Go to: [irish sport] [foreign sport] [results]

Chelsea 1 - Leeds 0
Leicester 1 - Derby 2
Liverpool 2 - Man Utd 2
Tottenham 1 - Arsenal 3

Revenge of the Guv'nor

Liverpool 2 - Manchester United 2

by Paul Walker
PAUL INCE scored the goal that could just stop his old club from winning the championship.Two minutes from time the former Manchester United skipper, who revels in the nickname Guv'nor, scrambled Liverpool's equaliser over the line for a goal that struck like a dagger through the heart of his old employers. Liverpool had been outplayed for well over an hour, but in a sensational comeback they pulled a two-goal deficit back.
For Ince it was a sweet, sweet moment. Back in '92 he had been a United player at Anfield when Liverpool had stopped Alex Ferguson's men from winning the title on the last day of the season.That day he had to listen to Liverpool hordes chanting "You've lost the league on Merseyside". That anthem battered the ears of United and their fans again last night, but this time Ince was a cavorting, air punching demon. He'd been branded a big time Charlie by Ferguson, and at the end the Kop fans were howling his name in delight.
United, now three points behind Arsenal, must still be marginal favourites with a game in hand, but it's going to be a mighty close run-in now.
For Liverpool it was the night their haunted stars found their pride. At two down they were dead, and outclassed. But the red card for Denis Irwin in the 75th minute was a critical point. It gave Liverpool the belief they could finally hurt their bitter rivals.
Now it could be the third time in eight seasons that United's title dreams have died on Merseyside. First there was '92, then in '95 and now '99. We will know in a 11 days time.
United had looked so assured. Back came Jaap Stam, Roy Keane and Andy Cole for United, but Liverpool — stripped of anything like a quality strikeforce — reverted to five at the back to counter a fearsome United front line and left Karlheinz Riedle up front on his own for long spells.
The injuries and suspensions have made things far worse, but there can never have been a time when there was such a gulf between these sides, so comfortable did United look.
Liverpool responded to the ferocious wall of sound created by their fans, they chased, worked and battled. But where they had effort and commitment, United had class, calm and composure. Nobody could question Liverpool's heart but you wondered how long they could keep up the toil needed to contain a team who had gone 27 games without defeat.
Paul Ince's opening minutes were full of sheer intent, calling cards that a few years back would have struck fear in opponents ... in those days, Manchester United's opponents. He launched himself at Keane in one box, and within minutes thundered into Dwight Yorke at the other end. The Kop loved it, but Ince these days can't keep the Guv'nor image up for long. Liverpool found themselves pushed back and struggling to keep United at arms length.
You could sense a United goal was coming and it happened in the 22nd minute when Riedle and primarily McManaman failed to stem United's flow down the left some 50 yards out with what should have been a simple piece of two-on-two covering.
But David Beckham and Keane engineered the gap, Beckham was played down the right at lightning pace and the superbly struck cross on the run was met by an equally savage headed finish by York on the far post.
It was like watching a white hot knife searing through butter, Liverpool, despite all their intent and proud defiance, had been cut to pieces.
Beckham managed to upset the Kop by running in front of the Liverpool hordes as he celebrated, and then he collided with Jamie Carragher as he raced across the box to congratulate Yorke, turning to taunt the Liverpool defender as he went.
Liverpool strove for the gaps to hit back, Dominic Matteo down the left on several occasions, and Leonardsen's industry, did their best. But Stam was supreme, Keane asserting command, and only a fine crossfield ball from Jamie Redknapp that almost put Song away, threatened to unsettle the European Cup finalists.
In fact, they cut lose again two minutes from the break, with a lightning attack as a Liverpool move broke down, and Beckham again produced the quality cross for Yorke to send in a diving header that Brad Friedel was forced to beat away.
Liverpool came out fighting after the break, still their only real attacking threat was McManaman running from deep, but they were still plugging away. Matteo was played clear down the left by the Real Madrid-bound star, and from his laid back cross, Ince hooked over as he raced into the box.
But any thought that there was a way back looked finished when referee Elleray awarded a penalty when Carragher's flying boot had poleaxed Jesper Blomqvist as he raced into the box.
It took fully two minutes to get the kick taken, Ince got involved in some pushing and shoving, virtually every player became involved but cool heads around soon defused the issue.
Denis Irwin stepped up to drill the spot-kick past Friedel, and Liverpool were staring in the face their third successive defeat against United this season.
Gerard Houllier threw on the barely fit Patrik Berger for Song, and Ince was pushed up front for the second game in succession. Berger showed his intent with one twisting run away from Stam and a fierce drive just over, but you still got the impression that Ferguson's side were like a playing father holding off his young son as he tried to hit him.
United were still not being hurt, and they had Paul Scholes and Irwinbooked inside a minute as they underlined the steel in their side.
But Berger's influence was having an effect, and when he pulled a 69th minute cross into the box for Leonhardsen, Blomqvist pulled the Norwegian's legs from under him, and Redknapp rapped in the penalty to give Liverpool hope.
They found an extra gear at last, started hurling men forward and with the better shape to the side with Berger on, the Merseysiders at last started to stretch United.
After 75 minutes Liverpool were given even more belief when Irwin got himself stupidly sent off for kicking the ball away after a free-kick had been awarded to Liverpool. Ferguson's response to that setback was to haul off Blomqvist and Cole and send on more defensive players in Phil Neville and Nicky Butt.
But United were hanging on now, and two minutes from time Ince
battled his way through in the six-yard box to force the ball home after substitute David Thompson and Riedle had caused havoc.
You could have heard the eruption of noise right back up the East Lancs Road in Manchester, thunderous waves of sound as once-composed and imperious United lost their cool.
Ferguson had to be ushered back from the line by the fourth official, and he angrily shrugged away the restraining hand.
In injury time an unmarked Carragher arrived in the box to head a
Thompson cross wide as Anfield collectively held it's head in it's hands.
Somehow Liverpool had come back from the dead, and this loss of two vital points for United could just be the death blow to their title hopes.

