Chelsea wins 3-1 at Blackpool in Premier League

Chelsea wins 3-1 at Blackpool in Premier League

Blackpool's Ian Evatt (R) challenges Chelsea's Fernando Torres during their English Premier League soccer match in Blackpool, northern England March 7, 2011. Two goals from Frank Lampard and another from John Terry gave Chelsea a 3-1 win at Blackpool on Monday to renew its hopes of retaining the Premier League title.

Blackpool's David Carney (L) and Stephen Crainey (R) challenges Chelsea's Jose Bosingwa (C) during their English Premier League soccer match in Blackpool, northern England March 7, 2011. Two goals from Frank Lampard and another from John Terry gave Chelsea a 3-1 win at Blackpool on Monday to renew its hopes of retaining the Premier League title.

Chelsea's John Terry (2nd R) celebrates with teammates after scoring during their English Premier League soccer match against Blackpool, in Blackpool, northern England March 7, 2011. Two goals from Frank Lampard and another from John Terry gave Chelsea a 3-1 win at Blackpool on Monday to renew its hopes of retaining the Premier League title.

Blackpool's Ian Evatt (R) brings down Chelsea's Salomon Kalou (C) to concede a penalty during their English Premier League soccer match in Blackpool, northern England March 7, 2011.Two goals from Frank Lampard and another from John Terry gave Chelsea a 3-1 win at Blackpool on Monday to renew its hopes of retaining the Premier League title.

Chelsea's Fernando Torres (2nd L) attempts a shot on goal during their English Premier League soccer match in against Blackpool, in Blackpool, northern England March 7, 2011. Two goals from Frank Lampard and another from John Terry gave Chelsea a 3-1 win at Blackpool on Monday to renew its hopes of retaining the Premier League title.

Chelsea's Michael Essien (L) challenges Blackpool's James Beattie during their English Premier League soccer match in Blackpool, northern England March 7, 2011.Two goals from Frank Lampard and another from John Terry gave Chelsea a 3-1 win at Blackpool on Monday to renew its hopes of retaining the Premier League title.

Chelsea's David Luiz heads the ball over Blackpool's James Beattie during their English Premier League soccer match in Blackpool, northern England March 7, 2011. Two goals from Frank Lampard and another from John Terry gave Chelsea a 3-1 win at Blackpool on Monday to renew its hopes of retaining the Premier League title.

Blackpool's Alex Baptiste (R) challenges Chelsea's Didier Drogba during their English Premier League soccer match in Blackpool, northern England March 7, 2011. Two goals from Frank Lampard and another from John Terry gave Chelsea a 3-1 win at Blackpool on Monday to renew its hopes of retaining the Premier League title.

(Reuters)

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Pele wants football to be played for love

Pele wants football to be played for love

Brazilian soccer legend Pele poses for the media in front of the Victoria Harbour as he visits Hong Kong March 7, 2011, as part of The 2011 New York Cosmos Asia Tour which includes soccer legends Eric Cantona and Cobi Jones.

HONG KONG - Brazilian icon Pele, one of the greatest football players of all time, warned on Monday that money may destroy a player's career if he forgets to play for the love of the game.

Pele, or Edson Arantes do Nascimento, considered it a big problem as money has been more attractive for professional players than the game itself.

"Some players play only two or three years then disappear, " said Pele, indicating those players love neither the game or the team but the money.

"I think it's good to play for living, for money, but the players should never forget to play for the love of the game, for the love of the team, too," he warned.

The 70-year-old star, paying a rare visit to Hong Kong with the New York Cosmos as the Honorary President, noted the lack of loyalty as one of the negtive effects of money.

Pele, who spent 19 years out of his 22-year career in Brazilian club Santos before ending at the Cosmos from the North American Soccer League (NASL), teased the players who switched clubs frequently with the same presentation of "I love the team", doubting their true feelings for the team.

In his opinion, some agents have to be blamed for the situation.

"They don't care if the players gonna be good or not, they want to sell the players to get their money. This is bad for future football." He claimed.

After retiring from international football, Pele, the only player with three World Cup winning medals, led the Cosmos to the 1977 NASL championship in his third and final season with the club. His exploits helped the Cosmos become the most celebrated club in the United States.

However, the club declined following Pele's retirement and stopped competing professionally in 1985.

In August, 2010, British businessman Paul Kemsley, former Vice President of the Premier side Tottenham Hotspur, announced the revival of the Cosmos and named Pele as the Honorary President.

In addition, Manchester United Player of the Century Eric Cantona was appointed as the Director of Soccer.

