News From Sport

tesy

2010-05-03T12:05:00.001-07:00

Premier League - Classy Chelsea thump Wolves

2009-11-21T16:40:00.001-08:00

Chelsea underlined their status as Premier League top dogs with a crushing 4-0 win against Wolves at Stamford Bridge.
Michael Essien, Chelsea v Wolves, PA Photos - 0
More Stories

* Matchcast: Chelsea v Wolves
* Match gallery

Florent Malouda opened the scoring with a thunderous early effort, before two goals from Michael Essien and one from Joe Cole put the result beyond all doubt.

Chelsea had put five past Wolves on their two previous Premier League meetings and, while they fell one short of that tally this time, there was no doubting the quality of their attacking play despite numerous high-profile absentees.

Carlo Ancelotti has had to deal with what other managers might call an injury crisis, with Didier Drogba, Frank Lampard, Michael Ballack, Deco and Ricardo Carvalho all missing, although Ashley Cole was fit enough to play.

Yet such is the strength of the Italian's squad, the stellar quintet's absence was hardly noticed.

Joe Cole played at the point of a midfield diamond, with licence to roam and create, but it was the men stationed immediately behind him who made a bigger impact.

Wolves had actually had the best early chance on four minutes, when David Edwards arrived a split-second too late to turn in a low cross from the right, but within 60 seconds Chelsea were in front.

Malouda was allowed to run unchallenged into Wolves territory, and as the defence backed off the Frenchman lashed a left-foot shot into the top-left corner - think Geoff Hurst's third in the 1966 World Cup final.

It was two on 12 minutes, as Malouda delivered an inswinging corner from the right and Essien glided a header past Wayne Hennessey.

Wales goalkeeper Hennessey did not have an afternoon to remember, and was badly at fault for the third Chelsea goal before the mid-point of the first half.

Essien hit a low shot that came through some bodies but was not deflected, and the ball somehow found its way underneath Hennessey's diving body.

Wolves had their moments. Matt Jarvis was inches away from heading in a cross from the left, and Sylvan Ebanks-Blake came even closer on 38 minutes, when he glanced a downward header goalwards but was denied by a brilliant reflex stop by Petr Cech.

However, the respite did not last long. Joe Cole made it four 10 minutes into the second half with a 20-yarder that was teed up by Salomon Kalou - again Hennessey should have done better.

Thereafter it was time for Ancelotti to experiment, and he brought on Gael Kakuta, the man whose arrival from Lens resulted in Chelsea's transfer ban.

The young Frenchman looks an exceptional talent, and within two minutes he had left Richard Stearman for dead and shot into the side netting from a tight angle on the right.

He showed superb poise and touch, and shot narrowly wide 10 minutes from full-time.

Essien strove in vain for his hat-trick blasting shots from every angle. The closest he came was with a dipping long-range effort that Hennessey palmed into the air, and came back off the bar.
Alex Chick / Eurosport

Premier League - Liverpool and City share spoils

2009-11-21T16:39:00.000-08:00

Liverpool and Manchester City shared a thrilling 2-2 draw in their Premier League clash with all four goals coming in an enthralling second half at Anfield.
Manchester City's Adebayor celebrates with Ireland and Wright-Phillips after scoring against Liverpool, REUTERS - 0
More Stories

* Matchcast: Liverpool v Manchester City
* Match gallery

The pressure will mount further on Reds boss Rafael Benitez as his side look set to slip further behind their rivals in the league having gone into the match 11 points adrift of leaders Chelsea.

Martin Skrtel gave Liverpool the lead after the defender stole in ahead of Emmanuel Adebayor in the 50th minute to stab home from Steven Gerrard's inswinging delivery.

Adebayor levelled at 1-1 with a towering header which he directed superbly into the bottom corner as Liverpool were punished for some terribly slack marking in their penalty area in the 69th minute.

Stephen Ireland then slammed City in front after Shaun Wright-Phillips turned his marker to square the ball to the midfielder from close range, 14 minutes from time.

But substitute Yossi Benayoun hit straight back a minute later for the hosts, the Israeli tapping home from David Ngog's deflected shot as Benitez's side grabbed a deserved point.

The first half was a drab affair with Liverpool devoid of inspiration in the final third of the field as City defended stoutly, before a chaotic second period ensued.

Steven Gerrard returned for Liverpool, with Alberto Aquilani and Benayoun confined to the bench, while Ngog replaced Torres at the point of the Reds' attack.

For City, Carlos Tevez and Roque Santa Cruz had to settle for places on the bench as Craig Bellamy partnered Adebayor as Gareth Barry played against the side for which he once came close to starring.

It could have been different for the Reds as early as the fifth minute when Gerrard whipped in a vicious free-kick from the right and Joleon Lescott inadvertently deflected it to Skrtel, who was loitering at the back post, but his header was tipped wide by Shay Given with a stunning reflex save.

At the other end, Barry stole in at the back post with the midfielder inexplicably unmarked from Ireland's dinked cross, but his header was tame and Pepe Reina was able to parry the ball wide to alleviate the danger.

The hosts' task was made all the more arduous as first Daniel Agger - with a nasty eye injury - then Ryan Babel, were forced off the field with Sotirios Kyrgiakos and Benayoun the men to step in.

A characteristic run from the returning Gerrard saw the Liverpool skipper surge into the City box at pace and unleashe a fierce shot, but it drifted narrowly wide of the top corner of Given's net after Pablo Zabaleta was outfoxed, not for the first time.

On the half-hour, an unusually subdued Dirk Kuyt fired a low volley from the edge of the City box, but it deflected off the excellent Lescott's ankle and away for a corner as Liverpool's forward play continued to peter out in the final third.

Mark Hughes made an enforced change at half-time as Nedum Onuoha replaced the City captain Kolo Toure, who sustained a thigh strain early on.

Liverpool started the second half with urgency and were rewarded with the opening goal as Gerrard whipped in a devilish delivery from a free-kick out on the left and Skrtel stole in ahead of his marker Adebayor - not for the first time - to stab the ball past Given.

Hughes responded quickly to introduce Carlos Tevez with Gareth Barry forced to make way and the attacking change reaped its rewards.

Adebayor equalised with a majestic header into the bottom corner as City capitalised on their hosts' shoddy marking.

The Argentine found Wright-Phillips on the left side of the Liverpool box and the winger proceeded to turn Krygiakos as if he were not there and squared the ball across to Ireland who tucked the ball past Reina to stun the hosts.

