Kurt Busch wins in Atlanta

Kurt Busch survived two green-white-chequered’s at the death to guide the number two Penske Dodge to victory lane in Atlanta.

But it was a confrontation between Brad Keselowski and Carl Edwards that will steal the attention of this particular race.

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Cabanas released from hospital

Paraguay striker Salvador Cabanas has left hospital but doctors cannot say if he will play football again.

Cabanas, who was shot in the head following an argument in a bar in January, will continue his rehabilition under close medical supervision at a clinic in Mexico City.

The Club America forward left intensive care last month but can only walk a few steps at a time and his speech is limited.

In a statement, America said: “After Tuesday’s evaluation, the doctor determined that Cabanas is in condition to leave the hospita to begin the next steps of his recuperation.”

The 29-year-old underwent a seven hour operation immediately after the shooting, but doctors decided it was too risky to remove the bullet from his brain.

Neurosurgeon Dr Ernesto Martinez said: “Salvador has already seen himself in a mirror and didn’t ask any questions, he just stayed there looking without showing any reaction.”

“Having a bullet in his brain would not necessarily impede him from returning to soccer but the neurological recuperation can take one, two or three years. We can’t say precisely.”

Cabanas was a key player in Paraguay’s successful qualification for this summer’s World Cup in South Africa.

The main suspect in the shooting, identified by police as Jose Jore Balderas, remains at large.

Real Madrid top “rich list”

Real Madrid have topped the league table of football’s richest clubs for the sixth successive year.

The Spanish giants became also became the first club to break through the €400million (£363m) barrier in a single year, according to Deloitte’s Football Money League.

Real’s arch rivals Barcelona have taken second spot in the list, ahead of Manchester United who fall to third.

Dan Jones, partner in the sports business group at Deloitte, said: “Real Madrid’s 10% increase in revenue to €401m (£342m) came despite a relatively disappointing season domestically and in Europe. Broadcast income provided Real with its largest increase in revenue and at €161m is now greater than the total revenue of all but the top 10 Money League clubs.

“Barcelona’s unprecedented on-pitch success, winning a domestic double and the Champions League, helped drive a revenue increase by €57m, the largest absolute increase of any Money League club, to €366m.”

Manchester United earned a total of €327m, marginally up from €324.8m last year.

The list, based on clubs’ revenue excluding transfer fees, also sees Arsenal overtake Chelsea with the Gunners recording a 7 per cent rise in revenue to £224m compared to their London rivals’ £206m – a 3 per cent fall in revenue.

Jones added: “Chelsea’s revenue has dropped because last season was a bit worse than usual on the pitch, they had frozen season ticket prices and there was not a lot going on in big new commercial developments.

“Arsenal have the advantage in matchday income with a new 60,000-seater stadium and they made the semi-finals of both the Champions League and the FA Cup.

“All the English clubs were impacted by the continuing depreciation of the pound against the euro and the scale of this is shown by the fact that if exchange rates remained at their June 2007 level, United would be top of the money league table.”

The top 20 was again dominated by Europe’s “big five” leagues, with five clubs coming from Germany, four from Italy and two each from France and Spain.

There are seven English sides in the list - Liverpool are seventh, Tottenham are 15th, Manchester City 19th and Newcastle 20th.

The Top 20

1 Real Madrid (Spain)

2 Barcelona (Spain)

3 Manchester United (England)

4 Bayern Munich (Germany)

5 Arsenal (England)

6 Chelsea (England)

7 Liverpool (England)

8 Juventus (Italy)

9 Internazionale (Italy)

10 AC Milan (Italy)

11 Hamburg (Germany)

12 AS Roma (Italy)

13 Lyon (France)

14 Marseille (France)

15 Tottenham Hotspur (England)

16 Schalke (Germany)

17 Werder Bremen (German)

18 Borussia Dortmund (Germany)

19 Manchester City (England)

20 Newcastle United (England)

Bruce: I’m still the right man

Sunderland boss Steve Bruce is convinced his side will not be involved in a relegation fight despite extending their winless run to 14 games.

Following Sunday’s 0-0 draw with Fulham at the Stadium of Light, Bruce’s Black Cats have now taken only seven points from 42 available - a run of form that has left them three points clear of the bottom three.

