Other Sports

[Smallville22]

Liga - Malaga held at Valladolid

Fourth-placed Malaga were held to a 1-1 draw by Valladolid in La Liga at a rain-lashed Estadio Municipal Jose Zorrilla.
Malaga opened the scoring on eight minutes through a header from Argentine defender Martin Demichelis, only for Angola striker Manucho to pull the hosts level, also with a header, in the 41st minute.
Malaga were denied a morale-boosting victory ahead of Wednesday's Champions League showdown at home to Porto.
The Qatar-owned club must overturn a 1-0 deficit on Porto to reach the quarter-finals on their Champions League debut and coach Manuel Pellegrini left top performers Isco and Joaquin out of his team.
Malaga move a point clear of Real Betis, who beat Osasuna 2-1 on Friday, and two ahead of Valencia, who visit Athletic Bilbao on Sunday, in the race for the fourth Champions League qualification spot.
Valladolid join Levante and Sevilla, 10th and 11th prior to the game, on 35 points.
Positions of teams on the same points in La Liga are decided on the head-to-head rule.

Stats

Real Valladolid had possession for 46.5% of the match.

Real Valladolid had nine shots, including four on target.

The two attempts by Omar Ramos were the most of any Real Valladolid player.

Lluis Sastre's 16 passes to Alvaro Rubio were the most between Valladolid team-mates.

Malaga had the ball for 53.5% of the match.

Malaga had six shots, including one on target.

No Malaga player registered more than one attempt on goal.

Combinations between Jesus Gamez and Duda were the most common during the match - the two connected 20 times.

 

[Smallville22]

Swimming - Jamieson bids to build on Olympic success

Olympic silver medallist Michael Jamieson admits the time for enjoying his London 2012 success is over as he gets ready for the British Gas International Swimming Meet in Leeds.
The 24-year-old won one of Britain's three swimming medals at London 2012 last summer, powering his way to a national record in every round of the 200m breaststroke to claim silver.
He returned to the pool in December to pick up another silver medal in the 200m breaststroke, this time at the World Short Course Championships in Istanbul.
Jamieson will tackle the 100m and 200m breaststrokes at the British Gas International Swimming Meet in Leeds, which is taking place at this time of year as opposed to the British Championships.
They will instead take place in June, and as ever act as the trials for the biggest meet of the year the Barcelona World Championships, following a review into the performance of the British Swimming team at London 2012.
And Jamieson, who is targeting further silverware in Spain this summer and has been altitude training in Sierra Nevada, is adamant he won’t be dwelling on the past now it's 2013.
"There's no doubt that the Games changed my life," said Jamieson. "Only three years ago I was considering quitting the sport because I couldn’t continue to put my parents under the financial pressures of keeping me in the sport.
"Finishing second in London was a huge step for me, the realisation of what was once a pipe dream, but it was still second and the desire to win a title is still there.
"The world of swimming moves on so quickly, so there's no time to rest on last season. I probably have four years left in the sport and after the journey it took to reach London 2012, I want to continue to challenge for major medals over the next cycle.
"There is definitely added pressure and expectation now. It is something I'm going to have to deal with, but I welcome it. It’s down to me to find a strategy to manage it and to view it as something positive.
"I don't think it will ever effect me negatively as no-one can put more pressure on than I do myself. I expect to be winning medals and I will be my harshest critic if that doesn't materialise."

 

[Smallville22]

Swimming - Carlin back on top in Leeds

After a tough couple of years, Jazmin Carlin knocked over a second off her own Welsh record to win the 800m freestyle on day one at the inaugural British Gas International Meet in Leeds.
Carlin, the Commonwealth 200m Free silver medallist, swum to victory in 8.24.42, the fastest time in the world this year and it was just the start to the season she wanted.
“I’ve been training really hard and it has paid off with a best swim,” said Carlin. “I’m a determined person and although last year was disappointing for me, I knew there was more to come and I have been working hard.
“I’ve had my tonsils out which has been a big help as I’ve struggled with related illnesses in the past.
“I’ve been working really well with my coach Bud (McAllister) and I think we have got the best out of my training.”

Siobhan-Marie O’Connor of Bath ITC smashed her English record to take the win the 200m IM.
Coming home in 2.10.53, O’Connor swam a dominant race leading from start to finish in the second fastest time in the world this year.
Hannah Miley of Garioch claimed silver in 2.11.59 and Sophie Allen of British Gas Bath ITC was third in 2.13.33.
O’Connor said: “I’ve been training quite well and I’ve been to an altitude training camp. It was hard at first but I have really felt the benefits since I came back down.
“It is good to produce such a good time so early in the season, it gives me a lot of confidence for the rest of the year.
“The good thing about the Medley is that I get to train in all four strokes. Obviously I made the Olympics in the Breaststroke but I want to keep my options open in terms of events for the future.”

Joe Roebuck won the 100m Fly in a new personal best time of 53.07. He beat off challenger Joeri Verlinden of The Netherlands and Anthony James of Plymouth Leander in 53.65.
Roebuck was in seventh place at the halfway turn but had a strong final leg to overhaul the field to touch the wall first.
“It was a PB so I am very happy with that despite splitting my suit,” said Roebuck. “My priorities have changed and I’ve dropped the 400m IM.
“I will carry on looking towards to 200m IM and the Fly is obviously a big part of that.
“I’m really happy with how well things have moved on since I moved to Bath. I was at Loughborough for nine years and I felt like I needed a change and the move has freshened me up.”

Robbie Renwick was victorious in the 400m Freestyle in 3.49.91, holding off James Guy (Millfield) who finished second in 3.50.43, and Ieuan Lloyd of City of Cardiff, who was third in 3.52.35
“It was a good swim,” said Renwick. “I’m chuffed with that mid season. I felt good this morning and I knew I could go faster.
“I’m delighted to go under 3.50 at this stage. I’ve been on a training camp in Florida and I think that has really set me up for this.”

Chris Walker-Hebborn dominated the 200m Backstroke final, leading from the gun to take the title in 1.59.06.
Craig McNally of Warrender was second in 2.00.58 and Calum Jarvis was third in 2.00.94.
“It was a tough first swim but I’m happy to take the win,” he said. “It is the second time I have been to altitude and it was the hardest three weeks of my life but if it gives me the kind of result I got today I won’t complain.
“My goal for the season is to make the world championship team, it will be a big ask as the time is tough but I believe it is in my capabilities.”

Double Olympic- Champion Ranomi Kromowidjojo won the women’s 100m Freestyle ahead of Dutch teammate Femke Heemskerk and Loughborough’s Francesca Halsall.
Halsall said: “I raced last weekend and swam ten swims in three days so I felt tired today. I’ve been trying different strategies for the 100m so my expectations were lower, it is a work in progress at the moment.
“We’re trying new things and there is still a lot of work to do. It’s been a big and hard block of training and I’ve got two more events this meet.”

Olympian Georgia Davies won the 50m Backstroke in 28.04 ahead of Lauren Quigley who was second in 28.40 and Jessica Fullalove was third in 29.05.

Ross Murdoch won the 50m Breaststroke in 28.12 ahead of Mark Tully in 28.17 and Adam Peaty in 28.23.