But Liverpool hit straight back as Ngog fired a cross-shot to the far post and it took a vicious deflection off Lescott with the ball squirming out to Benayoun who was able to tap the ball home.

Liverpool remain a point behind City in seventh place after making it three games without a win, while Hughes's side recorded their fifth consecutive draw with neither manager entirely satisfied.
Dan Quarrell / Eurosport

Premier League - Dominant United shrug aside Everton

2009-11-21T16:38:00.000-08:00

Manchester United produced a dominant display to hand out a 3-0 defeat to Everton at Old Trafford.
Manchester United's Darren Fletcher scores his side's first goal of the game against everton - 0
More Stories

* Matchcast: Manchester United v Everton
* Match gallery

With Chelsea winning so convincingly earlier in the day, it was imperative Sir Alex Ferguson's side answered the call. And they did that in style, as goals from Darren Fletcher, Michael Carrick and Antonio Valencia capped an impressive performance.

United's victory kept them five points behind Chelsea and the manner of the win as much as the result will have pleased Ferguson, as his players shrugged aside an Everton team who came with the intention of defending for their lives.

Everton deployed Louis Saha in a lone attacking role and the 4-5-1 formation simply invited United on.

And at Old Trafford, or any other ground for that matter, the champions do not need a second invitation to attack and for the first 15 minutes the game resembled a siege.

But a shot that fizzed wide from Wayne Rooney was United's only noteworthy effort as Everton defended with spirit and in numbers.

Everton were rarely seen as an attacking force, although Saha showed his prowess in the penalty area when swivelling and shooting on target from Leighton Baines's cross.

Fletcher has grown in stature over the past 18 months and is an integral player for United. He dominated the midfield in the opening half and it came as no surprise that he fired his side ahead on 35 minutes.

The impressive Patrice Evra delivered a long cross from the left that was nodded to Fletcher on the edge of the box. With the ball bouncing high, Fletcher got his leg over the ball and made sweet contact, sending his shot arrowing into the top corner.

David Moyes threw on Yakubu for Dan Gosling at the interval to provide his side with some added punch and it had an impact.

Sylvain Distin found himself in an advanced position and shrugged off Rafael before teeing-up Saha, but his shot drifted wide, while John Heitinga fired straight at Edwin van der Sar.

Everton opened up United shortly before the hour and Marouane Fellaini tucked the ball home, but he had strayed fractionally offside.

Shortly afterwards Van der Sar had to be alert to race off his line and gather with Tim Cahill closing in as Everton threatened an upset.

Yakubu was the man who played the ball in for Cahill and his impact was impressive. The big Nigerian's presence was an unsettling one for United and he shrugged aside Wes Brown before shooting narrowly wide.

United have the ability to take the wind from opponents' sails and they did that on 67 minutes.

The second goal had a touch of fortune to it as Rooney's shot from a corner was so poor that it went all the way back to Ryan Giggs who had taken the corner. The Welshman looked up and picked out Carrick and he slotted the ball into the corner to nip the Everton resurgence in the bud.

Paul Scholes turned 35 this week and the legs may not have the zip of old, but the mind remains sharp and he fashioned the third for Valencia on 76 minutes with a short burst and neat pass.
Eurosport

Premier League - Bent strike downs Arsenal

2009-11-21T16:33:00.000-08:00

Arsenal suffered their first defeat since September as they lost 1-0 to Sunderland at the Stadium of Light.
Sunderland's English midfielder Kieran Richardson v Arsenal, AFP - 0
More Stories

* Matchcast: Sunderland v Arsenal
* Match Gallery

Darren Bent's second-half goal was enough to see the Gunners lose for the first time since their defeat at Manchester City on September 12.

The loss was also the first time Arsenal have failed to score all season, having managed a Premier League record 36 goals from their opening 11 matches of the campaign.

Bent's ninth Premier League goal of the season came with 20 minutes to go after he rose to head Andy Reid's corner.

The initial effort was off target, but the ball rebounded off the leg of Fraizer Campbell and back into Bent's path, and the England striker got to it just before Manuel Almunia to score.

The win means Sunderland stay on eighth place, but they are now level on points with Liverpool.

Sunderland's Marton Fulop - in for the injured Craig Gordon - was the first of the two goalkeepers to be called into action after five minutes.

Fabregas acrobatically hooked Bacary Sagna's cross back into the centre for Tomas Rosicky to fire a shot that forced a good reaction save from Fulop.

Typically, Fabregas was at the centre of everything good about Arsenal's performance, and he had chances of his own as he fired two long range strikes over the bar in the first half.

With Robin van Persie out injured, Eduardo was the lone front man for Arsenal. The Croatia international exchanged passes with Alexandre Song but was off balance as he arrived in the box, and he shot chipped over Fulop dropped wide of the far post.

Sunderland made several chances of their own, with the best of them in the first half falling to Steed Malbranque. The French midfielder fired two shots over the bar in the space of a few minutes.

After a quieter start to the second half, Arsene Wenger brought on Andrei Arshavin on the hour mark. The Russian's introduction brought fresh impetus to the Gunners, but once they fell behind Wenger also threw on Carlos Vela and Theo Walcott, but to no avail.

Fabregas was at full stretch as he tried to turn in a Vela cross in the dying moments, but could not get a touch on the ball.
Tony Mabert / Eurosport

Premier League - Saha scores as Pompey lose

2009-09-26T13:06:00.001-07:00

A Louis Saha goal condemned Portsmouth to their seventh consecutive Premier League defeat, as they lost 1-0 to Everton at Fratton Park.

Premier League - Arsenal ride luck at Fulham

2009-09-26T13:04:00.001-07:00

Third-choice goalkeeper Vito Mannone produced a stunning display to earn Arsenal a 1-0 Premier League win away to Fulham.

Serie A - Samp down Inter; Livorno v Fiorentina: LIVE

2009-09-26T13:03:00.002-07:00

Sampdoria cemented their standing as genuine title challengers with a 1-0 win over champions Inter.

Hamilton storms to pole in Singapore

2009-09-26T13:03:00.001-07:00

McLaren's world champion Lewis Hamilton will start the Singapore Grand Prix on pole position after title contender Rubens Barrichello crashed in the dying seconds of qualifying.

Premier League - Torres hat-trick trounces Hull

2009-09-26T13:02:00.001-07:00

A stunning hat-trick from Fernando Torres saw Liverpool inflict an emphatic 6-1 Premier League win over Hull as the striker ran riot at Anfield.

Premier League - Giggs sends United top

2009-09-26T13:01:00.002-07:00

Manchester United went top of the Premier League with a 2-0 win against Stoke City at the Britannia Stadium.

