Eriksson shows faith in Cole with player of year tip (AFP)
March 18, 2006Joe Cole is emerging as one of Englands most important influences ahead of the World Cup Finals and Sven-Goran Eriksson has tipped him, alongside Thierry Henry, as a contender for player of the year.
Young American defender paying his dues
March 18, 2006Today wasn't the kind of day Charlton's American defender Jonathan Spector would like to repeat. He landed face first in the mud, with the ball behind him in the net against Arsenal in the 42nd minute. But Jamie Trecker says it's all a part of the European learning experience.
Bundesliga Roundup, Mar. 18
March 18, 2006Bundesliga Wrap: Hamburger SV closed within three points of Bundesliga leader Bayern Munich after beating VfL Wolfsburg 1-0 Saturday on a goal by forward Benny Lauth. Lauth, known as "Benny Bomber" before his promising career was stalled by injuries, scored in the 22nd minute for his third goal in as many matches.
Serie A Roundup, Mar. 18
March 18, 2006David Suazo converted a second-half penalty Saturday to help Cagliari beat last-place Treviso 2-1 in the Serie A. Treviso's loss was a Serie A record 12th defeat at home.
Ligue One Roundup, Mar. 18
March 18, 2006Le Mans moved into sixth place in the French league after a 0-0 draw with visiting Nantes. Ivory Coast forward Ndri Romaric had the best chance for the hosts in the 65th minute with a powerful long-range strike that Nantes goalkeeper Mickael Landreau saved. Le Mans dominated possession in the first half but couldn't create scoring chances. Nantes remains stuck in 14th place. Later Saturday, league leader Lyon plays Sochaux while second-place Bordeaux faces Troyes.
Gunners stroll towards Europe (AFP)
March 18, 2006Arsenal crushed London rivals Charlton Athletic 3-0 to keep up their pursuit of a Champions League spot at Highbury.
Lennon helps Spurs imagine Champions League place (AFP)
March 18, 2006Aaron Lennon chose the perfect time to register his first ever Premiership goal as Tottenham edged another step closer to securing Champions League football.
Surging Arsenal beat Charlton, Spurs respond (Reuters)
March 18, 2006(adds quotes)
Saha double keeps United on track (AFP)
March 18, 2006Louis Saha scored both goals as Manchester United strengthened their grip on second place in the Premiership with a 2-1 victory over West Brom at The Hawthorns.
Calamity strikes again as James blunder hands Wigan points (AFP)
March 18, 2006A blunder by Manchester City goalkeeper David James helped Wigan steal the points at the City of Manchester stadium.
Pompey start to believe in Great Escape (AFP)
March 18, 2006Portsmouth's hopes of survival in the top flight were given a huge shot in the arm by a battling 4-2 win over a weakened West Ham at Upton Park.
Prem: Pompey win spices up relegation battle
March 18, 2006Pompey win enlivens relegation battle
by England
Man City 0-1 Wigan: James blunder
March 18, 2006Man City 0-1 Wigan: James blunder
by England
Arsenal 3-0 Charlton: Gunners looking upwards
March 18, 2006Arsenal 3-0 Charlton: Gunners looking upwards
by England
West Brom 1-2 Man Utd: Saha proves point
March 18, 2006West Brom 1-2 Man Utd: Saha proves point
by England
West Ham 2-4 Portsmouth: Pompey take advantage
March 18, 2006West Ham 2-4 Portsmouth: Pompey take advantage
by England
Bolton 2-0 Sunderland: Nolan stakes a claim
March 18, 2006Bolton 2-0 Sunderland: Nolan stakes a claim
by England
Blackburn 3-2 Middlesbrough: First red for Savage
March 18, 2006Blackburn 3-2 Middlesbrough: First red for Savage
by England
Birmingham 0-2 Tottenham: Lennon breaks duck
March 18, 2006Birmingham 0-2 Tottenham: Lennon breaks duck
by England
Bundesliga: Hamburg maintain pressure on Bayern
March 18, 2006Bundesliga: Hamburg maintain pressure on Bayern
by Europe
La Liga: Barca take another step towards glory
March 18, 2006Barca take another step towards glory
by Europe
Deisler out of World Cup with knee injury
March 18, 2006World Cup: Germany midfielder Sebastian Deisler will miss the World Cup and will have an operation on his right knee that will sideline him six months. An examination in Vail, Colorado, on Saturday revealed the oft-injured Bayern Munich player has torn cartilage in his knee.
English Premier League Roundup, Mar. 18
March 18, 2006EPL Wrap: Manchester United and Arsenal picked up ground on runaway-leader Chelsea. The Red Devils defeated West Brom 2-1 on Saturday, behind two goals from Louis Saha, to move within 12 points of the Blues in the English Premier League.
EPL Gallery, Mar. 18
March 18, 2006
Scottish Premier League Roundup, Mar. 18
March 18, 2006Kilmarnock moved into fourth place in the Scottish Premier League on Saturday, beating Falkirk 2-1 on goals from Danny Invincibile and Steven Naismith. Naismith scored the winner in the 74th after Falkirk's Daniel McBreen equalized in the 19th minute. In the day's two other games, Aberdeen defeated Livingston 3-0 and Motherwell and Hibernian drew 2-2. Ferne Snoyl, Steve Lovell and Russell Anderson scored for Aberdeen.
Germany's Deisler out of World Cup with injury (Reuters)
March 18, 2006(Adds details, background)
Klinsmann offers support for Schweinsteiger (AFP)
March 18, 2006Germany manager Jurgen Klinsmann has told Bayern Munich midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger that he has his full backing after a Munich newspaper accused the player of being involved in a match-fixing scandal.
Homesick Matthaus quits Brazil posting (AFP)
March 18, 2006West Germany's 1990 World Cup hero Lothar Matthaus has quit as coach of Brazilian first division side Atletico Paranaense citing personal reasons for his decision.
Benitez hails Reds improvement (AFP)
March 18, 2006Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez hailed his side's improvement after already matching their points tally from last season with nine matches still to go.
Matthaeus steps down as Atletico coach - report (Reuters)
March 18, 2006Former Germany captain Lothar Matthaeus has stepped down as coach of Brazilian side Atletico Paranaense less than two months after taking the job, German daily Bild reported on Saturday.
Director of Ukraine's Karpaty Lviv dies (Reuters)
March 18, 2006Bohdan Fedoryshyn, director of Ukrainian first division club Karpaty Lviv, has died of a heart attack, the club announced on Saturday.
'Nothing has changed': Henry denies rumours
March 18, 2006'Nothing has changed': Henry denies rumours
by England
Eriksson denies he will take Juventus job
March 18, 2006Eriksson denies he will take Juventus job
by World Cup
Rijkaard: Eto'o not for sale at any price
March 18, 2006Rijkaard: Eto'o not for sale at any price
by Europe
Boro to meet Basle in UEFA Cup quarters
March 18, 2006Boro to meet Basle in UEFA Cup quarters
by UEFA Champions League
Everton 4-1 Aston Villa: O'Leary under fire
March 18, 2006Everton 4-1 Aston Villa: O'Leary under fire
by England
Germany rocked by Deisler knee injury
March 18, 2006Germany rocked by Deisler knee injury
by World Cup
Di Vaio admits his World Cup is already over
March 18, 2006Di Vaio admits his World Cup is already over
by World Cup
Di Vaio says his World Cup dream is over (Reuters)
March 18, 2006Italy and Monaco striker Marco Di Vaio says he has given up hope of playing in the World Cup finals in Germany.
FIFA faces richest clubs in Belgian club v country row (Reuters)
March 18, 2006By Darren Ennis