At the final whistle, the 40,192 crows left Bruce and his players in no doubt of their opinion after another abject performance.

Bruce said: “We have got to handle it. The one thing here - which I know after living here - Fulham haven’t got and Wigan and Birmingham and Bolton, there isn’t the huge expectation that you have here. That goes with the territory of playing here and being able to handle it here.

“Let’s be fair, over the years, we haven’t been quite up to it. That’s the challenge and I am convinced we will get there. The concern at the moment is one thing: we have to get out of the run we are in.

“Who knows, the point we got, if we win next week - we keep saying it, if we win next week - it might be the point that takes us a couple of places up the table, who knows?

Pressure

Bruce took responsibility for his side’s awful display, but admitted there were “no excuses” for his players for “not handling the ball well enough” and resorting to “lumping the ball up the pitch”.

He added: “We need something to take the pressure off and we need to handle the huge expectation of a 40,000 crowd.

“We were nervous and edgy. We’re working hard enough but too many people are not playing well.

“If I ever resort to playing [longballs] it’s time for me to call it a day because I want my team to get the ball down and play, and we found that difficult.

“Listen, the buck stops with me. I’ve bought five or six of today’s team and it’s a difficult time but I’m confident I’m still the right man – and that we’ll be okay.”

Sunderland now have three back-to-back home games coming up and Bruce believes the fans can help their team bounce back.

He said: “They are absolutely fantastic and it cannot have been good for them at times as the team are short of confidence.

“I think the supporters recognise the nervousness and edginess of the team and I think they can play their part and help the team.

“If we are honest we have to be playing better than that and play better than we have done today and match the expectations of this football club.

“We have just got to keep together and turn it round.”

Pavlyuchenko inspires Spurs win

Roman Pavlyuchenko netted his fifth goal in three games for Spurs to put them back in 4th place in the Premier League, after they beat Everton 2-1.

This afternoons win for Harry Redknapps men means that they go back above fellow fourth place rivals Manchester City after their shock win at Stamford Bridge yesterday.

Pavlyuchenko’s rich reign of form continued as he opened the scoring in the 11th minute after converting a low cross from strike partner Jermain Defoe. Luka Modric then doubled their lead in the 28th minute with a lovely chip from the edge of the penalty area, after some nice interplay with fellow Croatians Vedran Corluka and Niko Kranjcar.

However in the second half Everton came out a revitalised team and with some well worked play and pressure, got their just reward.

Yakubu got a goal back in the 55th minute and soon after his side should have got another as Landon Donovan failed to finished Jack Rodwells shot come cross, which left David Moyes and the travelling fans with their heads in his hands.

Spurs had to defend desperately at times, as Everton really piled on the pressure towards the end of the game. But the men in white held onto their first half lead in what can only be describe as a valuable win, which sees them strengthen their case for that final Champions League spot.

Tottenham Hotspur manager Harry Redknapp had this to say about the game:

“Overall I thought we played well and we were terrific at times in the first half.

“When you play Everton you know they are not going to give up.

“David (Moyes) obviously got into Everton at half time and they raised their game. At 2-1 we got edgy and we were defending for our lives at times.

David Moyes also commented on the game:

“It was a game of two halves. Tottenham were better in the first and we were much better in the second.

“At half time we were dead and buried but I have to give the players credit for making a game of it.

“It (Donovan’s miss) was a crucial moment for us and probably a crucial moment for Tottenham as well.”

Bellamy out of Welsh squad

Craig Bellamy will not appear in Wales’ friendly against Sweden next Wednesday.

Bellamy has been rested by Wales

The Manchester City forward has not been named in manager John Toshack’s 22 man squad.

Ex-Wales striker Iwan Roberts is not sure whether Bellamy will feature ever again in a friendly for his country.

He said: “His history with injury problems means he’ll only play in the competitive games from now on.

“If that means Wales will get the best out of him in the qualifying games, then I think that’s a fair arrangement.”

Roberts played alongside Bellamy at Norwich City.

Fiery striker Bellamy has scored 17 goals in 58 appearances for Wales. He made his debut in a friendly with Jamaica at Ninian Park on 25 March 1998.

Bellamy’s persistent knee troubles mean he is rested.

