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Sunday, August 31, 2008

Xinhua: 22 dead from Saturday quake

BEIJING, China -- An earthquake hit southwest China Saturday, killing 22 people, according to the state-run Xinhua news agency.

The United States Geological Survey measured the quake as a 5.7-magnitude.

The quake hit Panzhihua City in Sichuan province. By Saturday night, 17 people were reported dead and about 100 others injured in Sichuan, Xinhua said. In neighboring Yunnan province, five people died and 35 others were injured, the news agency said.

In addition, nearly 1,000 houses were destroyed and cracks appeared in walls of more than 400 houses, according to Xinhua.

Rescue teams were headed to Sichuan, Xinhua reported. The China Earthquake Administration sent teams and seismic experts to the quake-hit area while the Yunnan provincial civil affairs bureau and the Yunnan Red Cross Society sent 3,400 tents and 2,000 quilts, Xinhua said.

Heavy rains and the region's rugged terrain were delaying relief efforts, it said.

The China Earthquake Administration has sent teams and seismic experts to the quake-hit area while the Yunnan provincial civil affairs bureau and the Yunnan Red Cross Society sent 3,400 tents and 2,000 quilts, Xinhua said. Relief efforts were hampered by heavy rains and the region's rugged terrain, it said.

On May 12, a 7.9-magnitude quake in Sichuan and nearby provinces killed nearly 70,000 people and more than 18,000 others are still listed as missing.

Premier League Preview: Chelsea - Tottenham Hotspur

Flying Start For Scolari

It has been an ideal start for new Chelsea boss Luiz Felipe Scolari in the Premier League so far. Two games, six points, no goals conceded and now a game against a side that are yet to get off the mark this season, as his team look to an extend a superb run of 84 home league games without defeat.

Things started superbly for Scolari with a 4-0 hammering of Portsmouth in his side’s opening game.

Free-flowing football, goals and entertainment galore saw the press lavish praise on the World Cup winner.

Last week’s 1-0 away victory over Wigan showed some of the qualities more recognisable with Chelsea teams, but, as has been said time and again, the ability to win ugly when you are not playing well is the key to picking up championships.

There are no noticeable weaknesses in Scolari’s Chelsea side, and new additions such as Deco and Jose Bosingwa add flair to a team now rated by the bookmakers’ as favourites to lift this season’s Premier League title. However, this will be Scolari’s first taste of a London derby and he will need to ensure there is no let up in his side’s performance against a side who can beat anybody on their day, as proved by March’s Carling Cup final victory over the Blues.

The former Brazil coach has done his research though, and will have his side fully prepared for the task in hand. Tottenham, after their poor start, represent a wounded animal – a team who could cause problems if they are given a foothold in the game. An early breakthrough could see Spurs’ wounds opened, but even if patience and a competitive battle is required, the early signs indicate that Chelsea are up to the task.

"It is important for Tottenham not to lose another game. They want their first three points in the league so we have some problems to cope with, we know this," Scolari said in his pre-match press conference.

"Tottenham have lost both games and made some mistakes. But this is a big chance for Tottenham because it is a derby. We need to respect them even more."

The respect will be there, but anything other than three more points would represent a disappointing afternoon for the Blues as they look to continue their flying start to the campaign.

Shocking Spurs
 
Although the Dimitar Berbatov saga has over-shadowed Tottenham’s summer, hopes have still been high that Spurs can have a successful season in manager Juande Ramos’ first full year in charge. Vice-captain Robbie Keane moved to Liverpool but the arrivals of the likes of Luka Modric, David Bentley, Heurelho Gomes and Giovani Dos Santos yet again prompted analysts to suggest that Spurs were the most likely side to challenge the established dominance of the Premier League’s ‘big four’.

However, it has been a shocking start for Spurs. Defeat against Middlesbrough on the opening day could have represented an unfortunate defeat in a tricky away clash, but last week’s home loss to Sunderland again highlighted the lack of a midfield general and seemingly ever-present defensive frailties – with the absence of Berbatov and Keane adding a lack of firepower up-front to Ramos’ list of problems.

Tottenham should be fine however, with a first eleven that can rival most in the Premier League and an array of talented players being led by an astute manager - they are a side capable of beating anybody on a good day. However, their inexperience and evident problems ensure that they are unlikely to launch a consistent enough league run to challenge the top four in the near future and perhaps indicate that the best avenues for immediate success lie in cup competitions.

But the league remains crucial for Tottenham and they will be desperate to get off the mark sooner, rather than later. This game in many ways represents a situation where they have nothing to lose. Nobody expects them to triumph against a powerful Chelsea side and Ramos should take the opportunity to attack, something he has hinted could happen in his pre-match comments.

“I think having a game like Chelsea at this time gives us a great chance to lift the spirits. The game plan should be to go there and play with an ambitious attacking style of football without fear," he stated.

Spurs are dangerous opponents for Chelsea in this encounter, but even the most ardent of Tottenham fans will admit that anything they gain from Stamford Bridge tomorrow will be a bonus.

PLAYERS TO WATCH
 
Chelsea – Deco

Deco has made an impressive start to his Chelsea career, earning a man of the match award while scoring in the 4-0 win over Portsmouth on his debut. Last week the Portuguese international enhanced his reputation further with a superb free-kick that proved decisive against Wigan at the JJB Stadium. The ex-Barcelona man will look forward to pulling the strings tomorrow with no real ball-winner to hinder him in the Spurs midfield.

Tottenham – Darren Bent

With Keane gone and Berbatov seemingly going, Darren Bent had his opportunity to announce himself as the man to lead Tottenham this season during the first two league games, following a red-hot pre-season. As yet though, the former Charlton man has failed to take his chance and with Roman Pavlyuchenko now signed for £14 million, the England international is beginning to run out of chances to prove himself to the Spurs faithful.
With Juande Ramos considering playing predominantly with a lone-striker this year, Bent has to take his chance soon and this match on the big stage would be the ideal place to start.

FORM GUIDE
 
Chelsea

August 24 v Wigan (A) WON 1-0
August 17 v Portsmouth (H) WON 4-0
 
Tottenham

August 23 v Sunderland (H) LOST 2-1
August 16 v Middlesbrough (A) LOST 2-1

TEAM NEWS
 
Chelsea

Nicolas Anelka will continue to lead the line for Chelsea as Didier Drogba is still out with a knee injury. The Ivorian is reportedly scheduled to return to training in the coming weeks, but is still said to be some time away from regaining full fitness. Key midfielder Michael Essien started against Wigan last week despite nursing a minor injury and is therefore rated as 50/50 for this clash, as is Germany international Michael Ballack.

Tottenham

Dimitar Berbatov will have another crisis meeting with Spurs boss Juande Ramos ahead of thegame before a decision is made on the Bulgarian’s involvement. Scotland international full-back Alan Hutton is no closer to a return having suffered a stress fracture in his foot, meaning that Didier Zokora will continue to deputise at right-back. It is as yet unclear if new £14 million signing Roman Pavlyuchenko has been registered in time to play a part.

MATCHDAY SQUADS

Chelsea (from): Cech, Cudicini, Hilario, Ivanovic, Alex, Belletti, Bosingwa, Terry, Carvalho, A Cole, Bridge, Ballack, Essien, J Cole, Mikel, Lampard, Deco, Anelka, Malouda, Kalou.

Tottenham (from): Gomes, Cesar, Zokora, Gunter, Assou-Ekotto, Gilberto, Bale, King, Woodgate, Dawson, Modric, Jenas, Huddlestone, O'Hara, Lennon, Bentley, Dos Santos, Berbatov, Bent. 

PREVIOUS STARTING LINE-UPS
 
Chelsea (1-0 Away V Wigan) (4-5-1/4-3-3): Cech, Bosingwa, Carvalho, Terry, Ashley Cole; Essien, Ballack, Lampard, Deco, Joe Cole, Anelka.

Tottenham (1-2 Home V Sunderland) (4-5-1): Gomes, Zokora, King, Woodgate, Assou-Ekotto; Bentley, Bale, Modric, Lennon, Jenas; Bent.

PREDICTION 

It is hard to see Chelsea’s incredible home record being brought to an end by Spurs tomorrow, but Juande Ramos’ side do have nothing to lose. If both sides are true to their pre-match words then there should be goals in this encounter as Chelsea look to build the early season pressure on their title rivals and the visitors attempt to pick up their first points of the season.

I expect to see an improved Tottenham side tomorrow, one that will not go down without a fight and are likely to test Chelsea’s reserves before the international break. However, the Blues are strong in all areas and should be confident of making it three wins out of three for Luiz Felipe Scolari.

Chelsea 2-1 Tottenham

Robinho Calls Press Conference

Robinho has had a foot in the exit door at the Santiago Bernabeu virtually all summer. Initially tipped to join Manchester United as part of the proposed (and now defunct) deal to bring Cristiano Ronaldo to los Blancos, the 24-year-old has been a fixture on Chelsea's radar over the past few weeks.

The Brazilian forward recently declared his desire to make the switch to Stamford Bridge, and a deal worth just over £28million appeared to be sealed earlier in the week. Indeed, the Blues had already begun selling shirts emblazoned with Robinho's name when los Merengues announced that they hope to keep the player.

Real's surprise U-turn came only days after they insisted they will not force Robinho to stay, and Sky Sports News reports that the former Santos star will hit back with an announcement of his own this afternoon.

It is believed the Selecao man will reiterate his wish to join Chelsea, but he could in fact reveal a plan to take matters into his own hands - such as buying out his own contract.

Robinho will not feature in Real's La Liga opener against Deportivo La Coruna this afternoon.

Thai parliament convenes emergency session

Pro-government supporters shout slogans at a Sunday rally outside parliament in Bangkok, Thailand.BANGKOK, Thailand -- Thailand's Parliament has convened an emergency session seeking a political solution to the country's spiraling political crisis.

Embattled Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej has acknowledged that his administration has been unable to control anti-government protesters and called the
emergency session in the hope of finding a solution.