Paralympic champion Jonathan Fox claimed gold in his main event as he set 1.11.14 for victory in the MC 100m Backstroke.
The S7 swimmer said: “I’m really pleased with that race. It was a second faster than I went in Swansea recently so things are looking good for the World Championship qualifications.
“I’m trying to focus on the 400m Freestyle and the 100m Backstroke at the moment. Unfortunately I lost my 400m Free record in London so I want to push to get that back but Backstroke has always been my best really.”
James Crisp (S9) claimed silver in 1.05.00 while S14 Jack Thomas took bronze in 1.06.57
Hannah Russell won her first gold of the meet in the MC 100m Backstroke. The Paralympic medallist set 1.10.00 for gold ahead of Applegate and Davies who touched in 1.09.35 and 1.10.18 respectively.
She said: “I’m really happy with my race. It was definitely a big improvement on this morning.
“I was just off my personal best pace but I’m still really pleased. Having two back to back swims is hard and a lot of us were in the same boat but I just tried to pretend it was like training where we do max swims with a short rest.”
Dan Pepper was victorious in the men’s MC 100m Freestyle. The S14 swimmer finished in 56.42 to hold off his training partner and fellow S14 Ben Procter in 56.53.
Third place went to S7 swimmer Josef Craig in 1.02.86.

 

[Smallville22]

Swimming - Jamieson claims gold in Leeds

Olympic silver medallist Michael Jamieson opened his campaign at the British Gas International Meet by taking gold in the 100m Breaststroke.
Jamieson, who narrowly scraped into the final in a swim off following the heats session this morning, led from the gun to claim his victory from lane eight.
“I’m quite happy, especially after this morning and having to swim an extra race so I have to be pleased to take the win,” said the Edinburgh University swimmer. “I had to swim my own race in the outside lane, I couldn’t see what was happening and I just focused on my own swim.
“I have been working on my front end speed in that first 50m to get out a bit quicker and hopefully that will reduce my time. It bodes well for the 200m tomorrow.”
Chris Steeples of City of Manchester was second in 1.01.08 and Rob Holderness (Millfield) was third in 1.01.47.

Hannah Miley (Garioch) fought off a determined Aimee Willmott to win the 400m Individual Medley. Willmott (Middlesbrough) pushed Miley for the first half of the race, but Miley’s strength in the Breaststroke took her clear and she pushed through the final Freestyle leg to win in 4.35.57.
Willmott was second in 4.38.94 and Warrender’s Keri-anne Payne was third in 4.42.85.
“I’m really happy with how that went,” said Miley. “It is faster than I went two weeks ago which was a nice surprise.
“I’ve got a few events this week so that definitely hurt but it is all part of the preparation for the season.
“I raced nine races in one day last weekend so I’m racing a lot and trying to put that quality into training.”

Georgia Davies of Swansea University reigned supreme in the second of the sprint Backstroke events, adding the 100m gold to the 50m title from yesterday. She clocked 1.00.45 take the win.
“I feel proud of myself for doing well in the 100m but I do prefer the 50m,” said Davies. “The 100 hurts a lot more and I did fade a bit towards the end.
“Backstroke is a strong event in Great Britain, Gemma (Spofforth) has retired but there are lot of younger girls coming through now. It’s never comfortable and you’ve got to keep pushing.
“My time has come down from two weeks ago and I’m targeting the qualification time for the world champs now.”
Lauren Quigley of Hazel Grove/Bramall touched for silver in 1.00.59 with Jessica Fullalove (City of Manchester) in bronze in 1.01.56.

Joe Roebuck (Loughborough University) claimed his second gold medal of the competition adding the 200m Fly victory to the 100m Fly title he won yesterday.
From lane one, Roebuck touched in 1.57.54 to beat Adam Mallett of Swansea University who was second in 1.59.30 and James Guy (Millfield) who took the bronze in 1.59.53.
“I was happy with that,” said Roebuck. “I raced a few weeks ago and did a 1:58.5 which is the fastest I'd ever been beyond mid season.
“I was a second faster than that tonight so yeah things are looking good.”

Daniel Fogg (Loughborough University) showed his experience in the 1500m final holding off a challenge from Hatfield’s Caleb Hughes.
Hughes was the early race leader and led for the first 1km until Fogg but in his attack and gradually pulled away with each length.
Fogg touched in a season’s best time of 15.26.93 to take the gold with Hughes smashing his lifetime best by over ten seconds to take the silver in 15.29.96. Stephen Milne (Perth City) put in a late surge to take the bronze in 15.33.51.
“My target was 15.30 or better which I did two weeks ago at BUCS,” said Fogg. “This was a better swim than that so I’m pleased.
“We are at the end of a really hard block of 77km this week in training and I think that is one of my best times unrested.”

Molly Renshaw (Derventio Excel) led the field in the 200m Breaststroke to win the gold medal in 2.28.25. Stacey Tadd (University of Bath) pushed Renshaw throughout but a strong final 25m from Renshaw put clear water between her Tadd who finished in 2.30.53 and Kerry Buchan (Edinburgh University) who was third in 2.30.82.
“I’m really pleased with that,” said Renshaw. “I’ve had a rocky start to the season and haven’t been close to my PB until now.
“My aim this year is to get my confidence back into racing, last year was tough. I need to get my head down, make the most of this year and see where it takes us.”

Jeanette Ottesen Gray was the quickest to the wall in the women’s 50m Butterfly final, edging out Francesca Halsall (Loughborough University) to win in 25.76.
Halsall and Emma Wilkins, also of Loughborough University touched in 26.00 and 26.98 to take silver and bronze respectively.

City of Sheffield’s Rebecca Turner was just edged out at the wall to finish second in the 200m Freestyle event behind Femke Heemskerk.
Dutch swimmer Heemskerk dominated from the gun but Turner put in a strong final length but just missed out on the touch.
Turner finished in 1.58.72 to Heemskerk’s 1.58.49. Ellie Faulkner (City of Sheffield) took bronze in 1.59.42.
“I’m really happy with that, that’s the fastest I’ve been this season,” said Turner. “We had a bit of a freshener rather than rest. I’ve kept my mileage up for the distance events.
“I’m doing the 50m tomorrow and the 400m on Sunday so hopefully they will go well too.”

Ben Proud was the top Brit finisher in the men’s 50m Freestyle final. The race was won by former Olympic Champion Anthony Ervin in 22.28.
Proud (Plymouth Leander) touched in 22.72 ahead of Jasper Mierlo of The Netherlands who took bronze in 22.91.