LIVERPOOL: Friedel, Song (Berger 56), Staunton (Thompson 79), Babb, McManaman, Leonhardsen, Redknapp, Riedle, Ince, Matteo, Carragher.
MAN UTD: Schmeichel, G. Neville, Irwin, Johnsen, Stam, Beckham, Cole (Butt 76), Blomqvist (P. Neville 76), Keane, Scholes, Yorke.

Ferguson blames Elleray for loss of points

by David Anderson
ALEX FERGUSON was furious with referee David Elleray after Liverpool fought back from 2-0 down to deprive Manchester United of two precious points in the title race.
Arsenal now lead United by three points following the 2-2 draw at Anfield and the Gunners' victory at White Hart Lane, although they have played a game more.
Ferguson was in no doubt that Elleray had cost his side two points.
With United leading 2-0, the Harrow official awarded Liverpool a controversial penalty, from which Jamie Redknapp scored, before he sent off Denis Irwin for two bookable offences and the Irishman will now miss the FA Cup final against Newcastle.
Liverpool capitalised on the man advantage and Paul Ince equalised against his old club two minutes from time.
An angry Ferguson said: ''It's a disappointing night for us and at 2-0 we felt there was no way they could beat us or score a goal.
''I think the referee has handed it to them and it does not do our game much good when you see things like that.
''I am disappointed for Denis at missing the final for that and it's absolutely tragic.
''But we will recover from it and it looks like it will go to the wire.
''I think goal difference is important and that extra game we have is going to be important to us.''
Liverpool skipper Ince was delighted to score and he would not be bothered if it cost United the title.
''No not really, they have won it so many times that it's nice that other teams are in there challenging,'' he said.
Liverpool boss Gerard Houllier felt Elleray had been right to award Liverpool their penalty for a foul by Jesper Blomqvist on Oyvind Leonhardsen and to dismiss Irwin.
''I think Irwin could have avoided that and unfortunately someone has told me that he will miss his final because of that,'' he said.
''I'm surprised because Denis Irwin is an experienced player and it was a second booking.''
Houllier took great pride from Liverpool's performance after they had trailed 2-0 after 55 minutes following a Dwight Yorke header and an Irwin penalty.
The Frenchman said: ''At 2-0 down, the players never gave in and this is a fair result and it's a bloody good result for our supporters.
''They have achieved a massive performance to come back from 2-0 and score two goals against that team who are possibly the best team in Europe - it proves the players have not only the talent and heart, but the passion and total commitment they showed was something the supporters must be extremely proud of.''
Asked if he was happy to have done his old friend and Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger a favour, Houllier replied: ''I don't care.
''I'm sorry about that Arsene, but I have too many worries here.''