Thousands of protesters remain camped out at his official compound, known as Government House, for a sixth day demanding that Samak resign.

Samak, who took office seven months ago, has defiantly refused to step down.

Protesters accuse Samak's government of serving as a proxy for ex-Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who was deposed in a 2006 bloodless coup.

On Saturday Samak refused to resign despite growing pressure for him to step down as anti-government protests disrupted rail and air service in some of the country's most popular tourist destinations.

Samak's refusal to bow to protesters came ahead of an evening meeting with King Bhumibol Adulyadej at his seaside palace in Hua Hin, south of Bangkok. Bhumibol is a constitutional monarch with no formal political role but has repeatedly brought calm in times of turbulence during his six decades on the throne.

"I, the prime minister, have come to office in the appropriate way and I won't resign," Samak said during a televised ceremony for the royal family. In an apparent effort to end speculation that the king would seek his resignation, Samak said he had requested the meeting to brief the monarch on the political situation.

"I will not back down. I will rule this country and will lead it through all of the problems," said Samak, noting that his party soundly won December elections restoring democracy after a 2006 military coup. He also defended himself against critics who say he should not have let protesters overrun the government's seat of power.

"I have been very patient and have refrained from using force," he said. "Many have criticized me for being too soft, but if the government (cracked down) we would be criticized for using excessive force."

Thousands of protesters remained camped out at the prime minister's official compound, known as Government House, in Bangkok where leaders called for 1 million people to join their ranks to demand an end to Samak's seven-month tenure. The crowd size has ranged from 2,000 to about 30,000.

"The protest has already developed into a people's revolution," protest leader Sondhi Limthongkul told The Associated Press. "I do believe that Samak is going to resign."

Saying that Western-style democracy has allowed corruption to flourish, the protest group has proposed a blueprint for a new government which would make parliament a mostly appointed body with only 30 percent of lawmakers elected.

Samak called an emergency parliamentary session Sunday for both houses to debate the crisis and try to resolve it through political means, said Surachai Phuprasert, a top aide to the prime minister.

Thailand's international image took a blow as airports in the southern beach areas of Phuket and Krabi remained closed for a second day Saturday. Protesters occupied the runways, preventing flights from departing and arriving, and there was no indication of when the airports would reopen, authorities said. Hat Yai airport, also in the south, reopened Saturday.

Bangkok's two airports were not affected by the strikes, the airport authority said.

Hundreds of railway workers continued their second day of a work stoppage by taking emergency sick leave, forcing the cancellation of more than 70 passenger trains throughout the country, said State Railways of Thailand spokesman Pairat Rojcharoen-ngarm.

Despite Samak's refusal to budge, his strength appeared to be fraying amid the growing chaos.

The country's influential army commander, Gen. Anupong Paochinda, rejected a request by Samak on Friday to declare a state of emergency, a top army official said on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to disclose the information. Anupong has vowed that the army will not intervene and has called for resolving the crisis by political means.

The Chart Thai Party, a key member of Samak's six-party ruling coalition, said it was ready to suggest that Samak leave office.

"The coalition partners have the impression that the situation is deteriorating, and we are thinking of telling the prime minister to decide on the future of the government," said Somsak Prisana-anantakul, deputy leader of Chart Thai.

The People's Alliance for Democracy, the protest organizer, accuses Samak of corruption and of serving as a proxy for ex-Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who was deposed in a 2006 bloodless military coup and banned from public office until 2012. Thaksin, who fled into exile in Britain, faces an array of corruption charges.

Samak led Thaksin's political allies to a December 2007 election victory, and their assumption of power triggered fears that Thaksin would make a political comeback on the strength of his continued popularity with Thailand's rural majority.

Anti-government protests started in May but gained momentum Tuesday when protesters occupied the Government House compound. The unrest escalated Friday when protesters clashed with police.

After police forced their way into the Government House compound to deliver a court eviction order, the alliance fought police in running street battles, charging, punching and hitting officers with sticks. They withdrew to display minor injuries they received when police fought back.

Claiming police brutality, alliance members later laid siege to city police headquarters, demanding the surrender of officers they accused of violence. As they pressed against the gates, police fired tear gas to disperse them.

Keane Not Fazed By Goal Drought

Speaking to the Sunday Mirror Sport, Keane admitted that he was not going to let the situation worry him and that he was more concerned with winning matches than his own situation. He said: “If I was younger and a bit more naïve, I would start to worry about it. When you’re 28 and have the kind of experience I have with so many clubs, you’re not worried one bit about it, as long as the time is winning. That is the main thing.”

The Republic of Ireland striker moved to Anfield over the summer for £20 million and his partnership with Fernando Torres, appears on paper to be a mouthwatering prospect. Yet the two strikers are yet to really gel and Keane admitted he felt the pair simply needed more games together.

“My partnership with Fernando Torres is only going to come with games,” said the former Spurs man before adding, “We have to understand each other and what the team do but I have no doubts we’ll get there.”

The much-travelled striker also revealed that it usually took him a little time to find the net after signing for a new club and he was optimistic about his chances ahead of today’s trip to Villa Park. Keane explained. “And anyway it took me five games, I think, to score my first goal for Tottenham. Aston Villa will be my fifth competitive game for Liverpool and I usually do OK against them.”

The £20 million man also suggested that he needed time to settle in to his new club especially having spent the last six years in North London. He explained: “Obviously, having been at my last club for so long it was always going to be little difficult to get fully acclimatized what with new players, new environment. It has taken a little bit of getting used to.”

Keane had now made four appearances for his new club but has failed to hit the net and he acknowledged that should the situation continue the pressure would mount, but that he was ready to accept the challenge.
“The kind of challenge I now face is why I wanted to be at a top club like this,” admitted the Irishman before continuing, “One thing you have to get used to at a club like Liverpool is that when you are playing at home, you get the whole opposition team behind the ball.”

Yet Keane, who took seven Premier League games to get off the mark last season but ended the campaign with 15 league goals, is clear that his failure to find the net so far in a red shirt is not a problem. He concluded: “I’m not worried and if I’m not worried, nobody else should worry either.”

Gustav weakens, but remains on collision course with Gulf

People line up at an evacuation point in New Orleans  Saturday, as Gustav approaches the Gulf Coast.
NEW ORLEANS, Louisiana -- Hurricane Gustav, weakened only slightly by its passage over Cuba's western tip, emerged over Gulf waters Sunday on a path toward the U.S. Gulf Coast.

The passage over Cuba shaved just 15 mph off the top wind speeds reported by the National Hurricane Center before it made landfall on the island. Forecasters believe Gustav will quickly regain that power and more, likely growing to Category 5 status with winds of at least 156 mph later on Sunday.

The latest tracking map from the hurricane center predicts a U.S. landfall somewhere between Galveston, Texas, and the Mississippi-Alabama line -- with New Orleans, Louisiana, near the middle of the "cone of uncertainty."

New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin called Gustav "the mother of all storms," saying its destruction could outstrip that from Katrina, which flooded much of his city.

"You need to be scared," Nagin said of the Category 4 hurricane tearing along Cuba's western coast. "You need to be concerned, and you need to get your butts moving out of New Orleans right now. This is the storm of the century."

The city's west bank is to evacuate at 8 a.m. Sunday.

Nagin said, so far, the city had evacuated roughly 10,000 people Saturday on buses, trains and planes, in addition to the thousands who left on their own. Buses from collection points would resume at 6 a.m. Sunday, he said.


"This storm is so powerful and growing more powerful every day," Nagin said. "I'm not sure we've seen anything like this."

At 2 a.m. ET, Gustav's eye was located 485 miles (780 kilometers) southeast of the mouth of the Mississippi River, with sustained winds near 135 mph.

Hurricanes are ranked 1 to 5 in intensity on the Saffir-Simpson scale. A Category 4 has winds of 131 to 155 mph and can cause extreme damage.

"This storm could be as bad as it gets," Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal said Saturday afternoon. "We could see flooding even worse than we saw in Hurricane Katrina."

New Orleans joined the growing list of local governments in south Louisiana ordering mandatory evacuations on Saturday and Sunday as Gustav roared past Cuba and into the Gulf of Mexico.


Jindal did not order mandatory evacuations at a state level, but he urged residents to take the evacuations seriously.

"I wouldn't worry about whether the evacuation in your parish begins at 4 p.m. today or 8 a.m. tomorrow," he said. "When it comes to evacuation, do it sooner rather than later."

Jindal said the state planned to begin "contraflow" procedures, opening both sides of interstates to outgoing traffic only, at 4 a.m. Sunday.

Thousands of people had begun fleeing the coast by the time a hurricane watch was issued Saturday afternoon for southeastern Texas to the Alabama-Florida border.

The watch, which means hurricane conditions are possible within 36 hours, was announced the day after many in the region marked the third anniversary of Katrina's landfall.

In New Orleans, anxiety was high Saturday as residents fled, leaving behind a ghost town of boarded-up homes and empty streets.

Hundreds of people lined up for buses and trains to take them out of New Orleans and thousands of other Gulf Coast residents drove inland, clogging major highways.

At the Union Passenger Terminal in downtown New Orleans, people began arriving as early as 5:30 a.m., forming a line that snaked behind the main Amtrak terminal. Humvees circled the crowds of people, many who waited as long as 2½ hours, enduring the heat and relentless sun, unsure of their destination.

New Orleans officials designated 17 sites for people without transportation to board buses to take them to the terminal, where they will be moved to shelters outside New Orleans. However, scores of residents went directly to the terminal, prompting confusion, as did a glitch in the computer system being used to register people.

Jindal suspended registration at the terminal and instructed people to register when they arrive at shelters. By Saturday afternoon, 1,100 to 1,200 people had left the city on those buses, Nagin said.

"I'm not sure where I'm going," Margie Hawkins of New Orleans said. "My last 24 hours have been somewhat worrisome and very, very prayerful, because this is a very serious threat, and it's a lot of people to get to safe ground or be safe where they are."

The city also arranged with Amtrak for more than 7,000 seats to evacuate the elderly by train. About 1,500 people left for Memphis, Tennessee, Nagin said.

