Lewis Hamilton positive despite blown tyre at Spanish GP

Lewis Hamilton remained upbeat despite seeing his chances of second place in the Spanish Grand Prix ruined by a puncture on the penultimate lap.

The McLaren driver skidded off with his front left tyre hanging from his car as Red Bull's Mark Webber claimed victory.

"I was just cruising to the finish line and it was great points for me, but then I blew a tyre," said the 2008 world champion. "That's motor-racing.

"But it was quite a good race for me. I had really good fun out there."

Hamilton had driven superbly to run second for most of the race, despite Red Bull's domination of qualifying.

The Englishman passed Sebastian Vettel for second place during the pit stop period, and comfortably held off the German until his Red Bull suffered brake failure with 12 laps to go and dropped back.

He said: "It's nice to take a step forward and split the Red Bulls, which would have been perfect for the team. But these things happen.

Button frustrated by mechanical problems

"I don't know what it [the cause of the puncture] was. I guess we'll find out, but there's many more races to go."

Team-mate Jenson Button could only manage fifth on a disappointing weekend for McLaren.

The defending champion was left to rue dashboard and clutch problems, causing a slow pit stop which left him trailing Michael Schumacher for the rest of the race.

Button was critical of the German seven-time world champion for not allowing him to pass.

"It's almost impossible to overtake around here and he [Schumacher] was moving round quite a bit and making sure I couldn't get past so it's frustrating," said Button.

"The pace of the car was really good, but it doesn't make any difference if you cannot overtake. I was trying so hard to overtake that I damaged my tyres quite badly.

"It all came from the first pit stop really, we had a problem with the clutch dragging so the pit stop took a lot longer and as I came out I didn't know where he was going into turn one.

ANDREW BENSON'S BLOG
Hamilton was quite brilliant on Sunday, driving with stunning pace but also a maturity that he might not have displayed a couple of years ago

"He turned in and if I didn't back out then we would have crashed, so he didn't give me a lot of room there. There you go, with his experience you would have thought he would know."

After qualifying in third place, Hamilton sped past Sebastian Vettel as the Red Bull driver exited the pits on lap 18 and held onto second place right up until disaster struck on the 65th circuit.

McLaren team principal Martin Whitmarsh said Hamilton's pace in splitting the Red Bulls had been "encouraging" and that his retirement was "therefore deeply frustrating".

He said the cause of the problem was unclear but refused to blame the team.

"It was a deflation," he said. "It could have been debris caught in the rim, I think that probably caused the failure, but that's speculation. It's not a straightforward puncture.

Whitmarsh disappointed with McLaren performance

Whitmarsh confirmed that Button's delay in the pits had been caused by a dashboard failure which prompted his clutch to drag and his wheels to spin.

"For Jenson, it was a great drive, but he was probably hampered early on by a display failure which was no fault of the driver or the team.

"Then he got stuck behind Michael and that probably dictated his race. It's disappointing for both drivers today and the whole team."

Button remains top of the drivers' championship on 70 points, three clear of Ferrari's Fernando Alonso, who took second place on his home track.

Hamilton is joint-sixth on 53 points.

"It's not the result we wanted or deserved," said Button. "Fifth is OK, but it wasn't a very good race."

READ MORE - Lewis Hamilton positive despite blown tyre at Spanish GP

Leicester 0 - 1 Cardiff

Peter Whittingham's stunning free-kick handed Cardiff City the edge over Leicester City in their Championship play-off semi-final first leg.

The Championship's top scorer struck his 24th goal of the season 15 minutes from time curling left-footed from 25 yards in off Chris Weale's near post.

Michael Chopra had earlier hit a post for Cardiff while Leicester's Matt Fryatt squandered a late chance.

The Foxes also had three penalty shouts denied by referee Alan Wiley.

Fryatt's missed opportunity was one of a host of chances for the rampant hosts in a frantic final 10 minutes as Leicester had two of those penalty appeals rejected and keeper David Marshall made two top-class saves.

Substitute Fryatt sprinted through one-on-one as he threatened to capitalise on a tangle between Darcy Blake and Kevin McNaughton but Marshall remained on his feet and beat out the Foxes top scorer's shot.

Cardiff's goal led a charmed life late on as Leicester's pressure intensified as Paul Gallagher curled a right-foot shot wide of Marshall's far post before the same man had a shot blocked in time added on.

Scottish international Marshall had to be at his best again with virtually the last kick of the game as he somehow clawed Alex Bruce's close-range bullet header from Gallagher's in-swinging left-wing corner.

While Marshall was Cardiff's unsung hero at one end, Whittingham stole the show at the other as the Bluebirds winger fired in a goal-of-the-season contender when it really mattered.
Leicester's Jay Spearing and Cardiff's Stephen McPhail battle for possession
Leicester's Jay Spearing and Cardiff's Stephen McPhail battle for possession

Whittingham's desire has often been criticised in previous seasons but his eye for a goal - and timing - cannot be questioned as his beautiful left-foot strike has fired Cardiff to the brink of their first Championship play-off final.

A Wembley showpiece with either Blackpool or Nottingham Forest on 22 May and a shot at money-spinning promotion to the Premier League - potentially banking a £90m jackpot for the debt-ridden Welsh club - is now more than just a dream.

Games of such importance and high stakes are usually fraught, tense chess matches but this was an end-to-end cracker and a superb advert for English football's second-tier.

The excellent Jay Bothroyd had the first-chance as the Cardiff striker held off and turned Bruce before firing narrowly wide of Chris Weale's left-hand post from 25 yards.