Paralympic champion Josef Craig (S7 of South Tyneside swam close to his own world record to win the MC 400m Freestyle event.
Posting the second fastest time in history for his classification, Craig won the gold in 4.43.53 (992 points) ahead of teammate Jonathan Fox (S7) (Newquay Cormorants) who was second in 4.50.91 (919 points). Ollie Hynd of Nova Centurion swam to bronze in 4.38.14.
“I’m really pleased with the race, that was nearly as quick as the Paralympic games,” said Craig. “I feel like I’m getting that long course race pace back that I had before the games.
“We’re in heavy training at the minute and I want to stay as close to my Games times so when I come to the World trials I will be where I need to be to break world records.
“I’ve been doing more work in the gym and it is paying off, I can feel it in my races. My shorter distance times are coming down to."
Jessica-Jane Applegate added two gold medals to her tally tonight winning gold in the MC 200m Freestyle in a new British Record of 2.12.47.
The Paralympic champion dominated from the gun and touched for gold ahead of Natalie Massey (Aquabears) in second in 2.20.20 and Chloe Davies (Trowbridge) in third with a time of 2.20.37.
Applegate then added the 100m Butterfly gold in a successful night at the pool for the youngster from Norwich and she was delighted with her swims.
“I felt really pleased with my swims,” she said. “I felt a lot of pressure coming into the 200m Free because people expect me to win after the Paralympics but I managed to calm myself in time for my races.
“My 200m Free was a PB untapered so I’m really happy with that.”
She took the 100m Fly title in 1.11.84 ahead of Stephanie Slater of Preston (1.11.42) and Stephanie Millward of Aquae Sulis (1.13.52) in silver and bronze respectively.
Kelly College’s Hannah Russell was victorious again in the pool tonight, taking her second gold medal of the meet in the MC 400m Freestyle.
S12 athlete Russell was less than two seconds off her personal best time and clocked 4.40.00 to take the victory.
Tully Kearney of Royal Wolverhampton won the silver in a time of 4.45.56 whilst Rosie Bancroft (City of Oxford) lowered her own S10 British Record to take bronze in 4.47.68.
“I thought that was really good, a definite improvement on this morning,” Russell said.” I wanted to go in there and swim my absolute hardest so see where I was.”
“it’s been tough racing finals back to back but it is good preparation.”
Stockport Metro’s Dan Pepper took the win in the MC 200m Freestyle men’s event in 2.04.92, he beat off a challenge from Ben Procter (Newquay Cormorants) who came second in 2.05.77. Jack Thomas of Swansea University was third in 2.07.61.
“I’m really pleased with that swim,” said Pepper. “I’ll be very interested to see what time I went out in as I’ve been working on my front end speed in training recently so I went out hard in that race.
“I’ve got the 200m IM and 100m Breaststroke coming up in the next few days and those races could go either way so I’m just looking forward to seeing what I can do.”
Edinburgh University’s Craig Rodgie won the gold in the MC 100m Fly men’s final in a time of 1.03.55. He beat James Hollis of Loughborough University into silver (1.10.03) and James Clegg of East Lothian to bronze in 1.02.00.

 

[Smallville22]

Swimming - Jamieson storms to second gold in Leeds

Day three of the British Gas International Open Meet in Leeds saw Olympic silver medallist Michael Jamieson claim his second gold of the meet in the 200m Breaststroke.
Following his empathic win in the 100m Breaststroke the previous evening, Jamieson continued the meet in style posting a time of 2:10.43 to seal the win over his training partner, Bracknell and Wokingham SC’s Andrew Willis (2:11.42).
“I went out pretty fast in that race and I paid for it a little at the end, but I know if I want to improve I’m going to have to push myself hard on the first 100. It’s always going to feel a little uncomfortable at this stage in training.
“I love racing in finals and trying to swim fast drives me; I think the fact that I really enjoy it helps me to get up for the evening swims and post good times when it matters.”
DSW Darmstad swimmer Marco Koch battled hard against Willis in the final 5m but settled for the bronze in a 2:11.64.

Ellesmere College swimmer Chris Walker-Hebborn looked strong following an altitude training camp in Sierra Nevada to take the win in the Men’s Open 100m Backstroke final in 54.80.
Walker-Hebborn, who trains at the British Gas Bath ITC with teammates Jamieson and Willis, was pleased with his performance.
“I’m really happy with that swim, I know everyone is in different phases of training at the moment but it’s good to come here and take two wins so I’m really happy.
“It helps a lot having my Bath ITC teammates here swimming the way they are and it’s nice to be up there getting good swims in too. We have a great network of staff and swimmers so things are looking really good.”
Double world champion Liam Tancock (Loughborough University) powered to the finish to claim the silver in 55.00, with Bastiaan Lijesen (Netherlands) touching in 55.27 to take the remaining podium place.

In the Women’s Open 50m Freestyle, Olympic champion Ranomi Kromowidjojo clinched her second gold of the meet in a time of 24.56.
The silver medal went to Loughborough University’s Francesca Halsall who touched in 24.77 ahead of Jeanette Ottesen-Gray (25.36) who took bronze.

Roberto Pavoni (Loughborough University) continued his busy schedule in Leeds with the final of the Men’s Open 400IM, racing to the finish first in a time of 4:19.23.
Pavoni, who trains at the British Gas Loughborough ITC, said: “I feel pretty confident; I’m happy with that swim. It’s always nice to win a big event like this and it’s great preparation for the World Championship trials in June.
“My first target for this year is to qualify for the World Championships, hopefully in more than one event. Two years ago I made the final at the Worlds so I’d love to improve on that performance this time round.”
Matthew Johnson (City of Sheffield) followed closely behind the British record holder to secure himself the silver medal in a time of 4:20.96, with Doncaster Dartes swimmer Max Litchfield (4:21.44) taking bronze.

Olympic gold medallist Ruta Meilutyte showed her class in the Women’s Open 100m Breaststroke final winning by just under two seconds.
The Plymouth Leander teenager put clear water between herself and the rest of the field, coming home in a time of 1:06.75.
Moniek Nijhuis (Netherlands) produced a 1:08.40 to take the second podium position and Bath University’s Siobhan Marie O’Connor (1:08.42) claimed her second medal of the meet securing bronze.

In a nail-biting race, Millfield swimmer James Guy (1:48.28) clinched the win in the Men’s Open 200m Freestyle event securing the title over City of Glasgow’s Robert Renwick (1:48.65).
“I really wasn’t expecting to go that fast tonight - I’m so happy with that swim and hopefully my 400m Freestyle next time will be faster too.
“I’ve got the 800m Free tomorrow which isn’t my main event but I’m going to give it a good go as I have nothing to lose.”
The final podium spot went to Sebastiaan Verschuren (Netherlands) who swam a time of 1:49.42 to secure the bronze.

In the Women’s Open 200m Butterfly final, Loughborough University’s Tilly Gray battled hard to take the win ahead of Elena Sheridan (Romford Town) in a time of 2:10.78 – a personal best.
Silver medallist Sheridan closed down fast in the final 50m but was just touched out by Gray in 2:11.01. Swansea University swimmer Alys Thomas (2:11.63) took bronze.

Benjamin Proud (Plymouth Leander) shone in the final of the Men’s Open 50m Butterfly against a tough field, improving on his heat performance to win in a time of 24.10.
Proud, who won 50m Butterfly silver at the European Junior Championships in Antwerp last summer, was happy to win in his preferred event.
“If I had to choose between the 50m Freestyle and 50m Butterfly I would say the Fly is my favourite so I’m really pleased to get the gold.
“My plan now going forward is to keep training hard and hopefully look to post some fast times at the trials in June.”
Loughborough University swimmer Adam Barrett (24.45) and Oxford University’s Jack Marriott (24.49) touched in second and third position respectively.

 

[Smallville22]

Championship - Brighton striker sees red for ref incident

Brighton manager Gus Poyet was ready to interrogate forward Ashley Barnes following his controversial sending off in the closing stages of the 1-0 Championship defeat at Bolton.
Marcos Alonso fired the game's only goal, a superb long-range strike, to take Wanderers within three points of the play-off places that they tipped the Seagulls out of.
In the final seconds of injury-time, Barnes appeared to make contact with referee Nigel Miller off the ball and was immediately shown a red card.
As with many in the stadium, Poyet's eyes were up with play and he explained Barnes was being allowed a cooling-off period after the match but would be asked to provide an explanation on the long trip back to the south coast.
"I'm desperate to jump on the bus to see the DVD and to talk to Ashley Barnes, he said.
"My way of managing this is I prefer the player to calm down because if you go to the dressing room and you ask them straight away then they will put their excuse in there and blame somebody else.
"I'm going to say I suppose it was for talking (dissent). I don't know, I cannot confirm because I did not talk to him yet. I saw nothing, I was looking at the ball."