Some may speculate he has been dropped due to his unpredictable relationship with the manager and believe he could have been ready to play by Wednesday.

Throughout his career Bellamy has fallen out with players and managers alike while playing for some big clubs such as City, Liverpool, Celtic, West Ham to name but a few.

Bellamy is 30 and Toshack feels confident in the squad of young stars that comfortably defeated Scotland 3-0 in November. The boss wants to study the development of a striking partnership between Ched Evans and Simon Church.

Meanwhile, St Mirren midfielder Andy Dorman could earn his first cap. Simon Davies has been recalled to the squad and will make his first international appearance in 11 months.

Sweden, who are ranked 35 places above the Welsh in the official world rankings, have won the last five meetings between the sides. The sides drew 0-0 in the 1958 World Cup finals.

The match in Swansea will be only the second match of coach Erik Hamren’s tenure as national manager. He is combining the job with his role as Rosenborg manager until August when he will become the national team boss full-time.

Chester Expelled For Financial Mismanagement

Chester F.C's Deva Stadium

Chester have been thrown out of the Conference following a meeting between club and league bosses.

Representatives of the Deva Stadium outfit met with the board today, a week after their suspension from the Conference, to respond to charges relating  their failure to fulfil fixtures against Forest Green and Wrexham, as well as attempting to prove that this situation would not happen again.

A statement on the Football Conference website said: “At the conclusion of a lengthy meeting, the representatives were advised that the Board failed to be convinced with their presentation that the club were able to demonstrate the club’s ability to fulfil future fixtures in the competition and as a consequence informed the club of their finding in relation to Conference Rule 8.6″

“In compliance with Article 5.2 of the Football Conference, the Board will recommend to its Member Clubs that Chester City  FC should face expulsion from membership.”

The Football Conference will now have a general meeting of its member clubs to decide whether to accept this recommendation. No date has yet been set, while Chester’s suspension remains firmly in place.

Chester F.C were unable to field a full team for their game at Forest Green after some furious, unpaid players of the team, completely refused to get on the team bus.

Not only that, They were also forced to postpone Sunday’s derby clash with Wrexham because the local authority issued a notice on the Deva Stadium after police refused to be security for the game over another unpaid bill.

They were handed a massive 25-point penalty after going into administration last summer and they currently lie 31 points adrift of safety.

Chester faced a ‘winding-up order’ from  Revenue and Customs only last month but were luckily given 42 days to sort the club out and the club was also put up for sale for just £1

Chelsea v Manchester City Preview

" What you looking at?"

All eyes will be on John Terry and Wayne Bridge at Stamford Bridge tommorrow lunch-time as Chelsea host Man City.

The pair will come up against each other  for the first time since allegations of an affair between the former England captian and Bridge’s ex-girlfriend surfaced.

Bridge declared himself as unavailble for England citing his postition as ” divisive and untenable” within the squad.

The major talking point will be the pre-match pleasantries with many speculating that Bridge will refuse to shake Terry’s hand.

Roberto Mancini’s men will have to reverse the form book if they are to even score at The Bridge. Paul Dickov was the last City player to manage that feat back in December 2000.

Team News:

Both sides will look to bounce back from midweek defeats with weakened line-ups.

The league leaders will be without goalkeeper Petr Cech after he tore a calf muscle in the San Siro with Portugese stopper Hilario is set to  deputise.

Frank Lampard will start after missing the last domestic game at Molineux while Yuri Zhirkov, Jose Bosingwa, Michael Essien and Deco will all miss out.

The Sky Blues will be without suspended duo Patrick Vieira and Emmanuel Adebayor both of which are serving bans for violent conduct.

However Carlos Tevez returns from compassionate leave after the premature birth of his daughter in Argentina.

Possible Starting Line-ups:

Chelsea (4-3-3): Hilario, Ivanovic, Terry, Carvalho, Belletti, Mikel, Lampard, Ballack, Malouda, Anelka, Drogba

Manchester Cty (4-5-1): Given, Richards, Lescott, Kompany, Bridge, De Jong, Barry, Zabaleta, Ireland, Bellamy, Tevez

One To Watch: Carlos Tevez

Sky Bet Odds: Chelsea 4/9 Draw 16/5 Man City 13/2

Detour Prediction: 2-0

Capello has selection headache

With injury to Ashley Cole and Wayne Bridge’s withdrawl the door is wide open for English left backs to steal a march to this summers World Cup.