Premier League - Wigan stun 10-man Chelsea

2009-09-26T13:01:00.001-07:00

Wigan secured a famous 3-1 victory over 10-man Chelsea, their first over one of the 'big four' in 35 matches, at the DW Stadium to knock the Blues off the top of the Premier League table.

All 2,600 top paying keywords for Google Adsense are listed in alphabetical order.

2009-09-21T06:29:00.000-07:00

Found 360 Google Adsense Top Paying Keywords starting with letter A
Google adsense keywords are sorted by highest average CPS. Click on a header link to switch order.

Max CPC

Avg CPC

Top Paying Keywords

190.41

17.12

adsense

141.00

23.29

american singles

133.02

21.20

att wireless com

110.73

18.19

att prepaid

107.72

18.85

acid reflux disease diet

103.44

16.30

att go phone

102.69

23.03

att prepaid wireless

101.30

28.23

att go

101.26

25.84

at and t

96.87

31.10

adverse credit remortgage

93.12

26.17

adverse remortgage

92.95

15.23

att cingular

91.48

7.72

att go phone wireless

90.69

6.29

att mobile

90.48

27.11

at t wireless

89.98

8.97

adult personals yahoo

89.97

16.77

at and t mobile

86.48

12.91

acid reflux syndrome

80.62

16.61

augmentation breast diego san

80.05

7.29

att cellular

79.48

12.64

at and t cell

77.83

6.33

att gophone

76.26

9.52

at t prepaid

74.91

12.88

attorney dui florida

73.86

8.66

american express insurance

Premier League - Saha at the double for Toffees

2009-09-20T14:27:00.001-07:00

Everton defeated Blackburn Rovers 3-0 to move out of the Premier League's bottom three, with two goals from Louis Saha helping to continue the striker's one-sided love affair with Sunday's opponents.

Premier League - Owen the late hero as United win derby

2009-09-20T14:26:00.002-07:00

Substitute Michael Owen netted a dramatic injury-time winner as United beat City 4-3 in a pulsating Manchester derby at Old Trafford.

Premier League - Chelsea see off Spurs challenge

2009-09-20T14:26:00.001-07:00

Chelsea restored their three-point lead at the top of the Premier League with a 3-0 win over bitter rivals Tottenham at Stamford Bridge.

Premier League - Managers: Hughes defends Bellamy

2009-09-20T14:25:00.000-07:00

Reaction from Sunday's Premier League action, with Manchester City boss Mark Hughes defending Craig Bellamy after the striker appeared to clash with a fan on the pitch at Old Trafford.

Championship - Coloccini sends Newcastle top

2009-09-13T11:21:00.000-07:00

Fabricio Coloccini scored his first goal for Newcastle as they made it five straight league wins and moved back to the top of the Championship.

Premiership - Exiles down sloppy Gloucester

2009-09-13T11:20:00.004-07:00

Delon Armitage gave England an injury scare after being helped off in London Irish's emphatic 40-10 Premiership victory over Gloucester.

Premier League - Paper round: Harry's Olympic gig

2009-09-13T11:20:00.003-07:00

Harry Redknapp is in pole position to manage the Great Britain football team at the 2012 Olympics in London.

Serie A - Round-up: Eto'o fires Inter to victory

2009-09-13T11:20:00.001-07:00

Serie A - Round-up: Eto'o fires Inter to victory

Samuel Eto'o scored a spectacular goal to set Internazionale on their way to a 2-0 win over Parma while Roma came from behind to beat Siena 2-1 in Claudio Ranieri's first match in charge.

O'Sullivan triumphs in Shanghai

2009-09-13T11:19:00.001-07:00

Ronnie O'Sullivan captured his 22nd ranking title by defeating China's Liang Wenbo 10-5 in the final of the Shanghai Masters.

Premier League - Villa snatch scrappy derby win

2009-09-13T11:18:00.000-07:00

Gabriel Agbonlahor's late header gave Aston Villa a 1-0 victory at Birmingham City in a derby game high on passion but low on quality.

Premier League - Fulham comeback stuns Everton

2009-09-13T11:16:00.000-07:00

Damien Duff produced a moment of magic at Craven Cottage to defeat Everton and kick-start Fulham's Premier League campaign.

Hamilton takes pole at Monza

2009-09-12T13:15:00.000-07:00

McLaren's Formula One champion Lewis Hamilton seized a last-gasp pole position for the Italian Grand Prix from Force India driver Adrian Sutil.

Premier League - Chelsea leave it late at Stoke

2009-09-12T13:14:00.000-07:00

Florent Malouda struck deep in injury time to hand Premier League leaders Chelsea a hard-fought 2-1 win over battling Stoke City at the Britannia Stadium.

Premier League - Benayoun treble downs Burnley

2009-09-12T13:13:00.000-07:00

Yossi Benayoun treated Anfield to a virtuoso performance, scoring a hat-trick as Liverpool brushed Burnley aside 4-0.

Premier League - United overcome Defoe magic

2009-09-12T13:11:00.000-07:00

Ten-man Manchester United came from a goal down to win 3-1 at White Hart Lane and end Tottenham's 100 per cent Premier League record.

World Cup qual. - Keane header earns Ireland win

2009-09-05T14:30:00.004-07:00

A Robbie Keane header seven minutes from time earned the Republic of Ireland a crucial 2-1 win in Cyprus in their Group 8 World Cup qualifier.

World Cup qual. - Poland peg back Northern Ireland

2009-09-05T14:30:00.003-07:00

Northern Ireland's hopes of reaching the World Cup finals are still alive after they battled to a 1-1 draw against Poland in Chorzow.

World Cup qual. - Scotland still alive with Macedonia win

2009-09-05T14:30:00.001-07:00

Scotland kept their World Cup hopes alive with a 2-0 victory over Macedonia at Hampden Park in their Group 9 contest.

England down decent Slovenia

2009-09-05T14:29:00.001-07:00

England warmed up for their World Cup clash with Croatia in midweek with a 2-1 win over Slovenia in a friendly at Wembley.

Fletcher: I would never dive

2009-09-05T04:38:00.001-07:00

Scotland skipper Darren Fletcher has vowed never to resort to simulation to win a match - even if it could mean the difference between qualifying for the World Cup and not.

The issue of diving has dominated the headlines since Arsenal striker Eduardo earned a dubious penalty against Celtic to help the Gunners book their place in the group stages of the Champions League. And the debate continued north of the border after Celtic's Aiden McGeady was dismissed for diving during their Clydesdale Bank Premier League victory over Hibernian.