But Leicester, roared on by a capacity 29,165 crowd, began to assert authority as Cardiff conceded a string of corners and needless free-kicks in dangerous positions.

And it was only a lack of Leicester accuracy that saved the Bluebirds' blushes - most notably Jack Hobbs' misguided header away from goal after another tantalising inswinging Martyn Waghorn corner.

But the visitors, who boast the Championship's best away record outside of the top-two, always looked an attacking threat and targetman Bothroyd was, as ever, their attacking fulcrum.

And the former Arsenal trainee set-up strike partner Chopra after skipping past three defenders but Chopra, on the right-hand-side of the box, dragged his shot just wide of Leicester's far post.

606: DEBATE
Only half-time. Chance for the Foxes to suck on a few of their glacier mints and remain cool

ToweringSeasider

And Chopra went even closer towards the conclusion of an end-to-end first-half as the former England under-21 international made a late surge into the box to flick Chris Burke's teasing, low right-wing cross on to keeper Weale's left-hand-post.

Richie Wellens fired just wide for Leicester as the hosts regained a little of their lost momentum just after the break but boss Nigel Pearson was left raging after his side were denied a host of spot-kicks.

Wellens' deep right-wing cross was handled by Cardiff full-back McNaughton, who also bundled over striker Waghorn, but referee Wiley turned down the double protest.

The Staffordshire official then waved away Leicester shouts when Stephen McPhail seemed to handle in the area late on and in the dying minutes when Gallagher's cross was blocked by a combination of captain Mark Hudson's leg and arm.

But Whittingham's beauty won the battle of the Championship's form teams although the promotion battle will only be concluded on Cardiff's home turf on Wednesday.

The Bluebirds, though, will feel a tiny step closer to maybe ending their 48-year absence from the top-flight after just their second win at Leicester in 31 years.

And while Whittingham was quiet for most of the game, he spoke up when it mattered most for Cardiff and the strike was fitting for arguably the club's most important in their 119-year history.

But experienced Bluebirds boss Jones will be wary of the wounded Foxes as Nigel Pearson's side had won their previous five.

READ MORE - Leicester 0 - 1 Cardiff

Chelsea 8 - 0 Wigan

Chelsea recaptured the Premier League title in emphatic fashion as Wigan Athletic were thrashed at Stamford Bridge.

Carlo Ancelotti's side needed victory to end Manchester United's three-season reign as champions - and once Nicolas Anelka gave them the lead after only six minutes there was never any doubt they would reclaim the crown.

Chelsea were then able to put the gloss on their triumph with another dazzling display of attacking football that ensured Ancelotti's first season in England ended with the biggest domestic prize in his grasp.

After putting seven past Sunderland, Aston Villa and Stoke City in a season that has seen them score more than a century of goals in the league, they celebrated by going one better against Roberto Martinez's hopelessly outclassed side.

The thumping win is the biggest in their 105-year history and also saw them break the record for the most league goals in a Premier League season with 103.

The previous best was the 97 Manchester United scored in the 1999/2000 season.

Terry targets double after title win

Wigan's cause was not helped by the first-half dismissal of defender Gary Caldwell. He was sent off for a foul on Frank Lampard that led to the England midfield man effectively wrapping up the title from the spot before half-time.

The second half was exhibition stuff with Salomon Kalou and Anelka on target again before Didier Drogba added the Golden Boot to Chelsea's title with a rapid-fire hat-trick to take his total to 29 in the league this term. Ashley Cole's crisp strike for number eight on the stroke of full-time provided a fitting finale.

Chelsea's celebrations were suitably flamboyant - a reflection of their delight at ending the Old Trafford spell of supremacy in league combat.

It also marked a personal triumph for Italian Ancelotti, brought to Stamford Bridge by owner Roman Abramovich to redefine the style of Chelsea's team and put them back among the major trophies.

Chelsea's feat in becoming the first top-flight team to score 100 goals in the league since Spurs in 1963 was a reflection of the attacking intent Ancelotti has brought, especially on home territory. The ghost of Jose Mourinho, who won the league in 2005 and 2006 to end a 50-year barren spell, may not be banished completely, but Ancelotti has made an indelible mark.

Ancelotti hails 'fantastic' Chelsea team

He was loudly acclaimed by Chelsea's fans throughout the second half - and let his normally impassive mask slip as he responded with a fierce clenched-fist salute to an ecstatic Stamford Bridge.

And Ancelotti can now set his sights on history as Chelsea go in search of their first league and FA Cup double when they face Portsmouth at Wembley next Saturday.

For now, however, the Premier League title will do for starters and the respect for Ancelotti was obvious in the way his players and staff raced to embrace him at the final whistle.

Chelsea's early nerves - if indeed there were any - were settled as Anelka put them on the way to the title after only six minutes.

Wigan failed to clear Drogba's free-kick and when Florent Malouda, from a suspiciously offside position, chested the ball into Anelka's path he drilled a finish past Mike Pollitt at his near post.

Despite Wigan enjoying plenty of possession and territory without posing any serious threat to Petr Cech's goal, Chelsea scored the second goal that sealed their title win 13 minutes before half-time.

606: DEBATE
Deserved title, very well done. Ignore all the bitter comments flying around from rival supporters, you deserved the title 100%, enjoy it

Rafael and Fabio - Perfect Combination

Lampard raced on to Drogba's flick and was hauled down by Caldwell as he closed in on goal. The Wigan defender was shown the red card by referee Martin Atkinson and Lampard scored from the spot with his customary expertise.

As Stamford Bridge celebrated there was one unlikely dissenter in the shape of Drogba, who appeared unhappy that he had not been allowed to take the penalty as he battled with Manchester United's Wayne Rooney for the Golden Boot.

