Premiership Recap, Apr. 14-15

April 15, 2006

EPL Recap: Chelsea is within sight of its second straight Premier League title. Their victory over Bolton at the Reebok on Saturday means the Blues can clinch the title on Monday by beating Everton at Stamford Bridge.

Crew 1, Fire 1

April 15, 2006

MLS: Chris Rolfe scored for the Chicago Fire and Sebastian Rozental converted a penalty kick for the Columbus Crew in a 1-1 tie Saturday. The Fire and Crew both were seeking their first wins of the year in the Crew's home opener.

Benfica beat Boavista 2-0 to narrow gap on Sporting (Reuters)

April 15, 2006

Benfica closed the gap on second-placed Sporting to two points with a 2-0 win at Boavista in the Portuguese Premier League on Saturday.

Gonzalez lifts Sociedad out of drop zone (Reuters)

April 15, 2006

(adds Deportivo-Sevilla draw)

Man U star Rooney resolves gambling row (SportsTicker)

April 15, 2006

LONDON (Ticker) - Wayne Rooney has resolved his "outstanding issues" with a gambling company.

Gonzalez goal lifts Sociedad out of drop zone (Reuters)

April 15, 2006

(recasts after Real Sociedad win)

Fergie: Too much Rooney talk

April 15, 2006

Sir Alex Ferguson says he worries about the mounting pressure on his young star, Wayne Rooney, heading into the WC. The United boss is concerned about the strikers ability to cope with the pressure of being England's World Cup talisman.

La Liga Roundup, Apr. 15

April 15, 2006

Mark Gonzalez scored the only goal and Real Sociedad won 1-0 against Racing Santander in the Spanish league on Saturday. The Durban-born former Liverpool midfielder struck a perfectly timed left-footed power volley that shot into the back of the net from outside the penalty area in the 75th minute. The win lifted Sociedad out of the relegation zone to 14th place in the standings, one above Santander.

Ligue One Roundup, Apr. 15

April 15, 2006

Lyon won a record fifth straight French first division title Saturday after second-place Bordeaux lost 3-2 at Lille. Lyon plays at Paris Saint-Germain on Sunday, but its 14-point lead means the title is safe as Bordeaux can only gather a maximum of 12 points from its four remaining games.

Bundesliga Roundup, Apr. 15

April 15, 2006

Bundesliga Wrap: Late goals by Michael Ballack and Mehmet Scholl helped Bayern Munich beat Arminia Bielefeld 2-0 Saturday to keep Hamburger SV at bay. Ballack's low shot off the left post in the 69th minute and Scholl's score five minutes later allowed Bayern to retain a four-point lead over Hamburg.

Brazil on track to host 2014 WC

April 15, 2006

The Brazilian Soccer Confederation remains optimistic about the country's chances of hosting the 2014 World Cup despite recent criticism by FIFA president Sepp Blatter.

Scottish Premier League Roundup, Apr. 15

April 15, 2006

Hearts beat Kilmarnock 2-0 at home on Saturday to stay second in the Scottish Premier League. Goals by Paul Hartley in the 70th minute and Christophe Berra in the 87th keep Hearts five points ahead of third-place Rangers. Celtic has already clinched the title with 85 points, and plays at home on Sunday against Hibernian. Hearts have 68 points, with Rangers on 63. Rangers drew 1-1 at home against Aberdeen on Saturday.

Accrington Stanley back in Football League (Reuters)

April 15, 2006

(changes dateline, adds quotes, byline)

Chelsea within sight of second Premier League title (AP)

April 15, 2006

Chelsea is within reach of its second straight Premier League title. John Terry and Frank Lampard gave Chelsea a 2-0 victory at Bolton on Saturday, giving the Blues a chance to clinch the title Monday against Everton at Stamford Bridge. Second-place Manchester United plays at Tottenham the same day. If both teams win, Chelsea would lead United by nine points with three games to play.

CSKA Sofia reclaim top spot (Reuters)

April 15, 2006

Champions CSKA Sofia moved back to the top of the Bulgarian Premier League on Saturday after a 2-0 win over relegation-threatened Pirin 1922.

Mallorca and Alaves still in trouble after goalless draw (Reuters)

April 15, 2006

Real Mallorca and Alaves did little for their Primera Liga survival prospects when they shared a 0-0 draw on Saturday.

Lille beat Bordeaux to hand Ligue 1 title to Lyon (Reuters)

April 15, 2006

A Peter Odemwingie double earned Lille a 3-2 victory over Girondins Bordeaux on Saturday and handed the Ligue 1 title to Olympique Lyon.

