalty equaliser in a 1-1 home draw with Real Mallorca on Saturday.

Spanish international striker David Villa went into double figures for the season scoring for the third successive game on 48 minutes but Borja Valero equalised five minutes from time with a penalty to prevent a fifth successive win for Valencia.

If they had won Valencia would have been a point behind Real, who face Barcelona in 'El Clasico' at Camp Nou on Sunday, but Bruno Grau's unnecessary foul gave away the penalty and Valencia stay fourth level on points with Sevilla.

Another blow for Valencia was an injury to key Spanish international midfielder David Silva, who hobbled off in the 27th minute with a problem in his right knee.

It was a good late point for Mallorca, who stay sixth despite not managing to win a single away match this season.

Later on Saturday, Sevilla have the chance to move level on points with Real if they can secure three points at home to bottom side Malaga.

Malaga have not won in their last ten league matches but hold the Indian sign over Sevilla, who have not beaten them at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan since 2005/2006.

Real lead champions Barca by a single point at the summit but lost both Clasicos last season including a 6-2 mauling at home as Barca marched to the title.

"Those players who are ambitious must always believe they are favorites to win," said Real's Cristiano Ronaldo. "We have great respect for our opponent but we shouldn't be afraid of them."

Ronaldo is back from injury after two months out to boost Real while Barca sweat on Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Lionel Messi, who both have thigh strains and missed the 2-0 Champions League win over Inter Milan on Tuesday.

"We will see how they (Messi and Ibrahimovic) are on Sunday. I will talk with the doctors and make a decision," revealed Barca coach Pep Guardiola. "It is not a coincidence that Real Madrid are leaders but we can beat them with or without Messi."

In other matches, goalkeeper Diego Lopez was left a frustrated figure with his two penalty saves still not enough to help 10-man Villarreal end their away blues as they lost 1-0 at Sporting Gijon on Saturday.

Substitute Mate Bilic struck the winning goal on 75 minutes after Spanish international Lopez had parried Alberto Rivera's initial spot-kick and Lopez saved another penalty from Bilic on 88 minutes, but it was to no avail.

Villarreal have yet to win on their travels this season and lie in mid-table far away from their goal of Champions League football while Sporting are a respectable seventh.

"We are disappointed but we have to forget this quickly because we have a very important game against Levski Sofia (in the Europa League on Thursday) and have to go into it in the best frame of mind possible," explained Villarreal coach Ernesto Valverde.

Wigan recover pride

WIGAN, England (AFP) - Wigan bounced back from their 9-1 hammering by Tottenham with a 1-0 win over former manager Steve Bruce's Sunderland.

A 75th-minute strike by Colombian striker Hugo Rodallega was enough to secure the points against opponents who had beaten Arsenal on their last outing but were distinctly lacklustre here.

Bruce's men rarely looked like scoring and it fell to Rodallega, a player signed by Bruce during his time in Lancashire, to settle the contest after Jason Scotland had seen a first-half effort strike the woodwork.

The winner owed much to some poor defending by Paulo da Silva, who slithered to the turf as Rodallega went past him before beating Marton Fulop with a left-footed shot from an acute angle.

The Colombian should have made the points safe eight minutes later but fired straight at Fulop when he had only the Sunderland goalkeeper to beat.

Wigan held out, however, to record their first clean sheet since September 12 and there was no disputing that Roberto Martinez's side deserved the points.

Rodallega, who diverted a Charles N'Zogbia's cross into the side-netting, and Paul Scharner, who tested Fulop with a low drive, both had early chances as Wigan started in spirited fashion.

And the home side were unlucky not to go ahead when N'Zogbia dispossessed da Silva on the right of the penalty area and crossed for Scotland to hit a first-time shot which beat Fulop but rebounded back off the post.

Fulop then produced a fine finger-tip save to keep the game goalless after defender Chris Turner had deflected Rodallega's inswinging free-kick towards his own goal.