It was a huge over-reaction from the superbly gifted, but on this evidence high-maintenance, striker - with Lampard rightly reasoning the title still needed to be won and came before personal honours.

Chelsea emerged early for the second half and went into a team huddle, before putting their stamp on the title in superb style.

Kalou banished any lingering doubts that this would not be a day of celebration for the west Londoners when he exchanged passes with Lampard before beating Pollitt. And two minutes later Anelka started to put the gloss on another goal glut with a perfect right-foot volley from Branislav Ivanovic's cross.

It was the signal for Ancelotti to send on Joe Cole for what might have been his final Stamford Bridge appearance as a Chelsea player, with a new contract still unsigned.

No team has been as ruthless as the Blues at punishing stricken opponents, and they set about putting Wigan to the sword as the home fans revelled in the slaughter.

Drogba revels in beating Rooney to golden boot

Drogba finally got the goal he so obviously craved when he headed Chelsea's fifth from Lampard's cross - their 100th league goal this season.

The Ivorian striker was at it again for number six after 68 minutes when he finally got to take a penalty after Mario Melchiot fouled Ashley Cole. Lampard stood to one side as Drogba scored via a post - followed by elaborate celebrations that even involved a touchline hug for Ancelotti.

And they made it another seven-goal show with 10 minutes left as Drogba turned home from close range after Pollitt could only parry Joe Cole's shot.

If the game required the perfect finish, Ashley Cole provided it with a low finish past the shell-shocked Pollitt - before joyous scenes engulfed Stamford Bridge at the final whistle.

READ MORE - Chelsea 8 - 0 Wigan

Liverpool 'have no reason to sell Torres & Gerrard'

Liverpool chairman Martin Broughton has insisted neither Fernando Torres nor captain Steven Gerrard need to be sold to ease the club's mounting debts.

The Reds' parent company posted a loss of £54.9m for the year to 31 July 2009.

Newspaper reports have linked Torres and Gerrard with possible big money moves away from Anfield this summer.

But Broughton said: "There's absolutely no reason to sell either Torres or Gerrard. We don't need to do it to pay off any debt."

The British Airways chairman, who was brought in last month to oversee the sale of the club: added: "I don't want to sell either of them. Rafa [Benitez] does not want to sell either of them, the club is not looking to sell them."

Torres is out for the rest of the season following knee surgery but the 26-year-old striker is hoping to return in time to play for Spain in this summer's World Cup.

606: DEBATE
There's a difference between not needing to sell them and them wanting to leave on their own account

CaptainFanPlastic

At the end of March, he dismissed speculation he might be looking to leave Liverpool but underlined the importance of manager Benitez being able to strengthen his squad after a disappointing campaign.

The Merseysiders will miss out on Champions League football next season after failing to secure a top-four finish in the Premier League - they failed to get through the group stage of Europe's premier club competition before Christmas.

Torres has scored 72 goals in 116 games for Liverpool since arriving from Atletico Madrid for a fee of about £20m in July 2007 but has yet to win any major honours during his time at Anfield.

Gerrard, 29, a product of the Reds' youth academy, has become a talismanic figure, inspiring Liverpool to their Champions League triumph in 2005 as well as to two FA Cups, two League Cups and the Uefa Cup.

Benitez, whose own future has been the subject of much scrutiny, has been more concerned with Torres returning to full fitness than any stories about him leaving.
Liverpool chairmain Martin Broughton
Broughton was appointed in April

"I think that Fernando will be OK and the main thing for him now is to recover and be ready for the World Cup", said the Liverpool boss.

"He has said from the start that he is very happy at Anfield, so hopefully he will be OK and can score a lot of goals for the club in the future."

Liverpool's huge loss was 34% worse than 2008's figure as £40.1m went on servicing the club's £351.4m debt to Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) and US firm Wachovia.

READ MORE - Liverpool 'have no reason to sell Torres & Gerrard'

Schumacher back on form in Spain

"Judge me after four races" was how Michael Schumacher courted the world on his Formula 1 comeback.

The verdict after his latest 10th-place finish in China left him 40 points shy of team-mate Nico Rosberg was inevitably and hugely critical.

Even the seven-time champion admitted immense disappointment at his inability to make progress in the type of changeable, wet conditions where he had once reigned supreme.

Little wonder, then, that one of the jokes doing the rounds in Shanghai was that the Mercedes upgrade for this weekend's Spanish Grand Prix should be Nick Heidfeld - the promotion of the reserve driver to a race seat.

That was never going to happen. But something else has - and it is turning heads in the Barcelona pit lane as much as the striking new look of Mercedes upgraded car, with its airbox split either side of a fin running down over the engine cover.

For the first time since his return, Schumacher has been quicker than Rosberg in both Friday practice sessions. And more significantly, he has talked of having confidence to drive the car how he used to.

"The car goes where I want it, and I don't have to wait too long to go to this point," he said after his most productive Friday of the season, which he finished more than half a second quicker than his team-mate.
Part of the improvement is down to Rosberg's struggle for the right set-up for this highly sensitive aerodynamic track, whereas Schumacher nailed his balance more quickly on similar fuel loads. But not all.

The team have been hugely impressed by the 41-year-old's performance through the high-speed corners. "I've never seen anything like it," was how one team member put it. "Today was a genuine performance."

I'm also told that Schumacher is reaping the reward of a new chassis which he used in the pre-season test here.

One engineer estimated that the previous one, which he damaged over the kerbs in Bahrain and Melbourne, had been costing him around 0.3 seconds per lap ever since, despite the team making running repairs.

