Ferguson savours Tottenham clash

Man Utd manager relishing trip to White Hart Lane for Sunday's crunch clash

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson says taking on Tottenham Hotspur is one of the highlights of the season for his club.United travel to White Hart Lane on Sunday for the eagerly-anticipated match that could have significant bearing on both clubs as they look to hunt down Barclays Premier League leaders Manchester City.United are currently in second place, only two points behind City, while Spurs are in third – eight points further adrift – after a superb season to date."Tottenham away is always a tremendous highlight for us, it's always an interesting game with the history of both clubs," said Ferguson, whose side defeated Norwich last time out."It's a real football ground at Tottenham. I enjoy going there and I think the players do too."It's an old-fashioned football ground and Villa Park is much the same. It's a good pitch, it's always been a good pitch and the atmosphere is guaranteed to be good."With the high-profile matches at the top of the table coming thick and fast, Ferguson was under no illusion as to how crucial the Tottenham contest could be."I think everyone at the club realises how important it is on Sunday to maintain our challenge," said Ferguson."We know Sunday is an important game for us. The most important game so far."Hopefully we can navigate it. I'm not interested in anyone else's [title challenge]. We need to win on Sunday."One-offTottenham, meanwhile, will be looking to bounce back after Sunday's 5-2 defeat at the hands of north London rivals Arsenal."We had a bad weekend last weekend but it was a one-off," said Spurs boss Harry Redknapp, whose side have not beaten United in any competition since 2001."Since the first two games of the season we have not really had a bad game, even though we have lost a couple."Last week was the first bad day that we have had but it happens. Everybody has those days. All the clubs have had them this year.We want Champions League football. We're in a great position still.''You have got to be at your best if you're going to get a result against Manchester United. They have done fantastic again."But we've got a big chance, we have got a good team. They are a top team, so are we, so it should be a great game."Redknapp is confident that winger Gareth Bale will be available for the match despite the Welshman suffering a hamstring problem in midweek while midfielder Scott Parker is suspended.Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney has recovered from a throat infection.

Pardew calls for Newcastle response

Magpies boss wants a return to winning ways, starting with derby clash against Sunderland

Newcastle manager Alan Pardew says he wants to use Sunday's Tyne-Wear derby against Sunderland as a springboard for a strong finish to the Barclays Premier League campaign.

The Magpies have had a season to remember so far and are currently sixth in the League table, only three points behind fifth-placed Chelsea.

But Pardew's men have stumbled of late, losing 5-0 away at Tottenham while they failed to hold on to a two-goal lead against Wolves last week, eventually drawing 2-2.

"We aren't firing on all cylinders at the moment, I think our fans know that," said Pardew.

"We got over the line against Villa when it was a bit tight, we didn't play very well at Tottenham and played well for 45 minutes against Wolves.

"We need to come into some form, really, if we are going to challenge the top half of the division, and I am looking to do that on Sunday.

"The focus this week, everywhere we have been in town, is about the derby. We have got to make sure that we come out with credit in terms of our performance and the result."

Newcastle may have won the corresponding fixture 5-1 last season, as well as beating Sunderland 1-0 at the Stadium of Light back in August, but Pardew says he is taking nothing for granted this weekend.

"On Sunday we do need the fans," he added. "This Sunderland team really do work you hard. Martin [O'Neill] has gone in there and got them working as a unit and making it difficult.

"We need that 12^th man and our fans on it to make that place so difficult to play.

"At the start of the game we have got to make sure that we put something on that pitch that gets our fans backing us for 90 minutes and if they do, it's going to make it difficult."

Sunderland, who have been resurgent under the guidance of manager Martin O'Neill, have also hit a sticky patch in the League, losing to both Arsenal and West Bromwich Albion.

The Black Cats have not claimed victory on Tyneside since 2000, and O'Neill is fully aware of what a win will mean to Sunderland fans.

"It's a very, very big game and there's no getting away from that," he said. "It's extremely important, for every reason under the sun. It's as big as they come.

"You want the team to perform and if we perform as well as we have done, last weekend apart, then we'll give ourselves a chance but we will need to be really strong.

"We will be trying hard to get something from the game. We will need to apply ourselves better than we did last week – to be fair that was unusual for us.

"It will be a very big occasion but when everything settles down, if it does, then you have got to play strongly and with a big heart and a cool head, that might be difficult in the cauldron of a derby game like this."

Newcastle duo sign new contracts

Skipper Coloccini and goalkeeper Krul commit to Newcastle United

Newcastle United captain Fabricio Coloccini and goalkeeper Tim Krul have both signed new deals with the club.