Bergkamp and Kanu seal night of delight as Arsenal stay on top

Tottenham 1 - Arsenal 3

by Mark Bradley
THE Arsenal fans were already celebrating after another moment of brilliance by Nwankwo Kanu had sealed victory in the supposed lion's den of their fiercest rivals Tottenham.
But with two minutes left, they erupted into completely unrestrained glee. News had just filtered through that Liverpool had equalised in the dying minutes against Manchester United at Anfield and the chants of You'll Never Walk Alone immediately began in tribute. For whatever had happened at White Hart Lane, with Dennis Bergkamp carving apart Spurs to set up the win against former boss George Graham, the Gunners' supporters knew that the goal by Paul Ince could prove the defining moment in the title race.
Their own side had done all that could have been asked of them against their North London rivals. Dennis Bergkamp had dominated the first half with his sublime talent, setting through first Emmanuel Petit and then Nicolas Anelka to take a seemingly unassailable 2-0 lead.
Only wasteful finishing by Marc Overmars and a series of superb saves by Ian Walker prevented them increasing their lead before they were rocked by an uncharacteristic error by David Seaman which allowed a Darren Anderton free-kick to slip under his body. Nervous moments ensued as Tottenham pressed forward only for the defence which, ironically, Graham himself had built at Highbury to hold firm until Kanu sealed victory with six minutes left. But it was when the ball went out for a corner with 88 minutes on the clock that the greatest cheers of the evening came from the enclave of Arsenal fans at the opposite end of the stadium.
For until that Ince strike at Anfield, the title had never been in Arsenal's own hands, they knew that they were relying on United to slip up. Now with a three-point lead and the slightest of advantages on goal difference, the Gunners know that comprehensive victories over Leeds and Aston Villa can seal the title yet again.
They had seized control of the game at White Hart Lane almost from the first whistle amid an electric atmosphere, with Overmars wasting their first chance within just four minutes as Walker raced from his line to block his shot for a corner.
The visitors seemed able to pick off the Tottenham defence almost at will as Petit saw a shot tipped around the post before Bergkamp took centre stage.
The Dutchman received possession in a crowded midfield and crafted a through-ball which few players in the Premiership would even have envisaged let alone produced to send Petit through to lift calmly lob the ball over the advancing Walker. Arsenal continued to pour forward from then on at the slightest invitation, with Bergkamp rolling an effort just wide after turning his marker before fully making amends with another defence-splitting ball to this time send Anelka clear.
The young French striker was at full pace to outstrip Sol Campbell but did not even have to break stride before directing a first-time shot into the net.
The floodgates seemed to be opening and Arsenal should then have killed the game off.
Bergkamp set Anelka clear again but Walker blocked with his body, the Frenchman headed the ensuing corner against the crossbar and Ray Parlour drove an effort out for a throw-in when he had all the time in the world.
Tottenham's only real threat had come when Bergkamp, for once covering in defence, unwittingly directed the ball past Seaman and the keeper had to quickly recover to tackle full-back Mauricio Taricco as he threatened to pounce.
However, the whole complexion of the game changed three minutes before the break after David Ginola had made the most of a slight push by Patrick Vieira to earn a free-kick just over 20 yards out. Anderton drove the dead-ball effort low past the edge of the wall but Seaman should have had it easily covered at the far post, only to somehow let it slip underneath his body. Graham's arrival to the dugout after the interval even went unnoticed as Vieira went down injured in a hefty challenge, which threatened to spark a melee but instead led to a Spurs free-kick and a booking to Petit, apparently for dissent. Still Arsenal pressed.
Anelka's shot on the turn was magnificently blocked by Campbell and when Overmars broke clear, his touch let him down and he allowed Walker to rush out and smother the ball. Tottenham were simply gifting possession to the visitors, and when Armstrong became the latest culprit, only the brilliance of the Spurs keeper blocked Overmars a second time in a matter of minutes. But United's second goal at Anfield fuelled the passion of the home fans though and they were off their seats in anger as referee Steve Dunn turned down penalty appeals after Martin Keown and Nigel Winterburn had tackled Steffen Freund in the area.
The tide slowly began to turn as it became Arsenal's turn to hang on grimly, with Anderton starting to make his presence felt in midfield and Ginola threatening down the left flank.
A rash of substitutions ensued, with Ginola surprisingly taken off, but his replacement, Jose Dominguez, soon crossed dangerously only for Steffen Iversen to shoot into the side netting.
The Norwegian did force Seaman to save his next effort, a long-range drive, but then Kanu completely took the wind out of Tottenham's sails. The Nigerian, a 75th minute replacement for Bergkamp, dismissed the challenge of Luke Young ahead of him by simply flicking the ball over the bemused youngster's head and then firing past Walker. The only sour note was caused by Nigel Winterburn's inflammatory celebrations in front of the Spurs fans, followed by him unleashing a torrent of abuse at a security official. Then came the news of Liverpool's equaliser and although a free-kick by Anderton flew just wide, by then the ground was half-empty. There may This could have proved the most decisive North London derby since Arsenal sealed the title at White Hart Lane in 1971 — when Graham was on the Arsenal side. This time, he could just watch in frustration.

TOTTENHAM: Walker, Carr, Campbell, Young, Taricco (Dominguez 77), Anderton, Freund, Sherwood, Ginola (Sinton 77), Iversen, Armstrong.
ARSENAL: Seaman, Dixon, Keown, Adams, Winterburn, Parlour (Vivas 57), Petit, Vieira, Overmars (Grimandi 87), Bergkamp (Kanu 75), Anelka.

Brilliant Bergkamp Gunners' inspiration

ARSENAL

Seaman: At fault for the Spurs goal but otherwise immaculate 7.
Dixon: Saw off Ginola with grit and tenacity 7.
Winterburn: As solid as ever, always ready to boost his attack 7.
Vieira: Major tackler and always threatening with his big striding runs 8.
Adams: Solid presence, never allowed the Spurs' forwards any scope 8.
Keown: Perfect partner for his captain and especially effective in the air 8.
Parlour: Busy and enterprising until injured 7.
Overmars: Missed three great chances but his speed and cunning were always prominent 7.
Petit: Non-stop competitor, even if still below his best 7.
Bergkamp: Glorious passing range and catalyst for all Arsenal's good work until substituted near the finish 9.
Anelka: Speed and craft unhinged Spurs in the first half although not so effective after the break 8.

Substitutes

Vivas: Struggled to find the rhythm of the game after replacing Parlour but solid and busy 6.
Kanu: Sewed everything up with superbly taken third goal 7.
Grimandi: Late sub, not on long enough for a rating.