Some have seized on this upturn in performance as further proof that Schumacher is forcing the team to dance to his tune, which is out of step with Rosberg's preferences.

Sounds familiar, doesn't it, harking back to the accusations of favouritism during his champion days at Ferrari?

But sources at Mercedes are adamant that this is not the case.

I'm told that Rosberg was in full agreement with the decision to alter the weight distribution within a longer wheelbase, which is what is behind the car's change in behaviour.

One source at the team's factory in Brackley said that this design change had been put into action pretty much after the first morning of the car's very first test in Valencia in February, when the team had their worst fears over the W01's weight distribution confirmed.

"Michael's not had the front grip he was used to. The balance has never been right, and he's never had to go down this development path before," the source told me.

"He's still learning about the narrower front tyres [that were introduced for 2010]. Hopefully he can now drive the car as he always intended, and there are more upgrades to come before Silverstone."

The team believe they've drawn level with McLaren and Ferrari, with Red Bull still in front, particularly in qualifying.

It's not a complete renaissance, however. I'm told that Schumacher is still struggling to get the best out of his tyres in the wet.

But if the weekend remains dry, and the forecast seems to vary depending on which team you talk to, Mercedes believe Schumacher could be quick enough for a place on the second row of the grid.

Before practice, I'd been warned by one source that, while Schumacher wouldn't admit it, he was determined to finish ahead of Rosberg on a Friday.

Job done. Now for the real business of the weekend.

Barcelona's most successful performer may have been out-qualified by his younger, less celebrated team-mate at all four races in 2010, but there are signs that, far from losing it, Schumacher is finding his way as only he can.

READ MORE - Schumacher back on form in Spain

Man City & England's Gareth Barry in race for World Cup

Manchester City and England midfielder Gareth Barry has been ruled out for four weeks because of an ankle injury.

The 29-year-old suffered the injury falling over a team-mate in the second half of the 1-0 Premier League defeat by Tottenham on Wednesday.

Barry visited a specialist on Thursday to discover the full extent of the injury and whether his rehabilitation could affect his World Cup chances.

England boss Fabio Capello names his provisional 30-man squad on Tuesday.

Capello will then cut his selection down to 23 players on 1 June following friendlies against Mexico (24 May) and Japan (30 May).

Mancini looks to improve 'all areas'

England begin their World Cup campaign in South Africa against the United States on 12 June.

Barry, who has won 36 caps, has become an established part of Capello's midfield and played in eight of England's qualifying games.

The midfielder has definitely been ruled out of City's final game of the season against West Ham on Sunday.

"I feel very sorry for him," said Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini.

"Gareth is a fantastic guy and a fantastic player.

"I don't know exactly how bad, maybe three to four weeks. I hope he can play in the World Cup but Fabio Capello and his medical staff must decide.

"He deserves to play in the World Cup"

Capello has previously suggested he would be reluctant to take any players who are not fully fit to South Africa.

606: DEBATE
Feel sorry for him. Wasn't picked by Sven, got back in the squad but missed out on Euro 2008 through no fault of his own, and now looks like he may miss the World Cup

EnglandGrim

The inclusion of Barry as a regular starter in England's midfield has been seen as key to solving the problem of getting the best out of Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard

Barry has made 43 starts for City this season, scoring three goals as City qualified for the Europa League.

He joined City from Aston Villa in June 2009 for £12m, citing Villa's failure to qualify for the Champions League as one of his reasons for leaving.

READ MORE - Man City & England's Gareth Barry in race for World Cup

Plymouth Argyle to look for new manager

Plymouth Argyle will look for a new manager to take charge of them in League One, the club has announced.

Paul Mariner, who is currently head coach, is expected to remain in charge of all football matters until a new boss is appointed.

Plymouth chairman Sir Roy Gardner said: "Paul was fully aware that the board would review his position at the end of the season.

"We will now begin the process of seeking applications."

Mariner was handed responsibility of first-team duties at Home Park in December after Paul Sturrock was relieved of his managerial duties.

Mariner said: "I am disappointed that we could not produce the results we wanted last season.

606: DEBATE
Who would you like to be manager?

argyle12345

"I am a realist and understand why and how the board came to the conclusion they have done.

"I am committed to this club and want only to help it regain Championship status as soon as possible and build on that."

Plymouth ended the 2009/10 season second-bottom in the Championship, and facing their first season in League One for seven years.

READ MORE - Plymouth Argyle to look for new manager

Roberto Mancini to be Manchester City boss 'for years'

Roberto Mancini will remain Manchester City manager for "many years", says club chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak.

City's hopes of finishing fourth in the Premier League ended with Wednesday's 1-0 defeat by Tottenham, who can now qualify for the Champions League.

But speculation that Mancini's job was under threat has been dismissed by the City chairman.

"Roberto's going to do a wonderful job for us for many years," Mubarak told Manchester City's official website.

"Roberto is our manager. He's done an excellent job coming in mid-season, organising the team. I'm very happy, and [owner] Sheikh Mansour's delighted with the way he's organised the team."

Mubarak added: "We believe he is definitely the right manager for this club for many years. What he needs this summer is time to prepare and really organise ourselves.

"We know the areas that need to be improved within the club. A good pre-season followed with a good start to the season and I'm really excited for next year."

Fifth is not where we would like but it's a major jump. It's a major achievement for this club to move from 10th to fifth place

Khaldoon Al Mubarak,
Manchester City chairman

The City chairman insisted that he viewed the season as a success after the club improved on last year's Premier League finish of 10th place.

"It's been a wonderful season," reflected Mubarak. "We've gone a long way as a team and I feel very good about next year because we've crossed an important milestone as a club. Next year's going to be a very important year for us.