 

[Smallville22]

WRC - M-Sport reassures 'incredible' Ostberg

M-Sport team boss Malcolm Wilson has urged his lead driver Mads Ostberg not to be downcast despite seeing Sebastien Ogier pull away in the Rally Mexico lead.
Ostberg led the event for two stages and posted fastest times on four to bring his Fiesta RS WRC home 33.0 seconds adrift of Ogier's Volkswagen.
Wilson insisted Ostberg had over-achieved on Friday.
"Mads has been incredible," said Wilson, "this is way more than I expected from him. We came to this event hoping we could be fighting for a podium place and look at what he's achieved.
"He's sitting here with his head down because he's not leading the event and that's a pretty incredible position to be in."
Ostberg admitted he was frustrated at losing time in the high-speed sections of the Cubilete and El Chocolate stages, but was pleased to at least be 'best of the rest' after Ogier.
"We're only losing to him," said Ostberg, "we're ahead of the rest, which is pretty good. But Ogier certainly understands what he's doing around here."
Wilson added that on Ogier's current form there was no shame in being slightly off the VW's pace.
"Mads is right, he is ahead of the rest and the guy that he's losing to is the same guy who was beating Sebastien Loeb in the same car a couple of years ago - and just dominated Rally Sweden, something Loeb never did," said Wilson.

 

[Smallville22]

Mexico Rally - Ostberg's Mexico victory bid ends

Mads Ostberg's bid for Rally Mexico victory is over after he had to retire from second place following Saturday's first stage.
The Norwegian was concerned about a potential clutch problem at the end of the Ibarrilla stage.
He had still been second fastest, albeit eight seconds down on leader Sebastien Ogier, whose lead had stretched to nearly 40s.
When Ostberg investigated the issue on the subsequent road section, it became clear that his M-Sport Ford was suffering an alternator glitch and would not be able to continue.
His retirement elevates Mikko Hirvonen's Citroen to second, 53s behind Ogier.
M-Sport also still has a car on the provisional podium, as Thierry Neuville is now third following Ostberg's exit.
Ostberg says he has no doubt that he could have hung on for second place in Rally Mexico had his M-Sport Ford not succumbed to mechanical problems on Saturday morning.
"Off the start in the first stage, I felt the clutch was a bit strange," Ostberg said. "It didn't pull cleanly off the line.
"Then I drove for a while in the fast stuff where you don't use the clutch, but then I got into the technical sections where you need the clutch coming out of the hairpins and it went straight to the floor. I understood the clutch was gone about halfway into the stage.
"On the road section we stopped to see if there was anything we could do. We could see the problem, it was a broken fitting going onto the pipe.
"There was nothing we could do, but it was possible to drive because the clutch was on the plate.
"We were driving through town when I suddenly had an alternator warning on the dash saying the voltage was low, but this was a different problem. After five minutes it was dead.
"I am 99 per cent sure the alternator would have got us if the clutch didn't - they are two different sides of the car."
This is the second event in succession where Ostberg's challenge for the lead has been hampered by a mechanical issue.
"I was quite angry and very disappointed," said Ostberg. "We took time from Mikko, even with the problem and it could have been quite a comfortable situation and result."

 

[Smallville22]

WRC - Ogier leaves rivals behind

Sebastien Ogier stretched his Rally Mexico lead to over a minute following main rival Mads Ostberg's retirement on Saturday morning.
Ostberg's alternator problem immediately increased Ogier's advantage, as on the opening stage third-placed Mikko Hirvonen's Citroen had slipped further away from the M-Sport Ford and Volkswagen ahead.
Even with his lead now so comfortable, Ogier continued to set a relentless pace. Two more stage wins left him 1m08s clear of Hirvonen as the loop was completed with the Leon street stage, where the Finn was fractionally quicker.
Hirvonen's second place is also somewhat solitary. Pursuer Thierry Neuville had to take it gingerly through all three stages after an early mistake damaged his Ford's steering. He reached service safely and is still on course for the podium.
The gap between fourth and fifth placed Dani Sordo and Nasser Al-Attiyah remains stable despite minor dramas for both, with Sordo getting a puncture and Al-Attiyah spinning on the Ibarrilla opener.
Chris Atkinson's recovery drive has now brought him up to eighth. Fellow satellite Citroen driver Benito Guerra is the Australian's next target, 16s ahead, after which Atkinson will set off after sixth-placed Ken Block.

 

[Smallville22]

Premier League - Ferguson: Rooney will be offered new deal

Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney will be offered a new contract before his deal ends in 2015, Sir Alex Ferguson said.
"There is no issue with the contract. When it has to be renegotiated, it will be,' Ferguson said in The Mail on Sunday ahead of United's FA Cup quarter-final at home to Chelsea.
British media went into overdrive last week reporting that Rooney would be offloaded by Ferguson after he was left out of the starting line-up for United's biggest game of the season against Real Madrid in the Champions league on Tuesday.
The 27-year-old came off the bench in the 73rd minute but could not stop United losing 2-1 to exit the competition.
However, on Friday Ferguson dismissed speculation that Rooney's Old Trafford days were numbered, telling reporters: "He will be here next year, you've got my word on that."
Sunday's newspaper reports backed that up as Ferguson came to Rooney's defence and stressed his qualities, having said he was right to leave the forward out of their Champions League last 16, second leg at Old Trafford for tactical reasons.
"We don't want good players to leave. He (Rooney) is the (Paul) Gascoigne, the Bobby Charlton. He's the best English player. He's coming to his mature years," added the United boss.
"He's had a lot of issues this year in terms of illness, injuries and not had a long run of games, but he's still got me 14 goals. He'll end up with 20 goals, no doubt about that."
Ferguson said on Friday that Rooney would play a part against FA Cup holders Chelsea at Old Trafford on Sunday as they bid to join neighbours Manchester City in the semi-finals.

 

[Smallville22]

WTCC - D’Aste shakes down BMW

Stefano D’Aste’s PB Racing spent one day at the Franciacorta Raceway, Italy, for the shakedown of their BMW 320 TC car in view of the team’s first season in the WTCC.
The German machine sported its racing livery – red, white and green like the Italian flag.
The colours match with D’Aste’s racing overall he wore in the 2012 WTCC when he won the races at Salzburgring and Suzuka.
After unveiling the livery to media representatives and fans, D'Aste completed about 10 laps of the track.
“These few laps have been useful to check that everything was working before our first test session next week at Monza," he said.
"The team’s guys are doing a good job, however they still have to fix a few things before the season kicks off.”