TOTTENHAM:

Walker: No chance with Arsenal's goals and produced good stops to deny Overmars 7.
Carr: Solid defender and lively raider 7.
Freund: Tireless worker but lacked class against Arsenal's French pair 6.
Anderton: Much improved second half performance after free-kick goal just before the break 7.
Armstrong: Made little headway against Adams and Keown 5.
Ginola: Only threatened in spasms and taken off with 14 minutes left 6.
Iversen: Fired hard throughout but still raw 6.
Taricco: Struggled to contain the busy Parlour but useful raider in possession 6.
Campbell: As reliable as ever with some mighty interventions 8.
Sherwood: Never stopped trying to drive his team on 7.
Young: Inexperience sometimes showed as Bergkamp and Anelka kept him fully stretched 6.

Substitutes

Dominguez: Replaced Ginola late in the game and produced individual sparkle to threaten a Spurs comeback 7.
Sinton: In unfamiliar full-back slot and struggled 6.

Chelsea strike gold with Poyet winner

Chelsea 1 - Leeds 0

by Matt Barlow
GUSTAVO POYET booked Chelsea a £20million ticket to Europe with his 13th goal of the season.
The Uruguayan international settled a frantic Premiership clash with an unstoppable header in the 68th minute.
Leeds keeper Nigel Martyn had threatened to block their route with some inspired goalkeeping.
But Poyet's goal was enough and the three points put Chelsea out of reach of Leeds in the Premiership race and secured them a place in the new-look Champions' League starting next season.
With the championship being sorted out elsewhere in England, this had been dubbed a third-place play-off but neither side set about things with an end-of-competition feel.
Third is Chelsea's best position since 1970, when they finished a place behind Leeds, in the days when physical on-pitch battles between these two clubs amounted to something of a sporting soap opera.
More recent meetings of Chelsea and Leeds have served up plenty of the same fire with three sendings off and 23 yellow cards in the previous two encounters.
Chelsea's Frank Leboeuf saw red at Elland Road during the goalless draw in October and, last season at Stamford Bridge, Leeds duo Alf-Inge Haaland and Gary Kelly got their marching orders.
With Dennis Wise and David Batty snarling away in the centre of a greasy Stamford Bridge pitch, this never threatened to be different.
Both sets of players launched themselves into full-blooded tackles from word go.
The prize at stake was a lucrative Champions' League place and referee Jeff Winter had to be on his mettle.
Jody Morris, Dennis Wise and Lucas Radebe were all booked in a frenzied first half.
By the time Jonathon Woodgate followed them into the book for a second-half foul on Leboeuf, David O'Leary and Gianluca Vialli couldn't resist a touchline exchange.
They were kept apart by fourth official Rob Harris, still reeling from his weekend encounter West Ham's Ian Wright at Upton Park.
Wise caused a stir, midway through the first half, when a mistimed tackle on Lee Bowyer took him sliding into the Leeds dug-out where a quick wrestle was followed with a tension-busting peck on the cheek for Leeds coach Eddie Gray.
The Chelsea skipper promptly collected his eighth yellow card of the season to go with his four dismissals.
In between the shuddering challenges, however, both sets of players proved why they will both be flying the flag in Europe next term.
Martyn was in dominant form for visitors, coming to the rescue more than once as Chelsea opened more positively.
The England keeper parried a Poyet shot in the 15th minute after his initial punch failed to clear the danger. Leeds escaped when Gianfranco Zola couldn't keep the rebound down.
Then, Martyn made light work of a Morris shot after neat link-up play between Poyet and Tore Andre Flo.
Dan Petrescu carried the ball 50 yards, after pouncing on the scraps of a Radebe tackle on Flo, and found Albert Ferrer on the overlap.
The Spaniard's cross was met by Poyet but Woodgate timed his tackle to perfection. Morris pounced on the ricochet but fired just wide.
Leeds took time to settle but once they did they started to break menacingly from defence.
Haaland rattled a snap-shot inches wide and Stephen McPhail couldn't force a Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink cross on target to trouble Ed de Goey.
Martyn made a terrific left-handed save to turn Flo's effort from 10 yards round the post but he had his defenders to thank from the resulting corner as the Blues turned up the heat.
Leboeuf flicked Wise's kick on and Poyet's effort was cleared from the line by Haaland. Desailly turned the ball goalward in the ensuing scramble but Batty was back on the line to clear again.
Another flying save from Martyn plucked a Flo header from the air in the closing moments of the first half and, after the break, Poyet planted a free header over the Leeds crossbar from a Wise corner.
Ed de Goey saved long-range efforts from Bowyer and Harry Kewell before Poyet pounced to break the deadlock.
The goal came moments after Bjarne Goldbaek replaced Morris, allowing the big Uruguayan to slot into his favourite central midfield position.
Poyet had only just joined Wise in the centre when he timed his run perfectly to meet Le Saux's left-wing cross with a thumping header.

CHELSEA: De Goey, Ferrer, Desailly, Leboeuf, Le Saux, Petrescu, Wise, Morris (Goldbaek 66), Poyet, Zola (Forssell 89), Flo (Di Matteo 82).
LEEDS UNITED: Martyn, Haaland, Woodgate, Radebe, Harte, Bowyer, Batty, McPhail (Hopkin 86), Kewell, Smith, Hasselbaink.

