February 28, 2010

Chelsea, Villa into FA Cup semis

Alex (below) of Chelsea tries to block a shot by Ricardo Fuller of Stoke City during their English FA Cup soccer match at Stamford Bridge in London, March 7, 2010.

LONDON, March 7 -- Defending champions Chelsea beat Stoke 2-0 on Sunday to reach FA Cup semifinals against Aston Villa, which hammered a hat-trick from John Carew to win 4-2 at Reading.

Frank Lampard and captain John Terry scored Chelsea's goals at Stamford Bridge against Stoke which had knocked Arsenal and Manchester City out of the competition.

Lampard fired home the first in the 35th minute with a deflected 20-meter drive after he was set up for the shot by Terry.

In the 67th minute, Lampard's corner found Terry who scored the second with a deflected header.

Trailing to two first-half strikes by Reading's Shane Long, Villa scored three times in 11 minutes early in the second half and Carew added a fourth from the penalty spot in stoppage time.

The result means Villa gets to return to Wembley in April, after losing to Manchester United in the League Cup final at the home of English football a week ago.

Struggling near the relegation zone in the League Championship, Reading had already knocked out Liverpool in the third round of the cup and another shock appeared likely after Long's first half goals at the Madejski Stadium.

Matt Mills jumped well to head a corner into the goalmouth and Long was unmarked to deflect the ball past goalkeeper Brad Friedel in the 27th minute.

Reading went further ahead just before halftime when Jimmy Kebe broke down the right and pulled the ball back for Long to beat Friedel from 15 meters.

But Villa hit back within two minutes of the restart when Carew 's pass was flicked on by Carlos Cuellar to Ashley Young, who turned the ball home at the far post.

It was 2-2 in the 51st when Carew beat two defenders in the air to meet a cross from Stewart Downing and head home, and the Norwegian striker added the third in the 57th when he guided home a cross from Stephen Warnock.

Reading was close to equalizing when Ivar Ingimarsson saw a header cleared off the line by Young. But it was all over when Carew was tripped by Ingimarsson in the area and he fired the spot kick into the roof of the net.

In Saturday's FA Cup games, Portsmouth shrugged off some of its financial woes and its last place in the Premier League by reaching the other semifinal with a 2-0 victory over Burnley. It will now play either Fulham or Tottenham, who drew 0-0 at Craven Cottage, following Sunday's draw.

Chelsea's John Terry (C) scores a goal against Stoke City during their English FA Cup sixth round soccer match at Stamford Bridge in London March 7, 2010.

Chelsea's John Terry blows a kiss as he acknowledges the fans after defeating Stoke City in their English FA Cup sixth round soccer match at Stamford Bridge in London March 7, 2010.

Frank Lampard of Chelsea and celebrates scoring against Stoke City during their English FA Cup soccer match at Stamford Bridge in London, March 7, 2010.
(Reuters)

Magic withstand Lakers' rally to seal 96-94 win

ORLANDO, Florida - The Orlando Magic held off the Los Angeles Lakers for a 96-94 win on Sunday, with Kobe Bryant missing the chance to tie the score as time expired.

Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant turns and leaves the court after missing a two pointer to tie the game while playing the Orlando Magic in NBA basketball action in Orlando, Florida March 7, 2010.

In a rematch of the 2009 NBA Finals, Vince Carter had 25 points for the Magic, who overcame a game-high 34 points from Bryant.

Bryant tallied 18 in the fourth quarter where the Lakers came back from 10 points down before losing their third game in a row. It is the first time the Lakers (46-18) have dropped three in a row since January 2008.

Orlando (44-20) recorded their fifth consecutive win, with all five starters scoring in double figures.
(Agencies)

Qatari driver Mohammad al Marri and his Jordanian Co-driver Firas Al Ouh compete in their Mitsubishi Lancer during the Kuwait International Rally 2010, Super special final stage in Kuwait City on March 6, 2010.

United Arab Emirates driver Rashed Al Ketbi and his Co-driver Khalid al kendi compete in their Skoda Fabia S 2000 during the Kuwait International Rally 2010, Super special final stage in Kuwait City on March 6, 2010.

United Arab Emirates driver Khalid Al Qassimi and his British Co-driver Michal Orr compete in their Ford Fiesta during the Kuwait International Rally 2010, Super special final stage in Kuwait City on March 6, 2010.