There were also crowds at New Orleans' Louis Armstrong International Airport, which the city plans to keep open through 6 p.m. CT Sunday. Both Delta Air Lines and AirTran Airways said they planned to continue flights in and out of New Orleans until the airport is closed.


Vehicles jammed Interstate 10 headed west toward Texas. Cars also clogged Interstates 55 and 59 heading north out of eastern Louisiana. Heavy volume was also reported on Interstates 65 and 59 as Mississippi evacuees streamed north.

Gustav is projected to make landfall as a Category 3 or 4 on the U.S. Gulf Coast late Monday or Tuesday, the National Hurricane Center said.
Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour announced Friday that Hurricane Katrina victims living in government-issued trailers or mobile homes along his state's coast would begin evacuating Saturday.

The storm called up uneasy memories Friday of the deadly 2005 hurricane season, particularly of Katrina. When Katrina hit, more than 1,800 people died in five states, 1,577 of them in Louisiana.

Unlike the situation during Katrina, there will be no "shelter of last resort," the city said. In 2005, the city's Louisiana Superdome housed thousands of New Orleanians who couldn't, or didn't, heed the mandatory evacuation order.

Nagin warned that all but a "skeleton crew" of city workers would be leaving the city and said local authorities could not promise help for those who choose to stay behind.

"This is very, very serious, and we need you to heed this warning," he said. "We really don't have the resources to rescue you after this."

Van Der Vaart: I Wanted Barça

The signing of Van Der Vaart from Hamburg was greeted with jubilation by Real Madrid fans this summer but as Sport.es reveals, the Dutchman has a chequered past. In an interview he gave to the Spanish paper back in 2002 the midfielder not only admitted his affection for Real Madrid’s bitter rivals Barcelona but also spoke about his desire to play in the Camp Nou.

“I have always liked Barcelona because it has identified with Holland. Michels, Cryuff, Neeskens…and also Romario. He is not a Dutchman but he is my idol. I have always been a follower of Barcelona and I would love to step out in the Camp Nou one day,” he gushed.

Real Madrid’s star summer signing also admitted that should he fly to Spain it would be to play for the Catalans. “I am prepared to leave Holland and play in a large European club. If I should fly to Spain I expect it to be to play for Barcelona,” said the Dutchman.

Whilst the news may shock Real Madrid fans Van Der Vaart admits in the interview that were he to leave Ajax for another club but Barcelona, his grandfather would never forgive him. Certainly it seems that the youngster had plenty of affinity for the club and talking to Sport.es he picked out a few aspects he liked in particular.

“I would love to play alongside Ronaldinho, he is a formidable player and has the spirit of a leader. I know we play in the same position but I can adapt. I can play on the right, on the left and even up front like Kluivert. I believe that I am compatible with Ronaldinho,” he concluded.

Saturday, August 30, 2008

Hurricane Gustav intensifies on its path to Cuba

A home falls into a swollen river caused by Hurricane Gustav Friday in Kingston, Jamaica.MIAMI, Florida -- Gustav's top winds got up to 115 mph (185 kph) Saturday morning, raising the storm to Category 3 status, according to the National Hurricane Center.

Hurricane Gustav is expected to pass over the western tip of Cuba later Saturday as it moves into the northwestern Caribbean.

Forecasters warn Gustav could grow to be a Category 4 hurricane as it barrels toward the U.S. Gulf Coast for a landfall late Monday or Tuesday.

Gustav is the second major hurricane of the 2008 Atlantic hurricane season.

Hurricanes are ranked 1-5 in intensity on the Saffir-Simpson scale. A Category 3 hurricane has sustained winds from 111 to 130 mph and is capable of causing extensive damage. A Category 4 has winds of 131 to 155 mph and can cause extreme damage.

As of 5 a.m. ET, Gustav was about 255 miles (410 kilometers) east-southeast of the western tip of Cuba.
Fear and uncertainty about Gustav's position and strength by Monday sent emergency officials and politicians in the United States scrambling to prepare for a possible landfall somewhere along the Gulf Coast.

In New Orleans, which has yet to fully recover from Hurricane Katrina, Mayor C. Ray Nagin urged people living in FEMA units to make evacuation plans in case they're ordered to leave.

Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour said Hurricane Katrina victims living in government-issued trailers or mobile homes along his state's coast will begin evacuating this weekend.

Both Louisiana and Mississippi are still recovering from Hurricane Katrina, which killed more than 1,800 people when it slammed ashore near the state line on August 29, 2005.

The hurricane center's five-day forecast places a possible landfall anywhere from Galveston, Texas, eastward to Mobile, Alabama. New Orleans is at the center of the projected path.
New Orleans officials warned residents that they'll be on their own if they ignore orders from police with bullhorns directing them to evacuate, The Associated Press reported.

Jerry Sneed, the city's emergency preparedness director, said the Superdome would be locked and there would be no shelter of last resort if residents decided to accept "all responsibility for themselves and their loved ones," the AP reported.

Gustav caused little damage on Grand Cayman Friday night, according to an official at the Island's airport.
Earlier in the day, the storm blasted Jamaica, killing four people as it downed trees and damaged homes, the National Emergency Operations Center there said.

"It is total devastation everywhere," the councilor for the Manchioneal division, Alston Hunter, told the Jamaican Gleaner newspaper. "Several residents are now crammed into disaster shelters here in east Portland, and the weather continues to make the situation worse."

Even as it moved away from Jamaica, Gustav was dumping rain, possibly 6 to 12 inches of it, on the island, according to the National Hurricane Center. The Cayman Islands and western Cuba were likely to get that much rain as well, with 25 inches possible in some regions.

"These rains will likely produce life-threatening flash floods and mudslides," the center said. The forecasters said coastal storm surge flooding of 2 to 5 feet above normal tide levels could happen in the Cayman Islands and 8 to 13 feet above normal levels in western Cuba, near the center of Gustav as it passes.

Meanwhile, Tropical Storm Hanna passed north of the Leeward Islands Friday with maximum sustained winds of 50 mph (80 kph), the center said.

The center predicted gradual strengthening, and Hanna could be near hurricane strength on Sunday.

Ferry bomb terror suspect held in Manila

Authorities suspect Ruben Pestano Lavilla Jr. was behind the 2004 superferry bombing.An alleged terrorist leader suspected of plotting the bombing of a Philippine superferry more than four years ago, killing at least 116 people, has arrived in Manila after his arrest in Bahrain, a Philippine justice official said Saturday.

Authorities in Bahrain arrested Ruben Pestano Lavilla Jr. last month, said Ricardo Blancaflor, undersecretary at the Department of Justice. Lavilla was deported Saturday to Manila, where police arrested him and briefly paraded him in front of local media crews before locking him inside police headquarters, Blancaflor said.

Lavilla is one of the top ideologues in the Rajah Solaiman Movement, a group of former Christians who converted to Islam and claim affiliation with the al Qaeda-linked regional terrorist groups Jemaah Islamiyah and Abu Sayyaf, Blancaflor said.

Blancaflor said authorities suspect Lavilla helped plot the bombing of a superferry near Manila on February 27, 2004, in which at least 116 people died. They believe Lavilla also helped plan the bombing of a bus behind the Intercontinental Hotel in Manila on February 14, 2005, an attack that killed at least four people and came to be known as the Valentine's Day Bombing.

The bus bombing was part of a trio of attacks that happened that day. The two other blasts, both fatal, happened in the southern cities of General Santos and Davao.

Blancaflor said he suspects Lavilla was also involved in the planning of several bomb attacks on the U.S. Embassy in Manila, all of which were thwarted by Philippine police.

In describing Lavilla's arrest in Bahrain, Blancaflor said only that police there arrested him as they were enforcing U.N. Security Council resolution 1276, which imposed air travel and financial sanctions on the Taliban.

Jemaah Islamiyah aims to create a Muslim "superstate" across much of Southeast Asia. Authorities blame the group for the Bali, Indonesia nightclub bombings of 2002, which killed more than 200 mostly Western tourists.

The group is also suspected of subsequent attacks on the Australian Embassy and J.W. Marriott hotel, both in the Indonesian capital, Jakarta.

The Abu Sayyaf group is one of several Islamic militant groups fighting the government in and around the southern Philippine island of Mindanao.

Given Aiming For Europe

The Magpies suffered a disjointed season last year with new manager Sam Allardyce lasting just over six months in the job before being replaced with Kevin Keegan.

Yet Keegan’s side have enjoyed a bright start to this season, drawing with Manchester United at Old Trafford on the opening day and seeing off Bolton 1-0 last weekend.

Speaking to Setanta Sports News, Given admitted he was pleased with his side’s start. He said: “We have had a good start and had a good win in the cup, so it is good.”

Newcastle progressed in the Carling Cup in midweek, beating Coventry City 3-2, and overcoming a potentially tricky tie. The win added to the renewed sense of optimism now surrounding St James’ Park and Given admitted Europe was the main aim this season.

“I always find it difficult when people ask me where I think we will finish. It is always a difficult question,” admitted the goalkeeper before adding, “We would like to improve on last season and see where that takes us. Ideally we want to get back into Europe and we will try and do that and push hard.”

Manager Keegan has attempted to bolster his squad this summer and has brought in several new signings who have already slotted in well. Danny Guthrie, Fabricio Coloccini, Sebastien Bassong and Jonas Guttierez have all made their Newcastle bows and impressed the fans.

Yet Given hinted that the spending might not yet be over and that the Toon Army will need even more recruits if they are to finish the season towards the top of the Premier League or with a trophy to their name. He concluded: “A lot will depend if we can get a couple more players in before the window closes on Monday night.”

Scolari: No Robinho? No Problem

Robinho appeared to be all but signed earlier in the week, but relations between the Blues and los Blancos have deteriorated drastically over the past 48 hours.

The Brazilian superstar recently stated his desire to swap the Santiago Bernabeu for Stamford Bridge, prompting negotiations to be thrust toward the closing stages.