Fletcher is adamant that honesty is always the best policy, regardless of the outcome. "I'd play honestly every time I play," said the Manchester United midfielder.

"Sometimes a keeper can obstruct you and you stumble and fall and there is a difference between that and diving.

"That's where there is not a clear, defined line about how the referee perceives it.

"But if he doesn't touch me, I'm not going down. That's just the way it is."

World Cup qual. - Brunt blow for Northern Ireland

2009-09-05T04:34:00.000-07:00

Northern Ireland have been dealt a midfield headache after Chris Brunt pulled out of their World Cup qualifying clash with Poland.

World Cup qual. - Scotland suffer Berra blow

2009-09-05T04:33:00.002-07:00

Christophe Berra has been ruled out of Scotland's World Cup qualifier with Macedonia on Saturday due to illness.

Premier League - Goal of the week: Arshavin wins

2009-09-05T04:33:00.001-07:00

Andrei Arshavin's long-range strike for Arsenal against Manchester United has taken Premier League goal of the week honours.

No anti-English conspiracy

2009-09-05T04:32:00.001-07:00

What might have been a quiet international week has been dominated by two huge stories involving the authorities cracking down on English clubs.

Arsenal's Eduardo has been given a two-match ban for his dive against Celtic, and more shockingly Chelsea have received a 16-month ban on signing players after FIFA found them guilty of inducing Gael Kakuta to break his contract.

Both clubs feel hard done by and have appealed, but I think it is fanciful to suggest there is a conspiracy against English clubs from football's authorities.

I feel a bit sorry for Chelsea, because they appear to have been caught out doing something everyone else is doing, and which is ingrained in the game.

That is not to say the practice is not wrong. Parents of youngsters have their heads turned by the money being offered by these big clubs, but when you see the age of some of these kids it is almost like child trafficking. I think no footballer should be allowed to leave his home country until is 18.

It is good that FIFA want to make a stand, but I would be surprised if Chelsea cannot get the punishment reduced on appeal.

Chelsea have an ageing squad and of course the embargo will affect them. However, if they can get the period cut so it only affects them next January, they should be alright.

This case has certainly opened a can of worms. Le Havre have already made a complaint over Manchester United's signing of Paul Pogba, which United have described as "nonsense", and I think we will see plenty of people coming out of the woodwork.

It will go on and on, and FIFA really need to look fundamentally at the way transfers are conducted. There is so much money flying about and so many underhand practices, the whole thing needs a root-and-branch reform.

Compared with the Chelsea affair, Eduardo's two-match ban for diving looks like small beer.

The powers-that-be have got to start somewhere in the fight against diving, and it is just unfortunate for Eduardo that they started with him.

Of course plenty of other players are doing the same thing, but he was caught bang-to-rights and Arsenal should just accept the punishment.

Arsene Wenger is famous for not seeing incidents, but he has had to watch several thousand replays of Eduardo's dive in the last week.

Of course Wenger is right that UEFA need to have a systematic approach to diving and not just cherry-pick certain high-profile cases.

The authorities in this country should take the initiative and appoint a panel to look at every professional game and cite divers within 24 hours, whether the referee spots them at the time or not.

Everybody wants consistency, and you can only achieve that by going after all of the divers or none of them. I know which option I prefer.

International Football - Capello wants to stay until 2012

2009-09-05T04:31:00.000-07:00

Fabio Capello has revealed he intends to remain England manager until 2012.

Serie A - Round-up: Diego inspires Juventus

2009-08-30T14:47:00.001-07:00

Juventus won 3-1 at Roma in Serie A thanks to goals from Brazilians Diego and Felipe Melo.

Diego (pictured) put the visitors ahead on 25 minutes after a mistake from Marco Cassetti but Daniele De Rossi equalised with a spectacular long-range shot 10 minutes later.

Juve went back in front with just over half an hour left thanks to a brilliant goal from Diego, while Melo sealed an impressive debut with an individual effort of his own deep into stoppage time.

It is wins from two Serie A games for the Bianconeri this season, while Luciano Spalletti's side have yet to get a point.

Juventus were the better side in the first half but Roma could easily have gone into the break ahead.

The visitors went close with Amauri agonisingly close to converting Vincenzo Iaquinta's left-wing cross while Giorgio Chiellini forced a good stop from Julius Sergio with a near-post header from Diego's corner.

They took the lead after a moment of madness from Roma right-back Cassetti, who gave the ball away to Diego just inside the hosts' half.

The Brazilian, in his second game for Juve, raced clear of Cassetti, held off a challenge from John Arne Riise and clipped a low finish into the far corner.

Roma levelled 10 minutes later after a quickly-taken free-kick by David Pizarro released De Rossi, who took a touch and fired a brilliant, dipping shot into the top right with Gianluigi Buffon off his line.

Amauri hit the woodwork with two minutes of the half remaining, but Roma spurned a great chance to take the lead in stoppage time after Jeremy Menez sent Francesco Totti clean on goal only for Buffon to block brilliantly.

Eight minutes into the second half, Roma debutant Sergio made a good stop from Amauri's drive, and he repeated the heroics 13 minutes later when the former Palermo striker headed sub Mauro Camaronesi's cross to the bottom left.

Juve were in the ascendance and got their goal thanks to a moment of brilliance from Diego on 68 minutes.

Racing on to Iaquinta's through-ball on the right, the man who signed from Werder Bremen in the summer shimmied in and out without touching the ball to leave the Roma defence for dead before drilling a low finish into the bottom left.

Roma responded with urgency but Menez fired wide while Totti saw a low drive deflected against the post.

Juve were holding on and boss Ciro Ferrara looked worried when the fourth official signalled five minutes in injury time.

But Melo had other ideas, somehow finding the energy to run from halfway as Roma stood off, allowing him to drill a left-foot shot from the edge of the box past the diving Julio Sergio into the bottom right.

Fiorentina 1-0 Palermo

Fiorentina edged out Palermo 1-0 in their Serie A clash at the Stadio Artemio Franchi courtesy of a 29th- minute strike from Stevan Jovetic.

The 19-year-old forward stole in front of Cesare Bovo to finish clinically after Gianluca Comotto's effort was parried by Rubinho in the Palermo goal.

The second half was fragmented as both sides made their full allocation of substitutions and Palermo were unable to force an equaliser.

Referee Daniele Orsato dished out four second-half yellow cards as the play became increasingly scrappy but Fiorentina clung on to clinch their first win of the new campaign.