Kuwaiti driver Essam Al Najadi and his Co-driver Anwar Sharrah compete in their Mitsubishi Evo 9 during the Kuwait International Rally 2010, Super special final stage in Kuwait City on March 6, 2010.

Qatari driver Hamad al Thani and his United Arab Emirates Co-driver Aref Yousef compete in their Subaru Impreza during the Kuwait International Rally 2010, Super special final stage in Kuwait City on March 6, 2010.

Qatari driver Abdulaziz al Kuwari and his Co-driver Stephone Prevot compete in their Mitsubishi Evo 9 during the Kuwait International Rally 2010, Super special final stage in Kuwait City on March 6, 2010.

Kuwaiti driver Fahad Ashkanai and his Co-driver Mohammad Ali compete in their Mitsubishi Evo 8 during the Kuwait International Rally 2010, Super special final stage in Kuwait City on March 6, 2010.

Qatari driver Jaber al Marri and his Lebanese Co-driver Kamal Khoder compete in their Mitsubishi Evo 8 during the Kuwait International Rally 2010, Super special final stage in Kuwait City on March 6, 2010.
(Xinhua)

MADRID, March 6 -- Real Madrid fought back from 2-0 down at home to Sevilla to claim an incredible win in front of the fans at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium.

Sevilla looked to be on the way to ending Real Madrid’s 100% home record after an own goal from Xabi Alonso and a freak effort from Ivica Dragutinovich had put them 2-0 up after 51 minutes.

However, Cristiano Ronaldo took advantage of a deflection to get Madrid back into the game after 60 minutes and Sergio Ramos nodded home the equalizer from a corner four minutes later.

Sevilla looked as if it was going to hang on for a draw, but substitute Rafael Van der Vaart was able to poke the ball home from close range in the 91st minute to give Real Madrid the points.

The win means Madrid goes leader in Spain ahead of Barcelona on goal difference.

The night had got off to an inauspicious start in the Bernabeu as the Real Madrid Ultras took advantage of a minute’s silence for the Chile earthquake victims to shout insults at Sevilla. That drew whistles of disapproval from other fans in the ground and referee Iturralde Gonzalez opted to bring the whole shambles to an end after less than 30 seconds.

Sevilla opened the scoring when Alonso put the ball in his own net attempting to clear a Perotti centre after nine minutes when under pressure from Alvaro Negredo.

Madrid needed time to react, but ended the half raining shots on the Sevilla goal, but none of their 16 efforts in the first 45 minutes was able to beat visiting goalkeeper Andres Palop.

A freak goal made it 2-0 for Sevilla after 51 minutes. Dragutinovich floated a free kick into the Madrid area which evaded everyone and fooled Iker Casillas before ending up in the back of the net.

Casillas looked to be fooled by the bounce of the ball and his side was in deep trouble.

Ronaldo began the great escape on the hour, sidefooting home after Marcelo’s cross had taken a kind deflection to set him up.

Guti hit the crossbar with a shot four minutes later and although the ball did not touch a Sevilla player, Iturralde decided to award a corner kick, from which Ramos, a former Sevilla defender, headed home the equalizing goal.

Madrid sensed a win that would make them leaders, but after Higuain had hit the Sevilla woodwork twice, it looked as if the visitors’ luck would hold out.

However, in injury time, Van der Vaart was able to force the ball home from close range to give Madrid a win. Their 32 shots during the game had deserved and Madrid will sleep as Primera Liga leaders.
(Xinhua)

Tracy McGrady (front R) of New York Knicks vies for the ball during the NBA game against New Jersey Nets in New York, the United State, Mar. 6, 2010. Nets won 113-93.

Yi Jianlian (C) of New Jersey Nets shoots during the NBA game against New York Knicks in New York, the United State, Mar. 6, 2010. Nets won 113-93.

Yi Jianlian (C) of New Jersey Nets leaves the court because of injury during the NBA game against New York Knicks in New York, the United State, Mar. 6, 2010. Nets won 113-93.

Yi Jianlian (2R) of New Jersey Nets competes during the NBA game against New York Knicks in New York, the United State, Mar. 6, 2010. Nets won 113-93.

Courtney Lee (L) of New Jersey Nets goes to the basket during the NBA game against New York Knicks in New York, the United State, Mar. 6, 2010. Nets won 113-93.

Brook Lopez (L) of New Jersey Nets is tackled during the NBA game against New York Knicks in New York, the United State, Mar. 6, 2010. Nets won 113-93.