Rooney resolves 'issues' over gambling debts

April 15, 2006

Rooney resolves 'issues' over gambling debts

by England

Premiership: Pompey and Spurs take giant steps

April 15, 2006

Premiership: Pompey and Spurs take giant steps

by England

Arsenal 3-1 West Brom: Bergkamp caps win

April 15, 2006

Arsenal 3-1 West Brom: Bergkamp caps win

by England

Newcastle 3-1 Wigan: Shearer blasts double

April 15, 2006

Newcastle 3-1 Wigan: Shearer blasts double

by England

Everton 0-1 Tottenham: Spurs still fourth

April 15, 2006

Everton 0-1 Tottenham: Spurs still fourth

by England

West Ham 1-0 Man City: Sixth defeat for Blues

April 15, 2006

West Ham 1-0 Man City: Sixth defeat for Blues

by England

Portsmouth 1-0 Middlesbrough: Out of drop zone

April 15, 2006

Portsmouth 1-0 Middlesbrough: Out of drop zone

by England

Fulham 2-1 Charlton: Relegation fears banished

April 15, 2006

Fulham 2-1 Charlton: Relegation fears banished

by England

Serie A: Cannavaro equaliser leaves Juve five clear

April 15, 2006

Serie A: Cannavaro equaliser leaves Juve five clear

by Europe

SPL: Hearts strengthen grip on second spot

April 15, 2006

Hearts strengthen grip on second spot

by Europe

Ligue 1: Lyon handed fifth-successive title on a plate

April 15, 2006

Lyon handed fifth-successive title on a plate

by Europe

English Premier League Roundup, Apr. 16

April 15, 2006

EPL Wrap: Chelsea is within sight of its second straight Premier League title. Their victory over Bolton at the Reebok on Saturday means the Blues can clinch the title on Monday by beating Everton at Stamford Bridge.

EPL Action, Apr 14.

April 15, 2006

PHOTOS: EPL Action, Apr. 14: Another fantastic weekend in the EPL starts here. Check out all the latest action from a jam-packed Easter schedule as the league prepares for a photo finish.

Ferguson defends young stars after Sunderland draw

April 15, 2006

Ferguson defends young stars after Sunderland draw

by England

Bolton 0-2 Chelsea: Blues on the brink

April 15, 2006

Bolton 0-2 Chelsea: Blues on the brink

by England

Rovers join the list of clubs interested in Fowler

April 15, 2006

Rovers join the list of clubs interested in Fowler

by England

Hargreaves confident of landing World Cup place

April 15, 2006

Hargreaves confident of landing World Cup place

by World Cup

Villarreal's Rodriguez, Pena doubtful for Arsenal match

April 15, 2006

Villarreal's Rodriguez, Pena doubtful for Arsenal match

by UEFA Champions League

Vava furious after racial abuse in Sofia

April 15, 2006

Vava furious after racial abuse in Sofia

by Europe

Anderlecht back on top in Belgium with 5-0 win

April 15, 2006

Anderlecht back on top in Belgium with 5-0 win

by Darren Ennis

South Korea line up Senegal and Bosnia for warm-ups

April 15, 2006

South Korea line up Senegal and Bosnia for warm-ups

by Peter Rutherford

Chelsea so close to title after 2-0 Bolton win (Reuters)

April 15, 2006

(adds detail, quotes)

Kahn misses Bayern game after warm-up injury (Reuters)

April 15, 2006

Bayern Munich captain Oliver Kahn will miss Saturday's match against Arminia Bielefeld after being hit in the face by a shot from his understudy.

Brazilian forward Vava upset by racial abuse in Sofia (Reuters)

April 15, 2006

Belasitsa Petrich's Brazilian striker Vava was racially abused by Lokomotiv Sofia players and fans in a Bulgarian league match in which he was sent off.

Villarreal's Rodriguez, Pena doubtful for Arsenal match (Reuters)

April 15, 2006

Villarreal defenders Gonzalo Rodriguez and Juan Manuel Pena are doubtful for Wednesday's Champions League semi-final, first leg at Arsenal.

Fergie left hoping for a miracle

April 15, 2006

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson admitted his side now "need a miracle" if they are to wrest the Premiership title away from Chelsea. Chelsea can go nine points clear at the top of the table by beating Bolton.

Off day for young guns cost United, says Ferguson (Reuters)

April 15, 2006

An off day for Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo stalled Manchester United's bid to catch Chelsea in the Premier League title race, said manager Alex Ferguson.

S.Korea line up Senegal, Bosnia for World Cup tune-ups (Reuters)

April 15, 2006

South Korea have pencilled in friendlies against Senegal and Bosnia in late May as part of their preparations for the World Cup finals, the Korea Football Association (KFA) announced.