United are still holding the aces, insists Wenger

ARSENAL manager Arsene Wenger last night insisted the title race is still in Manchester United's hands despite the Gunners' 3-1 win at Tottenham.
United were held to a 2-2 draw at Liverpool thanks to Paul Ince's late equaliser and trail the defending champions by three points, although they have a game in hand. But despite Arsenal having a better goal difference by one, Wenger said: ''It's still in the hands of Manchester United.
''If we win all the games and they win all the games, we might have a problem because they have scored more goals.
''The one thing we have said all along is that we must do as well as we can and don't give anything away. After that, no matter what has happened it is a great achievement for us.''
Goals from Emmanuel Petit, Nicolas Anelka and Nwankwo Kanu gave Arsenal victory, with Darren Anderton's free-kick slipping past England keeper David Seaman for Spurs' only strike just before half-time.
''That was a huge game for us,'' added Wenger. ''We knew we wanted the three points and we deserved them. We played great, as a unit and as a team, we looked sharp and our passing was very good.
''What can you say as a manager? I am just happy that the players gave everything tonight, they showed a real desire to win.'' Wenger claimed he only concentrated on the game at White Hart Lane although he found out late on that Ince had equalised for Liverpool.
''I was not really aware until the last minute, I didn't even know at half-time. Then a supporter behind me in the dug-out told me that Liverpool had equalised in the last minute.''
Asked if he preferred to have points in the bag rather than games in hand, Wenger retorted: ''You can't say they (United) are facing extra pressure because at this stage of the season you must want to win every game. ''The games are so important when you have only two left.
''Everybody will study all the different cases but I think if Manchester United win their games, it's still in their hands.''
He told Sky TV: ''It will be very exciting for both teams at the top right up until the end of the season, I think.''
Meanwhile, Chelsea booked their place in next season's Champions' League - and ended Leeds' hopes of reaching Europe's premier club competition - thanks to Gustavo Poyet's second-half header at Stamford Bridge.
Graeme Le Saux charged down the left flank and delivered a perfect cross which the Uruguayan midfielder met with a thumping header which beat Leeds keeper Nigel Martyn for the first time of the night.
But the game saw a remarkable face-to-face showdown on the touchline between the two managers. Chelsea boss Gianluca Vialli confronted opposite number David O'Leary following a Jonathon Woodgate foul on Frank Leboeuf, and the pair had to be separated by a fourth official as tempers flared.
Ladbrokes have made Arsenal odds-on favourites to win the Premiership.

Ladbrokes odds are now 4-6 Arsenal, evens Manchester United, and 50-1 Chelsea.

Beck gets off mark as Derby end four-game losing run away from home

Leicester 1 - Derby 2

by Steven Baker
MIKKEL BECK scored his first goal for Derby to give his side victory and end a four-game losing run away from home at Leicester last night.
Beck pounced on the hour, nodding home Lars Bohinen's corner at the near post as the Rams completed the double over Leicester, having beaten them 2-0 at Pride Park in September.
The Danish striker's goal spared Stefano Eranio's blushes, the Italian having just seen Kasey Keller palm away his penalty after the Foxes keeper was adjudged to have felled Dean Sturridge.
But from the resulting flag-kick, Beck rose highest to turn the ball home and the Leicester fans who had been celebrating their let-off moments earlier were stunned into silence.
Sturridge had given Derby the lead on 17 minutes and though Frank Sinclair equalised for the hosts, who have now lost twice in five days following Saturday's defeat at Southampton, 11 minutes later Beck was on hand to score the winner.
However, sharing the Rams plaudits with Beck will be Mart Poom, who pulled off a wonderful point-blank stop to foil Emile Heskey seven minutes from time. The striker, who won his first England cap as a sub in Hungary last Wednesday, must have thought he had scored when he headed Sinclair's pinpoint cross towards goal from just six yards out.
But Poom managed to fling himself skywards and get a touch to Heskey's effort which diverted it against the crossbar.
It was a game of endless misplaced passes and mistimed tackles, Sturridge was rewarded for his lively display with his first goal since December 28. Sturridge, who was only playing because Deon Burton has a hamstring injury, was struck by Paulo Wanchope's weak long-range effort which Keller appeared to have covered. But the American was wrong-footed by the ball hitting the striker and as Pontus Kaamark tried to close Sturridge down, he clipped his shot beyond both the defender and Keller.
That stung Leicester into action and they levelled with another goal which had a fair amount to do with luck.
Steve Guppy's free-kick struck Sturridge on the arm but as the home crowd roared for a penalty, the ball ricocheted to an unmarked Sinclair and he was able to fire an angled drive from the corner of the six-yard box beyond Poom.
The game livened up slightly after half-time and Andy Impey made a vital tackle to rob Wanchope just as he tried to fire goalwards as Derby looked for a third goal which would have killed off their hosts. Neil Lennon was unfortunate to see a fierce volley fly just wide, while another long-range effort by the Northern Ireland international was safely gathered by Poom.

Leicester: Keller, Elliott, Sinclair, Kaamark, Impey, Savage (Cottee 67), Lennon, Izzet, Guppy, Marshall (Walsh 80), Heskey.
Derby: Poom, Prior, Laursen, Carbonari, Delap, Bohinen (Murray 90), Eranio, Schnoor, Sturridge, Beck, Wanchope.