"It's been an incredible season. We can focus on last night or we can focus on the season as a whole - I prefer to do that.

"Fifth is not where we would like but it's a major jump. It's a major achievement for this club to move from 10th to fifth place."

Mancini admits disappointment after defeat to Spurs

And looking ahead to the summer it seems likely that Manchester City will again be major players in the transfer market.

"Manchester City is now a real force to be reckoned with in this league and the acceleration of investment really has put us in this position maybe a year early," continued Mubarak. "That gives us a much better position this summer to work from."

When asked after Wednesday's match whether he would remain in charge next season, Mancini told BBC Radio 5 live: "Yes, absolutely."

The former Inter Milan boss succeeded Mark Hughes in December and vowed to qualify for the Champions League, and City looked on course to do so before losing at home to Manchester United and drawing away at Arsenal last month.

Victory over Aston Villa last Saturday kept them in the hunt and they went into Wednesday's game a point behind Spurs with two matches to play.


606: DEBATE
Thank you to our Manager, the players and backroom staff for providing us with such a fantastic season, and continued hope of future success

BlackleyBlue

But Harry Redknapp's men deserved their victory at the City of Manchester Stadium - secured by Peter Crouch's late header - and it moves them four points clear of Mancini's men going into the final round of games on Sunday.

"We can work together and develop together," added Mancini, whose side will play in the Europa League next season. "I want to win here, I want to be able to win here.

"I think I stay here. Why not? I work here four or five months and I think when you build a house you don't start from the roof but the basement. We work very well but we are near the roof.

"I am not a magician, I don't have a magic wand. We wanted this [fourth] place and we tried like Liverpool, Tottenham and Aston Villa.

"When you don't finish fourth this is football but we did a good job."

READ MORE - Roberto Mancini to be Manchester City boss 'for years'

Manchester City's Gareth Barry to have ankle scan

Manchester City midfielder Gareth Barry is to see a specialist about the right ankle injury he suffered in their 1-0 loss to Tottenham on Wednesday.

The England international hurt himself falling over a team-mate in the second half of the loss which ended City's Champions League hopes.

City's website says he sprained the ankle and the full extent of the injury will become clear after the check-up.

Barry will hope the injury does not threaten his World Cup place.

The knock does rule him out of City's last game of the season at West Ham.

Barry, 29, joined City from Aston Villa in June 2009 for £12m, citing Villa's failure to qualify for the Champions League as one of his reasons for leaving.

606: DEBATE
What next for Manchester City?

He has won 36 caps since making his England debut against Ukraine in 2000, and is widely expected to be included in coach Fabio Capello's squad for the World Cup in South Africa if he is fit.

READ MORE - Manchester City's Gareth Barry to have ankle scan

A sideways look at events from the Jerez MotoGP

Jorge Lorenzo showed that his comic timing is every bit as good as his race craft on Sunday with a Peter Kay-style bit of 'top bombing' into the Jerez circuit lake to celebrate his "dream win" in the Grand Prix of Spain.

However, the Fiat Yamaha rider admitted afterwards that "the dream almost turned into a nightmare" as his leathers soaked up the water, gaining an extra 20 kilos in weight and pulling him to the bottom.

"I almost drowned!" he gasped in the post-race press conference.

"I was so tired. I knew that it would be hard to swim with my leathers on but it took me three minutes to swim about three or four metres!"

The madcap Mallorcan also reckoned he saw a fish swim past him whilst underwater before a fan hauled him out, when he was ushered to safety by a family of ducks! Truly quackers.

There was nothing spontaneous about his win, though, with Lorenzo demonstrating a new-found level of maturity as he patiently chased down the leaders from fifth place following a bad start.

One year on from a needless crash at the same track when chasing Casey Stoner for third, and two years since he and Dani Pedrosa were forced into a reluctant handshake by the King of Spain on the podium, Lorenzo chose the week he turned 23 to demonstrate that he has come of age.

And credit, too, to Pedrosa, who waited patiently for a sodden Lorenzo to finish soaking up the applause in the winners' enclosure before offering a hand of congratulation to his compatriot and sworn rival, which Lorenzo met with a soggy embrace.

Meanwhile Casey Stoner was left to cool off in the garage after struggling to fifth place behind Nicky Hayden - the first time he has finished a race behind his Ducati team-mate.
Ducati's Casey Stoner
Stoner was left with plenty to think about by his display on Sunday

In fact, this was only the fourth time in his MotoGP career that the 2007 world champion has trailed any team-mate at the chequered flag.

The last time was at Le Mans in 2008, when he suffered engine problems and limped over the line behind Marco Melandri.

The other two were a fifth place at Germany in 2007, when Loris Capirossi finished second, and a safe ride to sixth at Motegi that same season, when he claimed the world title and his Italian colleague won the race.

Stoner revealed that the front-end grip problems that saw him crash in the first race of the season at Qatar almost ended his chances of scoring points again in Jerez, but he recovered well from a near spill to claim 11 championship points.

However, 66 laps with a radical new set-up in Monday's test produced positive results as he improved on his fastest lap from the race by 0.2 seconds.

The Italian factory weren't the only ones with mysteries to solve in the first of only two post-race tests this season, the other one coming at Brno in August.

Yamaha were keen to work out why Valentino Rossi could not match the pace of team-mate Lorenzo on Sunday.

606: DEBATE
Lorenzo clearly has the skill and speed and is now gaining experience

Lorenz

The seven-time MotoGP world champion tested a new spec engine to help improve top speed and acceleration, as well as experimenting with different chassis and suspension settings to solve the rear grip issues that limited him to third place in the race.