Sunderland were brighter immediately after the interval with Andy Reid going close with a shot tht dipped just over and Bent heading wide from a good position at the back post.

But Wigan reasserted themselves and Titus Bramble should have put them ahead from a cross by substitute Jordi Gomez, the centreback heading straight at Fulop.

Rodallega forced Fulop into another save and fired wide from N'Zogbia's lay-off before the Colombian finally claimed the winner the Wigan fans craved.

Rooney ruins Grant´s big day

PORTSMOUTH, England (AFP) - Wayne Rooney's first Manchester United hat-trick in three years inspired the champions to a 4-1 win over Portsmouth and reduced Chelsea's lead at the top of the Premier League to two points.

Rooney, whose last treble in a red shirt was during a 4-0 win at Bolton in October 2006, converted two penalties either side of a fine finish from a Ryan Giggs pass as United ensured Avram Grant's first match in charge of Pompey ended in defeat.

Giggs, in yet another masterful display a day shy of his 36th birthday, completed the punishment with a late free-kick for his 100th Premier League goal.

Ferguson made eight changes from the side which suffered a shock midweek Champions League defeat to Besiktas, among which, was the forced inclusion of Tomasz Kuszczak for his first Premier League start of the season as Edwin Van der Sar was unable to travel.

An early Rooney foray down the left-hand side caught Younes Kaboul off-balance but the French defender did enough to put him off his stride as he progressed toward the by-line.

United continued to stretch the home defence and a corner by Giggs was rolled into Paul Scholes on the edge of the penalty area but the midfielder's first-time drive was placed a yard over Asmir Begovic?s crossbar.

Moments later, Portsmouth nearly stole the lead as Jamie O?Hara and Boateng combined to feed Aruna Dindane but the Ivorian's scrambled effort was kept away by the outstretched frame of Kuszczak.

Portsmouth continued to flourish and a long ball floated forward on 15 minutes was controlled by O'Hara before the on-loan Tottenham midfielder forced Kuszczak into an acrobatic save.

With both sides pressing forward in an entertaining opening it was United who grabbed the lead. Rooney played a one-two with Antonio Valencia and as the United striker moved away from goal found his heel clipped by Michael Brown.

There was a degree of protest from the Portsmouth players on the legitimacy of Mike Dean's decision but Rooney converted the penalty high above Asmir Begovic's right-hand.

If there was some debate about United's penalty, the whole of Fratton Park stood in bemusement as the home side were awarded their own spot-kick eight minutes later, assistant Simon Beck having apparently caught Nemanja Vidic tugging Frederic Piquionne?s shirt as he challenged Kuszczak.

The decision looked harsh but Kevin-Prince Boateng, who missed from 12 yards last week against Stoke, drove the penalty under Kuszczak?s right arm and the contest was all square.

Portsmouth could even have found themselves in-front going in at half-time, Dindane having connected with Boateng's cross only to place his header wide.

Such wastefulness tends not to go unpunished by United and just two minutes into the second half Valencia's measured pass found Giggs in behind Marc Wilson. The Welsh winger in turn picked out Rooney, who converted from eight yards out.

The three points were secured six minutes later as Giggs and Piquionne battled on the by-line. The Frenchman looked in control but allowed Giggs to steal the ball and then compounded his initial error by tripping the United player.

Rooney made sure driving low to Begovic's left and soon the Premier League champions were threatening a rout. Valencia?s pace took him through a gaping hole in the Portsmouth defence and the Ecuadorian was inches wide with his shot.

Begovic was then forced to dive low to his near post to keep out a Giggs drive but the veteran was not to be denied and there was little Pompey's Bosnian goalkeeper could do about the 20-yard free-kick he swung into the corner with three minutes left.

OM consider appealing ban

Ligue 1 giants Olympique Marseille are considering an after being hit with a one-match stadium ban by the Ligue de Football Professionnel Disciplinary Commission.