 

[Smallville22]

Premier League - Dazzling Townsend strike helps QPR floor Sunderland

Premier League, Loftus Road - Queens Park Rangers 3 (Remy 30, Townsend 70, Jenas 89) Sunderland 1 (Fletcher 20)

Andros Townsend unearthed one of the goals of the season as QPR boosted their Premier League survival hopes with a 3-1 win over Sunderland at Loftus Road.
It was the first time Townsend had scored in the Premier League as he met the ball some 25 yards from goal before smashing a looping volley into the net to give QPR their first back-to-back wins in England's top division for the first time since December 1995.
Substitute Jermaine Jenas - on for fellow goalscorer Loic Remy on 80 minutes - finished off the visitors with a low driven volley from 22 yards out one minute from time after Remy (30) had cancelled out Steven Fletcher's opening goal for the visiting side on 20 minutes.
QPR are level on points with Reading at the foot of the table, and are only four points from safety with Aston Villa clinging to the life raft in 17th spot after their 2-1 victory at Reading elsewhere on Saturday.
Harry Redknapp raised his arms to the heavens in celebration.
And it is little wonder with QPR looking highly impressive throughout the afternoon in displaying a spirit and unity that was lacking under Mark Hughes earlier in the campaign.
QPR were without goalkeeper Julio Cesar, but Bobby Zamora started for the home side. Brazil international Cesar had to be replaced in the second half of last weekend's 2-1 win at Southampton following a heavy collision, while Zamora was doubtful with the ankle injury that has kept him out of that match. Robert Green, who made a vital late save after coming on at St Mary's, enjoyed a relatively sedate afternoon as Sunderland toiled to open up the home team.
Martin O'Neill's Sunderland were unchanged from the side that drew with Fulham last week.
Redknapp had targeted 37 points before this match for survival - five wins and two draws from their remaining 10 Premier League fixtures.
This is one of those victories, but they had to do it the hard way after falling behind when Fletcher tucked away Adam Johnson's driven shot across the face of the home goal after some bright play by Stephane Sessegnon out wide.
It was Sunderland's first real attack of the match, but QPR were quick to restore parity when Remy slipped the ball beyond Simon Mignolet after a Townsend effort had broken kindly to him inside the home box.
QPR moved clear when Townsend's volley flew beyond Mignolet after Sunderland seemed to have cleared a corner with Jenas doing likewise with another fine effort from distance that probably gave a truer reflection of the nature of the match.
Jenas had failed to score in his previous 43 Premier League appearances. It was his first Premier League goal since September 2009 when he scored in Tottenham’s 5-0 win over Burnley at White Hart Lane. More importantly, it gives QPR real momentum in their push to avoid relegation with only seven points now splitting the seven bottom teams in the table.

MAN OF THE MATCH

Andros Townsend (QPR): An excellent performance by the youngster was endorsed by his stunning volley that helped ensure his side the three points.

PLAYER RATINGS

QPR: Green 7, Bosingwa 7, Samba 8, Hill 8, Fabio 7, Townsend 8, Park 7, Mbia 7, Hoilett 8, Zamora 7, Remy 8..subs: Wright-Phillips 6, Mackie 6, Jenas 8

SUNDERLAND: Mignolet 7, Gardner 6, Colback 6, O'Shea 6, Bramble 7, Johnson 6, Sessegnon 7, N'Diaye 6, Larsson 6, Graham 5, Fletcher 6..subs: Bardsley 6, Rose 6, Vaughan 6

 

[Smallville22]

Premier League - Villa out of drop zone as Reading hit bottom

Premier League, Madejski Stadium – Reading 1 (Baker o.g. 32) Aston Villa 2 (Benteke 33, Agbonlahor 45).

Goals from Christian Benteke and Gabriel Agbonlahor took Aston Villa out of the Premier League bottom three with a vital 2-1 win at Reading in a relegation six-pointer.
Reading had taken the lead through a Nathan Baker own-goal that will make the end-of-season blooper compilations, but Benteke levelled seconds later with a low deflected finish.
Agbonlahor put the visitors ahead on the stroke of half-time, with Villa then dominating a large spell of the match as Reading found it hard to get out of their half at times.
The hosts did improve in the latter stages, but Hal Robson-Kanu and Nick Blackman were responsible for poor misses as they failed to level.
The result means Paul Lambert’s side climb to 17th above Wigan, who beat Everton 3-0 in the FA Cup quarter-finals earlier in Saturday.
Reading, meanwhile, slip to the bottom after QPR beat Sunderland to move off the foot of the table.
The encounter was low on quality, as one would expect from two sides in the bottom three. It was high on action though, as a combination of attacking enthusiasm and defensive ineptitude yielded three goals in 13 first-half minutes.
Prior to the goal-rush, Reading had started well, with Brad Guzan saving from Adam Le Fondre in the first minute, while Robson-Kanu saw one effort blocked and another fly inches wide.
For Villa, Benteke hit the crossbar with a trademark towering header, while referee Jon Moss missed a clear pull-back by Alex Pearce that denied the Belgian what would have been a tap-in from Agbonlahor’s fine low cross.
Andreas Weimann then missed a sitter after being put through by Benteke, so it was somewhat against the run of play when the Royals went ahead in comical circumstances.
It was a decent move that saw Jobi McAnuff cross for Hope Akpan, but the former Everton midfielder’s clever backheel merely served to kill any pace or goal-bound direction on the ball when Baker decided to take a wild swing, completely mis-kicking it into his own net.
It was a calamitous intervention, but seconds later Villa were level, this time after collective defensive ineptitude gave Weimann the freedom of the right to pick out Benteke, whose low finish went in via the lunge of Stephen Kelly.
The half then degenerated into an error-ridden scrap as neither side managed to string any meaningful passes together amidst a slew of aimless long balls.
However, there was time for another goal, with Villa taking the advantage after a brief but sustained spell of pressure.
Reading had failed to adequately clear another Weimann cross, with Matthew Lowton able to knock the ball down to Barry Bannan. The Scotland midfielder’s cute finish came back off the post, ricocheting on to the torso of Stuart Taylor and into the path of Agbonlahor, who thrashed an unstoppable finish into the roof of the net.
With the buffer of a lead, Villa were more composed with the ball in the second half as they tried to play a possession game.
Weimann should have extended their lead but the Austrian forward hesitated when put clean through, Pearce able to intervene with an excellent slide tackle.
Reading were finding themselves pegged back to their final third, although they did occasionally counter attack – like when McAnuff’s excellent cross was bundled home by Noel Hunt, who was correctly flagged offside and booked for his protests.
Villa were toying with the hosts at times, although there is a reason why Lambert’s side are embroiled in a relegation battle – a basic inability to defend, as Netherlands international Ron Vlaar displayed when he completely missed Kelly’s flat cross. Luckily for him, Robson-Kanu also fluffed his lines, putting wide with only Guzan to beat.
Indeed, Villa’s hopeless defence seemed hell-bent on handing Reading an equaliser, as more ball-watching afforded substitute Nick Blackman a free header, which he put straight at Guzan.
That seemed to snap Villa back into life, as Agbonlahor fired an excellent curler inches wide, while sub Charles N’Zogbia put over after bustling forward play by Benteke.
The reverse combination of that saw Benteke fire weakly at Taylor, while Reading had another half-chance as Robson-Kanu put a more difficult effort wide.
Villa launched a rearguard action to hold on to a victory that takes them out of the drop zone, and puts Brian McDermott’s side bottom.

MAN OF THE MATCH

Gabriel Agbonlahor (Aston Villa) – An excellent finish and some fine wingplay from Villa’s most composed player, who shone slightly brighter than strike Christian Benteke.

