PREVIEW-Soccer-New broom and technology greets UEFA Cup return (Reuters)

February 13, 2006

By Justin Palmer

English Premier League Roundup, Feb. 13

February 13, 2006

EPL Wrap: Marlon Harewood scored twice and West Ham beat struggling Birmingham City 3-0 to jump two places and draw level on points with fifth-place Arsenal. It was West Ham's seventh victory in a row as Alan Pardew's team moved closer to a place in Europe.

Time to give it a rest

February 13, 2006

It's time to put this "controversy" to bed. Houston 1836 is not racist. It is not a slap in the face of Latinos in the U.S. It is not hiding a secret agenda to keep the brown man down.

Bulgaria's Karaslavov to miss Macedonia friendly (Reuters)

February 13, 2006

Bulgaria defender Asen Karaslavov will miss next month's friendly international against Macedonia after having surgery to repair a broken nose.

Barcelona denies deal for Arsenal's Henry (SportsTicker)

February 13, 2006

BARCELONA, Spain (Ticker) - Barcelona vice president Ferran Soriano has denied claiming the club has agreed to a deal to sign Arsenal striker Thierry Henry in the summer.

Bulgarian striker Ivanov ready for third Levski spell (Reuters)

February 13, 2006

Striker Georgi Ivanov could join Levski Sofia for the third spell of his career after he was released by Turkish side Gaziantepspor, the Bulgarian club's chief executive said on Monday.

West Ham 3-0 Birmingham: Harewood hits brace

February 13, 2006

West Ham 3-0 Birmingham: Harewood hits brace

by England

United not interested in Adu

February 13, 2006

Sir Alex Ferguson has insisted Manchester United are not attempting to sign American teenager Freddie Adu. The 16-year-old has long been tipped for stardom and is hoping to force his way into the USA World Cup squad this summer.

Paletta Red's switch on ice

February 13, 2006

Gabriel Paletta's proposed move to Liverpool has been put off until the end of the season, Banfield president Carlos Portell announced on Sunday.

Milbrett to join Chelsea Ladies FC

February 13, 2006

American World Cup winner Tiffeny Milbrett is set to join the Chelsea Ladies FC. The 35-year-old, who won the 1999 World Cup and Olympic gold in 1996 with the United States team, has scored 100 goals in 204 appearances for her country.

Everton can bring in keeper

February 13, 2006

Everton have been given permission by the Premier League to sign an emergency goalkeeper on loan before their next match at Newcastle in a fortnight.

Toon will contest Babayaro red

February 13, 2006

Newcastle are to appeal against Celestine Babayaro's sending-off against Aston Villa in the Magpies' 2-1 victory on Saturday.

Stu: Be patient with Samaras

February 13, 2006

Stuart Pearce has pleaded for patience as he takes the rough edges off Manchester City's €6million new-boy Georgios Samaras.

FA Cup: Davis a Cup doubt for Villa

February 13, 2006

Aston Villa's key midfielder Steven Davis is rated "very doubtful" for Sunday's home FA Cup clash with Manchester City because of a calf injury.

Drogba's knee injury causing Chelsea concern

February 13, 2006

Drogba's knee injury causing Chelsea concern

by England

Benitez calls for tough punishments on horror tackles

February 13, 2006

Benitez calls for tough punishments on horror tackles

by England

Tottenham still hopeful of long-term King deal

February 13, 2006

Tottenham still hopeful of long-term King deal

by England

United 'not interested' in USA star Adu

February 13, 2006

United 'not interested' in USA star Adu

by England

Depleted Everton handed goalkeeper lifeline

February 13, 2006

Depleted Everton handed goalkeeper lifeline

by England

Silva and Portsmouth agree to part ways

February 13, 2006

Silva and Portsmouth agree to part ways

by England

Newcastle to appeal Babayaro dismissal

February 13, 2006

Newcastle to appeal Babayaro dismissal

by England

Wigan boss demands focus from returning Camara

February 13, 2006

Wigan boss demands focus from returning Camara

by England

Thun sack coach, despite European success

February 13, 2006

Thun sack coach, despite European success

by Europe

Hearts appoint Duffy as director of football (Reuters)

February 13, 2006

By Kenny MacDonald

Romania to recall Radoi to squad after eight-month exile (Reuters)

February 13, 2006

Mirel Radoi's international exile appeared to have ended on Monday when Romanian coach Victor Piturca said the Steaua Bucharest player could be selected after he walked out on the squad last June.