The LFP has handed down the ban after reviewing Marseille's game with Monaco on October 4, when fans used flares and threw missiles.

The commission cited previous offences by Marseille fans when choosing to impose a ban rather than another fine.

But that brought an angry response from OM director Antoine Veyrat.

"We are disappointed and bitter," he said.

"We're now waiting for notification of the exact nature of the sanction.

"Of course, the club will use all legal means at our disposal to show what action we have taken and our good faith in this affair."

Marseille could also be facing further action with the behaviour of their fans in the match against Paris Saint Germaine last weekend also now under review.

Painful memories drive Real on for Barca showdown

MADRID (AFP) - Real Madrid have the formidable attacking threat of Cristiano Ronaldo back in their armory at the perfect time as they travel to Camp Nou on Sunday for the eagerly-anticipated 'El Clasico' against champions Barcelona.

Real hold a one-point lead over Barcelona at the top but need no reminder of the quality of their opponents after losing the last Clasico 6-2 at the Santiago Bernabeu back in May when Lionel Messi tore them to shreds.

Messi is a doubt for this game with a thigh strain picked up last Saturday and did not play in Tuesday's 2-0 Champions League win over Inter Milan although he was on the substitutes' bench along with Zlatan Ibrahimovic who also has a thigh problem.

Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola says he is optimistic over Messi but must decide whether to risk the star from the start or leave him on the bench while his opposite number Manuel Pellegrini has a similar dilemma over Ronaldo who played for the first time in two months with a 20-minute outing in the 1-0 Champions League win over FC Zurich.

Ronaldo had missed ten games with ankle trouble but declared himself fit for his first Clasico against the team who left him in tears at the end of last season by beating his then Manchester United side in the Champions League final.

"I want to play in El Clasico if I feel good, although that is the responsibility of the coach," said Ronaldo. "I didn't score (against Zurich) but I hope to do so in the next game (against Barcelona). It doesn't bother me if it's 1-0, 2-0 or 2-1, the important thing is to win."

Real lost both games against their foes last season falling 12 points behind Barcelona after the first Clasico in mid-December before the disastrous 6-2 loss which all but wrapped up the title for Barca.

"If I had lost 6-2 in the last match against a big rival I would be going out for revenge but Madrid aren't like that," said Barcelona defender Dani Alves. "I think they will come full of respect. They know it is difficult to play here even more so having lost that way last time."

Real have not thrilled their fans too much this season but have amassed 28 points out of a possible 33 to make their best start in 17 years.

"Of course they are the leaders why wouldn't they be after spending 270 million euros?" said Guardiola.

Money has bought Real the talent of Brazilian Kaka, Spain playmaker Xabi Alonso and Ronaldo who will all be ready for their first Clasico experience, while Barcelona have a host of homegrown players such as Xavi, Andres Iniesta, Carles Puyol and Gerard Pique who have grown up with Real as the enemy.

While the Clasico takes centre stage in Spain this weekend the teams below the top two concentrate on trying to prove they are genuine title alternatives.

Valencia are one such team, lying four points behind leaders Real, and host Real Mallorca on Saturday targeting a fifth straight league win.

"For us the best thing in the Clasico would be a draw so both teams drop two points," said Valencia forward David Villa. "It does not make sense for us to talk about being title contenders in November."

Villa has scored nine goals already this season to top the goal-scoring charts and could have been playing in the Real-Barcelona game had Valencia not stood so firm in the summer when both teams wanted his services.

Sevilla lie three points behind Real in third and should get the three points at home to bottom side Malaga on Saturday and then see which of the top two, if not both, drops points.

"If we want to be competing for the league we can't slip up at home," said defender Manuel Lolo. "At least one of the big two (Barcelona and Real) will drop points and we need to make it count."

Atletico began the season with hopes of a title charge but have had their worst since 1954 with seven points from the first 11 matches leaving them third from bottom.

New coach Quique Sanchez Flores seeks his first league win in charge at home to Espanyol on Sunday to try and ease fears the club could suffer a shock relegation like in 2000.