But the deal is now in jeopardy after Real president Roman Calderon accused Chelsea of jumping the gun when they started selling shirts bearing Robinho's name.

It is no secret that Scolari is desperate to add the former Santos forward to his line-up, but the ex-Brazil coach insisted it is no skin off his nose if the deal collapses.

"If Robinho’s not here, I have my players," he said in The Sun.

"If we want one more player, we try to buy him. If he doesn’t come, he doesn’t come.

"I have players for that position, so there’s no problem."

Scolari may instead focus his attention on Sevilla striker Luis Fabiano, who is reportedly available for around £18million.

Thursday, August 28, 2008

Gustav blamed for 22 deaths as it batters Caribbean

A coffin is carried for one of eight people who was killed as Gustav hit the Dominican Republic on Wednesday.MIAMI, Florida -- Tropical Storm Gustav left 22 dead in Haiti and the Dominican Republic before it pulled away from the countries Wednesday, officials said.

The storm is expected to pass between Cuba and Jamaica before heading into the Gulf of Mexico.

The storm killed 14 people in Haiti, said Pierre Louis Pinchinat, deputy director of Haiti's Civil Protection Directorate. Authorities said eight more, including six children, were killed in a mudslide triggered by heavy rain in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.

Forecasters warned that Gustav, which was a Category 1 hurricane when it made landfall in Haiti on Tuesday, is likely to regain hurricane intensity by Friday.

The forecast shows Gustav entering the Gulf of Mexico on Saturday or Sunday as a Category 3 hurricane, with maximum sustained winds of at least 111 mph (179 kph). However, hurricane movements are erratic, and long-range forecasts are subject to change.

Pinchinat said many areas of Haiti are cut off from aid workers because roads and bridges are washed out. At least 300 people are in a shelter in one region, he said, and others are in shelters across the country.

In the Dominican Republic, the mudslide occurred early Wednesday in the Guachupita neighborhood of Santo Domingo, officials said.


Marino Vasquez stood crying over the coffin of one of his children.

"I don't have anybody anymore," he said. "I lost my entire family. They're all dead there. I have seven dead there."

The dead included two women in their 30s and six children ages 2 to 15, according to government figures.
Photojournalist and iReporter Juan Fach documented the scene, not far from the main metropolitan area in a poor part of the neighborhood called Jarro Sucio, or Dirty Pot.


The children drowned in a river that ran alongside the settlement; the two women were killed when a mountain of rock and mud tumbled onto their wooden houses, he said.

The bodies were taken in a car to a nearby church, where counselors attempted to console their relatives.
More than 1,300 people were staying in shelters, and another 4,400 displaced people were staying elsewhere, the government said.

In all, 1,140 houses were damaged, and another five were destroyed, officials said.

As of 11 p.m. Wednesday, Gustav's center was about 205 miles (330 km) west of Port-au-Prince, Haiti, and 100 miles (161 km) south of Guantanamo, Cuba, according to the National Hurricane Center. It was moving west-southwest at about 8 mph (13 kph) and is expected to turn west on Thursday and west-northwest on Friday.

"On the forecast track, Gustav should pass between Jamaica and the southeastern coast of Cuba on Thursday," the hurricane center said. "However, any deviation to the left of the forecast track could bring the center of Gustav very near Jamaica."

Gustav's maximum sustained winds were near 45 mph (75 kph), with higher gusts.

"Slow strengthening is forecast once Gustav moves away from Haiti, and the storm could regain hurricane strength within the next day or two," the hurricane center said. A Category 1 hurricane has maximum sustained winds of at least 74 mph (119 kph). See projected path.

Michaele Gedeon, president of the Haitian Red Cross, said that 180 people were in a shelter set up in a mayor's office in southeast Haiti. The storm has destroyed the roofs of more than 100 homes, Gedeon said.

Gustav is expected to produce rainfall of 6 to 12 inches over Haiti, the Dominican Republic, Cuba, Jamaica and the Cayman Islands, with isolated amounts up to 25 inches possible, forecasters said. The heavy rain could trigger flash floods and additional mudslides.

Computer models show Gustav heading for the U.S. Gulf Coast, arriving anywhere from western Florida -- which is already waterlogged from last week's Tropical Storm Fay -- to Louisiana, where cleanup and repair efforts are ongoing three years after Hurricane Katrina.

Katrina killed more than 1,800 people when it slammed into the Gulf Coast on August 29, 2005, flattening towns on the Mississippi coast and flooding portions of New Orleans, Louisiana.

Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal, saying he wanted the state to be prepared in case Gustav hit the state, declared an emergency for Louisiana on Wednesday.

"We are going to hope for the best, but we're preparing for the worst," Jindal said.

The federal government said it is stepping up its preparations, ensuring that supplies will be ready for distribution along the Gulf Coast and readying disaster teams, among other actions.

Concerns about Gustav's approach were partially to blame for an increase in oil prices Wednesday, analysts said. Oil platforms in and around the Gulf account for more than one-fourth of U.S. oil production.

A tropical storm warning still was in effect Wednesday night for.


Hurricane warnings remained in effect for parts of Cuba. Hurricane watches were in effect in Jamaica, the Cayman Islands and the Cuban provinces of Las Tunas and Holguin. Hurricane watches mean hurricane conditions are possible within the watch area in 36 hours.

U.S. troops on the American naval base at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, were keeping an eye on Gustav and "reviewing destructive weather plans and procedures," said a statement from the Pentagon.

Facilities housing detainees on the base "are capable of withstanding hurricane force winds and rain," the statement said. "Safe and humane care and custody of the detainees includes protection from the elements of inclement weather."

Atleti President: The Game Was Amazing

Los Colchoneros overturned a one goal deficit in the Champions League qualifying round by thumping four past German side FC Schalke 04 in the second leg at home to advance to the competition proper for the first time in 12 years.


And the club’s president, Enrique Cerezo, was thrilled with the team’s comprehensive victory and congratulated everyone involved with the achievement.


“It was an amazing game! We scored lots of goals and did not concede any,” he beamed to Canal Plus.


“We have now fulfilled our dream. Everyone from the players to the fans who fill the Calderón to cheer us on during the game… we have all done it. We have achieved it.” 


Finally, Cerezo commented that he has no preference over who his opponents will be in the group stage, in which Atleti will be drawn from the fourth pot.


“It doesn’t matter to us who we will meet. Whoever it is, we welcome them,” he concluded. 

Obama makes history as Democratic nominee

DENVER, Colorado -- On a historic night for America, Barack Obama secured the Democratic Party's nomination for president and emerged for the first time on stage in Denver with running mate Sen. Joe Biden.

Obama on Wednesday officially became the first African American to lead a major party ticket.
Sen. Barack Obama appears with VP candidate Joe Biden for the first time at the convention.
Delegates cried and cheered as former rival Sen. Hillary Clinton motioned to cut the roll call vote short, saying "Let's declare together with one voice right here, right now, that Barack Obama is our candidate and he will be our president."

The dramatic move was carefully choreographed to put down any fears of a divided party following the protracted primary battle.


The Democrats jumped to their feet as they made history with Obama as their leader. Outside the hall, Republican leaders also hailed the achievement.

On Thursday, the 45th anniversary of Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I have a dream" speech, in the culmination of the Democratic National Convention, Obama will address an estimated 70,000 people at Invesco field in Denver.

"This is something people like me have been waiting for for days, weeks. Years," said Howard Hemsley, an African-American delegate from New York. "He's going to the White House. He's going to be our next president."

Former President Bill Clinton reflected on the significance of the moment in his address before the Democratic National Convention.


"Now, Sen. Obama's life is a 21st-century incarnation of the old-fashioned American dream. His achievements are proof of our continuing progress toward the more perfect union of our founders' dreams," he said. "Barack Obama will lead us away from the division and fear of the last eight years back to unity and hope."

President Clinton and Biden, two of the party's elder statesmen, lavished praise upon the newly crowned nominee and did their best to paint Republican rival Sen. John McCain as a candidate who would lead the country down a dangerous path.

Clinton cast Obama as the safe pick, and the only one who could bring about change. He sought to put to rest the main criticism of Obama -- that he does not have the experience to lead.


Obama's perceived weakness compared to McCain on foreign policy and national security issues has been of concern to Democratic strategists, especially since Russia's conflict with Georgia intensified this month.

According to a new CNN/Opinion Research Corp. poll, 78 percent of registered voters said they believe McCain can handle the responsibilities of commander in chief, compared to 58 percent for Obama.

"Clearly, the job of the next president is to rebuild the American dream and to restore American leadership in the world," President Clinton said Wednesday night.

"And here's what I have to say about that. Everything I learned in my eight years as president, and in the work I have done since in America and across the globe, has convinced me that Barack Obama is the man for this job."

The ex-president had been one of the most vocal critics of Obama during the protracted primary season. Republicans have used the Clintons' earlier criticism of Obama's experience in their attacks on the Democratic presidential nominee.

Going into the convention, there were still a lot of questions about whether the Clintons were ready to embrace Obama following the bruising primary battle.

Clinton seemed to change that narrative as he declared his support for Obama.

David Gergen, a CNN senior political analyst who worked in the Clinton administration, said the speech was "the most effective and the most important speech Bill Clinton has delivered since he left the White House."


Continuing criticism leveled by Clinton and other speakers this week, Biden took to the stage and delivered an assault on Republican policies.

"As we gather here tonight, our country is less secure and more isolated than at any time in recent history. The Bush-McCain foreign policy has dug us into a very deep hole, with very few friends to help us climb out," he said.

Biden rattled off a list of McCain's positions on issues ranging from taxes to alternative energy, repeatedly saying: "That's not change -- that's more of the same."

Biden, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, is widely believed to have been chosen for the Democratic presidential ticket based on his foreign policy credentials.


The six-term senator pointed to his friendship with McCain, but said "I profoundly disagree with the direction that John wants to take the country."

Wenger: Fabulous Cesc Was The Difference

Fabregas starred as the Gunners swept past their Dutch opponents to claim a 6-0 aggregate qualifying win and book their place in the Champions League group stages.