Lawlor the Bohs hero

Cobh Ramblers 0 - Bohemians 5

by Noel Spillane
ANY designs Cobh Ramblers had of playing Premier Division football next season were wiped out without trace inside 25 absolutely crazy minutes of last night's promotion/relegation clash against Bohemians at St. Colman's Park. Cobh were two goals down at that stage but then had reserve goalkeeper, Ian Bennis red carded when he clocked Bohs' striker Ray Kelly with a right hook inside the box after he had actually been awarded a free-out for the challenge by the Bohs man. Bennis in goal for first choice Alan O'Shea who is in the Lebanon on peace-keeping duties then confronted Bohs' manager Roddy Collins on the touchline before his long, lonely walk to the dressingrooms.
Any hope Cobh had of making this two-legged fixture a meaningful contest had vanished almost before they had even started for the home team were a goal down inside 42 seconds when Bohs' striker, Graham Lawlor side-footed home Ray Kelly's speeding cross.
Lawlor, 21 three days ago, and in the starting eleven for the injured Derek Swan went on a scoring spree and ended the match with four goals to give himself a belated birthday present and preserve Bohs' status as a Premier Division outfit.
Lawlor was close to a second goal after ten minutes when he just failed to connect with Brian Mooney's pass but it was 2-0 to the Gypsies after 22 minutes when Mooney drove home a superb 35-yard shot high into the net. Mooney's right-footed drive crashed into the net off the underside of the bar giving Bennis no chance and that was that. Things actually went from bad to worse for Cobh when the 23-year-old Bennis saw red for his Steve Collins impersonation inside his own penalty area and Cobh's promotion bid evaporated into thin air. All hope was gone for Cobh in what was a eventful 25 minutes to say the least.
Full-back Willie Byrne went back into goal for the disgraced Bennis but he was picking the ball out of the net after 38 minutes as Bohs' cruised into a three-goal lead when Lawlor scored with a tap-in after Byrne failed to cut out Brian Mooney's optimistic overhead kick. It was 3-0 at half-time and Cobh's collapse was complete six minutes into the second-half when Lawlor completed his hat-trick with a near post header on the end of Mooney's cross.
Lawlor added a fifth and his fourth of the night to further embarrass Cobh six minutes from the end of a best forgotten night for the Ramblers.

The second leg return tie, which is purely academic now, is scheduled for Saturday night at Dalymount Park with a 7.30 kick-off.

COBH RAMBLERS - Bennis; Kelly, Maher, Murphy, Byrne; Francis, Kenneally, Dalton, Keane; Coughlan, Izzi. Subs. Cregoe for Kenneally (55 mins), Clifford for Izzi (83 mins).
BOHEMIANS - Dempsey; O'Connor, Maher, Mullen, Brunton; Mooney, Hunt, O'Hanlon, Byrne; Lawlor, Kelly. Subs. Doyle & T. Byrne for O'Hanlon & Mooney (85 mins), Coombes for Kelly (86 mins).

Mahe admits role in Old Firm mayhem

by Simon Stone
CELTIC defender Stephane Mahe has been forced into a humiliating climbdown following his dismissal in the Old Firm mayhem on Sunday.
The French full-back has been widely condemned for his actions during the championship showdown at Parkhead, when he was dismissed for two bookable offences after 32 minutes.
Mahe flew into a rage after he was fouled by Rangers' match-winner Neil McCann and was shown his second yellow, then the red card by referee Hugh Dallas as he remonstrated with the World Cup official.
He then refused to leave the field, having to be dragged off in tears.
His actions sparked angry scenes from the Celtic fans as they pelted the Rangers players with missiles and Dallas needed four stitches in a head wound after being hit by a coin thrown from the stands.
Initially, Mahe remained unrepentant, insisting yesterday that he had done nothing wrong and did not deserve the punishment which had been meted out.
He claimed the problems had all been caused by Dallas, who he added ''was not very good.''
However, after a lengthy meeting with Celtic chief executive Allan MacDonald, Mahe has changed his opinion.
Together with Norwegian team-mate Vidar Riseth, Mahe has publicly apologised for his conduct during the game, accepting that it was unacceptable.
''Allan MacDonald has made it clear in the strongest terms that the club will not accept anything other than the highest standards of behaviour from its players,'' said the 30-year-old star.
''I have been heavily fined and seriously censured by the Club, which I fully accept and respect. I would like to make a full apology to the Celtic supporters, my fellow players, the Celtic management, the match officials and the general public for my behaviour, which I fully acknowledge was unacceptable.
''I can only ask for people's forgiveness.''
Both men are believed to have been fined two weeks' wages and will automatically miss Saturday's trip to Dunfermline. They must now await Tuesday's SFA hearing into the debacle to see whether they will face further punishment.
It would appear that there will be no apology forthcoming from the third man dismissed on Sunday, Rangers' Rod Wallace.
Coach Dick Advocaat was not at Ibrox yesterday but a club spokesman said a statement from the former Leeds striker was ''highly unlikely.''
Riseth, who admitted after the game that he deserved to be dismissed for his last minute lunge on Claudio Reyna, also expressed his regret. He said: ''Allan MacDonald has left me in no doubt that, on Sunday, I failed to meet the high standards Celtic demands of its players.
''I have been fined and censured, which I recognise is appropriate. Once again, I apologise for my behaviour.''
Meanwhile Celtic have announced they will not break the bank to regain their Premier League title, the new power behind the club has warned.
After losing their crown to Rangers at the weekend, Celtic fans are now looking to the club to step up the pursuit of star names in a bid to leapfrog their Glasgow rivals.
But, despite Henrik Larsson's decision to sign a new contract with the Parkhead club and the impending arrival of Dariusz Adamczuk from Dundee, new chief executive Allan MacDonald may find his hands are tied by financial constraints.
The departure of owner Fergus McCann this summer led many fans to believe that the stringent fiscal policy he imposed will be abandoned.
Rangers have spent £40 million on players since last summer alone but Dermot Desmond, the man who will be the major Celtic shareholder when McCann sells up, has said the club will not follow their rivals' big-spending path.
''Our expenses must not exceed our revenue,'' he warned.
''You cannot spend more money than you generate and the deal involving Henrik comes into that.
''If you want to enter into excesses then the club will be financially weakened. However, there will be discretion used in retaining specific players.''