Yi Jianlian (C) of New Jersey Nets competes during the NBA game against New York Knicks in New York, the United State, Mar. 6, 2010. Nets won 113-93.

Tracy McGrady (R) of New York Knicks controls the ball during the NBA game against New Jersey Nets in New York, the United State, Mar. 6, 2010. Nets won 113-93.

Al Harrington (above R) of New York Knicks goes to the basket during the NBA game against New Jersey Nets in New York, the United State, Mar. 6, 2010. Nets won 113-93.
(Shen Hong)

Kobe shines before Heat stifles Lakers in overtime

MIAMI - The Miami Heat overcame a 39-point effort from Kobe Bryant to capture a thrilling 114-111 overtime victory over the Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday.

Miami Heat's Dwyane Wade (L) defends against Los Angeles Lakers' Kobe Bryant during first quarter NBA basketball action in Miami, Florida March 4, 2010.

Jermaine O'Neal's basket gave Miami a 111-109 lead with 54 seconds remaining in overtime and the center then drew a vital offensive foul on a driving Bryant as the Heat (31-31) closed out the game with three free throws.

Bryant, whose last-gasp three-pointer beat Miami on Dec. 4, made a game-tying jumper with three seconds left in regulation and scored 12 straight points for the NBA champions late in the game but was unable to prevent a first loss in four games.

Miami All-Star Dwyane Wade scored 27 points and 14 assists to lead the home team to a morale-boosting victory over the Western Conference-leading Lakers (46-16).

Wade may have scored fewer points than Bryant in the match-up between two of the league's marquee players but his lower tally was mainly due to his late-game tactic of passing on several shots and providing assists for team mates.

"That shows my team mates I'm about winning," Wade told reporters. "I'm not about, 'I need to hit this shot because Kobe hit one'. It's about making sure we all are confident and we all are good."

In a game that featured 31 lead changes, the most in the NBA this season, Miami had a nine-point advantage in the fourth but the Lakers chipped away and led by one with 42 seconds remaining on a pair of free throws from Bryant.

Quentin Richardson answered with a three-pointer as the Heat went ahead 99-97 but the Lakers had plenty of time to give the ball back to Bryant, who entered the night shooing just 34 percent in his last three games.

Richardson finished with 25 points and Carlos Arroyo had 17 for Miami, who are clinging on to the eighth position in the Eastern Conference.

Los Angeles played the first of a three-game East road trip that concludes in Orlando on Sunday.

"It's one of the tougher ones of the year," Lakers coach Phil Jackson said of the trip.

"This is the key game for us, just to get this off right because it's (the first game of) a back-to-back and we don't want to come out of this game not playing well."

(Agencies)

Los Angeles Lakers center Andrew Bynum (17) shoots as Miami Heat center Joel Anthony, center, defends in the second quarter of their NBA game in Miami on Thursday. At left is Lakers forward Pau Gasol (16).

MIAMI - Jermaine O'Neal called it, telling teammates in overtime that the next time someone drove the lane he would be there to take the charge.

That someone was Kobe Bryant.

And O'Neal delivered on his vow.

O'Neal stood his ground with 18.7 seconds left in the extra session and Bryant was whistled for an offensive foul. It was the final turning point as the Miami Heat found a way to beat the Los Angeles Lakers 114-111 in the NBA's wildest back-and-forth game this season.

There were 19 ties and 31 lead changes, two more than any game in the league in 2009-10 and Miami's center stood tallest at the end.

"He was there. He stepped up," said Dwyane Wade, who led the Heat with 27 points and 14 assists. "I saw it coming the whole way. That's J.O. - J.O. not only protects the basket by being a shotblocker but he also protects it because he can take charges. And that's great. Everybody did their job tonight."

Bryant went left, looking for a layup that would have tied the game. Instead, O'Neal drew his team-best 19th charge of the season, Carlos Arroyo hit two free throws 0.3 seconds later to make it a two-possession game and Miami held on, winning back-to-back home games for the first time since mid-January.

Quentin Richardson scored a season-high 25 points for the Heat, who got 17 from Arroyo, 13 from O'Neal and a 12-point, 11-rebound effort from Udonis Haslem.

"We have big-moment, big-player type guys that love to step up to a big challenge like this and aren't afraid of the moment," Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. "Obviously, Dwyane is like that, Jermaine is like that. Udonis, Quentin will hit big shots. A lot of times it's a fight and an argument to see who's going to shoot the ball. They're not running from it. They want the moment."