The Cosmos senior executives has started a two-year global journey last Thursday in Singapore before stopping in Hong Kong of China.

Brazilian soccer legend Pele gestures during a news conference in Hong Kong March 7, 2011, as part of The 2011 New York Cosmos Asia Tour which includes soccer legends Eric Cantona and Cobi Jones.

(Xinhua)

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Top News Kuyt hat-trick stuns faltering Man United

Top News Kuyt hat-trick stuns faltering Man United

Liverpool's Dirk Kuyt (L) celebrates his third goal against Manchester United with Raul Meireles during their English Premier League soccer match at Anfield in Liverpool, northern England, March 6, 2011.

LONDON - Liverpool forward Dirk Kuyt's hat-trick dealt a body blow to Manchester United's Premier League title hopes as the faltering leaders were brushed aside 3-1 at Anfield on Sunday.

United suffered their second league defeat in a week, after losing 2-1 at Chelsea, and their third in five games to leave them just three points ahead of Arsenal who have played a game less.

Kuyt, who had never scored against United since moving to Liverpool in 2006, struck on 34 minutes after some trickery by new signing Luis Suarez.

The workaholic Dutchman doubled Liverpool's lead five minutes later after a misplaced clearance by Nani who left the field on a stretcher soon afterwards following an ugly tackle by Jamie Carragher.

Kuyt put the game beyond United midway through the second half, again with a simple finish, after keeper Edwin van der Sar failed to hold a Suarez free kick and United substitute Javier Hernandez's stoppage-time header was only scant consolation.

United have 60 points from 29 games. Arsenal have 57 from 28 with Manchester City on 53 from 29. Chelsea, who play Blackpool on Monday, are fourth with 48 from 27 and Tottenham Hotspur also have 48 after Jermain Defoe scored twice in an enthralling 3-3 draw at Wolverhampton Wanderers on Sunday.

Liverpool moved back into the top six on 42 points and their impressive display will add to calls for Kenny Dalglish to get the manager's job long-term after he returned to the hot seat in January to replace the sacked Roy Hodgson.

The Scot, who turned 60 this week, has transformed the club's form since with wins over Chelsea and now United.

"The way we played was really important, and the lads deserve all the credit you can give them for what they achieved today," said Dalglish, who was manager when Liverpool won the last of their 18 titles in 1990.

"We deserved to win, no doubt. It always matters who the opposition are, because you're not going to get too many opponents who are as good as Manchester United."

Liverpool's early-season slump long since ended their own title hopes but they set about trying to put a spanner in the works of United's charge towards a record 19th English title.

Uruguayan Suarez buzzed around from the start and had an early half chance as Liverpool set a high tempo.

However, United's more measured approach gradually got them into the game and Dimitar Berbatov came closest to opening the scoring with a shot that clipped the woodwork.

An absorbing contest played in bright spring sunshine caught fire as halftime approached.

Mazy Dribble

Suarez unlocked United's makeshift defence with an audacious dribble past Rafael, Michael Carrick and Wes Brown before scuffing the ball across goal for Kuyt who swept the ball into the net for one of the easiest goals of his career.

United were rattled and five minutes later Nani's wayward defensive header went back across his own area and dropped perfectly for Kuyt who doubled Liverpool's lead with a simple header.

Jamie Carragher was fortunate to escape a red card for an ugly challenge on the left shin of Nani which ended the Portuguese winger's involvement in the game and as tempers frayed Rafael was booked along with Martin Skrtel.

Berbatov almost got United back into the game on the hour with a header blocked on the line by Raul Meireles but there was little fluency about the visitors who have now lost their last three league visits to their arch-rivals.

Any hopes of a United comeback ended after 65 minutes when Kuyt struck again before the Anfield faithful were given their first sight of club-record signing Andy Carroll in a Liverpool shirt -- the striker getting a taste of the action when he replaced Meireles to huge applause.

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Mancini blames fatigue as City scrape past Wigan

Mancini blames fatigue as City scrape past Wigan

Manchester City's Spanish midfielder David Silva celebrates after scoring in the English Premier League match against Wigan Athletic at The City of Manchester Stadium, Manchester, on Saturday. Man City won 1-0.

Goalkeeper's error helps Sky Blues reduce gap with 2nd-placed Arsenal

MANCHESTER, England - Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini blamed tiredness for his side's abject showing in its 1-0 win against Wigan Athletic on Saturday at Eastlands.

City may have all the money in the world but it struggled throughout this contest as Wigan played the more expansive and attractive soccer.