Wright could be facing FA ban

by Mark Bradley
WEST HAM striker Ian Wright could miss the start of next season through suspension after he was last night charged with misconduct by the Football Association.
Wright will face a disciplinary hearing following damage allegedly caused by him to the referee's dressing-room at Upton Park last Saturday.
The striker was the first of three Hammers players to be sent-off by official Rob Harris during West Ham's home match against Leeds and damage was found to have been caused to clothing and property in the room shortly after he stormed off the pitch.
Wright, who has since issued a public apology, has 14 days to respond to the FA charge – meaning that any ensuing suspension is almost certain not to come into force until next season.
Wright, who allegedly kicked open the door to the referee's room and threw around the belongings inside, has not been charged in connection with his actions on the pitch, when he had to be restrained following his 17th-minute dismissal.
The England striker declared after the game that he had been disappointed at having been sent-off for only the second time in his career and for letting his manager and club down.
He reportedly said: "I was so upset that I behaved in an unacceptable manner.
"It was as if I was watching someone else.
"I don't even remember properly what I did – only that I went into the ref's room.
"I hope and pray to God that I can be forgiven for this stupid and reckless act by the match officials, the club, the fans and the authorities."
The FA, who acted after receiving a report from fourth official David Elleray, will now consider what action to take against a striker who is no stranger to controversy.
While a suspension would seem to be the most likely outcome, a large fine is also a possibility.
West Ham boss Harry Redknapp, who has called Wright's behaviour on and off the pitch excellent in the past few years, said yesterday: "He has over-reacted this time and we will wait for the FA to take their action before we deal with it internally."
Meanwhile, the FA have also separately charged Nottingham Forest midfielder Carlton Palmer with misconduct following gestures which he allegedly made to the crowd after his sending-off at Leeds on April 3.

Harps determined to bridge 25-year gap

by Noel Spillane
GONE are the student days when Charlie McGeever used to hitchhike from Limerick to Ballybofey for training sessions, but the Finn Harps manager is still as passionate about his football today.
And victory in Sunday's Harp Lager sponsored FAI Cup final is of paramount importance not just to McGeever but to the club, the town and the whole of Donegal.
Finn Harps have not won the Cup since 1974 - when they beat St. Pat's 3-1 in the final with goals from Charlie Ferry and Brendan Bradley (2) - but they plan to end that barren run against relegated Bray Wanderers at Tolka Park on Sunday.
Bray have won the Cup more recently - in 1990 when they crushed non-league St. Francis 3-0 thanks to a John Ryan hat-trick - but Harps have the quality players and, according to their school-teacher boss, a burning desire to win.
"I think we have placed a far greater emphasis on winning the Cup rather than the league this year, " said McGeever. "The reason for that is simple enough. Since November we and the rest of the clubs have been out of the running in the Championship race, as Cork and St. Pat's have had it to themselves."
McGeever, who is on the teaching staff at St. Eunan's College in Letterkenny, went on: "Because of the two-horse race in the league I think it has been more difficult for everyone to win through in the Cup competition and to win on Sunday would be a huge achievement for us.
"The Cup means everything to our supporters and since we last won it in 1974 there has been a great Cup-type tradition in the county. We have been waiting 25 years for another Cup win and that's why the stakes are so high on Sunday."
"I think the desire has to be there in the first place for a team to win the Cup. And we have players in the team who have been there before and done it with other clubs. Gavin Dykes, Declan Boyle, Jonathan Speake and Donal O'Brien all know what it takes and it's those very players, the more experienced heads in the team, that want it most now." "It could be the last big opportunity for some of these players to win something major. Obviously, however, as team manager I hope that if we win on Sunday it will be just a beginning," added McGeever whose own playing career was cut short by injury.
Harps go into Sunday's decider with a full-strength team with the exception of full-back Pascal Vaudequin who is injured.
The Frenchman saw a specialist in Dublin this week but, as McGeever pointed out: "Sadly this Cup final has come about ten days too soon for Pascal but, at least, he's very fortunate in that he will be able to play again."
Harps' only route back into European football next season is via the FAI Cup and McGeever and his players are only too aware of that.
"Football is all about winning trophies and things and that's what we want more than anything now," added McGeever.
The Harps boss is not worried about Harps' recent poor form. "We lost three league games in a row at the end of the season, and that included a 3-0 home defeat by Bray, but I would not read too much into that going into Sunday's final."
"We finished on a high with a 2-0 win over Derry City at the Brandywell to win the North-West Cup the other night and to see what was basically our reserve team give Derry a run for their money and win gave me a great buzz." "We haven't won a trophy for such a long time and it would be nice to do a little Cup double now," said McGeever whose side will overnight in Dublin before the game and then switch hotels on Cup final day. A good or a bad omen ?
Harps have been very impressive on their path to the final. Since their 6-0 first round replay win over non-league Belgrove, McGeever's side have never been in real danger of going out of the competition.
They had to go to a replay to beat Cork City in Ballybofey 1-0 but then again Donal O'Brien missed a sitter in the first game at Turners Cross.
After a 2-2 draw with Kilkenny City in the quarter-finals, the replay never took place when Alfie Hale's team were dumped out of the competition and in the subsequent 2-1 win over Galway United in the semi-finals, Harps were always in the driving seat.
"The attitude has been just right all along and we just kept saying to ourselves that it was important to be in the next round. It's just rolled on from round-to-round but we want to finish the job now and that means winning the Cup on Sunday," said a confident McGeever.