Elsewhere, Roberto Donadoni's Napoli beat his former side Livorno 3-1 with new signing Fabio Quagliarella scoring his first two goals for his hometown club.

Sampdoria overcame Udinese 3-1, promoted Parma edged past Catania 2-1 and Genoa won 1-0 at Atalanta .

Former Inter striker Julio Cruz scored a penalty and tapped in to give Lazio a 2-1 victory at Chievo and Siena were 3-1 winners at Cagliari.

Eurosport

Premier League - Baines gives Everton late win

2009-08-30T14:45:00.001-07:00

Leighton Baines scored an injury time penalty to give Everton a 2-1 win over Wigan at Goodison Park, for their first Premier League victory of the season.

Premier League - Easy win for Villa over Fulham

2009-08-30T14:43:00.001-07:00

Aston Villa were comfortable 2-0 winners over Fulham at Villa Park in the Premier League.

Premier League - City continue perfect start at Fratton Park

2009-08-30T14:42:00.000-07:00

Manchester City continued their perfect start to the new Premier League season with an assured 1-0 win against Portsmouth at Fratton Park.

Chief referee 'will apologise to Wenger'

2009-08-30T06:14:00.000-07:00

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is set to receive an apology from Premier League referees chief Keith Hackett following his dismissal in Saturday's 2-1 defeat to Manchester United.
FOOTBALL Arsenal's manager Arsene Wenger is sent off from the touchline by the referee Mike Dean Premier League 2009 - 0
More Stories

* United end Arsenal run
* Managers: Wenger explains himself

League Managers Association chief executive Richard Bevan has spoken to Hackett about the Old Trafford incident which saw Wenger sent to the stands by referee Mike Dean on the advice of fourth official Lee Probert.

And he has been told that Wenger will receive an apology from the Premier Game Match Officials Board which appoints officials to top-flight games in England.

The Gunners boss caught Probert's attention when he kicked an empty water bottle down the touchline following a disallowed goal for Arsenal in the final minutes.

On the decision to penalise Wenger, Bevan said: "Although correct in 'law', it was completely out of context in the game and it was followed by the nonsense which followed over where Arsene Wenger should sit.

"I've spoken to Keith Hackett and he fully recognises the situation was an error and an apology will follow to Arsene Wenger.

"Lee Probert totally failed to manage the situation and created a needless pressure point taking the focus away from the pitch in a big event with only a minute to go."
AFP

Serie A - Imperious Inter thrash Milan

2009-08-29T14:14:00.001-07:00

Internazionale thrashed rivals Milan after three first-half strikes gave Jose Mourinho's side a 4-0 victory in their Serie A clash at the San Siro.

Premier League - United end Arsenal run

2009-08-29T14:13:00.002-07:00

Manchester United ended Arsenal's perfect start to the season as they came from behind to win 2-1 at Old Trafford in the Premier League.

La Liga - Ronaldo scores on winning Real debut

2009-08-29T14:13:00.001-07:00

Real Madrid overcame a stubborn Deportivo La Coruna side 3-2 in their Liga opener at the Bernabeu thanks to goals from Raul, Cristiano Ronaldo and Lassana Diarra.

Premier League - Gerrard gives Liverpool victory

2009-08-29T14:12:00.000-07:00

Liverpool twice came from behind to beat Bolton 3-2 at the Reebok Stadium, Steven Gerrard striking a trademark late winner on the volley into the top corner.

La Liga - Atletico ponder late deals

2009-08-29T06:00:00.001-07:00

Atletico Madrid could add to their squad before the transfer window closes on Monday.

"It could be that something happens at the last minute," coach Abel Resino said.

Spanish media have reported that Atletico are interested in signing France right back Rod Fanni from Stade Rennes and that Real Madrid's Miguel Torres is another possibility.

Reuters

La Liga - Pedro praised by Guardiola

2009-08-29T05:58:00.002-07:00

Barcelona's Pedro Rodriguez was praised by manager Pep Guardiola for the goal that clinched the Super Cup in a 1-0 win over UEFA Cup holders Shakhtar Donetsk to give his European champions a fifth trophy since May.

Carling Cup - Liverpool face Leeds trip

2009-08-29T05:58:00.001-07:00

Carling Cup - Liverpool face Leeds trip

Eurosport - Sat, 29 Aug 12:49:00 2009

Liverpool's trip to Leeds United is the highlight of the Carling Cup third round draw.

Parker: Arsenal primed to attack United

2009-08-29T05:56:00.000-07:00

Match of the weekend: Manchester United v Arsenal

This is obviously the stand-out fixture of the weekend. There have been plenty of classic matches between the two sides, and this could be an encounter to savour.

United have been typically slow to get out of the blocks. The season has just kicked off and they have lacked their usual energy, pace and creativity. They will hope the last 40 minutes against Wigan, when they tore them apart, have helped them slip into top gear.

Arsenal are off to a flier, but the absence of Cesc Fabregas is a real blow for them. They have made a great start, but as ever there are questions about their durability.

However, if they stay true to their philosophy and have areal go at United they could get a result.

Sir Alex Ferguson has a problem in midfield, where he might need to play all three of Darren Fletcher, Anderson and Park Ji-Sung to combat Arsenal's energy and endeavour, but that would leave United short of options out wide. It should be fascinating.

Upset of the weekend: Portsmouth v Manchester City

It really would be a surprise if Portsmouth pulled this off - they look as bad as any Premier League side I have seen for a long time, while City have made a solid start and have not yet conceded a goal.

So why do I think there might be a shock? Mark Hughes has filled his side with players who love the big stage, but I am not sure they will be so comfortable at Fratton Park, which is one of the few remaining grounds where the crowd make a big difference.

The first goal will be crucial - if City get it, I can't see them surrendering their lead. But if Portsmouth go in front, they might just upset their millionaire visitors' equilibrium enough to sneak a result.

Player to watch: Jozy Altidore, Hull City

Phil Brown's approach to transfers might seem scattergun at times, but he seems to have found a real gem, signed on loan from Villarreal.

He set up a goal 30 seconds into his debut and scored against Southend on Tuesday; he is a real handful, and looks like a typical American player in that he has outstanding work rate and determination.

Of course he still has plenty to prove and he can start against Wolves. The lack of a consistent front man was a big reason behind their collapse last season - if Altidore keeps firing things could be easier this time around.

Under pressure: Gary Megson and Rafa Benitez

There will be plenty of bitten nails and hoarse voices when Bolton play Liverpool at the Reebok Stadium.