Juventus makes profit in second quarter (Reuters)

February 13, 2006

Juventus made a net profit of 20.9 million euros ($24.9 million) in its fiscal second quarter, after a 6.8 million euro loss in the same period a year ago.

Real midfielder Garcia out for up to six weeks (Reuters)

February 13, 2006

Real Madrid midfielder Pablo Garcia will be sidelined for up to six weeks after tests on Monday showed he had a partial tear of the lateral ligament in his left knee.

Liverpool's Benitez calls for clampdown on tackles (Reuters)

February 13, 2006

By Jeremy Butler

Thun sack coach who steered them into Champions League (Reuters)

February 13, 2006

Thun have sacked the trainer who steered the tiny Swiss club to a shock place in this season's Champions League.

Davis a Cup doubt for Villa

February 13, 2006

Aston Villa's key midfielder Steven Davis is rated "very doubtful" for Sunday's home FA Cup clash with Manchester City because of a calf injury.

Berger hopes to play a part

February 13, 2006

Patrik Berger returns to training with Aston Villa on Monday after a three-and-a-half-month lay-off - having initially expected to only be sidelined for three weeks.

Bruce seeks injury solution

February 13, 2006

Steve Bruce has insisted he will "leave no stone unturned" to find why Birmingham are continually dogged by long-term injury problems.

Bruised Reyes targets Real Madrid comeback

February 13, 2006

Bruised Reyes targets Real Madrid comeback

by England

Pearce not convinced over England credentials

February 13, 2006

Pearce not convinced over England credentials

by England

Villa's Davis 'doubtful' for weekend FA Cup clash

February 13, 2006

Villa's Davis 'doubtful' for weekend FA Cup clash

by England

Liverpool boss Benitez hits out at cheats

February 13, 2006

Liverpool boss Benitez hits out at cheats

by England

Le Guen confirms Rangers discussions

February 13, 2006

Le Guen confirms Rangers discussions

by Europe

Del Piero targets unprecedented trophy hat-trick

February 13, 2006

Del Piero targets unprecedented trophy hat-trick

by Europe

Real look to the past for King's Cup inspiration

February 13, 2006

Real look to the past for King's Cup inspiration

by England

Villa offers sympathy to inconsolable Valdes

February 13, 2006

Villa offers sympathy to inconsolable Valdes

by Europe

Benfica crush bottom team Penafiel

February 13, 2006

Benfica crush bottom team Penafiel

by England

Le Guen confirms fresh talks with Rangers (Reuters)

February 13, 2006

Former Olympique Lyon coach Paul Le Guen has had talks with Rangers with a view to replacing manager Alex McLeish at the end of the season.

Horsfield adds cutting edge to Blades attack (AFP)

February 13, 2006

Championship highflyers Sheffield United strengthened their attack by signing veteran West Brom striker Geoff Horsfield on loan until the end of the season.

Arsenal get Reyes of sunshine (AFP)

February 13, 2006

Struggling English Premiership mammoths Arsenal received a boost as Spanish international striker Jose Reyes said he was hoping to be fit for the Champions League second round clash with Real Madrid later this month.

Tena resigns after Veracruz slump again (Reuters)

February 13, 2006

UNAM inflicted a fifth consecutive defeat on Veracruz on Sunday prompting coach Alfredo Tena's resignation.

Roma one win away from Serie A record (Reuters)

February 13, 2006

AS Roma are one win away from equalling the all-time record of 10 Serie A victories in a row following their 2-0 defeat of Siena.

Wednesday D-Day for Le Guen (AFP)

February 13, 2006

Ailing Scottish giants Rangers will probably learn if their number one target to be their new manager Paul Le Guen is willing to join them.

Inzaghi still hoping for World Cup call-up (Reuters)

February 13, 2006

ROME, Feb 13 (Reuter) - AC Milan striker Filippo Inzaghi said he still had hopes of securing a place in Italy's World Cup squad after he scored a hat-trick in a 4-1 win over Reggina at the weekend.

Shakhtar on song ahead of UEFA Cup restart (AFP)

February 13, 2006

Ukraine's reigning champions Shakhtar Donetsk go into Wednesday's UEFA Cup clash with French side Lille on a high after winning a mid-season international tournament in Israel.