PLAYER RATINGS

READING: Taylor 6, Pearce 6, Mariappa 6, Kelly 6, Harte 6, Leigertwood 6, Robson-Kanu 6, McAnuff 6, Akpan 6, Hunt 5, Le Fondre 5; Subs: McCleary 6, Guthrie 6, Blackman 5

ASTON VILLA: Guzan 7, Lowton 6, Vlaar 6, Clark 6, Baker 5, Westwood 6, Bannan 6, Sylla 7, Agbonlahor 7, Weimann 6, Benteke 7; Subs: N’Zogbia 7, Bennett N/A

 

[Smallville22]

Premier League - West Brom get lucky to beat Swansea

Premier League, The Hawthorns - West Bromwich Albion 2 (Lukaku 40, De Guzman og 61) Swansea City 1 (Moore 33)

West Brom were the beneficiaries of a terrible offside decision as they moved above Liverpool into seventh place in the Premier League after coming from behind to inflict a 2-1 defeat on Swansea City.
The League Cup winners took the lead through Luke Moore, making his first league start of the season, but Michael Laudrup's side allowed the game to slip away from their grasp, surrendering their record of having dropped only two points from winning positions all season.
Romelu Lukaku helped spearhead the recovery, scoring with a fine finish after 40 minutes, but the Belgian striker missed a penalty in the second half, with West Brom getting lucky when Jonathan De Guzman accidentally turned the ball into his own net.
Swansea then appeared to have equalised after 87 minutes when substitute Roland Lamah tucked away his first for the club, but referee Lee Mason followed the advice of his assistant and disallowed the goal for offside. The officials wrongly believed a Swansea player had touched the ball to Lamah, but it clearly came off the boot of Jonas Olsson.
Thanks to their good fortune, West Brom move three points ahead of Saturday's opponents and are now only two points behind sixth-placed Everton, albeit having played a game more.
After scoring the winning goal in a 1-0 win over Newcastle last weekend, Moore started for Swansea, who were without Leon Britton due to injury. West Brom, meanwhile, brought captain Chris Brunt and top scorer Lukaku into the starting XI after they missed the 1-0 defeat to Chelsea.
The changes should have given West Brom more authority but initially they wilted in the face of Swansea's superior passing game, with Michu as animated as ever. The Spaniard was withdrawn in support of Moore, with Pablo Hernandez and Wayne Routledge patrolling either side. And the wingers were involved in the first chance of the game, exchanging passes before Michu poked the ball over the bar at full stretch.
Michu, searching for his 20th goal of the season, was presented with an even better chance after 20 minutes when Swansea broke from the edge of their box with style and worked the ball to Moore with some fantastic first-touch football. He played in Michu but with Ben Foster advancing from his line the prolific Spaniard could only poke the ball just wide of the post.
West Brom were restricted to optimistic long-range attempts from Graham Dorrans and one effort from Brunt that flashed over the bar following a lovely chipped pass from Lukaku, and after 33 minutes they deservedly went behind. De Guzman delivered a corner from the left and Moore stepped away from Claudio Yacob to direct a clever header past Foster from eight yards out.
But Swansea could not press home their advantage and, crucially, could not suppress Lukaku. After 40 minutes the visitors failed to deal with a long ball into the right channel from Foster and allowed Dorrans to pick out the on-loan Belgian, who beat Vorm at his near post with a sweeping, low first-time finish.
The lively Lukaku almost inflicted further damage in first half stoppage time but his clever scooped pass over the defence was met by a volley from Brunt that arrowed straight at Vorm.
The game appeared to be bending to Lukaku's will, but after 57 minutes he passed up a big, big chance to put West Brom into the lead. Routledge tripped Billy Jones outside the box and then, with advantage being played, also made contact with Morrison, who went to ground. Lukaku looked confident enough but struck his spot-kick far too close to Vorm.
Still, the momentum was all West Brom's and on 61 minutes they took the lead. Gareth McAuley rose to meet a corner from the right and though Angel Rangel headed his attempt off the line, the ball caught the shoulder of De Guzman and flew back in for an own goal.
Swansea were lacking the energy that had characterised their performance in the first 30 minutes and Michu's struggles continued as he pinged a shot well over the bar from 15 yards after substitute Nathan Dyer touched a cross back down into his path. Then, with three minutes remaining, the visitors were denied in controversial circumstances.
Lamah tried to play a low cross after breaking clear down the right but Olsson touched the ball back into his path, allowing the winger to slot the ball past Foster from a tight angle. The assistant deemed that Itay Shechter had played the ball to Lamah, who was in an offside position at the time, but it was all Olsson, meaning the goal was legitimate.
Swansea were rightly furious, their protestations continuing after the final whistle as they were condemned to a controversial defeat.

MAN OF THE MATCH

Romelu Lukaku (West Brom): Okay, so he had a penalty saved, but the striker was the most persistent threat and the best of a bad bunch.

PLAYER RATINGS

WEST BROM: Foster 6, Jones 7, McAuley 7, Olsson 6, Ridgewell 6, Mulumbu 6, Yacob 7, Morrison 7, Brunt 6, Dorrans 5, Lukaku 7. Subs: Odemwingie 6, Thomas N/A, Fortune N/A.

SWANSEA: Vorm 7, Rangel 7, Monk 5, Williams 6, Davies 6, De Guzman 6, Ki 6, Pablo 5, Michu 5, Routledge 6, Moore 7. Subs: Dyer 6, Lamah 7, Shechter 6.

 

[Smallville22]

Premier League - Southampton hold Norwich in rainy stalemate

Premier League, Carrow Road - Norwich City 0 Southampton 0

Norwich and Southampton played out a 0-0 draw at a rain-soaked Carrow Road, where Artur Boruc saved Grant Holt's stoppage-time penalty.
The match was adversely affected by the horrifically wet conditions, but each side had a number of serious chances to grab what would have been the winning goal.
Mauricio Pochettino's visitors had the bulk of the chances and possession, but also had Japanese defender Maya Yoshida - playing out of position at right-back with the benched Nathaniel Clyne not 100% match fit - to thank for two crucial second-half interceptions to prevent the Canaries a certain opener.
And when Holt went down from a mild Luke Shaw shove in the area in time added on, the striker had his chance to seal a valuable extra two points for the hosts only for Boruc to produce a fantastic save and keep the game goalless.
Both sides – who in the last five years have each sunk to the depths of the third tier before stringing together two successive promotions to return to the Premier League – struggled to play their best football early on, thanks mostly to the soggy conditions and fear of making a crucial error.
It would be the visitors who began to mount the pressure first, taking control of the contest halfway through the first 45 with Adam Lallana forcing a great save from Mark Bunn just before the 20 minute mark.
Gaston Ramirez called the keeper into action again shortly before the half hour when he was played through by Lambert, only for Bunn to rush out and get a hand to the Uruguayan’s chipped effort.
The hosts quickly broke and won a free-kick from which Robert Snodgrass led to a similarly-strong stop from Artur Boruc, but City soon lost Anthony Pilkington to injury with Wes Hoolahan coming on in his place.
The Canaries would at least enjoy a strong finish to the first half, and were furious not to be awarded a penalty and perhaps more when Holt appeared to be held back by teenage full-back Luke Shaw as he tried to tap in a Snodgrass centre from a matter of yards.
Southampton initially regained their control of the contest at the start of the second, but after Lallana somehow fired over with the goal at his mercy on 50 minutes, Chris Hughton’s troops began to create the better chances.
And if not for Yoshida’s vital touch to Snodgrass’s low centre, Holt would almost certainly have given his team the lead on 56.
Jay Rodriguez wasted a couple of decent chances with tame finishes before Yoshida again came to the rescue 15 minutes from the end, nipping in at the last possible second to deny Snodgrass a tap-in after he had rounded Boruc.
Given that Shaw, who had tormented Norwich on the left throughout the game, was lucky to get off scot-free when pulling Holt back at the end of the first half, there was a certain degree of justice when Mark Clattenburg pointed to the spot for his innocuous contact behind Holt in stoppage time.
But then when Holt stepped up to surely seal a last-gasp victory from 12 yards, his decent strike was guessed well and kept out brilliantly by Boruc to ensure the first 0-0 between these two sides since 1972.