Ben Arfa not going anywhere

Olympique Marseille's sporting director Jose Anigo insists that playmaker Hatem Ben Arfa still has a future at the club, following his falling out with L'OM manager Didier Deschamps at the Stade Velodrome.

And that's not all as 22-year-old has been involved in a number of training ground bust-ups since his move from Lyon last year.

But Anigo revealed that despite ongoing speculation regarding a move away, the Frenchman could continue at the club beyond the end of the season.

"He got a big slap with our talk after the incident with coach Deschamps," he told radio station RMC.

"Now he is working better during training sessions. He is far from leaving yet.

"But on the other hand, he has to show development."

L'OM officials had a meeting with Ben Arfa on Monday to discuss the player's future and many still expect the left-sided player to move in January.

But Ben Arfa's agent Michel Ouazine said that no decision had been made.

"We agreed to meet again in January and take stock," he told L'Equipe.

"We talked a lot about Hatem the football player, but also about the man. He needs emotional stability to blossom.

"We are on the same wavelength with sport director Jose Anigo."

Resurgent Milan keen on Sicilian conquest

Serie A giants Associazione Calcio Milan FC travel to Sicily in search of a consecutive fourth league success when they take on a struggling Catania side at the Stadio Angelo Massimino.

The Rossoneri, who had a bad start to the season, lie third in the standings and will look to break into the top two, thereby increasing pressure on city-rivals and leaders Internazionale Milano FC.

However, Leonardo's expansive attacking style could be affected by the absence of the suspended Andrea Pirlo, but the coach is confident that others can fill in.

"We go to Catania with Pirlo disqualified, but our idea of the game will always remain the same," he said.

"Even those who do not play often are able to understand our system."

While Pirlo serves a one-game ban, Alessandro Nesta returns.

Gennaro Gattuso, subject of transfer speculation in the past week, should not be too much of a distraction as he takes his place among the injured players in the stands, joined there by Massimo Oddo, Oguchi Onyewu and Marek Jankulovski.

Ignazio Abate could come in at right back, while Mathieu Flamini is fit again.

The 1-1 draw with Marseille in midweek means that Milan have eased the pressure on themselves considerably, with their Champions League fate in their own hands as they take on FC Zurich next week.

Marco Borriello came up with the goal, adding to the run of impressive form that has seen him bag three in seven league games.

Catania are without a win in their last five games, but spirits were boosted by the creditable 1-1 draw in the derby at Palermo last time out.

"The draw against Palermo was a very good result," said defender Matias Silvestre.

"If we continue on this road, sooner or later the results will come. Now we have Milan, a great team, but we're looking for revenge."

Silvestre's defensive colleague Giuseppe Bellusci warned the game may not be pretty.

"Considering how we played in Palermo, one point isn't much," he said. "Starting from the match against Milan, for us it becomes important to earn points rather than playing well."

It is no mystery as to why the premium is put on points. Catania sit 19th in the table, three points from safety having won only once all season.

A match against Milan is just the latest installment of a tough early fixture list, which has already seen them travel to Inter and Fiorentina as well as taking on Roma, Udinese and Lazio, among others.

However, such factors do not ease the pressure on coach Gianluca Atzori, who needs to pick up some points and fast.

His cause will not be helped by the absence of Gennaro Delvecchio, Pablo Barrientos, Fabio Sciacca and Giovanni Marchese.

Ferguson: Noise is the barrier and not pitch ban

Sir Alex Ferguson has claimed the Fratton Park band will prove more of an interference than the start of his two-match touchline ban.

However, the FA has confirmed he would not be barred from communicating with his staff from the Portsmouth directors' box. The purpose of the ban is merely to prevent Ferguson from coming into contact with the match officials during the course of the game.

It's the first of two matches in which Ferguson will have to sit in the stands after he was punished for criticising referee Alan Wiley's fitness earlier this season, and he admits the famous Pompey Chimes have the potential to make the outspoken Manchester United boss unheard - a rare feat indeed this season.

