Arsenal ended the perfect start of rivals Manchester United in the English Premiership on Sunday as they won 1-0 at Old Trafford in an entertaining clash.
Emmanuel Adebayor sealed the victory -- Arsenal's first in the league this season -- ending United's run of four straight wins and ensuring that Portsmouth remain a point clear at the top.
Cristiano Ronaldo conceded possession to Cesc Fabregas in midfield and the Spain international found Emmanuel Adebayor, who slid in a first-time shot past Tomasz Kuszczak, who was making his debut in the United goal.
PHOTO: AFP
Kuszczak had earlier saved Gilberto's penalty after he had brought down Adebayor while Arsenal were thankful to a fantastic save in the dying minutes from their goalkeeper, Jens Lehmann, who turned a shot from substitute Ole Gunnar Solskjaer around the post.
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger was delighted with the win, a result achieved despite the absence of injured striker Thierry Henry.
"You can see we are a very strong side," he said. "I believe in this team and the win reinforces my belief."
"There is no transition. We want to win the championship. I said before the game we can and I will say again after the game, this team has a big potential," he said.
At Stamford Bridge, Chelsea again showed their resilience as they withstood the dismissal of Michael Ballack to beat Liverpool 1-0.
Didier Drogba scored the only goal of the game three minutes before half-time, taking Frank Lampard's long pass down on his chest, moving away from Jamie Carragher, and, from the edge of the box, slamming a brilliant shot on the turn into the bottom corner.
Ballack was sent off six minutes after the break for a stamp on Momo Sissoko.
OUT AGAINST INDONESIA: Taiwan reached the semi-finals at the tournament for the first time by defeating Denmark, with Chou Tien-chen beating Viktor Axelsen Taiwan yesterday crashed out of the Thomas Cup team competition in Chengdu, China, but achieved their best result at the top-tier badminton event by reaching the semi-finals. Indonesia were too good in the semis, winning 3-0 to advance to today’s final against China, who eliminated Malaysia 3-1. In the opening singles of the men’s team clash at the Hi-Tech Zone Sports Center Gymnasium 2, Anthony Ginting defeated Taiwan’s Chou Tien-chen 21-18, 21-19 in 51 minutes, which put a huge hole in Taiwan’s aspirations to perhaps even make the final. In the men’s doubles, Fajar Alfian and Muhammad Ardianto downed Lee Yang and Wang
NO DOUBT: Spurs star Wembanyama was unanimously selected as NBA Rookie of the Year, winning all 99 votes to become the first Frenchman to capture the honor The Minnesota Timberwolves on Monday night produced a dominant defensive display to seize a commanding 2-0 lead in their best-of-seven playoff series against the Denver Nuggets with a 106-80 road victory. The third-seeded Timberwolves harassed Denver relentlessly to claim a second straight win over the NBA champions as the series heads back to Minneapolis for Game 3 on Friday. Karl-Anthony Towns and Anthony Edwards scored 27 points apiece, but the star of the show was Minnesota’s suffocating defensive effort, which knocked Denver out of their stride almost from the tip-off. The Timberwolves finished with 11 steals and 12 blocks, in sharp contrast to
Top-ranked Iga Swiatek on Saturday came through “the most intense and crazy final” she has ever contested to avenge her loss to Aryna Sabalenka in last year’s Madrid Open final with a grueling three hour, 11 minute victory in the Spanish capital. Coming back from 1-3 down in the decider and saving three match points in total, Swiatek claimed a 7-5, 4-6, 7-6 (9/7) victory to secure the Madrid Open trophy for the first time. “Well, who is going to say now that women’s tennis is boring, right?” Swiatek said. Swiatek, who picked up the 20th title of her career, and ninth at
One of Malaysia’s top soccer clubs has pulled out of today’s season-opening Charity Shield after a spate of assaults, including an acid attack, on players in the country. It leaves the kickoff of Malaysia’s season this weekend under a cloud following the unprecedented acts of violence against players, which have left the country shocked and angry. Authorities said they have imposed tighter security, but Selangor said that they would not play in the showpiece curtain-raiser against Malaysian Super League champions Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) citing “a series of criminal incidents and recent threats.” Selangor and Malaysia winger Faisal Halim is in intensive care