He rode for only a few hours in the afternoon and his programme was set back by a low speed crash in turn two, but he was relieved not to further aggravate the right shoulder injury which contributed to his below-par performance on Sunday.

Rossi ended Monday's test session with the second-fastest time behind pacesetter Pedrosa, who was also lucky to escape injury in a much faster crash.

The Spaniard was thrown from his Honda at turn 10, but returned to the track to continue evaluating the new chassis brought by the factory to his home race.

Pedrosa also completed two runs on a new V4 motor but was unimpressed with its engine braking system and power delivery.

Lorenzo was third quickest, dedicating much of the day to improving his starts and the rest of it working on improving his pace in the early stages of a race, when the tyres are still fresh.

"It was an interesting day - I think I did something like 25 starts!" said Lorenzo, who also tried a new chassis.

"We also tried some new electronics, including traction control, and chassis parts, as well as trying a slightly different engine," he said after Monday's session.

"The difference wasn't big but I did notice it, so I think this is the right way. Tuesday is my birthday and I am looking forward to finally celebrating my win!"

Rumours of a delirious motorcyclist jumping into garden ponds around Barcelona are unconfirmed.

READ MORE - A sideways look at events from the Jerez MotoGP

Roberto Mancini plans to remain at Manchester City

Roberto Mancini insists he will remain as Manchester City manager despite failing to lead the club into next season's Champions League.

City saw their hopes of a top-four finish end with Wednesday's 1-0 defeat by Tottenham, which sees Spurs qualify for Europe's elite club competition.

When asked if he would remain in charge next term, the Italian told BBC Radio 5 live: "Yes, absolutely."

City told BBC Sport after the match that they would not be sacking Mancini.

The former Inter Milan boss succeeded Mark Hughes in December and vowed to qualify for the Champions League.

And City looked on course to do so before losing at home to Manchester United and drawing away at Arsenal.

Victory over Aston Villa kept them in the hunt and they went into Wednesday's game a point behind Spurs with two matches to play.

606: DEBATE
Thank you Harry. From the bottom of the Premiership to the Champions League

superdaniel316

But Harry Redknapp's men deserved their victory at the City of Manchester Stadium - secured by Peter Crouch's late header - and it moves them four points clear of City going into the final round of games on Sunday.

"We can work together and develop together," said Mancini, whose side will play in the Europa League next season. "I want to win here, I want to be able to win here.

"I think I stay here. Why not? I work here four or five months and I think when you build a house you don't start from the roof but the basement. We work very well but we are near the roof.

"I am not a magician, I don't have a magic wand. We wanted this (fourth) place and we tried like Liverpool, Tottenham and Aston Villa.

"When you don't finish fourth this is football but we did a good job."

Mancini said he had spoken with City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak immediately after the match, adding: "He's disappointed because we lost, this is normal.

"He said thank you to all the team, because for us it was a good season."

City started the game positively but it was Spurs who came closest to opening the scoring when Crouch headed against a post.

The hosts went close through Adam Johnson, while Tottenham's Gareth Bale almost bundled a Gareth Barry cross into his own net, but the visitors took control in the second half.

They had a number of opportunities to take the lead before Crouch sealed the points following Younes Kaboul's deflected cross.

"It's disappointing that we lost this game - we didn't deserve to, we have been very unlucky in some games," said Mancini, whose team travel to West Ham on Sunday.

"At the same time we must be proud because we had a good season, even if we are not playing in the Champions League next year.

"Now we have a good team and can improve on next season."

READ MORE - Roberto Mancini plans to remain at Manchester City

Man City 0 - 1 Tottenham

Tottenham edged out Manchester City in the battle for a place in next season's Champions League as Peter Crouch's late goal gave them victory at Eastlands.

Crouch bundled home a goal that could be worth at least £30m to Spurs with only eight minutes left after Manchester City's on-loan keeper Marton Fulop could only parry Younes Kaboul's deflected cross into his path.

The win that secured a top-four finish in the Premier League for Spurs was no more than they deserved as they emerged as the vastly superior side to Manchester City - who must now continue their expensive refurbishment programme in the Europa League.

And the confirmation of a place at European football's top table is a glowing tribute to the rejuvenation undertaken at White Hart Lane since Harry Redknapp took over early last season with the club languishing in the relegation places.

606: DEBATE
Thank you Harry. From the bottom of the Premiership to the Champions League

superdaniel316

Redknapp has assembled an attractive side with elements of silk and steel, and they were all on show on a thunderous night when they went in search of the three points they knew would clinch the prize.

It looked like the celebrations would have to go on ice until Sunday's final-day visit to relegated Burnley until Crouch finally took the last in a succession of chances to send the Spurs fans banked at one end of Eastlands into ecstasy.

Crouch had earlier hit a post and seen a header saved by Fulop, who also denied Jermain Defoe as Spurs took a stranglehold on proceedings after the break.

City never exerted authority at any stage, although Adam Johnson forced a fine save from Heurelho Gomes, who also prevented an own goal by Gareth Bale. An added concern came in the shape of a second half injury for Gareth Barry, with only five weeks to go before the start of the World Cup.

And boss Roberto Mancini must now face an uncertain future after failing in his remit to reward the riches of Eastlands and City's Abu Dhabi owners with a top four slot.

City's directors, draped in sky blue scarves, applauded politely at the final whistle - but faces set in stone betrayed the scale of their disappointment. The Champions League was the target when Mancini replaced the harshly-dismissed Mark Hughes, and the question remains whether Hughes would have done any worse than the Italian with the vast resources on offer.