Ferguson insists he has few concerns about the impact his punishment will have on his team.

"All the lines of communication are in place but the problem you have got is that Fratton Park is such a noisy place,'' Ferguson said.

“It’s one of these old stadiums – it's a bit rickety. The directors' box is towards the home end where all the noise comes from. It is a good racket for sure. It is a terrific football stadium.''

United may find themselves languishing five points behind Chelsea in the Premier League title race, but Sir Alex Ferguson can take solace in the fact that a win against Portsmouth on Saturday would make his side the first in English football history to record 2,000 league wins since 1892.

Ferguson has also reportedly given his backing to Pompey’s new manager Avram Grant, believing him to be the man to save the club from relegation. Talking about Grant's new role in trying to re-establish Portsmouth as some kind of Premier League force, Ferguson said:

"Portsmouth have some very good players. I have looked at their videos and they may be in a false position. But being bottom of the league does create a reaction from owners and management of a club.”

"If you are third or fourth bottom you think everything will be okay. But when you see your team going bottom it creates a dread about where they are going to be next season.''

FIFA opens disciplinary action against Egypt

ZURICH (AFP) - FIFA has opened disciplinary proceedings against Egypt following the violence before their World Cup qualifier with Algeria in Cairo last week, world football's governing body said.

"According to the official reports received by FIFA, on 12 November, there were incidents affecting the Algerian team on its way from the airport to the hotel," a statement posted on FIFA's website said.

"Consequently, disciplinary proceedings have been opened against the Egyptian Football Association. The FIFA Disciplinary Committee will decide on the case," it added.

FIFA officials had already acknowledged that three Algerian players and the goalkeeping coach suffered injuries that "weren't superficial" when their coach was attacked.

Egypt later won that match, leading to a tie in their group and a play-off in Sudan on Wednesday that Algeria won 1-0 to secure a berth in the World Cup finals.

The incidents and subsequent row over the play-off have triggered a diplomatic spat between the two countries.

Egypt also announced it was suspending its membership of the Union of North African Football Federations, complaining that Algerian fans had thrown stones at its fans in Sudan.

The Egyptian Football Federation wrote to its counterparts in Algeria, Libya, Morocco and Tunisia charging that its fans had come under sustained assault during the make-or-break qualification play-off on Wednesday, the state MENA news agency reported.

Ferguson and Wenger back calls for video ref help

MANCHESTER (AFP) - Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger joined forces Friday to call for video technology to be used in football to avoid controversies like the one that has marred France's qualification for the World Cup.

The issue over whether football should embrace the technology available was re-ignited on Wednesday night when France's Thierry Henry used his hand to control the ball before crossing for William Gallas to score the goal that ended Ireland's chances of going to South Africa.

Ferguson supports change but the Scot fears that all discussion on the issue is futile because world football's governing body, FIFA, are simply not interested in revolutionising the role of the referee.

He said: "The stance is that they prefer human decision-making rather than technology decision-making and until they change their mind there is nothing you can do about it - you have to convince them, nobody else.

"It is not a matter of asking every player and manager in the world their opinion because they will all share the same one, as I do myself, that technology can play a part and can help referees in a situation like the other night."

Gallas?s goal sent France to the 2010 World Cup in South Africa with a 2-1 aggregate victory while Ireland have been left counting the cost of some extreme misfortune.

Ferguson added: "My thoughts were with (Ireland coach) Giovanni Trapattoni. He prepared a team that put in an absolutely magnificent performance. You couldn't ask for better from a coach but it was taken away from him.

"It happens and it's denied a couple of our players the great experience of playing in the World Cup finals and you'll never get a better experience than that."

Ferguson's call for the introduction of technological support for match officials was backed by Arsenal boss Wenger, who argued that mistakes like the Henry one could no longer be accepted given the stakes involved.