Yesterday's performance could scarcely have been in more direct contrast to their effort at Fulham last weekend, when they slumped to a dismal 1-0 defeat against their lowly London rivals.

Similarly, Wenger's reactions following the two games were almost bipolar, as the Frenchman was as delighted with last night's win as he was furious at the Cottagers loss.

And the Arsenal manager had no qualms about singling out the source of the sudden turnaround.

"I believe Cesc brings calm and confidence to the side and, overall, we had a good balance here," he told The Sun.

"I felt the whole team was sharper and physically much better than on Saturday. That is what made it easier.

"The response after Saturday was clear. There was togetherness, focus and efficiency and that is what you want on such a night with so much at stake."

Fabregas missed the Fulham game through injury, and he was substituted during the second half against Twente to rest up for this weekend's Premier League clash against Newcastle United.

Wenger added: "I took Cesc off in the second half because he was coming back from a hamstring and we play again on Saturday."

GOP cheers Obama's historic stride, but doubts his experience

Ex-New York Mayor Rudolph Giuliani, with other Republicans, says Obama is not qualified to be president. Republicans briefly stopped attacking Sen. Barack Obama for what they call his lack of foreign policy experience to note the historic significance of the United States nominating the first African-American for president.

"It's a tremendous night for America," said Ed Rollins, a Republican campaign consultant who has worked on high-profile political campaigns including Gov. Mike Huckabee's 2008 presidential bid.

"We're in a real close, real tight race. And this guy has a real shot at winning. At the end of the day, this is an extraordinary candidate," he said.

"We can all share in how far we've come," said CNN conservative political analyst Amy Holmes, who is African-American.

But the warm fuzzies from the GOP ended after former President Bill Clinton took the stage Wednesday at the Democratic National Convention in Denver, Colorado.

Clinton declared Obama "ready to be president of the United States." To wild applause, Clinton reminded his audience that when he ran for president in 1992, critics said he was too young and inexperienced to lead the nation.

"It didn't work in 1992 because we were on the right side of history and it will not work in 2008 because Barack Obama is on the right side of history," Clinton told the cheering crowd.


Clinton's comments raised typical reactions from Republicans, who say voters are facing the choice between a candidate with decades of experience in government and another with just a few years of service.

Rep. Christopher Shays of Connecticut said the circumstances of past campaigns were irrelevant and accused Clinton of wrongly taking credit for the economic prosperity that marked his presidency.

"Bill Clinton ran against George Bush Sr. Barack Obama is running against John McCain and that's a big difference," Shay said.

"In my view, a new Republican majority in 1994 saved the Clinton presidency," he said. "We balanced the federal budget. We were the ones that cut spending."

Ralph Reed, a former senior adviser to George W. Bush's campaigns in 2000 and 2004, said Clinton's speech was big on rhetoric, but failed to hammer down key issues for the American people.

"I found it ironic that Bill Clinton, who vetoed $500 child tax credit and vetoed welfare reform, our most successful reform, twice before signing it, is criticizing John McCain, who is proposing taking child tax credit and doubling it," Reed told CNN's Larry King.

"Bill Clinton is one of the supreme political talents, but he's both a blessing and a burden," said Reed, noting Clinton's speeches at the past two Democratic conventions.

The Republicans pounced on Clinton's about-face on Obama's experience.

"After three full days of the Democratic National Convention, President Clinton was finally forced to testify that Sen. Obama is ready to be president, despite his previous arguments to the contrary," said Tucker Bounds, a spokesman for Republican candidate John McCain.

Republicans also dismissed a speech from vice presidential candidate Sen. Joe Biden, who criticized McCain's support of offshore drilling.

"Joe Biden's argument was more of the same," said radio host Lars Larson, echoing Biden's refrain that a McCain presidency would be "more of the same" from the Bush administration. "It was a tired speech."


Ultimately, the Republicans agreed that the election's outcome hinged on the candidates' policies and not charisma on display by Clinton or Obama, who surprised the crowd by appearing at the end of Wednesday's convention.

"It played exactly into the critique that the McCain camp has set up, that Barack Obama is this celebrity. He makes this celebrity entrance at the end night and offers no substance," GOP strategist Kevin Madden told CNN's Larry King.

"It's a lot of talk, a lot of rhetoric but it's like cotton candy -- it melts on contact but you can't live on it," he said.

Earlier Wednesday, former New York Mayor Rudolph Giuliani, who ran for president as a Republican, used the Clintons' own words to cast doubt on Obama's qualifications.

Giuliani evoked the infamous "3 a.m." moment during the primary season, when Hillary Clinton ran an ad asking voters who they wanted to respond to notification of a crisis at an unexpected moment.

Former U.S. treasurer Rosario Marin criticized Obama for not mentioning the name of any Latin American countries when Obama addressed a crowd in Berlin, Germany, this summer.

"I was not just disappointed, but rather, I was insulted," Marin said.

The Republican Party set up a war room down the street from the convention, staffed by volunteers busily chatting on their phones and hammering away on laptops opposing much of what the Democrats say.

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Standing next to two big dry-erase boards and television monitors, a young McCain supporter instructed a table of volunteers in their latest spin about "solving problems."

"The fact is," Matt McDonald said, "Obama has no record whatsoever doing that, and John McCain has a long record of doing that, so that should be at the core of the response."

Robinho To Chelsea Within 48 Hours - Kenyon

The Blues' chief executive is confident that the Brazilian will complete his move from Spain by Friday after several days of reports and rumours that a deal was going through.

Luis Felipe Scolari has admitted that he wanted his compatriot to join him at Stamford Bridge after he took over the reins at Chelsea earlier this summer.

Robinho has told Madrid that he wants to leave after a string of events left him feeling undervalued at the Bernabéu and now he appears to have his wish.

Talks over a new contract for the Brazilian were delayed and then he was offered less than he asked for which did not go down well, but it was his inclusion as a makeweight in the bid to sign Cristiano Ronaldo that saw him decide he wanted to leave.

The player's agent told reporters on Tuesday that a deal "was close to being done" and now Kenyon has backed up that statement by claiming that it will be concluded "within 48 hours".

Robinho was named in Madrid's squad for the Spanish Super Cup encounter with Valencia at the weekend but remained as an unused substitute, although he was jeered by fans before and after the match.

Tuesday, August 26, 2008

Blast at rally in Pakistan kills 3

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan -- A blast at a rally in southwestern Pakistan killed three people and wounded at least 20 others Tuesday, authorities said.

The blast took place in Jaffarabad, in Pakistan's largest province, Balochistan, said police officer Abdul Majid Bangar.

Supporters had gathered to commemorate the second anniversary of the death of Nawab Akbar Khan Bugti, the British-educated former governor of Balochistan who was killed in a 2006 military raid.

Balochistan is a province near the Afghan border that is rich in natural gas.

Bugti turned against the national government amid disputes over the distribution of natural gas revenues extracted from tribal territories.

Militants in Balochistan have for years complained that the central government has paid little attention to them and their economic needs. They have been fighting Pakistani military forces for self-rule.

More recently, the province has seen an influx of Afghan refugees. And the Afghan government believes that key Taliban leaders may be hiding among them.

Pakistan has said the militants in Balochistan do not have links to the Islamic hard-liners who have launched assaults in other parts of the country.

Soon after the ruling Pakistan People's Party swept into power in February elections, it called for an end to military operations in Balochistan, the largest of Pakistan's four provinces.

It said it would work toward giving "maximum provincial autonomy" to the area.

Kaka To Chelsea In 2009 For €90m?

The English giants are long-term admirers of Kaka, and have been linked with a move for him almost all summer.

Last month it was reported in the press that Chelsea had made a €100m offer for the European and World Footballer of the Year and, although this wasn’t confirmed, Milan Vice President Adriano Galliani did note that the club had rejected a “conspicuous” offer from Chelsea.

Since then, there have been numerous figures thrown about by the press, with the Italian media even stating that Chelsea were prepared to fork out a whopping €150m for the midfielder.

The Daily Star, following on from a similar report in the Italian press at the weekend, is now claiming that Kaka has a good chance of making the move to Stamford Bridge next summer for €90m.

The groundwork was done during the deal which saw Andriy Shevchenko return to San Siro on Saturday afternoon. Relations between the two clubs are excellent now, and there have even been rumours that Milan have handed Chelsea a transfer option on Kaka. The option would mean that Chelsea would have first refusal on Kaka should he become available to buy, and according to the Star this is a very real scenario.

'Tired' Nadal eases into U.S. Open second round

Rafael Nadal's match against Bjorn Phau took nearly three hours on Monday.NEW YORK -- Olympic champion Rafael Nadal overcame an early challenge and went on to win his first-round match at the U.S. Open.

Playing for the first time as the world No. 1, Nadal swatted his very first shot wide against No. 136 Bjorn Phau.

The Wimbledon and French Open champ was two points from dropping the first set when he surged and, despite needing to bandage a nasty blister, won 7-6 (4), 6-3, 7-6 (4).

"I didn't play with normal intensity," Nadal said. "Probably I'm a little bit tired."

Asked whether he was more worn down mentally, physically or emotionally from Beijing, he said: "I think it is a little bit of everything."

Nadal got a stiffer test from the German qualifier than many anticipated, and shook his head near the end of a match that lasted nearly 3 hours.

No. 9 seed James Blake had to play past midnight to survive a five-set match against 19-year-old fellow American Donald Young. With the help of two key calls overturned on challenges in the last two games, Blake won 6-1, 3-6, 6-1, 4-6, 6-4.

Fourth-seeded David Ferrer of Spain beat Martin Vassallo Arguello of Argentina 7-6 (1), 6-2, 6-2 and No. 6 Andy Murray of Britain beat Sergio Roitman of Argentina, 6-3, 6-4, 6-0.

Also winning were No. 7 David Nalbandian of Argentina, No. 10 Stanislas Wawrinka of Switzerland, No. 16 Gilles Simon of France and No. 17 Juan Martin del Potro of Argentina.