Harry Redknapp must pull off a Harry Houdini

February 13, 2006

When you think of escaping from impossible situations, the first name that comes to mind is Harry Houdini. In Premiership football though, Nick Webster says there's no escape artist greater than Harry Redknapp, but even this Harry may not be able to get himself out the relegation straight jacket Portsmouth finds itself in now.

Argentine Roundup, Feb. 12

February 13, 2006

River Plate rallied past Banfield 3-1 and moved to one point behind leader Colon in the Argentine league on Sunday. Banfield surprised River with Cristian Leiva's goal after five minutes, but international Luciano Figueroa equalized, and Federico Huguain and Marcelo Gallardo added second-half goals.

N.Korea invited to friendly tournament in S.Korea (Reuters)

February 13, 2006

(fixes typo in headline)

N.Korea invited to friendly tournamanent in S.Korea (Reuters)

February 13, 2006

North Korea has been invited to participate in a four-team North Asian tournament in late May involving Hong Kong and club sides from Japan and South Korea, organisers said on Monday.

Serie A Roundup, Feb. 12

February 13, 2006

Serie A Wrap: Substitute Alessandro Del Piero scored the winner with a curling free kick in the 85th minute, and Juventus beat Inter Milan 2-1 Sunday to stretch its lead to 12 points atop the Italian league.

English Premier League Roundup, Feb. 12

February 13, 2006

EPL Wrap: Tottenham was just a minute or so away from padding its lead over fifth-place Arsenal courtesy of a win over Sunderland. Then an 89th-minute equalizer pretty much foiled those plans, forcing the Spurs to settle for a tie.

La Liga Roundup, Feb. 12

February 13, 2006

David Villa's 15th goal of the season earned Valencia a 1-0 win over leader FC Barcelona 1-0 on Sunday and moved it within six points of the top of the Spanish league. Villa injected new life into the title race by chipping home from outside the penalty area in the 44th minute after a mistake by goalkeeper Victor Valdes. He had attempted a pass to his captain Carles Puyol.

Bundesliga Roundup, Feb. 12

February 13, 2006

Roy Makaay and Michael Ballack scored goals in either half Sunday, and Bayern Munich beat FC Nuremberg 2-1 to move 10 points clear atop the Bundesliga. Makaay scored in the 27th minute, which was canceled out by Robert Vittek's 20-meter shot for Nuremberg nine minutes later in front of 63,000 at Allianz Arena. Ballack hit the winner in the 54th, but Bayern needed goalkeeper Oliver Kahn to make late saves. "We made it hard for ourselves," Makaay said.

Scottish Premier League Roundup, Feb. 12

February 13, 2006

SPL Wrap: Maciej Zurawski scored in Celtic's 1-0 win over Glasgow rival Rangers on Sunday and give his team a 13-point lead atop the Scottish league standings. Celtic posted its 20th Premier League victory of the season.

Ligue One Roundup, Feb. 12

February 13, 2006

Lille drew 0-0 with Paris Saint-Germain in the French first division on Sunday and missed a chance to move to third, while Marseille stayed sixth by drawing 0-0 with Toulouse. Lyon, which is chasing a record fifth straight title, leads with 56 points, seven ahead of Bordeaux which has played an extra match. On Saturday, Bordeaux defeated Rennes 2-0, while Lyon drew 1-1 with Lens to remain unbeaten in away games this season.

Eredivisie Roundup, Feb. 12

February 13, 2006

AMSTERDAM, Netherlands (AP)- Klaas-Jan Huntelaar and Zdenek Grygera scored Sunday to give Ajax Amsterdam a 2-1 Dutch league win at ADO The Hague. No Ajax fans were at The Hague after city mayor Wim Deetman banned them because of reports that police foiled attempts Friday to burn down an Ado clubhouse. About 10 suspects were taken into custody Saturday.

Garcia threatened with season-ending injury

February 13, 2006

Real Madrid midfielder Pablo Garcia could be sidelined for the rest of the season after tearing a ligament in his left knee. The Uruguayan was injured when he collided with Athletic Bilbao striker Ismael Urzaiz as the two players jumped for the ball in a Spanish league game on Saturday. Madrid won 2-0. The Spanish season ends on May 14. The 28-year-old international joined Madrid last July after a four-year stint with Osasuna.