"Football accepts that a billion people see it, one guy doesn't see it and it is the one who prevails. It cannot work," Wenger said.

"We cannot accept that an obvious decision is wrong because we do not want to give ourselves all the needed help we can have in the modern game.

"Being at the game, I saw the referee giving a goal knowing that something was wrong and that is really sad. He didn't see it, I can understand, the linesman didn't see it, but they couldn't get any help.

"In the end, he gave a goal, already knowing that it wasn't a goal. We cannot accept that in our sport and you have to do something about it."

Wenger said the referee should be able to consult video footage in such cases.

"We cannot sort out all the cases but we have to sort out as many cases as we can."

Wenger also admitted to feeling a little 'embarrassed' by the nature of France's qualification.

"For the sense of justice it is quite embarrassing to see," he said. "I think even France is embarrassed. We didn't play well at all and we won the game and won the qualification with a goal that was not a goal."

Smith rules out second stint with Scotland

GLASGOW (AFP) - Walter Smith, the Rangers boss who had been regarded as one of the favourites to become Scotland's next manager, on Friday ruled himself out of a return to the helm of the national squad.

Smith was in charge of Scotland between 2004 and 2007 and was credited with engineering a turnaround in the fortunes of a squad that had fallen to its lowest ever point in the world rankings under his predecessor Berti Vogts.

Smith left during the Euro 2008 qualifying campaign to return to Rangers on a three-year contract which is due to expire in January.

That has created uncertainty over his future but speculation that he might be tempted by a return to international football was quashed on Friday.

"When I left Scotland, we were in the middle of a qualifying campaign," he said. "After making the decision to leave Scotland at that time, I don't feel it would be right to go back and that is the situation.

"The matter is now closed as far as I am concerned."

Smith was at pains to point out that he had not been approached by the Scottish Football Association about the vacancy created by the sacking of George Burley earlier this week.

"What I am doing is responding to press speculation in a bid to end it as I don't think it is fair on anyone," he added.

"The fact is, I left the Scotland job of my own volition. Sometimes when you get the sack, it is actually easier to go back. But when you make your own decision to leave then it isn't that easy."

Smith's statement leaves Dundee United manager Craig Levein as the clear favourite to replace Burley, who was dismissed after 22 months in charge in which Scotland won just three of their 14 matches and failed to reach the World Cup qualifying play-offs.

Thierry Henry says replay ´fairest solution´

LONDON (AFP) - France captain Thierry Henry said on Friday that "the fairest solution" to the row surrounding his handball in the World Cup playoff against Ireland would be to replay the match.

He renewed his admission that he had controlled the ball with his hand, but insisted it was "instinctive" in the heat of the action.

"Of course the fairest solution would be to replay the game but it is not in my control," Henry said, in a statement sent to Sky Sports News in Britain and other media.

"Naturally I feel embarrassed at the way that we won and feel extremely sorry for the Irish who definitely deserve to be in South Africa," said the Barcelona and former Arsenal striker.

He released the statement after football's world governing body FIFA officially turned down a request for a replay lodged by the Irish football authorities.

Video replays showed Henry used his hand to stop the ball going out of play in extra-time of Wednesday's playoff in Paris, before he passed to William Gallas to head the goal which gave France a 2-1 win over the two legs.

Henry continued: "There is little more I can do apart from admit that the ball had contact with my hand leading up to our equalising goal and I feel very sorry for the Irish."

He admitted immediately after the game that he had handled the ball, and reiterated that admission on Friday -- but insisted he had acted out of instinct.

"I have said at the time and I will say again that yes I handled the ball," he said.

"I am not a cheat and never have been. It was an instinctive reaction to a ball that was coming extremely fast in a crowded penalty area.

"As a footballer you do not have the luxury of the television to slow the pace of the ball down 100 times to be able to make a conscious decision.

"People are viewing a slow motion version of what happened and not what I or any other footballer faces in the game.