The win reduces the gap between City and second-placed Arsenal to four points but City manager Mancini has work to do after watching his side only win a game against relegation-haunted Wigan thanks to a huge stroke of luck.

A tame shot from David Silva after 38 minutes somehow slipped through the grasp of Wigan goalkeeper Ali Al-Habsi who let the ball squirm from his grasp and that proved to be enough.

City has already played 45 games this season, just three short of how many it played in the entirety of last season alone and Mancini pointed to that statistic as the reason for his side's disappointing efforts.

He said: "In the second half it was very hard I think we were very tired and that was the difference.

"We played three games ago with the same players and we were very tired but the win was important. Also in the first half we played well and had frequent chances to score.

"In this moment when we are paying every two days it is very difficult. For them, it is not easy to be strong every game, it is hard and that is the problem at the moment. They have some days off now and the players can recover."

The home side's preparations for this encounter were hindered by the announcement on Thursday that defender Kolo Toure has been suspended indefinitely after failing a drugs test.

Reports suggest that his urine sample failed after the Ivorian took one of his wife's dietary pills and the player is currently awaiting the results of a secondary sample before officials decide what sanctions to take.

"Kolo is a fantastic man and a serious professional player," Mancini said.

"This victory is for Kolo and I think it is a moment for him."

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Phelps sweeps Indy GP for five golds

Phelps sweeps Indy GP for five golds

Michael Phelps is pictured at USA Indianapolis Swimming Grand Prix, March 6, 2011.


INDIANAPOLIS - Michael Phelps notched two more victories, incuding a 200-meter individual medley triumph over Ryan Lochte, to take his total to five at USA Swimming's Indianapolis Grand Prix.

The 14-time Olympic gold medalist who saw Lochte dominate men's swimming last year, on Saturday showed he is back on track for July's World Championsihps in Shanghai and the 2012 London Olympics, but said he has plenty of work to do.

Phelps won the 200-meter individual medley in 1:56.88, and the 100-meter freestyle in 48.89 at the Indiana University Natatorium.

"In my eyes, it just feels good to be able to race and race at a good speed," said Phelps, who didn't win either event in his only other meet this year two months ago in Austin, Texas.

The most highly anticipated race in Indianapolis was the 200 individual medley, pitting Phelps, the two-time defending Olympic gold medalist in the event, against his chief rival, world-record holder Ryan Lochte.

Phelps led Lochte by more than eight-tenths of a second at the midway point, extended the margin to nearly one seconds at the third turn and wound up beating the fatigued Lochte by more than two full seconds.

Phelps' time also supplanted Lochte's previous best as the fastest time in the world this season.

Lochte, who finished in 1:59.19, had beaten Phelps in the event at the Austin Grand Prix in January.

"He's back, there's no doubt about it," said Lochte, who was the world's most dominant swimmer in 2010. "I don't think he's ever not there, no matter what he says. I feel like he can step up and race any time."

Ryan Lochte is pictured at USA Indianapolis Swimming Grand Prix, March 6, 2011.

In the 100 freestyle, Phelps came back from third place with a strong finish to win the gold and set another world-best time this year. Matthew Grevers finished second in 50.01 and Olympic gold medalist Jason Lezak was third in 50.08.

"The last 50 just felt incredible," Phelps said. "I felt like I really was able to build a lot of momentum coming off the wall. You know, I'm never really satisfied, but I am happy to put up the five fastest times in the world here."

Phelps also won the 200 butterfly on Friday night and the 200 freestyle and 100 butterfly on Thursday.

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Tennis Roddick clinches US win over Chile

Tennis Roddick clinches US win over Chile

(L-R) Jim Courier, John Isner, Andy Roddick, Bob and Mike Bryan of the U.S Davis Cup team pose after beating Chile's team during their Davis Cup tennis match in Santiago March 6, 2011.

SANTIAGO, Chile - Andy Roddick sent the United States through to the Davis Cup quarter-finals on Sunday by dispatching Paul Capdeville 3-6 7-6 6-3 6-3 to give the Americans an insurmountable 3-1 lead over Chile.

Roddick improved his record to 12-0 when given the opportunity to close a Davis Cup tie, earning Jim Courier a victory in his debut as U.S. captain.

"Let's not mistake me being 12-0 with me not getting nervous," said Roddick on the United States Tennis Association website (www.usta.com). "When I hear stats like that it's gratifying for me.

"It's nice to hear but I don't get to clinch without Bob and Mike (Bryan) putting me in position 12 times."

