Middlesbrough’s Premier League relegation fears increased on Saturday with a 0-0 draw at home to Fulham.
They failed to pose an attacking threat for much of the game and it was Fulham who came closest to breaking the deadlock when striker Andy Johnson’s first-half shot came back off the inside of the post.
Boro move above Newcastle United into 18th place and are six points clear of bottom club West Bromwich Albion, but remain in the relegation zone three points adrift of Blackburn.
PHOTO: AP
They have five matches left to play including Arsenal next Sunday and leaders Manchester United on May 2.
“It wasn’t a performance I can be too critical of. Every player played with everything they had, with passion and heart,” Middlesbrough manager Gareth Southgate told the BBC.
“We’re still in their fighting and we know it’s a mountain to climb but we’re taking little steps. We’re going to have to win a game people don’t expect us to,” he said.
PHOTO: AP
Stoke City recorded their third win in four games to move eight points clear of the relegation zone, courtesy of midfielder Liam Lawrence’s 75th minute winner against a resolute Blackburn Rovers.
On-loan Sunderland striker Djibril Cisse’s first-half header secured three precious points against Hull City to move them into 15th place and edge their visitors closer to the relegation mix.
Hull sit in 16th, one place above Blackburn with both sides just three points clear of Middlesbrough having all played 33 games.
Elsewhere, Nigerian striker Nwankwo Kanu’s 79th-minute strike handed Portsmouth a 1-0 victory over Bolton Wanderers at Fratton Park to move them six points clear of the drop zone.
Fifth placed Aston Villa drew 1-1 with West Ham United to make it eight league games without a win.
England striker Emile Heskey gave Villa the lead after 11 minutes when he met James Milner’s cut back before Spanish striker Diego Tristan equalized for West Ham five minutes from time.
US track and field athletes have about four dozen pieces to choose from when assembling their uniforms at the Olympics. The one grabbing the most attention is a high-cut leotard that barely covers the bikini line and has triggered debate between those who think it is sexist and others who say they do not need the Internet to make sure they have good uniforms. Among those critical or laughing at the uniforms included Paralympian Femita Ayanbeku, sprinter Britton Wilson and even athletes from other countries such as Britain’s Abigail Irozuru, who wrote on social media: “Was ANY female athlete consulted in
Four-time NBA all-star DeMarcus Cousins arrived in Taiwan with his family early yesterday to finish his renewed contract with the Taiwan Beer Leopards in the T1 League. Cousins initially played a four-game contract with the Leopards in January. On March 18, the Taoyuan-based team announced that Cousins had renewed his contract. “Hi what’s up Leopard fans, I’m back. I’m excited to be back and can’t wait to join the team,” Cousins said in a video posted on the Leopard’s Facebook page. “Most of all, can’t wait to see you guys, the fans, next weekend. So make sure you come out and support the Beer
Former US Masters champion Zach Johnson was left embarrassed after a foul-mouthed response to ironic cheers from spectators after a triple bogey at Augusta National on Friday. Johnson, the 2007 Masters winner, missed the cut after his three-over-par round of 75 left him on seven-over 151 for 36 holes, his six on the par-three 12th playing a big role in his downfall. Television footage showed Johnson reacting to sarcastic cheers and applause when he tapped in for the triple bogey by yelling: “Oh fuck off.” Such a response would be considered bad form in any golf tournament, but is particularly out of keeping
Taiwan’s Lee Jhe-huei and Yang Po-hsuan on Saturday won the men’s doubles bronze medal at the Badminton Asia Championships in Ningbo, China, after they were bested by the hosts in their semi-final. The Taiwanese shuttlers lost to China’s Liang Wei Keng and Wang Chang, who advanced to yesterday’s final against Malaysia’s Goh Sze Fei and Nur Izzudin. The Chinese pair outplayed Lee and Yang in straight games. Although the Taiwanese got off to a slow start in the first game, they eventually tied it 14-14, before Liang and Wang went on to blow past them to win 21-17. In the second game, Lee and