Bryant scored 39 points, including the overtime-forcing jumper for the Lakers, who got 14 points from Derek Fisher and 13 points and 11 rebounds from Lamar Odom.

It wasn't the offensive foul late that seemed to raise the ire of Lakers coach Phil Jackson but rather a foul call that he thought Bryant earned against Wade with a half-minute left in regulation and Los Angeles up by one.

Bryant shot what was ruled an airball; the Lakers insisted Bryant was fouled. Instead, Richardson came down and hit a 3-pointer to put Miami up 99-97 with 11.1 seconds left in regulation.

"I'm sure he didn't shoot an airball. That's unconscionable that that call can't be made at that point in the game because that's a shooter and there it is," Jackson said. "But they didn't call it and he had to do another miracle to come back and tie the game. But in the overtime, we had our chances."
(China Daily)

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger celebrates after teammate James Harrison ran 100 yards with an interception for a second quarter touchdown against the Arizona Cardinals during the NFL's Super Bowl XLIII football game in Tampa, Florida, February 1, 2009.

BEIJING, March 6 -- Authorities in Georgia say Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger is being investigated in an allegation of sexual assault, media reported Friday.

According to the Associated Press, officers said the alleged assault occurred early Friday morning at a nightclub in Milledgeville, about 85 miles southeast of Atlanta. The player owns a home nearby.

The player and some of his friends were seen visiting local restaurants and bars Thursday night.

Roethlisberger and the alleged victim have been interviewed and the woman was taken to a hospital, where she was treated and released.

Separately, Roethlisberger has been sued by a woman who claims he raped her in 200

8 at a Lake Tahoe hotel. The Steelers star denies those allegations and has asked for counter-damages.

Agent Ryan Tollner says that "given the prior accusation against Ben, we are skeptical of motive, but we will continue to cooperate with everyone involved."

Steelers overcomes Cardinals for sixth Super Bowl title

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger celebrates Steeler's win over the Arizona Cardinals in the NFL's Super Bowl XLIII football game in Tampa, Florida, Feb. 1, 2009.

WASHINGTON, Feb. 1 -- The Pittsburgh Steelers won a record sixth Super Bowl title by overcoming the Arizona Cardinals 27-23 in the National Football League (NFL) Super Bowl XLIII in Tampa, Fla., on Sunday.

Steelers wide receiver Santonio Holmes, named the Super Bowl MVP with nine catches for 131 yards, held onto a pass to catch the game winning touchdown pass from Ben Roethlisberger with just 35 seconds left in the fourth quarter. Full story

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger runs out onto the field prior to the start of the NFL's Super Bowl XLIII football game between the Steelers and the Arizona Cardinals in Tampa, Florida, February 1, 2009.

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (C) dives into the endzone for a touchdown against the Seattle Seahawks during the second quarter of the NFL's Super Bowl XL in Detroit, Michigan February 5, 2006.

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger throws a pass in second quarter play during the NFL's Super Bowl XL against the Seattle Seahawks in Detroit, Michigan February 5, 2006.
(Agencies)

Melissa Theuriau (French), 28, is considered the world's most beautiful sports program anchor.

(chinanews.com.cn)

(Photo: voc.com.cn)

Chinese basketball player Yao Ming, the official face of the 2010 Shanghai World Expo, gives a speech during an event to promote environmental protection for the 2010 Shanghai World Expo in Shanghai, February 10, 2010.

China's 110m hurdle athlete Liu Xiang signs in an event to promote environmental protection for the 2010 Shanghai World Expo in Shanghai, February 10, 2010.

China's 110m hurdle athlete Liu Xiang (L) poses for a photo with a boy during an event to promote environmental protection for the 2010 Shanghai World Expo in Shanghai, February 10, 2010.
(Xinhua)

olympic spirit

Chelsea, Villa into FA Cup semis

Magic withstand Lakers' rally to seal 96-94 win

Kuwait International Rally 2010

Real Madrid fights back to claim incredible win in the Bernabeu

Nets beats Knicks 113-93

Kobe shines before Heat stifles Lakers in overtime

Wade gets 27, Heat hold off Lakers

Steelers QB accused of sexual assault

World's most beautiful sports program anchor

Top 10 streaking moments during sport events

Yao Ming, Liu Xiang promote environmental protection for 2010 World Expo

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