Megson's Bolton were booed off last week against Hull, and must avoid defeat to get the fans off their backs and register their first point of the season.

Two defeats in the first three have left Liverpool bereft of confidence and more importantly points.

They have really missed the midfield linking play of Xabi Alonso and do not look a happy side, constantly arguing with officials when things go against them.

With leaders Chelsea expected to win at home to Burnley, even a draw would leave Liverpool eight points off the top on Saturday night. Not an insurmountable lead at this early stage, of course, but hardly the start Benitez would have wanted.

Champions League - Platini plans to end 'sugar daddy' era

2009-08-28T05:51:00.001-07:00

UEFA president Michel Platini revealed his plans for financial reforms in European football which could signal the end of "sugar daddies" buying into the game and transforming the fortunes of a club.

Set your alarm for March

2009-08-28T05:50:00.001-07:00

You have to wonder if the British teams in the Champions League did that old trick with the heated balls.

Talk about an easy ride. While Barcelona play Inter and Real Madrid face Milan, Arsenal have got AZ Alkmaar. We know that the group stages of the competition are little more than a holding operation before the real thing begins in the spring, but even so, Manchester United, Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea might as well have been handed a bye.

Not, of course, that they did not find cause for complaint. Sir Alex was worried about travel fatigue for his United players. The thought of being obliged to yomp all that way to Moscow and Istanbul to play CSKA and Besiktas upset the poor old soul. Apparently unaware that Rio Ferdinand happily flits midweek to a party in Florida and Wayne Rooney is forever swishing over to Spain for a video game shoot, Ferguson is worried that travel, far from broadening his players' minds, compromises their hamstrings.

Three thousand miles each way to Russia is not what he wants midweek in a crowded fixture calendar. Mind, given his record, Ferguson was probably using a bit of psychology here, some diversionary tactics from what he knows is the biggest threat to his team's advancing. That comes not from cramping up in the first class cabin, but from the identity of the fourth member of his group.

Wolfsburg may only be a relatively short hop across the channel to Germany, but the Bundesliga champions were oddly served by the draw. Quite how the best team in the fourth best league in Europe ended up as fourth seeds is a question for one of Michel Platini's seminars. With their striking partnership of the Brazilian Grafite and the Bosnian Edin Dzeko wreaking havoc on German defensive discipline last season, it is not fanciful to see them coming second behind United. And possibly taking a few points from them along the way.

Liverpool and Chelsea, on the other hand, both face foes not so much familiar as wearisomely repetitive. When the draw is made you can stake your mortgage on the certainty that Lyon will be pitched up against an English club. As for Chelsea against Porto, it seems to happen as regularly as Chelsea against West Ham. And rarely have the Portuguese threaten to derail blue ambition. Arsene Wenger, meanwhile, will already be planning to rest key players from the hurly burly of the Premier League during fixtures against Alkmaar, Olympiakos and Standard Liege. We can expect several whey-faced youngsters to turn out in those games. And that's just Andrei Arshavin.

The problem with the group stage is that it is now almost entirely political. The expansion of the competition that Michel Platini requires in order to garner the votes to stay in office has not affected the power structure of the draw. That remains all about ensuring that the big clubs gain a clean and clear run at the knockout stages, the place where the television money really kicks in. If there was a chance of them not being there, they would take their ball away and organise a competition of their own.

UEFA can no more afford a final stage without their marquee names than the marquee names can afford to miss out. So we can now safely say that the last 16 will feature Arsenal, United, Liverpool, Chelsea, Milan, Real Madrid, Inter and Barcelona, plus in all likelihood, Bayern Munich, Fiorentina, Atletico Madrid and Stuttgart. That is what the big clubs demand and that is what UEFA will deliver.

Which leaves us with what? Well, three months of jet lag, Arsenal debutants and Fergie wondering why it is only his team that is obliged to play away at tea time on Saturday after a Wednesday night away in Europe. The Champions League group stage is not a competition, it's a waiting room until the real thing starts in the spring. Set your alarms for March: there is precious little in this draw to keep you awake until then.

Hughes: More to come from Tevez

2009-08-28T05:48:00.000-07:00

Manchester City boss Mark Hughes backed Carlos Tevez to stay on the goal trail after the striker got off the mark in the 2-0 Carling Cup win at Crystal Palace.

Tevez, who hit 34 goals in two seasons for Manchester United, found the net for the first time since swapping red for light blue as City saw off plucky Palace.

"That was important for him," said Hughes. "I hoped he would get opportunities and he was able to get off the mark. His energy and enthusiasm for the game shone through.

"The more he plays for us, the better he will become. We've got Emmanuel Adebayor and Carlos off the mark now so we are delighted."

Bundesliga - Real star Robben joins Bayern

2009-08-28T05:46:00.000-07:00

Bundesliga - Real star Robben joins Bayern

Bayern Munich have completed the signing of Real Madrid winger Arjen Robben for an undisclosed fee.

Arsenal's revival faces Man Utd test

2009-08-28T05:45:00.001-07:00

Arsene Wenger's confidence in Arsenal is almost set in concrete - unbreakable even under the greatest strain. And yet it has rarely been as hopelessly misplaced as it was before a meeting with Manchester United last May.

Wenger watched Arsenal being outclassed in the Champions League semi-final first leg at Old Trafford and used this flimsy (make that non-existent) evidence to announce victory would be theirs in the return - even inviting one cynic to meet him at his triumphant media conference.

A slight problem then arose. United exposed a rather glaring failing in Wenger's optimism by scoring twice in the first 11 minutes at the Emirates, transforming what was meant to be a glory night into what the Arsenal manager confessed was the worst moment of his career.

Arsenal meet Manchester United again at Old Trafford on Saturday and Wenger once again travels with great hope after a virtually flawless start to the season, recording four emphatic victories.

It is not hope without foundation because circumstances, and more significantly personnel, have changed. Cristiano Ronaldo, the two-goal tormentor of Arsenal that night at the Emirates has gone to Real Madrid, and Wenger has gone some way to addressing a flaw in his side's make-up.

Arsene Wenger will fancy his side's chances against Manchester United

Wenger accepts confidence is a crucial commodity to take on your journey to Old Trafford. He never travels without it - and Arsenal should also have a plentiful supply after impressive opening exchanges in the new campaign.

It is a game laced with intrigue on both sides. Too much can be written into early defeats or victories, but this will undoubtedly prove a test of Wenger's renewal of his Arsenal team after last season fizzled out - and also an examination of United's potency post-Ronaldo.

And as the first meeting between two of the Premier League's four accepted heavyweights, points are to be made, markers to be laid down.