MAN OF THE MATCH

Maya Yoshida, Southampton – By the time Boruc had saved a point for the away side, the reliable defender had already done so twice. Superb display at the back despite error-inviting conditions.

PLAYER RATINGS

NORWICH: Bunn 8; R Martin 6, Bassong 7, Turner 7, Garrido 6; Johnson 6, Howson 6, Snodgrass 8, Pilkington 5; Kamara 5, Holt 6. Subs: Hoolahan 7, Becchio 5.

SOUTHAMPTON: Boruc 8; Yoshida 9, Hooiveld 6, Fonte 7, Shaw 8; Cork 6, Lallana 6, Schneiderlin 6; Ramirez 7, Lambert 7, Rodriguez 5. Subs: Ward-Prowse 5, Do Prado 5, Puncheon N/A.

 

[Smallville22]

FA Cup - Wigan shock Everton to reach Wembley semi

FA Cup, Goodison Park – Everton 0 Wigan 3 (Figueroa 30, McManaman 31, Gomez 33).

Wigan Athletic scored three times in four first-half minutes to stun Everton 3-0 at Goodison Park in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup.
Goals from Maynor Figueroa, Callum McManaman and Jordi Gomez put the David Moyes’s side to the sword as the hosts self-destructed in front of a frustrated fan-base, some of whom booed the Premier League’s sixth-placed side at the final whistle.
The Toffees improved in the second half but Wigan launched a rearguard action that limited them to a couple of long-range efforts, although injuries to McManaman and Ryo Miyaichi soured the win.
There was also an incident involving Marouane Fellaini, who was involved in an angry exchange with supporters following his substitution in the second half.
The result means Roberto Martinez’s relegation battlers will make at least one appearance at Wembley this season, while Everton turn their focus to chasing a European place.
Fast and furious was the fashion from kick-off, as Wigan more than matched Everton by trading attacks with their higher-rated hosts.
Sylvain Distin was inches away from putting the Toffees ahead with a header from Kevin Mirallas’s corner, but Wigan were carving out the better opportunities as the effervescent Shaun Maloney rattled a fantastic curler off the bar before picking out Arouna Kone with a superb cross which Ivorian could only head over.
Down the other end, the usually dominant Fellaini was struggling to get into the game, although he did lay the ball off for Nikica Jelavic to fire a rasping drive that Latics reserve keeper Joel Robles did well to save.
But Wigan were becoming the dominant force, as James McCarthy forced an excellent stop from Jan Mucha, starting in place of the injured Tim Howard.
And the visitors took the lead from the subsequent corner, as Figueroa evaded his marked Leon Osman to nod low into the bottom left.
Everton barely had time to restart when Wigan doubled their lead, a horrible backpass from Phil Neville sending McManaman clear, the youngster racing in from the right and firing a superb finish across Mucha and in. He was unable to add to his fine goal though, limping off injured soon afterwards.
That same bottom left corner bulged once more in less than two minutes, as Everton continued their shocking collapse. This time Kone did the running on the left wing, his low pass to the edge of the ball stroked home first time by Jordi Gomez, Mucha wrong-footed and easily beaten.
With a quarter of an hour left to half-time, Some Everton fans were already making their way home. Wigan almost made it four just before the break, with Mucha equal to another excellent dead-ball effort from Maloney.
Everton were subjected to hearty boos as they trotted into the dressing room for their customary ear-bashing from David Moyes, his charges returning to the field several minutes before the restart.
A change was made as the poor Neville was replaced by Victor Anichebe, meaning Fellaini adopted a deeper role.
It had an impact as the hosts put Wigan on the back foot from the off. But the Latics resisted the charge, a Fellaini volley wide the closest they came leading into the hour mark as surprisingly good organisation saw them comfortably defend a series of corners.
Wigan came out of their shell for the last half-hour as Figueroa should have done better after Fellaini inadvertently played him in.
Everton continued to probe, Mirallas having a goal disallowed for offside and substitute Ross Barkley having a weak penalty claim waved away after stumbling under Figueroa’s challenge.
Barkley had only just replaced Mirallas, whose strong but fair challenge ended Miyaichi’s half-hour cameo, the Japan midfielder stretchered off with an apparent recurrence of the ankle injury that recently ruled him out.
Barkley, a highly-rated teenage attacking midfielder, should have pulled one back late on but blasted wide after an error from Antolin Alcaraz.
There was another glaring miss as Seamus Coleman headed wide of an open goal after Leon Osman’s shot was parried by Robles.
It would not have made a bit of difference though, with Wigan comfortably holding out against a predictable Everton attack to claim a famous win and a place in the semi-finals next month.

MAN OF THE MATCH

Shaun Maloney (Wigan) – Led the Latics charge with some fantastic play down the left, the Scotland winger deserved a goal.

PLAYER RATINGS

EVERTON: Mucha 6, Baines 5, Coleman 5, Heitinga 5, Distin 5, Mirallas 5, Neville 4, Osman 4, Pienaar 5, Fellaini 5, Jelavic 6; Subs: Gibson 6, Barkley 5, Anichebe 6

WIGAN: Robles 7, Alacaraz 6, Boyce 7, Beausejour 7, Scharner 8, Figueroa 8, McCarthy 7, Maloney 8, Gomez 8, McManaman 7, Kone 7; Subs: Golobart N/A, Miyaichi 6, McArthur 6

 

[Smallville22]

FA Cup - Tevez hits hat-trick as City put five past Barnsley

FA Cup quarter-final, Etihad Stadium – Manchester City 5 (Tevez 10, 31 & 50, Kolarov 27, Silva 65) Barnsley 0.

A hat-trick from Carlos Tevez inspired Manchester City to a 5-0 drubbing of Championship side Barnsley in their FA Cup quarter-final at Etihad Stadium.
Tevez, who was arrested earlier this week on suspicion of driving while disqualified, was in the right place at the right time on three occasions as Roberto Mancini’s side cut the Tykes to shreds in a one-sided clash.
In addition to his sixth hat-trick in English football, Tevez weighed in with two assists as Aleksandar Kolarov and David Silva found the net.
Even though City rested several first-team regulars, including goalkeeper Joe Hart, they were expected to dominate the Championship strugglers.
Barnsley showed spirit and fight throughout, but they struggled to pass halfway and created nothing of note in an opening 45 minutes that saw City play some excellent football.
Edin Dzeko, linked with a move to Borussia Dortmund this week, headed just over after a fine cross from the excellent Samir Nasri on eight minutes.
Soon after he sparked a move that yielded the opening goal, the Bosnian picking out Yaya Toure, whose flicked pass into the box landed for Silva. The Spaniard’s finish came off the post, and Tevez tapped it in.
Dzeko again sent a header off target, the delivery once again from Nasri, but it was 2-0 soon afterwards with the Bosnian involved once more.
This time he released Tevez down the right, with the Argentine curving a superb low pass that completely confounded the visiting defence. Kolarov had continued his run from left-back and drove home a flashing low finish.
Despite his personal woes, Tevez was having another good day in the office and he gobbled up his second, another tap-in with Silva once more the provider, this time through judgement as opposed to misfortune as he cleverly cut back a pass through a crowded box.
Tevez was denied a personal treble before half-time when Kolarov’s wicked low cross deflected off Dzeko to land behind the Argentine, but it was only a matter of time.
The inevitable hat-trick came early in the second half as Tevez scuffed home after excellent play again from Nasri, who was giving Scott Wiseman a torrid time.
That led David Flitcroft to make wholesale changes, two of which helped create their first real effort on goal as Jacob Mellis completed a one-two with Jason Scotland before unleashing a fine effort that Costel Pantilimon did well to stop.
On-loan Manchester United midfielder Ryan Tunnicliffe forced an even better save from the Romanian’s legs, while Mellis stung his palms from range again.
City stepped it up a gear again and it was soon 5-0 as Silva finished at the second time of asking after Luke Steele saved his initial effort. Tevez again set up the goal with a good low cross from the right.
It was not all positive for City though, with Nasri appearing to suffer a recurrence of a thigh injury, while Tevez was less than pleased when he was substituted, leaving the field after his now customary angry exchange with Mancini.
The latter stages of the match were a training routine of sorts for City, as sub James Milner hit the post after a long-running passing move.
With Barnsley put out of their misery by just one minute of stoppage time, City wound down the clock to seal their place at Wembley once more.