Roddick was again a workhorse for the U.S. winning both his singles matches improving his Davis Cup record to 33-11 but a modest 10-9 on foreign soil.

After Capdeville won the opening set, a scrappy Roddick levelled the match by taking the second in a tiebreak 7-2.

The world number eight then flexed his muscles, blasting 17 aces past the 165th-ranked Chilean, including five each in the third and fourth sets.

The United States will next host Spain, who beat Belgium on Saturday.

The USTA is considering three venues for the tie, Albany, New York, San Antonio and Roddick's home town of Austin, Texas.

"I think it's been no secret that I have wanted it for a long time," said Roddick. "It would be a dream come true to play at home. I didn't come back to make the quarter-finals of Davis Cup.

"It's a blockbuster match-up. It's as good as a second round as I've ever seen."

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Nets beat Raptors 137-136 after three overtimes

Nets beat Raptors 137-136 after three overtimes

Deron Williams (C) of New Jersey Nets dribbles past James Johnson (L) and Jose Calderon of Toronto Raptors during a NBA game between New Jersey Nets and Toronto Raptors at the O2 Arena in London, Britain, March 5, 2011. Nets beat Raptors here on Saturday by 137:136 after three overtimes, in the second match of the first NBA regular-season games held in Europe.

Deron Williams (R) of New Jersey Nets passes the ball during a NBA game between New Jersey Nets and Toronto Raptors at the O2 Arena in London, Britain, March 5, 2011. Nets beat Raptors here on Saturday by 137:136 after three overtimes, in the second match of the first NBA regular-season games held in Europe.

Kris Humphries (R) of New Jersey Nets tries to block DeMar DeRozan of Toronto Raptors during a NBA game between New Jersey Nets and Toronto Raptors at the O2 Arena in London, Britain, March 5, 2011. Nets beat Raptors here on Saturday by 137:136 after three overtimes, in the second match of the first NBA regular-season games held in Europe.

Damion James (R) of New Jersey Nets dunks during a NBA game between New Jersey Nets and Toronto Raptors at the O2 Arena in London, Britain, March 5, 2011. Nets beat Raptors here on Saturday by 137:136 after three overtimes, in the second match of the first NBA regular-season games held in Europe.

Brook Lopez (2nd R) of New Jersey Nets attempts a shot during a NBA game between New Jersey Nets and Toronto Raptors at the O2 Arena in London, Britain, March 5, 2011. Nets beat Raptors here on Saturday by 137:136 after three overtimes, in the second match of the first NBA regular-season games held in Europe.

(Xinhua)

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Qatar's Price wins team's home Grand Prix at F1 H2O World Champions

Qatar's Price wins team's home Grand Prix at F1 H2O World Champions

Qatar F1 powerboat team drivers Jay Price (C), Alex Carella (L) and Philippe Chiappe of CTIC China Team celebrate on the podium after the opening round of the 2011 F1 H2O World Championship on Doha Bay in Qatar. Jay Price won his team's home Grand Prix while Alex and Philippe respectively got the second and third place.

Qatar Team driver Jay Price competes during the opening round of the 2011 F1 H2O World Championship on Doha Bay in Qatar. Jay Price won his team's home Grand Prix.

Qatar Team driver Jay Price competes during the opening round of the 2011 F1 H2O World Championship on Doha Bay in Qatar. Jay Price won his team's home Grand Prix.

CTIC China team's French driver Philippe Chiappe competes during the opening round of the 2011 F1 H2O World Championship on Doha Bay in Qatar. Philippe Chiappe got the third place.

Qatar Team driver Alex Carella competes during the opening round of the 2011 F1 H2O World Championship on Doha Bay in Qatar. Alex Carella got the second place.

CTIC China F1 powerboat team's French driver Philippe Chiappe celebrates on the podium after the opening round of the 2011 F1 H2O World Championship on Doha Bay in Qatar. Philippe Chiappe got the third place.

Qatar F1 powerboat team driver Alex Carella celebrates on the podium after the opening round of the 2011 F1 H2O World Championship on Doha Bay in Qatar. Alex Carella got the second place.

Qatar F1 powerboat team driver Jay Price celebrates on the podium after the opening round of the 2011 F1 H2O World Championship on Doha Bay in Qatar. Jay Price won his team's home Grand Prix.

Qatar F1 powerboat team driver Jay Price celebrates after the opening round of the 2011 F1 H2O World Championship on Doha Bay in Qatar. Jay Price won his team's home Grand Prix.

(Xinhua)

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