Argentine defender Coloccini, 30, has agreed a new four-year contract until 2016, while 23-year-old keeper Krul has committed to the club for a further five years to 2017.

Newcastle manager Alan Pardew said the news was a huge boost ahead of Sunday's Tyne-Wear derby against Sunderland at the Sports Direct Arena.

Pardew added: "Sometimes the most important players are the players you have already, and these guys have both got the chance of player of the year at this club.

"They've been absolutely terrific and deserve their new contracts."

Coloccini, who joined the Magpies in 2008, said his ambition was to win silverware with the club.

He said: "All the players want to do better for the club. We are doing really well and we have to keep going like this.

"We have to keep going, working harder and hopefully at the end of the season speak about Europe."

Krul, who joined Newcastle in 2006, has enjoyed an excellent season after becoming the first-choice stopper.

"We are definitely heading the right way and I am really happy to commit my future for five years," he said.

"Of course committing Colo, our captain, is very important for me also because that just shows the way the club is heading at this stage.

"Times are great at the moment. I owe the club and I owe the manager a lot because he gave me the chance to play in the Premier League."

Van Persie double sinks Liverpool

Dutchman's 25th Barclays Premier League goal of season seals victory for Arsenal

Liverpool 1-2 Arsenal

Robin van Persie volleyed home an injury time winner to secure a fourth consecutive Barclays Premier League victory for Arsenal against Carling Cup winners Liverpool.

Keeper Wojciech Szczesny was Arsenal's hero early on as he saved Dirk Kuyt's penalty - awarded for Szczesny's foul on Luis Suarez - then the Pole reacted brilliantly to palm away the Dutchman's follow-up.

But Liverpool took the lead when Gunners defender Laurent Koscielny inadvertently turned Jordan Henderson's cross into his own net on 23 minutes.

Robin van Persie levelled eight minutes later when he headed in Bacary Sagna's inch-perfect cross.

Arsenal's Mikel Arteta was taken off with a head injury in the second half but in the injury time added for the incident, Van Persie volleyed in Alex Song's pass for his 25th Barclays Premier League goal of the season.

Saturday's Barclays Premier League round-up

Mario Balotelli put the seal on Manchester City's victory

Manchester City 2-0 Bolton Wanderers

Barclays Premier League leaders Manchester City moved five points clear at the top of the table as they eased to victory over Bolton Wanderers.

City began strongly with Mario Balotelli striking the post with a shot early on and Bolton keeper Adam Bogdan saving well from Samir Nasri.

The home side went in front when Gael Clichy's long-range shot deflected off Gretar Steinsson and flew in.

Balotelli then pounced on a loose ball after good work from Adam Johnson to score a second.

The win meant that City equalled Manchester United's Barclays Premier League record of 19 consecutive home wins.

West Bromwich Albion 1-0 Chelsea

Gareth McAuley hit the only goal of the match in the closing stages as West Brom beat Chelsea in a Barclays Premier League match for the first time.

The home side, fresh from thumping wins over Wolverhampton Wanderers and Sunderland, acquitted themselves well against the fifth-placed Blues.

And they got the breakthrough inside the final 10 minutes as McAuley pounced on a loose ball after Liam Ridgewell's cross-shot into the six-yard box.

Frank Lampard sent the ball inches wide in injury time but Chelsea were condemned to a seventh League defeat of the season.

Blackburn Rovers 1-1 Aston Villa

A late header from David Dunn saved a draw for struggling Blackburn against Aston Villa.

Charles N'Zogbia rifled in an excellent left-foot shot early on to put Villa ahead.

But Dunn rose to head in Bradley Orr's cross with five minutes remaining to salvage a potentially vital point for Steve Kean's men.

Wigan Athletic 0-2 Swansea City

Gylfi Sigurdsson hit both goals as Swansea secured their third away win in the Barclays Premier League this season.

The Icelandic international struck from just outside the area in injury time at the end of the first half, then hit an excellent free-kick shortly after the restart.

Swansea's Nathan Dyer was sent off for a foul on the hour mark but Brendan Rodgers' side held on.

Stoke City 1-0 Norwich City

Matthew Etherington's low shot from a tight angle was enough to secure the points for Tony Pulis's side.

The winger was set up by Cameron Jerome for his 72nd-minute goal which saw the Potters move above the Canaries in the table.

Queens Park Rangers 1-1 Everton

QPR and Everton played out an entertaining draw in a hard-fought match at Loftus Road.

