Ben Foster kept Manchester United’s bid for an unprecedented five trophies on track with a man-of-the-match performance in a penalty shoot-out win over Tottenham in the League Cup final here on Sunday.

The England goalkeeper produced two crucial saves to deny Tottenham victory in open play, where the teams finished locked at 0-0, before pulling off a superb stop to keep out Jamie O’Hara’s opening penalty for the visitors.

That handed United the edge and, after David Bentley had sent Spurs’ third spot-kick wide, Brazilian midfielder Anderson coolly converted to ensure United won the shoot-out 4-1 and lifted the trophy for only the third time in the club’s history.

Having already bagged the World Club Championship in December, Sir Alex Ferguson’s side now have a chance to emulate the great Celtic side of 1967 by completing a domestic treble as well as bringing home the European Cup.

“They took their penalties very comfortably. Ben Foster’s fantastic first save has given us a big lift there,” said Ferguson.

Manchester United Win League Cup Final, On Track For Clean Sweep … read more »

Franck Ribery would welcome a summer move to Barcelona, according to the Bayern Munich star’s agent.

Reports in Germany claim that a deal has already been agreed for former Marseille ace Ribery to move to Camp Nou in the summer on a four-year contract. “If Ribery goes, it will be only be to a team like Barcelona, where all the players are stars,” Ribery’s agent, Alain Migliaccio, told RAC-1. “Playing for Barcelona would be phenomenal for him.”

Inter Milan twice came back from two-goal deficits to hold AS Roma to a thrilling 3-3 draw at the San Siro on Sunday and extend their lead at the top of Serie A to seven points.

Jose Mourinho’s team looked to be heading for more heartache following their footballing lesson by Manchester United in the Champions League in midweek as they trailed 2-0 and 3-1.

But a brace from teenager Mario Balotelli and a late equaliser from Hernan Crespo stole a share of the spoils and helped to maintain a sizeable gap to second-placed Juventus, who beat Napoli 1-0 on Saturday.

Roma were the better team in the first period and on 23 minutes young full-back Marco Motta cut in from the right and crossed left-footed into the box where Daniele De Rossi arrived late to out-jump Javier Zanetti and glance home a fine header.

Jon Arne Riise notched a second on 29 minutes after galloping down the left onto a David Pizarro through ball, sneaking in behind Maicon and somehow squeaking the ball through Julio Cesar’s legs and in from a seemingly impossible angle.

Nicolas Burdisso had to make a last ditched challenge to deny Mirko Vucinic as Roma threatened to run riot in the first half.

But straight after the break Inter were given a lifeline as Adriano teed up Balotelli to beat Doni at his near post.

But Inter’s reprieve didn’t last long as Matteo Brighi ran through a gap in the home defence on 57 minutes before rifling home from outside the area.

Inter Show Title Spirit In Six-goal Thriller … read more »

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez admits his side’s Premier League title hopes are fading after a shock 2-0 defeat at Middlesbrough.

Benitez concedes the title is now Manchester United’s to lose thanks to Saturday’s meltdown at the Riverside Stadium.

Xabi Alonso’s own goal plus a Tuncay Sanli second-half strike ended Liverpool’s 15-game unbeaten league run to leave them a daunting seven points behind runaway leaders United.

Liverpool have also played a game more to make their key trip to Old Trafford later this month assume must-win proportions as they bid to keep their slim hopes alive.

Even that might not be enough to prevent their bitter rivals from bagging their latest Premier League crown.

Benitez knows Sir Alex Ferguson’s leaders are strong favourites to retain their title and he said: “It depends on Manchester United. Will they slip up? Maybe, I don’t know. The ball’s in their court now.

“We will have to make sure we beat Sunderland in our next game now. Before this game winning the title was a difficult task, clearly now it’s even more difficult.”

Benitez Admits Liverpool´s Title Hopes Are Fading … read more »

Guus Hiddink insists Chelsea are ready to step up the pressure on Manchester United in the Premier League title race after claiming a third successive victory under the Dutch manager.

Frank Lampard’s injury-time winner secured a 2-1 success over Wigan on Saturday that moved Hiddink’s side above Liverpool and into second place, seven points adrift of leaders United.

Hiddink concedes the possibility of overhauling Sir Alex Ferguson’s side is remote, particularly with Edwin van der Sar on an astonishing run that has seen the United keeper keep a clean sheet in his last 14 league games.

But Chelsea’s fortunes have undoubtedly been revived since Hiddink succeeded sacked Brazilian Luiz Felipe Scolari and the manager is refusing to rule out a late season title charge.

“I’m rather realistic, that’s to say we have to first win our games, and hopefully a little bit more comfortably than we did here,” Hiddink said.

“And then we have to ask Edwin van der Sar if he likes to have this ball in the back of his net. And I know him very well so I don’t think he’s willing to do so.

“So that means a stable team like Manchester United, let’s face the facts, are in a good seat.

“But as long as we have the possibility, as long as it’s not decided, we will keep going and that is what we have proven last week at Villa Park and here.

“As long as the team is keeping up this fighting spirit we keep on going for the things that can be reached at the end.”

Chelsea Ready To Crank Up Pressure On United … read more »