MAN OF THE MATCH

Carlos Tevez (Manchester City) – A hat-trick and two assists mean that Tevez is the player of a game where Nasri and Silva also shone.

PLAYER RATINGS

MAN CITY: Pantilimon 7, Zabaleta 6, Kolo Toure 6, Lescott 6, Kolarov 7, Yaya Toure 6, Barry 7, Silva 8, Tevez 9, Nasri 8, Dzeko 7. Subs: Razak 6, Milner 7, Sinclair 6.

BARNSLEY: Steele 6, Wiseman 5, Cranie 5, Kennedy 5, Foster 4, Etuhu 5, Tunniciliffe 6, Perkins 5, Cywka 5, Dagnall 5, Harewood 5. Subs: Scotland 6, Mellis 6, O'Brien 5.

 

[Smallville22]

Scottish Football - Celtic stunned by County fightback

Steffen Wohlfarth netted a winner deep into injury-time as Ross County completed an incredible comeback from two goals down to win 3-2 against Celtic.
The German beat Kelvin Wilson and Fraser Forster to a long ball to head into the net as the hosts stunned Celtic and consolidated their status as the Scottish Premier League's form team of 2013.
The win looked highly unlikely on 21 minutes after Charlie Mulgrew had scored direct from a corner and Gary Hooper chipped home as goalkeeper Michael Fraser endured a nightmare six minutes.
But County also scored twice in six minutes. A stunning volley from Grant Munro and Sam Morrow's close-range finish got them level before the break.

St Mirren and Dundee United had to settle for a share of the spoils after a 0-0 Premier League draw in Paisley, in which John Rankin was sent off for the visitors two minutes from time for a foul on McGinn just outside the box.

Dundee were left frustrated as Inverness struck late on through Billy McKay for a share of the spoils in a hard-fought 1-1 draw at Dens Park.
The home side's new interim manager John Brown was all set to celebrate his second win at the helm in the space of just a few days thanks to John Baird's excellent first-half opener but Caley Thistle hit back through McKay's 82nd-minute header.

Aberdeen were held to a 0-0 draw for the sixth time at Pittodrie this season as Motherwell became the latest team to frustrate the Dons.

Second-half goals from Murray Davidson and Gregory Tade sealed a 2-0 win over Kilmarnock and boosted St Johnstone's top-six aspirations.
In front of just 2,425 fans, McDiarmid Park's lowest weekend crowd of the season, the Perth side completed a hat-trick of victories this term over Killie.
The Ayrshire side rarely showed any threat going forward and their hopes of snatching a share of the spoils relied on Saints frittering away chances.

 

[Smallville22]

Scottish Football - Rangers suffer shock home defeat to Annan

Goals from Ally Love and David Hopkirk gave Annan a stunning victory 2-1 at Ibrox as Rangers, with the words of their chief executive and the boos of their fans ringing in their ears, suffered a first home league defeat of the season.
Andy Little pulled a goal back but it was a dismal day for the Third Division leaders.
After Charles Green's midweek statement that the current team is the worst in the club's history, the home players had a perfect opportunity to respond but in a first half, facing a chilling wind, the home side failed to convince or warm their fans. And in the second half it only got worse.
Rangers were keen to prove they were a better side that chief executive Green might think, but it took them 20 minutes to test the Annan goalkeeper. Anestis Argyriou's 20-yard drive had plenty of power but it was at the right height for Alex Mitchell to push the ball over the bar.
Rangers were forced into an early substitution after 32 minutes. Dean Shiels, in for the injured David Templeton, had his shot blocked by Chris Jardine, with Shiels's right knee taking the brunt of the challenge. Barrie McKay took his place wide on the left but before he could do any damage the Rangers goal had a lucky escape.
Hopkirk was the provider but his perfect cutback for David Murray was wasted as he tamely scooped the ball into Neil Alexander's hands from eight yards.
Rangers should have headed for the dressing room a goal down. Two minutes from the break Murray's shot took a wicked deflection off Emilson Cribari's outstretched leg and looked to be looping over Alexander until the goalkeeper recovered to squeeze the ball wide of his goal.
The home side were jeered off, but whatever manager Ally McCoist said in the dressing room it seemed to have no effect as two minutes into the second half Annan made the breakthrough. Danny Orsi swept the ball in from the left and Love nudged the ball past Alexander to silence the home crowd.
Francisco Sandaza replaced Kal Naismith as Rangers chased the equaliser but the Galabank side incredibly doubled their lead after 54 minutes. Murray sent a deep cross to the far post and Hopkirk bravely dived to head the ball low beyond Alexander.
Four minutes later McCoist's men reduced their arrears. McKay floated in the corner and although Sandaza's shot was heading towards a packed goal, Little headed it over the line for his 22nd goal of the season.

 

[Smallville22]

Super Rugby - Australia's Pocock ruled out for season

Australia suffered a hammer blow in their preparations for this year's tour of the British and Irish Lions when flanker David Pocock was ruled out for the season with a knee injury on Sunday.
Openside Pocock's ability to turn over ball at the breakdown would have made him one of the first names on the team sheet for three tests against the Lions in June and July and he was also a contender to captain the hosts.
The 24-year-old ACT Brumbies forward injured his left knee in a Super Rugby match on Saturday, coming off the pitch early in the first half after being tackled by Adam Ashley-Cooper of New South Wales Waratahs.
Scans later confirmed an anterior cruciate ligament injury, which will require surgery and six months out of the game, an ACT Brumbies spokesman said on Sunday.
The Zimbabwean-born flanker will miss the rest of the Super Rugby season, the Lions tour as well as the southern hemisphere's international Rugby Championship.
Pocock, who has played 45 tests since his debut in 2008, was one of four players to captain Australia last season as the Wallabies were hit by a catalogue of injuries.
Incumbent captain James Horwill has still not played since last May because of injury but the lock is expected to make his return for the Queensland Reds over the next few weeks.
Waratahs flanker Michael Hooper is the most likely replacement for Pocock in the number seven jersey after several impressive performances for Australia at the back end of last year.
Queensland Reds youngster Liam Gill is also in fine form but Wallabies coach Robbie Deans might want to reconsider 110-cap flanker George Smith as an option.
Smith, 32, replaced Pocock for the Brumbies on Saturday, making his first Super Rugby appearance since 2010, but is still attached to his Japanese club and there are question marks about his eligibility.
Deans said earlier this week that Smith would not be considered for the tests against the Lions in Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney.
The man-of-the match performance by Wales flanker Sam Warburton in the Six Nations victory over Scotland on Saturday would only have compounded Deans's misery at the loss of Pocock.