No. 27 Feliciano Lopez of Spain lost to Jurgen Melzer of Austria 4-6, 7-6 (5), 6-2, 2-6, 6-4. The No. 29-seeded Juan Monaco of Argentina lost to Kei Nishikori of Japan 6-2, 6-2, 5-7, 6-2.

Roger Federer, bidding for his fifth straight U.S. Open title, was scheduled to begin Tuesday, as were No. 1 Ana Ivanovic and the Williams sisters.

The final Grand Slam event of the season figured to be a scramble on both sides.

Nadal seems like the natural favorite, yet has never gone beyond the quarterfinals in five previous tries at Flushing Meadows. The 22-year-old Spanish dynamo took a while to find his rhythm against Phau, whose spirited play made him a crowd favorite.

Fans at Arthur Ashe Stadium, often quiet during early daytime sessions, cheered when Phau dived for a shot, rolled over on his back and chased a return.

In the night's last match, they got behind Young, the former No. 1 junior player in the world. Young came back from down a break to win the fourth set. Serving with the final set tied 4-4, he seemed to have the momentum.

But Blake took control after he successfully challenged to take a point away from Young at the start of the game. Blake went on to break Young to go up 5-4, then served out the match. He successfully challenged again in the last game to reach triple match point.

"Maybe a little experience came through for me at 4-all in the last set," Blake said.

Analysis: Michelle Obama gets the job done on Day One

Michelle Obama keeps her focus on her family and working-class roots.DENVER, Colorado -- Michelle Obama had one message for America the first night of the Democratic convention: Barack and I are just like you.

On the Democratic National Convention's first night, Michelle Obama painted a portrait of a typical American family: her blue-collar dad and homemaker mother and her husband Barack's middle-class family that "scrimped and saved so that he could have opportunities they never had themselves."

The audience for the speech was the millions of Americans who know little about Michelle Obama except the black radical stereotype caricatured on the controversial New Yorker cover earlier this summer. It comes after a full-court press by the campaign of Republican Sen. John McCain to paint her husband, the presumptive Democratic nominee, as a celebrity who can't relate to the plight of ordinary Americans.

It's a theme that will be taken up later this week by presumptive vice presidential nominee Sen. Joe Biden, whose middle-class, Catholic background is meant to send the same message about Obama's values.

In a race where the prize goes to the one who's best at making himself look average, Michelle Obama's focus stayed on her family and working-class roots -- and on her husband as the embodiment of the American dream. In a campaign season where she has been forced to defend herself against attacks on her patriotism, she paid tribute to military families.

A CNN/Opinion Research Corp. poll in July found that a majority of voters view Michelle Obama in a favorable light.

According to the poll, 51 percent of registered voters report a favorable view of the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee's wife, while 28 percent hold an unfavorable view. Just over 21 percent did not express an opinion.
In 1992, the last presidential candidate raised by a single mother also faced critics who called him an arrogant elitist. His wife also faced pressure to prove she was in touch with the average woman.

At that year's Democratic convention, Bill and Hillary Clinton battled to prove they were ordinary -- and drew a 16-point post-convention boost for their efforts. Barack Obama's White House bid rests on his ability to make the same case.

Monday, his wife delivered a solid opening argument.

Sergio Ramos Wants New Contract

Realizing that the club have the astronomical funds to go after Cristiano Ronaldo and now David Villa and the capacity to offer Robinho a new mega deal in an attempt to entice him to stay, Real Madrid rightback Sergio Ramos is ready to cash in by demanding a significant contract improvement.


According to El Mundo Deportivo, the player’s agent and brother, René Ramos scheduled a meeting with the club directors yesterday to request a raise from €6 million gross to €6 million net per season for his client. 


Sergio Ramos was reportedly promised a review of his contract at the same time the club discussed a new agreement with Raúl, Guti and Iker Casillas, but the negotiations never reached completion for the 22 year old versatile defender.


It is no secret that the former Sevilla man has received countless offers from AC Milan and it looks as though he might just use that as a bargaining chip to get his contract improvement.

Monday, August 25, 2008

Spanish staying power

It has not been the most edifying summer for the nation's footballing icons. It is extraordinary, really, that players such as Frank Lampard and Emmanuel Adebayor consider badge-kissing a reasonable gesture at the end of dreary media sagas in the name of a whacking pay rise. In their defence, they might argue they were only playing the game. Everybody's at it. Cristiano Ronaldo. Gareth Barry. Given half a chance, who wouldn't? Flirting through an agent, or via a conveniently placed back-page lead, is simply what footballers do nowadays when they want something.

But the everybody's-at-it excuse simply doesn't wash. Even in this era of overbearing player power, some exceptionally talented players manage to increase their salary without whining to the papers or hiding behind the obnoxious claims of 'sources'. In 2006, without any fuss or attention, Cesc Fábregas penned an improved eight-year contract with his employers. At the time he was coveted enough to write his own terms with any European superclub. He could have increased his earnings if he had been prepared to kick up a stink, but he has better manners than that.

Two years on and the young man is preparing for a new season with Arsenal after another summer in which he could have joined Ronaldo, Lampard, Adebayor et al without even trying. He found himself starring in many a mischievous transfer story emanating from Spain. His response? He swiftly knocked them all back, outlined his commitment to Arsenal and quietly got on with enjoying his well earned holidays. If he wants a pay rise he will do it without the help of a public inquiry, muchos gracias

It is almost impossible for a young footballer thrust into gold-tinged celebrity to maintain perspective. Fábregas has, to the extent that conversation with him begs the wistful question: 'Why can't they all be like that?'

Fábregas had more reason than most to remind himself how lucky he is last week when he toured the specialist teenage cancer unit of University College Hospital as part of Arsenal's support for their charity of the season. Afterwards he spent some time with another cool and confident 21-year-old making the best of his life. From a distance they looked like two mates hanging out, talking football and music. It just so happened that the other kid, Anthony Whitehead, discovered he had cancer three days before his 18th birthday.

Fábregas was clearly moved by Anthony's story. Most people in that delicate age group are either lumped into the children's ward, or, as Anthony was, in with the over-sixties. He had nobody to talk to on his wavelength until he came into contact with the Teenage Cancer Trust.

'At our age we think we know everything and we don't know anything. That's the truth,' Fábregas reflected afterwards. 'You have to fight for your dream but you also have to feel fortunate for what you have. Anthony kept fighting for his dream which was to beat cancer. He made it and now he has a bright future for sure. He went though so much, all alone in hospital with everyone around him 60 or 70 years old. I told him, "Many congratulations because not everyone has this character." To see someone of my age have such an experience, and come through it happy and smiling, is unbelievable.'

Fábregas looks, and feels, blessed. He is raring to get back out onto the pitch, which he expects to do on Wednesday night for the visit of FC Twente in the second leg of the Champions League third qualifying round. If there is a crisis at his club, as many have predicted in analysing the weaknesses in Arsenal's squad compared to their rivals, their talismanic No 4 does not appear to be feeling it. Despite losing three experienced midfield team-mates in Gilberto Silva, Mathieu Flamini and Alex Hleb during the close-season, Fábregas is not anxious. 'We have to accept that they are big players but the boss knows what he is doing,' he says, before pointing out that the transfer window is still very much open. He expects the missing link to arrive in good time.

Naturally, he is a little disappointed to lose such close midfield allies, but he is also slightly baffled as to why they were so keen to move on. 'I cannot remember any player who left Arsenal and has been a superstar,' he muses. 'Don't get me wrong, Alex Hleb and Mathieu Flamini are two of my best friends in football and I wish them all the best. I speak to them every week and I know how they feel - I am not going to tell you - but Arsenal is Arsenal. This club has something special that no others have. We have to take care of it.'

Why does he feel so loyal? What is this something special? 'I have a lot of friends in Spain and Italy and when they speak about other clubs I know I am privileged to be where I am. I don't want to lose it. I want to win things for the club. I want to get experience here. I want to play for Arsenal. When you see football all around the world you see very few teams who play the way that we play. I just enjoy it. I feel it is my home now.'

The sentiment is admirable. But surely there is only so long that happiness can mask the desire for trophies, especially as Fábregas is fresh from the elation of summer success on the international stage. The critics who doubt if Arsenal have a group strong enough to mount a challenge cannot all be wrong.

'We are not a squad with 25 international players like Chelsea,' he explains. 'We are a bit shorter because the boss wants to keep everyone happy, with everyone fighting for a place and knowing they have a chance.

When you have six or seven important injuries, as we did last season, that's unfortunate. But in the League four points [the number Arsenal finished behind the champions] is not a lot to make up.

'Right now we are competitive, but in the middle we need someone who can compete and give us another dimension we are missing. That's all we need,' he says. Arsène Wenger made some cryptic comments about Barry last week, but Fábregas cannot disguise his enthusiasm for his Spain team-mate Xabi Alonso. 'I'd love it!' he beams. 'What can I say. He is my friend and apart from that he is a great professional, a great passer of the ball, he works hard defensively, he's scoring goals now, he's experienced and he's only 26. For me he would be perfect.'

So has he spoken to him about a possible move south from Liverpool? 'Erm... No,' is the attempted reply, but Fábregas cannot stop himself from breaking into peals of laughter. He is a man of many talents, but fibbing evidently is not one of them.

It is still striking how much top-level experience he has mustered. How many 21-year-olds have played well over 200 matches for club and country, including the finals of the European Championship, Champions League, FA Cup and Carling Cup? His importance to Arsenal from the control room of central midfield cannot be overstated. Over the summer he made himself almost as indispensable for Spain with a series of spectacular cameos.

He is quick to point out that his international squad was not particularly old. 'We were probably the second youngest side at the European Championship with Spain and we won the tournament,' he says. The notion that Arsenal are too young, too naive to succeed irks a little. 'Some people say, because we are young, that we are working for the future. I don't see it like this and the boss doesn't either. You just have to believe in what you can achieve this season. There are always people around who want to put you down. At Arsenal we have to stick together, the players and the fans, we have to be strong and keep fighting for our objectives.'