England manager Fabio Capello is casting a keen eye over left-backs Stephen Warnock, Leighton Baines and Joleon Lescott ahead of the World Cup.

After the news of Wayne Bridge making himself unavailabe for selection, promising left-backs all over the country are queuing up to impress Capello.

First choice Ashley Cole is crocked with a broken ankle and set to be out until Chelsea’s last game of the season against Wigan on 9th May. This will leave him with just a month to regain full fitness and rediscover the form that lead to him being touted as the best left back in the world.

Choices

There is no shortage of Englsih left-backs playing at the highest club level, the Premier League.

Stephen Warnock of high-flying Aston Villa is just one of the names to have been thrown into the equation. Warnock always had ambitons of representing his country and hopes to impress Capello in this Sundays Carling Cup final against Manchester United.

He said: “All I can do is concentrate on my form for Aston Villa and hopefully that is enough to impress the manager.

I always felt that if my form was good enough and if I could push Wayne Bridge as hard as I could I would be happy with that.

But obviously with the events that have unfolded, then possibly it opens the door and you never know what could happen.”

Leighton Baines, of Everton, is also eyeing a place in the squad yet isn’t getting too far ahead of himself.

He said: “We’re all aware Ashley Cole’s injury means there’s a space in the next few squads for a left-back.

It’s only right all of us will be thinking about the possibilities. If England comes along it would be fantastic, but I’m realistic enough to know there are other left-backs who are ahead of me’

Joleon Lescott can also fill in at left back if needs be.  The Manchester City player has played at left back before yet prefers, and suits, playing at centre back. Lescott has been struggling for fitness since joining the sky blues in the summer for £24 million but hopes to get back on track.

He said: “All I can do is work as hard as I possibly can in training and take my chance when it comes. With so much at stake here and the World Cup coming at the end of the season, I obviously want to be playing regularly.”

Bookies Favourite

It remains to be seen who will start at left back against the USA in Englands opening fixture, its Capello’s choice yet the bookies rarely get it wrong. SkyBet still have Ashley Cole as the favourite.

Ashley Cole: 1/3

Stephen Warnock: 6/1

Leighton Baines: 8/1

Joleon Lescott: 12/1

Portsmouth can rise again, says Mandaric

Portsmouth are the first club in the top flight to enter administration, with debts in excess of £70 million.

They now face a nine point deduction, which will leave them 16 points off Burnley who are in 19th place and almost certainly see them relegated to the Championship.

Pompey who have struggled through the course of this season have had four different owners, all of which have failed to stabilise the club.

The south coast club were set to face a winding up order on March 1, but opted to go into administration in a desperate bid to save the club.

It was believed that there were four separate parties who were interested in taking over the club, but no deal was completed before Thursdays deadline.

Rise again

However in the midst of all this mess, former Portsmouth chairman, Milan Mandaric, now chairman of Leicester City, believes that his old club can rise from the ashes and become and force once again.

“What’s happened is sad. It’s been one mess after another. It’s something we didn’t want to see happen but we have to deal with it.

“The community lives and breathes for the club there and there is no reason why it can’t grow out of this and be even stronger.

“I’m quite sure Portsmouth in two or three years time can be as solid as they were two or three years back.

Pompey, who just two years ago contested and won the FA Cup final under Harry Redknapp, now see themselves preparing for life it he second tier of English football.

Stepping down

The club’s chief executive Peter Storrie revealed today he will leave the club when he has helped a new buyer take over.

In a statement posted on the clubs official website Storrie said:

“Once the sale is complete, I will tender my notice to the new owners as set out under the terms of my contract.

“I have really enjoyed my eight years at the club and the success we have enjoyed on the pitch: winning promotion to the Premier League and seven years in top-flight football, culminating in winning the FA Cup in 2008.

“I will really miss the genuine fans who have been so supportive and good to me…”

Portsmouth travel to Turf Moor for tomorrows Premier League encounter with Burnley, hoping to get a vital three points to at least give themselves a fighting chance of staying in the Premier League.

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