The visitors took the lead as Royston Drenthe fired in a low drive from 25 yards after being set up by Steven Pienaar.

QPR levelled through a close-range Bobby Zamora header.

Tim Cahill had hit the woodwork early on for Everton with a left-foot volley, while Rangers hit the post twice in quick succession through Adel Taarabt and Akos Buzsaky.

FCB-Sporting: Superior football (3-1)

Barça put in a gritty performance to see off an ultra defensive Sporting team despite playing most of the second half with ten men after Piqué was sent off 

Late goals from Keita and Xavi sealed the win after Iniesta had opened the scoring in the first half

Barça chalked up their third league win on the trot after overcoming a Sporting team who'd clearly come to defend and park the bus in front of their goal right from the start. Guardiola's men were without Messi who was suspended but they had no difficulty in taking the initiative against such conservative opponents. There was plenty of controversy too, with three pretty clear penalty shouts denied the home team and a harsh looking red for Pique, but although Sporting managed a second half equaliser, Barça showed they are not just the most talented team on the planet, bit also full of steely determination, as Keita and Xavi gave them the points with two splendidly taken goals.

SA sealed 3-0 win against NZ

South Africa (208/5 in 43.2 overs) thrashed New Zealand (206/10 in 47.0 overs) by 5 wickets, and won the series by 3-0.

The series result were announced in second ODI match as Protease secured an easy win over New Zealand in that match. New Zealand team target decreased down with each match, in first match they settled a target of 254, 231 in second while 207 in 3rd match of the series. Rose Taylor was missed badly by New Zealand as he was the main player of the team and helped his team in worst situation.

South Africa introduced new opening pair as they sent Parnell with Amla, not only this but also sent Albie Morlkel to bat at one down position. Black Caps were invited to bat first by South Africa after winning the toss. It was a good a toss to win as New Zealand were bowled out at 206 runs in 47.0 overs.

Openers didn't make anything special for New Zealand as the African side bowlers removed both the openers on 45 runs. Brendon McCullum did well with his 47 runs but he couldn't make it a special innings to save New Zealand from another defeat. Grandhomme made 36 runs on his debut so as the all-rounder Franklin., the debutant Grandhormme hit 3 sixes as well for his short innings. New Zealand team were bowled out at 206 runs in 47.0 overs, Brendon McCullum was the top scorer for New Zealand with 47 runs.

In reply, the bowler "Parnell" was sent to open the innings with Hashim Amla, both the batsmen laid a partnership of 80 runs for the first wicket. Parnell was the first victim of South Africa, he was bowled by Ellison on 27 runs. Albie Morkel who was ignored in bowling, take charge on one down position, Morkel built 58 runs partnership with Hashim Amla for the second \wicket. Hashim Amla after scoring a great innings of 76 runs was caught by Brendon McCullum, Mills was the bowler.

Albie Morkel got on out on 41 runs, while South Africa chased the target in 43.2 overs after losing 5 wickets. de Villiers and Botha remained unbeaten on 9* and 5* runs. With this win South Africa whitewashed New Zealand by 3-0 in ODI series, M de Lange did outstanding job with the bowling for South Africa. He made 4 players of New Zealand as his victims and was given man of the match award.

Fifth title for Federer in Dubai

Roger Federer of Switzerland claimed his fifth Dubai Duty Free Men’s Open tennis title with a 7-5, 6-4 win over Briton Andy Murray.

Swiss second seed scalps Great Britain's Murray 7-5, 6-4 in entertaining final at packed tennis stadium

Dubai: Fans' favourite Roger Federer helped himself to a record fifth title here when he fought past Great Britain's Andy Murray in the final of the Dubai Duty Free Men's Open at a packed Dubai Tennis Stadium on Saturday night.Watched by His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman, Dubai Sports Council, for a major part of the first set, the Swiss went on to record a 7-5, 6-4 victory.The capacity crowd rose to the occasion to welcome Federer as champion for a record fifth time in Dubai following his earlier successes in 2003, 2004, 2005 and 2007. "I think I played well in the big points tonight and that is what made the difference," Federer said.He received the winner's trophy from Shaikh Hasher Maktoum, Dubai Director of Information and President of Tennis Emirates; Shaikh Ahmad Al Sabah, Chairman, Kuwait Tennis Association; Abdul Rahman Falaknaz, Vice-President, Tennis Emirates; Colm McLoughlin, Executive Vice-Chairman, Dubai Duty Free, and other officials.