There is no objective higher than the Champions League. That subject inevitably drifts towards Arsenal's 2006 final against Barcelona. His team were 14 minutes away from lifting the trophy against his boyhood club.

Does he think about it often? 'Not really,' he says, as if the answer is surprising even to himself. 'It's the one I think less about. I don't know why. We were all devastated after that final, but I must say afterwards we realised that Arsenal was a big club and we could compete against anyone. To play a final against Barcelona with 10 men from the first few minutes, and they didn't come back until the last few minutes, it was really impressive. It was devastating but we were quite proud. For our mental aspect it was very, very positive.

'We have learned we don't have to be afraid of anyone. We've seen in the last few seasons we can beat anybody. You have to be positive and you have to believe you can do it again - at least make it to the final. I've played a few finals now and you can see anything can happen.'

The memory of last season's dramatically charged European fallout at Anfield in the quarter-finals is sore enough for Fábregas to volunteer a rare 'no comment'. He prefers to focus on the positives, such as the eye-catching dismantling of Milan in the last 16 - a performance that amply demonstrated the leadership and inspiration Fábregas bestows on his team.

William Gallas may wear the armband, but the Catalan who is 10 years his junior provides a significant amount of direction within the camp. Fábregas would welcome the captaincy one day. 'I would love it,' he enthuses. 'I respect all decisions. I am a player that accepts nearly everything. I am happy with everything, my No 4, playing for Arsenal in centre midfield and giving 100 per cent every, every game. But if the boss thinks in one or two years I am ready to be captain, I will take the armband.'

Considering he talks as good a game as he plays these days, that honour would be entirely deserved. And he would not have to get his agent to tell the papers how much he wanted it - or else! - in order to make it happen.

Donate to the teenage cancer trust at www.beagoonerbeagiver.org

Grand spectacle closes Beijing's Olympics

A dancer performs Sunday during the Olympics Closing Ceremony in Beijing.
BEIJING, China -- Grand fireworks and spectacular choreography brought to a close the Beijing Games Sunday as one of the most remarkable Olympics in recent history were declared at an end.

Fireworks across China's capital as a crowd of more than 90,000 at the landmark "Bird's Nest" National Stadium watched the pyrotechnics.

The ceremony marked a climax to a Games that has delivered many world-breaking sporting performances and redefined the international image of the communist nation.

"Tonight, we come to the end of 16 glorious days which we will cherish forever," IOC President Jacques Rogge said.

"Through these Games, the world learned more about China, and China learned more about the world."
"These were truly exceptional games," he said, declaring them formally closed.

Joining the sportsmen and women at the event were a delegation from London, host of the 2012 Summer Games, including soccer star David Beckham who rode into the stadium on a red double-decker bus.


British Prime Minister Gordon Brown was also in attendance while London's mayor, Boris Johnson received the Olympic flag from Beijing Mayor Go Jinlong.

Scolari: No Pressure On Fergie & Wenger - Yet

The Blues followed up last weekend's dominant display against Portsmouth with a hard-fought win away at Wigan yesterday, Deco scoring the only goal with an early free-kick.

The west London club thus maintained their status as the pace-setters alongside Liverpool, who were also forced to fight for their 2-1 triumph over Middlesbrough.

However, the rest of the Big Four have not fared quite so well.

The Gunners were both outplayed and beaten by Fulham on Saturday, while United will hope to redress last week's disappointing draw against Newcastle when they travel to Fratton Park this evening.

But Scolari dismissed the notion that Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger are already on edge, insisting it is far too early to make such judgements.

"It is only two games - if it was the last games of the season, maybe there would be pressure but now? No," the Brazilian told the press.

"I think teams have time now to lose some points."

Robinho Jeered After Losing Madrid Support

The Brazilian's actions have infuriated Los Merengues' fans and he was subjected to their wrath before and during the team's Spanish Super Cup victory against Valencia on Sunday evening.

After asking for an improved contract at the Bernabéu last term and stating that he wanted to stay was met by silence from the Madrid hierarchy, who then reportedly tried to include him in a swap deal for Cristiano Ronaldo.

When Robinho objected, Chelsea made their move and his desire to leave the Spanish giants grew with claims that he was not being given any support or reason to stay.

Despite all that, the Madrid fans believe that his desire revolves around earning more money and cries of 'go to Chelsea' being aimed in his direction at the team hotel before the game.

Bernd Schuster surprisingly included Robinho in his squad, but opted not to subject the 24-year-old to the jeers that would have greeted his entrance and left him on the bench.

At the end of the game, the former Santos star did join his team-mates on the pitch and he could clearly see the placards and hear the shouts of 'pesetero' (money grabber).

Robinho may now feel that he has lost any affection he built up with the Bernabéu faithful and that could push him to take up Madrid on their offer to let him buy out his own contract.

Chelsea have made it clear that they are ready to buy him and could make another official approach to Los Merengues this week to save the player having to go down that route.

Day 16 Review: US team 'redeemed' on final day of firsts

(BEIJING, August 24) -- The Games of the 29th Olympiad are finally over and concluded with 12 finals including a new Olympic record in the Men's Marathon, China and Mongolia collecting their first-ever Olympic Boxing medals and Russia retaining its Rhythmic Gymnastics All Around crown.

But to most observers there was only one question that remained to be answered before the veil came down on Beijing 2008: could Team USA redeem their country's wounded pride at missing the Men's Basketball gold medal in Athens four years ago?

Indeed, even the star-studded NBA players in their ironically monikered "redeem team" joked they'd better not bother going home unless they had nice new gold medals safely tucked inside their suitcases – few major sports, if any, have one nation in the psychological grip that basketball has over the US public.

And the US Women's team, led by Lisa Leslie who scooped her fourth and almost certainly final consecutive gold medal, also retained their Women's Basketball title yesterday. So there was some pressure on the boys.

Redeemers, dreamers, daydream believers, call them what you will, today they were simply winners -- and Beijing 2008, alongside the big name footballers and tennis players who came here, was all the richer for having these major sporting stars in its midst.

They responded magnificently by weighing in with 118 points to Spain's 107. Not that it was ever a walk in the park against a determined Spanish team which, just like China had done in the US team's opening encounter of the Games, led early on.

But after a shaky start, Team USA soon built a seven point advantage by the end of the first quarter, then a half time of lead 69-61.

Inspired by Marc Gasol, Spain chipped away the US lead in the third and fourth quarters, reducing the deficit to just four points at one stage, but the "redeemers" pulled away for an 11 point victory margin that reflected the overall balance of the game.

As you might expect, Kobe Bryant and Dwyane Wade were the top scorers for Team USA, weighing in with 20 and 27 points each.

Afterwards, Lebron James described the joy within the Team USA camp: "It means everything to me. We're the number one team. We've been so blessed with this opportunity. It's so rewarding to see your hard work pay off. This is something I've waited for, for four years."

Earlier, defending Olympic champion Argentina won the bronze medal after a comfortable victory against Lithuania 87-75 with Carlos Delfino top-scoring with 20 points for Argentina.

And there was plenty of other action on Day 16.

Samuel Kamau Wansiru set a new Olympic record in the final Athletics event of the Games -- the Men's Marathon -- in which all the medals went to African runners.

Wansiru's victory in two hours and 6.32 minutes was Keyna's first Olympic Men's Marathon win and smashed Carlos Lopes' 24-year-old previous record of two hours and 9:21 minutes, set by the Portuguese runner at the 1984 Olympics.

Jaouad Gharib from Morocco also broke the former record to take silver in two hours and 7.16 minutes, with Ethiopia's Tsegay Kebede crossing the finish line in two hours and 10 minutes to claim the bronze.

China collected its 50th gold medal of the Games and its first-ever Olympic Boxing gold thanks to two-time world Light-flyweight champion Zou Shiming, who defeated Serdamba Purevdorj by catching the Mongolian with a combination of punches in the first round, to earn one point. The bout ended abruptly in the second round with Purevdorj retiring with a shoulder injury.

A second Boxing gold soon came China's way with Zou followed onto the podium by Zhang Xiaoping, who won the Light-heavyweight final by defeating Kenny Egan of Ireland, 11-7.

China was denied a third win though, as Roberto Cammarelle of Italy beat Zhang Zhilei to win the Super-Heavyweight gold.

Mongolia didn't have long to wait to get over the disappointment of Purevdorj's defeat -- Badar-Uugan Enkhbat grabbed its first-ever Boxing gold by out pointing Yankiel Leon Alarcon of Cuba 16-5 to win the Bantamweight gold – and Cuba left the Boxing tournament without a gold medal after Carlos Banteaux Suarez was easily defeated by Kazakhstan's Bakhyt Sarsekbayev 18-9 in the welterweight gold medal final.

Alexey Tishchenko of Russia beat Daouda Sow of France 11-9 to win the Lightweight gold for his second straight Olympic gold medal, having won in the Featherweight class at Athens 2004.

Elsewhere, as expected, world champions Russia won the Rhythmic Gymnastics All Around gold medal, scoring 35.550 points in the two-routine final. China earned silver with 35.225 points and Belarus took the bronze medal with 34.900 points.

There was further medal success for the United States -- which won its third Olympic Men's Volleyball title by coming from one set down to beat defending champion Brazil, 3-1. Each set was closely contested with Brazil taking the opener 25-20, but the US bounced to take the next two sets 25-22 and 25-21. The fourth set was a thriller which swung one way then the other before the US nailed victory 25-23.

The American team went the entire tournament without defeat and the result was no surprise as they had already beat Brazil 3-0 to win the FIVB World League for the first time this year. Earlier, Russia won its third Men's Volleyball medal in three consecutive Olympic Games, winning a second straight bronze by beating Italy 25-22, 25-19, 25-23.

Not such a good day for the US in Water Polo, though. Hungary reaffirmed its dominance of Men's Water Polo by claiming its third consecutive, and ninth overall, Olympic gold medal after defeating the United States 14-10. Earlier, Serbia beat Montenegro 6-4 to take the bronze medal.