"If people look at it in full speed you will see that it was an instinctive reaction.

"It is impossible to be anything other than that. I have never denied that the ball was controlled with my hand. I told the Irish players, the referee and the media this after the game."

Swedish referee Martin Hansson failed to spot the incident, and awarded the goal which sent the 1998 World Cup winners into the draw for the 32-nation finals next year.

The Football Association of Ireland called Thursday for the match to be replayed, calling the decision to award the decisive goal a "blatantly incorrect decision by the referee" which had "damaged the integrity of the sport."

But FIFA said in its reply Friday: "The result of the match cannot be changed and the match cannot be replayed."

Europe rocked by fresh match-fixing scandal

BOCHUM, Germany (AFP) - Around 200 football matches in nine European countries including at least three Champions League games are implicated in a new match-fixing scandal, German prosecutors said on Friday.

UEFA expert Peter Limacher told a press conference in Germany that the revelations represented "clearly" the worst ever match-fixing scandal in European football, as the governing body vowed tough sanctions for those involved.

The suspect matches took place in Germany, Belgium, Switzerland, Croatia, Slovenia, Turkey, Hungary, Bosnia-Hercegovina and Austria, netting criminals several million euros (dollars) in betting profits, prosecutors believe.

They include 12 matches this season from the Europa League, formerly known as the UEFA Cup, one qualifying game for the under-21 European championship and four from the German second division.

European football's governing body said it had actively been involved in the probe and monitoring the suspicious betting patterns.

"UEFA will be demanding the harshest of sanctions before the competent courts for any individuals, clubs or officials who are implicated in this malpractice, be it under state or sports jurisdiction," UEFA General Secretary Gianni Infantino said in a statement.

UEFA said it would give details of the matches later, but the 15 at European level involved early qualifying round games, while the rest were under the jurisdictions of national football associations.

Police carried out around 50 raids on Thursday in Germany, Britain, Switzerland and Austria, arresting 15 people in Germany and two in Switzerland. More than one million euros in cash and property were seized.

A network of some 200 people is suspected of influencing matches and placing bets on them with bookmakers in Europe and Asia. Prosecutors have reason to believe that players, coaches, referees and officials were offered bribes.

Two of those arrested in Thursday included two Croatian brothers living in Berlin, Ante and Milan Sapina, who were at the centre of a match-fixing scandal that rocked Germany in 2004, newspapers said.

Harald Stenger, a spokesman for the German Football Federation (DFB), said on Thursday: "As far as the DFB knows, no German matches are affected."

But prosecutors are scrutinising 32 matches in Germany, including two in the second division, three in the third, 23 games in regional leagues and two under-19 clashes.

German daily Sueddeutsche Zeitung reported that one of the games being investigates was a friendly between German side SSV Ulm against Fenerbahce Istanbul in July.

The Turkish side won 5-0, and investigators suspect that "certain currently unidentified SSV Ulm players" received more than 10,000 euros (14,900 dollars) each to throw the game, the paper said.

Ulm's manager Markus Loesch told Bild. "Looking at how the game panned out, I can't see how it (throwing the game) could have happened," Loesch said.

The team's goalkeeper Holger Betz agreed: "At the beginning we had two good chances. After the first goal, it was all over. We could have lost by an even greater margin."

Reports also said that the ring was believed to have placed enormous bets with Asian bookmakers, where limits on the sums that punters can gamble as as much as 30,000 euros (45,000 dollars), much higher than in Europe.

The 2004 German scandal saw referee Robert Hoyzer sentenced to two years and five months behind bars after admitting receiving almost 70,000 euros (104,000 dollars) and a plasma television from a Croatian mafia ring to throw games.

The matches concerned were mainly in the German second and third division, but a German Cup match between first division SV Hamburg and third division Paderborn and a first division match in Turkey were also affected.

Hoyzer was released after serving half of his sentence. Ante Sapina was jailed for two years and 11 months, while his brother Milan escaped with a suspended sentence.