Wenger has already promised a positive approach, accepting Arsenal's passive nature undermined their hopes of winning the Champions League games.

In his own words Arsenal are "structured to go forward" - but he has also made what, on first evidence, looks to be a typically shrewd investment at the back in Belgian Thomas Vermaelen. The £10m paid to Ajax for Vermaelen and the £16m raked in from Manchester City for Kolo Toure seems a fair exchange.

Vermaelen, while not a giant in defensive terms, has played with reassuring authority and even got on the scoresheet against Everton. It will, however, be a test of him as well as Arsenal against Manchester United.

The question mark over Arsenal's start comes with the quality of opposition. Everton were a broken team almost before they took the field at Goodison Park as a result of the Joleon Lescott transfer saga - although it is churlish to undermine the quality of the football that brought a deserved 6-1 rout.

What cannot be underplayed is the excellence of the 2-0 win at Celtic. Giants have fallen on that hostile territory and a team with a faint heart does not win Champions League games at Celtic Park.

Wenger also drew on his time-honoured mantra about the potential of Arsenal's side, although four years without a trophy suggests this has also been used as a cover for under-achievement.

He revealed somebody told him (a keen statistician presumably) that Arsenal's average age against Celtic on Wednesday was only 23.9 - a figure that he believes ensures greater strength and improvement as the season progresses.

Vermaelen will be put to the test by Wayne Rooney, Dimitar Berbatov and perhaps Michael Owen but he has the appearance of an unruffled individual.

Wenger will also have been delighted that Arsenal emphasised a vast gulf with Celtic while keeping Robin van Persie in reserve and only introducing Andrey Arshavin for 19 minutes. Their inspiration will be needed at Old Trafford, especially if Cesc Fabregas is still out with a hamstring injury.

Michael Owen scored his first Premier League goal for Manchester United in the 5-0 triumph at Wigan

If Arsenal can take at least a point, or even better, back to London on Saturday then the somewhat pessimistic predictions about their Premier League ambitions may be revisited, albeit marginally.

For United, it is an opportunity to reassert the authority that has been questioned after the sale of Ronaldo and the loss at Burnley. The 5-0 win at Wigan went some way towards addressing those questions, but it should be placed in the context of a display by Roberto Martinez's side that was as compliant for 45 minutes as Everton were for 90 minutes against Arsenal.

Arsenal's agonising defeat over two legs against United in the last four of the Champions League last season will still be fresh in Wenger's memory. It is easy to recall that pained expression as he sat in the Emirates media theatre that night and a win will go some way towards easing that lingering pain.

For United, a convincing win again against an Arsenal team that may yet emerge as a potential threat to a fourth successive Premier League title will be regarded by Sir Alex Ferguson as an important statement of intent.

This season may be in its infancy - but the stakes will be as high as ever at Old Trafford

Everton eyeing up Celtic's Brown

2009-08-28T05:43:00.000-07:00

Everton are preparing a £6m offer for Celtic midfielder Scott Brown.

Brown was in the Celtic side that lost to Arsenal on Wednesday

The 24-year-old Scotland international was earlier this month linked with a £10m offer from Tottenham Hotspur.

It is understood that Everton had been approached by an agent offering Brown and Celtic defender Stephen McManus but said they were not interested.

However, having missed out on other targets, they are now poised to make a move after watching Brown facing Arsenal in the Champions League.

Brown, who was in the Celtic side that lost 3-1 at the Emirates on Wednesday, was bought by Celtic for £4.4m from Hibernian in 2007.

Everton and Spurs were thought to be interested in Brown at that time as Celtic beat a host of clubs, including Glasgow rivals Rangers, Bolton Wanderers, Middlesbrough and Reading, to the midfielder's signature.

Celtic reportedly turned down a £9m offer from Portsmouth in January.

But economic conditions have taken a downturn and the Scottish Premier League runners-up recently announced that their profits had halved.

Spurs manager Harry Redknapp this month admitted that he rated Brown, who ended the season as the SPFA Players' Player of the Year.

However, he played down suggestions that he was interested in signing a player who was also named among 14 players on world governing body Fifa's "ones to watch in 2009" list.

Brown, who won his 17th cap in Scotland's World Cup qualifying defeat by Norway, had recovered from a disappointing first season with Celtic during which he had to cope with injury, suspension and the death of his sister.

Like Brown, McManus missed the start of this season through injury and the Celtic captain has just returned to training in time to be linked with a move away from the club.

Celtic are believed to be willing to sell the 26-year-old or allow the Scotland defender to leave on loan, with Ipswich Town thought to be leading the interested clubs.

Arsenal 3-1 Celtic (agg 5-1)

2009-08-28T05:42:00.000-07:00

Arsenal eased past Celtic to reach the Champions League group stage.

Eboue celebrates scoring for Arsenal against Celtic

Eduardo's 25th-minute penalty, a contentious award after he clashed with Celtic keeper Artur Boruc, extended the Gunners' two-goal first leg lead.

Emmanuel Eboue finished a sweeping move for Arsenal's second after 53 minutes and Andrey Arshavin added another two minutes after coming on as substitute.

Massimo Donati's spectacular angled volley pulled one back for Celtic, but they now go into the Europa League.

Celtic's players accused Eduardo of diving to win the crucial penalty, but the Gunners were ultimately superior to the Scottish Premier League giants and merited the victory.

Arsenal were not at their flowing best, but demonstrated enough touches of their trademark invention to build on an impressive start to the season.

Arsene Wenger's side were without injured captain Cesc Fabregas, and Wenger also chose to leave Robin van Persie and Arshavin on the bench as they held a healthy lead from the first leg.

And they could have extended the lead inside seven minutes when the normally lethal Eduardo steered wide of an open goal from close range after Boruc had saved brilliantly from Nicklas Bendtner.

Eduardo was the central figure when Arsenal did score after 28 minutes - and he was very much the villain in the eyes of Celtic's travelling fans when he tumbled theatrically as he went around Boruc in the area.

606: DEBATE

It doesn't look like a penalty, neither does it look like a dive to me

Gunner_For_Real

Spanish official Mejuto Gonzalez infuriated Celtic by pointing to the spot, and Eduardo stayed cool despite the protests to send Boruc the wrong way to effectively put the tie out of the reach of Tony Mowbray's side.

Celtic thought they had given themselves a lifeline six minutes before the interval when Scott McDonald turned in Marc Antoine Fortune's cross from close range, but he was correctly ruled offside.