World Cup 2002 available to all armchair fans

THE company employed by FIFA to distribute the rights to the 2002 World Cup, insist the tournament will be available to all armchair football supporters.
Spanish digital company, Via Digital, have secured the rights to show the World Cup in Spain prompting fears that satellite and cable companies could force fans to pay to watch the next tournament in South Korea and Japan.
But despite the fact that British terrestrial broadcasters BBC and ITV may not secure the rights to show the next World Cup, they could still make the tournament available to all fans via a ''gatekeeper'' rights owner.
Peter Sprogis, spokesman for Prisma Sports and Media which is distributing the rights, said:
"Because it is a listed event, we have a mandate with the Government and with FIFA to have a certain number of games which must be on major terrestrial television.

Ronaldo still deeply upset

BRAZIL and Inter Milan striker Ronaldo yesterday admitted he ''feels deeply'' the effects of Brazil's 3-0 defeat by host nation France in the 1998 World Cup final.
''I was desperate to play in this match because I did not want to let down my team-mates.
Taking into account all the problems of the day I decided to fight on. I went to the stadium and put on the shirt. We did not play well and we lost. It was not our day.''
Ronaldo would not talk about his convulsions but said:
''I regret that it made the players worried about me when that evening they should have only been thinking about winning the match and not how I was feeling.''
He said he had been happy to play for Brazil against his former club Barcelona last week in the Catalan side's centenary game.

Liverpool poised to sign Camara

LIVERPOOL confirmed yesterday that they will open contract talks with Marseille striker Titi Camara in the next 48 hours.
But they deny reports from France that they have completed a £7million deal to bring Czech winger Vladimir Smicer to Anfield from Lens.
Liverpool's England striker Robbie Fowler has also been named as a £12million target of Spanish side Valencia, who are reputed to be chasing the currently banned star along with Real Betis and Deportivo La Coruna.
''Aston Villa were expected to sign the 25-year-old but we moved quickly to complete a £1million deal and, if everything goes satisfactory, Naguan will join the club in readiness for pre-season training.''

Referees to get added protection

PREMIERSHIP referees and their assistants are set to be driven to and from matches in 'safe cars' from next season.
The announcement of the intended move is especially timely in the wake of concerns over the security of officials following an attack on referee Robert Harris' car last weekend after West Ham's controversial game against Leeds.
Harris, who had sent off three West Ham players, was allegedly confronted by Hammers fans at traffic lights near Upton Park after the game and had to drive away quickly to escape.

Munster Senior Cup tie cancelled

THE Munster Senior Cup final between Waterford United and Cork City fixed for the Waterford Regional Sports Centre tomorrow night has been cancelled.
Waterford wrote to the Munster FA requesting the game to be called off because they claimed they could not field a team because of an injury crisis.
A decision to re-fix the game will be taken by the Munster FA at its next meeting next week.
The Blues, who managed to avoid the drop into the first division with a late run of excellent results, submitted a list of injured players to the MFA yesterday and asked that the game be called off.

New Wednesday deal for Carbone

SHEFFIELD Wednesday's Italian star Beni Carbone will look to celebrate being named as the club's Player of the Year yesterday by signing a new contract by the end of the week.
Carbone, who also won the Owls' goal of the season for his stunning 20-yard strike in the 3-2 home win over Nottingham Forest in December, pipped Brazilian centre-back Emerson to the title.

Israeli star is set to sign for Spurs

TOTTENHAM have beaten off the challenge of Aston Villa to sign Israeli international full-back Naguan Garayeb for £1million, subject to a medical and work permit.
The 25-year-old left-back who is expected to join up with his new team-mates for pre-season training.

Schools' final at Turners Cross

THE Cork Schools U-18 soccer final between Douglas Community School and Deerpark CBS will be held at Turners Cross at lunchtime today. The game kicks-off at 1.30p.m.