In the Men's Handball final, France took gold 28-23 to deny Iceland what would have been its first ever Olympic gold medal. Iceland's Olafur Stefansson scored a team-high of five goals out of eleven attempts while Nikola Karabatic nailed eight goals for the French team. Spain beat two-time champions Croatia 35-29 to take their third Olympic Men's Handball bronze medal.

And that was just about that. The final medal table had China on top in terms of gold medals with 51, the USA second with 36, Russia third with 21 and surprisingly, Great Britain, fourth, with 19, ahead of fifth-placed Germany's 16. In terms of overall medals, the US collected 110, in comparison to China's 100 and Russia's 72.

So that was Beijing 2008 – a Games dominated, in the opening week, by the record-breaking feats of swimmer Michael Phelps, whose eight gold medals made him the winner of more gold medals in a single Games than anyone else. The second week belonged to the triple world-record breaking exploits of sprinter Usain Bolt.

It was, of course, an amazing Games for host China, which topped the medal table with some incredible performances on home soil – too many to list here but among them, its divers, weightlifters, table tennis and badminton players in particular.

All that is left is the Closing Ceremony to sit back and enjoy. How about doing this again sometime? Let's make a date for London in 2012.

Sunday, August 24, 2008

Premier League Preview: Wigan - Chelsea

Red Hot Blues Visit Latics With A Point To Prove

Luiz Felipe Scolari’s Chelsea have been basking in the glow of an emphatic 4-0 opening day victory at home to Portsmouth all week, while Steve Bruce’s Wigan have been itching for the opportunity to put the record straight after losing 2-1 at West Ham. The Latics effectively gifted the game to the Hammers by conceding twice inside the opening ten minutes; but they came back strongly, halved the deficit and should have left east London with at least a point. They will be looking top start the season afresh on their own patch at Sunday lunchtime.

Over in west London last Sunday, it all went like clockwork on Scolari’s Premier League baptism. But how best to interpret that clinical mauling of FA Cup winners Pompey? Chelsea were dazzling in the opening 45 minutes, slicing through a Portsmouth side who were not at the races. The contrast between Scolari‘s side and those of Avram Grant and Jose Mourinho was striking: same formidable defence but a midfield playing with unaccustomed creativity and fluidity. It was entertainment of the sort they are more used to at Ashburton Grove than Stamford Bridge: Chelsea playing with a touch of Brazilian panache that would have warmed at least one Russian heart.

The margin of their victory propelled Chelsea to the top of the embryonic Premier League table, and promised a credible, sustained and at last attractive assault on the title that Manchester United relieved them of in 2006-7 and kept them from snatching back in 2007-08. Scolari could scarcely have asked for a better start to the English phase of an illustrious career. But Portsmouth, on the day, were feeble opposition. Much sterner challenges lie ahead, and indeed some of the Blues’ superstars looked distinctly ordinary in England shirts in midweek. So as always a sense of perspective is advisable.

Nevertheless, it would be astonishing if Chelsea were not pushing Manchester United - as well as Arsenal and Liverpool - every step of the way until May. So Bruce knows that his Wigan side, strengthened over the summer, will be given a thorough examination on Sunday, and will nee to be at the best to pass that test. Bruce was left frustrated Dean Ashton struck twice early on to leave Wigan with a mountain to climb before they‘d even broken sweat.

Bruce said afterwards: "We're disappointed with the way we started. We prided ourselves last season on being disciplined and hard to beat.

"I'm delighted with the way we played but for the first 15 minutes. We gifted them the game - that's the disappointing thing." The best laid plans, and all that sort of thing. Bruce has also had to fend off speculation that Wilson Palacios and Olivier Kapo might be leaving before the transfer window closes on August 31st. At the same time, by way of contrast, Chelsea continued their pursuit of Brazilian forward Robinho, having a bid of just under £20million for the player rejected by Real Madrid, who insist he will stay, while the player himself has made it clear that he wants to leave the Bernabeu and sign for compatriot Scolari.

Starts In Historical Perspective

Chelsea have won both of their opening Premier League fixtures in all but one of the last five seasons, and will be looking to do just that at the JJB. In fact it was Jose Mourinho’s Blues who inflicted a 1-0 defeat on Paul Jewell’s Wigan on their first-ever game in the Premier League. That was in August 2005 at the JJB, when Argentine striker Hernan Crespo finally broke the Latics’ determined resistance in the 90th minute.

In fact Wigan have lost their opening fixture in each of their four seasons to date on the top flight; but they have only been beaten in their first two fixtures of a Premier League season once - in that inaugural 2005-06 campaign.

Chelsea are unbeaten for 22 Premier League matches - the longest current undefeated sequence in the top-flight. They are also looking for their fourth straight away league win. But Bruce can point to the teams’ last meeting, in April, for a confidence boost. That was when Wigan ended Chelsea's 100% Premier League record over them, when Emile Heskey scored an injury-time equaliser at Stamford Bridge in a 1-1 draw that, in hindsight, probably cost the Blues the title.

FORM GUIDE

Bruce steered the Latics from the bottom of the Premier League to 14th place last season; now they go into Sunday’s clash in 15th, after just one game of the current campaign - that 1-2 loss at West Ham, when Zaki scored a superb debut goal. They are one of nine clubs who go into the second match day without a point on the board.

Chelsea started their campaign with a bang, their thumping of Portsmouth putting them top of the table with a goal difference of plus four - goals scored by Joe Cole, Nicolas Anelka, Frank Lampard (a penalty) and debutant Deco. Joint top-scorers along with Aston Villa, Chelsea are also one of three clubs who have yet to concede a goal; the other two are fellow-Big Four members Arsenal and Liverpool.

It was Arsenal last beat Chelsea in the League - 1-0 at the Emirates December 16th last year. That remains Chelsea’s only defeat in 32 League matches

Last Five Results

Wigan

July 29 Barnsley 0-6 Wigan (Friendly)
Aug 02 Sheffield Wednesday 2-3 Wigan (Friendly)
Aug 05 Hibernian 0-1 Wigan (Friendly)
Aug 10 FC Utrecht 0-2 Wigan (Friendly)
Aug 16 West Ham 2-1 Wigan (Premier League)

Chelsea

July 26 Chengdu Blades 0-7 Chelsea (Friendly)
July 29 Malaysia All-Stars XI 0-2 Chelsea (Friendly)
Aug 01 Lokomotiv Moscow 1-1 Chelsea (Railways Cup) (lost 4-5 on pens)
Aug 03 AC Milan 0-5 Chelsea (Railways Cup)
Aug 17 Chelsea 4-0 Portsmouth (Premier League)

TEAM NEWS

Wigan

Bruce has no fresh injury worries, striker Emile Heskey having returned from England international duty unscathed. The Latics’ boss also has Ryan Taylor available after his recovery from a shin injury. Erik Edman is out with a knee ligament injury and is expected back in October after resuming light training this week.
Squad: Kirkland, Melchiot, Boyce, Scharner, Figueroa, Valencia, Cattermole, Palacios, Kapo, Heskey, Zaki, Bramble, Brown, De Ridder, Kilbane, Koumas, Taylor, Camara, Sibierski, Montrose, Nash, Pollitt.
Possible Starting XI: Kirkland, Melchiot, Scharner, Boyce, Figueroa, Valencia, Cattermole, Palacios, Kapo, Heskey, Zaki.

Chelsea 

Midfielder Michael Ballack has been struggling to overcome an ankle injury he picked up in the first half against Portsmouth. "He will not train until Friday after which another evaluation will be made," a statement read earlier this week; but he has responded well to treatment and could start. Fellow midfielder Michael Essien could also be fit. If Ballack is not available to start, Florent Malouda is likely to start after coming on as substitute last Sunday. Strikers Didier Drogba (knee) and Andriy Shevchenko (groin) are both out, but Salomon Kalou is available after returning from the Olympics. League.
Squad: Cech, Cudicini, Bosingwa, Belletti, Terry, Carvalho, Alex, A Cole, J Cole, Lampard, Essien, Ballack, Deco, Mikel, Anelka, Wright-Phillips, Malouda, Di Santo.
Possible Starting XI: Cech, Bosingwa, Carvalho, Terry, Ashley Cole, Ballack or Malouda, Lampard, Obi, Deco, Joe Cole, Anelka.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Wigan

Dutch defender Mario Melchiot will be facing his former club, having made 165 appearances for Chelsea (130 of them in the League) and scored five goals during his five seasons with the Blues from June 1999 until July 2004.

Chelsea

A key player for Chelsea could be Nicolas Anelka, who represented three clubs in the north-West (Liverpool, Manchester City, Bolton). Anelka‘s pace is likely to be a threat to Wigan, especially if the midfielders can release him with through-balls or passes over the top.

PREDICTION

The good news for Chelsea, apart from the momentum of their fine start, is that the notorious JJB pitch will be in decent condition this early in the season. On their first home game of the campaign the Latics can be expected to set about Chelsea, but Scolari’s team are experienced and talented, and should be able to cope with what Wigan throw at them. And if things don’t look like going according to plan, Scolari will have some heavyweight options on the bench to mix things up.

Wigan 1-2 Chelsea

EngLanD's sCheDuLe 2008-2009

Date

Venue

Against

Competition

20 August 2008

London

Czech Republic

Friendly

06 September 2008

Barcelona

Andorra

World Cup Qualifier

10 September 2008

n/a

Croatia

World Cup Qualifier

11 October 2008

London

Kazakhstan

World Cup Qualifier

15 October 2008

n/a

Belarus

World Cup Qualifier

19 November 2008

Berlin

Germany

Friendly

01 April 2009

n/a

Ukraine

World Cup Qualifier

06 June 2009

n/a

Kazakhstan

World Cup Qualifier

10 June 2009

n/a

Andorra

World Cup Qualifier

09 September 2009

n/a

Croatia

World Cup Qualifier

10 October 2009

n/a

Ukraine

World Cup Qualifier

14 October 2009

n/a

Belarus

World Cup Qualifier

 
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