Arsenal ended the half in charge, with Boruc turning Eduardo's left-foot shot to safety and Bendtner heading the resulting corner from Denilson inches wide.

Aiden McGeady's ambitious effort from 25 yards flew just wide as Celtic attempted to revive the tie early in the second half - but all their hopes were snuffed out when the Gunners doubled their lead on the night after 53 minutes.

It was a goal that was typical Arsenal in creation, with Bendtner's clever flick releasing Abou Diaby. He fed Eboue, who took his time to find space and fire a low finish beyond Boruc.

With a trip to Manchester United looming on Saturday, Wenger made a double change with 19 minutes left, sending on Arshavin and Jack Wilshere for Eduardo and Eboue.

It was rewarded within two minutes when the Russian turned inside the area and slotted a composed effort past Boruc.

Donati pulled one back for Celtic with the last kick of the game, but it had no bearing on a contest that ended as a one-sided affair.

Celtic boss refuses to blame ref

2009-08-28T05:41:00.001-07:00

Manager Tony Mowbray conceded Celtic had been eliminated by the better side after the 5-1 aggregate loss to Arsenal in the Champions League play-off.

And Mowbray refused to criticise officials over a controversial award of a penalty in the 3-0 second leg defeat.

"The referee has given it. But, if the TV pictures show it should not have been given, so be it," said Mowbray of the penalty won and scored by Eduardo.

"Over the two legs, Arsenal had more quality and deserved to go through."

Artur Boruc appeared not to make contact with Eduardo in the run up to the penalty decision by referee Mejuto Gonzalez, with the Croatian striker converting in the 28th minute to open the scoring.

"I have not seen a re-run of it, so I cannot sit here and complain about it," Mowbray said.

"All the boys thought there was no contact, but we have to accept it and move on."

Celtic defender Glenn Loovens added: "I was close enough to get a good view on it. It's disappointing when you concede a goal like that.

"You can see from the reaction of the boys, they were close to it.

"If it stays 0-0, you are in the game, but now we are 1-0 down and the game is over.

"The referee made the decision and he is not going to change it.

Eduardo won a spot-kick after going down in the penalty area

"It is very disappointing, but that is football. It is sad it happened to us and I do not think it is really fair, but it helped his team take the lead.

"There is a ref and a linesman to see those kind of things."

Emmanuel Eboue and substitute Andrey Arshavin put the Gunners into a 3-0 lead at the Emirates before Massimo volleyed a late consolation for the Scottish Premier League side.

"The first goal was always going to be crucial," said Mowbray. "If we had got it, you would have had a more interesting spectacle.

"The fact that Arsenal scored it allows their real high-quality players to relax a bit more and play at their own pace.

"When you try and play high up against such quality players, you are asking for trouble.

"That is the way it panned out - but I could not question the desire and effort of my team."

And Mowbray, whose side now drop into the group stages of the Europa League, expects Arsenal to mount a strong challenge to be crowned European champions this season.

I expect us to compete very well in the Europa League

Tony Mowbray

"I would suggest there are only four teams in the English Premier League of the quality of Arsenal," he added.

"I do not think the gulf between our football club and the rest of the Premier League would be there - maybe we will get the chance to show that in the Europa League.

"I genuinely believe Arsenal are a team who can win this competition, but at the moment Celtic are not in a position to compete with the English sides who make the semi-finals of this tournament year in and year out.

"You have to take the positives out of the way we played in these two matches.

"Hopefully, we will be more than a match for whomever we draw now and I expect us to compete very well in the Europa League."

Uefa charges Eduardo for 'diving'

2009-08-28T05:36:00.000-07:00

Uefa has charged Arsenal's Eduardo for "deceiving the referee" after he appeared to dive to win a penalty in the Champions League win over Celtic.

European football's governing body could ban the Croatian striker for up to two games when its disciplinary body examines the case on 1 September.

Gunners boss Arsene Wenger called the decision a "complete disgrace".

"It singles out a player to be a cheat and that is not acceptable. We will not accept the way Uefa have treated this."

If Eduardo is suspended he would miss Standard Liege away on 16 September and the home match with Olympiacos on 29 September.

And Wenger added: "I believe you can debate whether it is a penalty or not. But this charge implies that with intent and with a desire to cheat the referee, Eduardo did act.

"Having seen again the pictures, nothing is conclusive on that."

606: DEBATE

It doesn't look like a penalty, neither does it look like a dive to me

Gunner_For_Real

There appeared to be no contact between Eduardo and Celtic goalkeeper Artur Boruc but referee Manuel Gonzalez still gave a penalty midway through the first half.

After Eduardo converted the resulting spot kick, the Gunners went on to win 3-1 at the Emirates Stadium. They won 5-1 on aggregate to secure a spot in the group stages.

Scottish FA chief executive Gordon Smith has called for the Brazil-born Eduardo to be banned over Wednesday's penalty incident at the Emirates.

"Eduardo showed disrespect to the game by his actions," he said.

"We have shown courage to use retrospective punishment when it comes to simulation. I'd urge Uefa to do so.

"Since I came into post I have raised the issue of simulation time and time again - both here in Scotland and with Fifa and Uefa.

"I don't think that I have received enough support in my efforts to eradicate what I believe to be one of the most serious threats to the integrity of football.

"Last night showed exactly why we must take this issue seriously.

"Everything that can be done to stamp it out must be done. Starting right now."

Uefa president Michel Platini believes additional assistant referees behind each goal line would combat diving.

He said: "One day players will give up simulating because refs will see them. I am convinced that you have referees nearby, then you will stop this."

Celtic had travelled to the Emirates 2-0 down from the first leg in Glasgow, when Arsenal had been the better side but had scored with a deflection and an own goal.

The first goal in London, then, was likely to be crucial and Boruc was incensed when Gonzalez pointed to the spot.

"I see no reason why we cannot use technology to assist referees," said Smith.

"We need a serious debate on these issues. Everyone in football has a responsibility to set the right example to our youngsters.

"We can talk all we want about Fair Play campaigns, but taking action would be a much more powerful deterrent and would send the right message to players everywhere."

Celtic midfielder Massimo Donati is another who is keen to see Uefa use video evidence.

"If it is clear on TV, then Uefa must act and ban him," said Donati.

"I think he should get a two-match ban because it wasn't a penalty. I told him that and everyone in the Celtic team told him that."

Donati believes Eduardo should be treated the same way as Lithuania striker Saulius Mikoliunas, who was punished for diving against Scotland at Hampden Park in September 2007.

After that occasion Uefa used video evidence before giving Mikoliunas a two-match ban.