No such problems for Spurs, who can now ratchet up their ambitions, a fact readily recognised by supporters who were happy to be kept in after the final whistle to continue their celebrations.
Gareth Barry
England midfielder Gareth Barry was forced off through injury

Redknapp demonstrated positive intent with a starting line-up that included Aaron Lennon, with Bale on the left-flank as a supply line for Defoe and Crouch.

And with City knowing only a win would serve their ultimate purpose, the attacking approach of both sides laid the foundations for a first 45 minutes rich in entertainment.

Carlos Tevez made a flying start, driving straight at the heart of the Spurs defence and forcing a crucial block out of Gomes after six minutes.

But Spurs also had their share of possession and threat on a night when the size of the prize on offer was graphically illustrated by the unusually animated behaviour of the normally placid Redknapp in his technical area.

Redknapp was almost up celebrating a goal in the 18th minute when Bale's free-kick was met by Crouch at the far post, but his header slammed against the outside of the upright and away to safety. Spurs were frustrated again moments later when King headed in Bale's corner, but was rightly penalised for holding down Barry.

City had struggled to test Gomes and, when they did break through the ranks of Spurs defenders, they found the Brazilian erecting a wall of defiance. He did well to block a 20-yard shot from Johnson and then pounced down to his left when Bale almost bundled Craig Bellamy's cross over the line.

Bale should have given Spurs the lead seven minutes before the interval, but he pulled his shot wide from 10 yards after Crouch headed Lennon's cross invitingly into his path.
Tottenham celebrate beating Manchester City
The full-time whistle cued wild celebrations among the Spurs players

City had the first sight of goal after the break when Barry met Johnson's cross at the far post, but no-one was on hand to apply the finishing touch as his return ball rolled harmlessly across the face of goal.

It was Barry's final contribution as he appeared to suffer an ankle injury in a challenge on the edge of his own area and limped away in great pain, watched by anxious England coach Fabio Capello. Patrick Vieira emerged as his replacement.

City's on-loan keeper Fulop had been well protected by his defence, but he proved his worth after 58 minutes when he saved low down as Defoe looked certain to convert Bale's pass.

As tempers flared, Tom Huddlestone was fortunate to escape with only a yellow card after appearing to stamp on Nigel de Jong as he lay on the floor following a melee.

Spurs came agonisingly close to taking the lead with 19 minutes left as Defoe and Crouch slid in on Benoit Assou-Ekotto's low cross, only to both miss out by inches.

It was the signal for changes, as Redknapp sent on David Bentley for Lennon and City replaced the tiring Johnson with Shaun Wright-Phillips.

Spurs were looking the more likely side, and Fulop came to City's rescue again when he blocked Crouch's header with his legs - although the England striker should have done so much better than hit the keeper from another wonderful Bale cross.

The goal Spurs' second half performance merited finally arrived with eight minutes left as Crouch made up for his earlier misses with the strike that gives Redknapp's side the chance to earn that Champions League jackpot.

Bellamy was guilty of wretched defending, allowing Kaboul to advance into the area, and when a startled Fulop could only palm out his cross, Crouch was perfectly placed to head home.

Spurs survived to the final whistle without alarm - with the only problem on Redknapp's horizon a drenching from his elated players outside the dressing-room.

READ MORE - Man City 0 - 1 Tottenham

World Cup scouting: attacking midfield

Of the many stories that emerged from last weekend's FA Cup semi-finals, there was one that may have been overlooked.

Sure, there was Portsmouth's shock victory over Tottenham, renewed criticism of the Wembley pitch, and John Terry's tackle on England team-mate James Milner, but Frank Lampard also bagged his 22nd goal of the season for Chelsea.

His strike sealed a 3-0 victory over Aston Villa and helped put the Blues on course for a league and Cup double. It also meant Lampard has now scored more goals in a single season than ever before.

And with the World Cup in South Africa just over eight weeks away, that can only be very good news for England.

606: DEBATE
Does Milner make your England team?

Alistair M - BBC Sport

Last week, Lee Dixon talked about the defensive midfield options for England boss Fabio Capello. As far as the attacking midfield role is concerned, the 31-year-old Lampard is once again the man in pole.

But there are a few challengers to his position, including Milner, who has surprised many, including me, with the way he has adapted so well to the central midfield role at Villa. He has been a real force this season and his form has had Capello rightly purring.

I've already outlined my thoughts for the right side of England's midfield and next week I will look at the choices on England's left, but this week I will assess Milner's chances of breaking into the England midfield.

THE CONTENDERS

It is pretty safe to say that both Lampard and Milner will be in Capello's provisional squad when it is announced on 16 May. In my view, both will make his final 23-man squad on 1 June, too.

Milner's versatility means he can play anywhere in midfield, but he has a tough job getting into the starting line-up.

He is not going to beat Lampard, Steve Gerrard or Gareth Barry to a starting spot, so that leaves the right side of midfield. But with pacy pair Aaron Lennon and Theo Walcott vying for that position, would Milner make it?

Michael Carrick is a contender in central midfield, of course, but Dixon spoke about him last week and feels he is more of a holding midfielder. Milner provides more dynamism and has definitely overtaken the likes of Jermaine Jenas in the pecking order.

From an attacking perspective, England's midfield is blessed with riches. Not only can they call upon Lampard but there is always the option of bringing Gerrard into the middle. Personally, I think that is the Liverpool captain's best position.

The problem for Gerrard is that employing Lampard in front of Barry proved very successful for England in their World Cup qualifying campaign, so I don't think Capello will change that.

Why would you want to alter something that has worked so well?

STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES

The fact that Milner is pushing for a starting spot has come as a pleasant surprise to me, but I'm not shocked he is looking a certainty for England's World Cup squad.

I know him quite well from the time we played together at Newcastle. I can tell you first-hand that he has a tremendous attitude and works very, very hard.

What impressed me most about him was that he always wanted to improve. He was one of those players who you had to drag off the training pitch. It appears he is reaping the rewards for all that effort.

LAMPARD AND MILNER THIS SEASON
Frank Lampard and James Milner
32 -- League appearances -- 31
17 ------- League goals ------- 5
12 ------ League assists ------ 12
77 ---- Total England caps ---- 7
20 ---- Total England goals ---- 0

Milner is a pretty smart lad, too, and was always prepared to listen. I expect he relishes working under managers like Martin O'Neill and Capello.

With five goals and 12 assists in the Premier League so far this season, he is definitely a creative player with attacking intent, but he still has some way to match Lampard.

The former West Ham midfielder has scored 20 or more goals in his last five seasons at Chelsea, an incredible achievement for a central midfielder - albeit an attacking one.

A lot of strikers would be delighted with those kind of statistics. I think that puts his achievements into perspective.

But there is a lot more to Lampard than just his goals. For a start, only Arsenal's Cesc Fabregas has more assists in the Premier League than the Chelsea star this season - Lampard has 12 of them.

There is his hunger and desire, too. It seems if you are beyond 30-years-old and you have one bad game, you are past it, but Lampard has not had many of those over the last few years.

For me, he just keeps getting better and better. His goalscoring record this season backs that up.

It helps that he plays the same role for England as he does for Chelsea, although he did feature in a slightly different position earlier in the season under Carlo Ancelotti.

VERDICT

Gerrard might be more suited to playing an attacking role in the middle of midfield, but Lampard is my choice.

England have flourished with the Chelsea man in that position, qualifying with ease for the World Cup finals in South Africa.

As for Milner, he is a very good option to have on the bench, although I think there is more to come from my former Newcastle team-mate.

READ MORE - World Cup scouting: attacking midfield

Liverpool's Fernando Torres may miss World Cup opener

Torres failed to find the net in Spain's qualifying campaign

Spain striker Fernando Torres may not be fit for the start of the World Cup, according to medical staff at his club side Liverpool.

The 26-year-old is recovering from surgery to repair knee cartilage torn in the 4-1 win over Benfica on 8 April.

"Whether he will be fit for the first game or not is uncertain," said Peter Brukner who is overseeing his recovery.

"But, if he continues to progress the way he is, he should be fit to play at some stage during the World Cup."

Spain, current European champions and one of the pre-tournament favourites, play their first match in Group H is against Switzerland on 16 June.

606: DEBATE
Give your reaction to Torres' injury here

Games against Honduras on the 21 June and Chile on 25 June then follow.

If they progress to the knock-out stages, Spain will play a second-round match against one of Brazil, Portugal, Ivory Coast or North Korea on the 28 or 29 June.

Boss Vicente del Bosque also has injury concerns over midfielder Xavi who is playing through a calf tear that may see him ruled out of the World Cup.

The 30-year-old is playing on in an attempt to help Barcelona hold off Real Madrid's challenge and win a second successive Spanish league title.

But Del Bosque said although he was worried about Torres, expectations for his recovery were good.

"I am sure that when the moment comes all the players will say they are fine but we are the ones who have to evaluate and decide the risk that should be taken," he said at a Spanish soccer federation event in Madrid.

"We cannot go to South Africa with four or five doubtful players," he added. "We have good hearts but we have to listen to our heads."

Bruker, who was appointed as Liverpool's head of sports medicine and sports science in March, believes there is a balance to be struck between the demands of club and country for Torres.

"He is certainly tremendously committed to his rehab, as are the staff here, and if anyone can recover from an injury, he can," he said.
Fernando Torres and Rafael Benitez
Torres was replaced four minutes from the end of the match against Benfica

"Hopefully we can get a compromise where he plays in the World Cup and he is fit and well for Liverpool next season."

Torres spent a month on the sidelines after a knee operation in January and was hampered by a troublesome groin injury before Christmas.

Despite the disruption, the former Atletico Madrid forward has scored 22 goals in his third season for the Reds, including 18 in 22 Premier League appearances.

Torres has an impressive record at international tournaments, scoring three goals in four games in the 2006 World Cup and the winner against Germany in the Euro 2008 final.

READ MORE - Liverpool's Fernando Torres may miss World Cup opener

Can an African team win the 2010 World Cup?

Close your eyes and try to imagine the scenes of jubilation across Africa if a team from the continent were to win the 2010 World Cup.

A celebration like no other, one billion people revelling in one of the greatest sporting and cultural achievements.

For the first time in its 80-year history, football's blue riband competition is coming to the world's poorest and most underdeveloped land.

How better to mark the occasion than with a first African champion?

606: DEBATE
Not so long ago the mere suggestion that an African team might win a World Cup would have been dismissed out of hand - all of a sudden, the idea no longer seems far-fetched. Could this be Africa's time?

David O, BBC Sport

"Winning the World Cup would be one of the proudest moments in the history of that country and our continent as a whole," former South Africa striker Shaun Bartlett told BBC Sport.

"Every African nation has its internal problems but football can do wonders for people and nations, which is a huge incentive."

Nobody is saying it is going to happen but the groundswell of opinion suggests South Africa 2010 is the best opportunity yet.

Unperturbed by his 1977 prediction that an African side would triumph by the end of the 20th century, Brazil legend Pele genuinely believes it can occur next year.

His namesake Abedi Pele, a former Ghana international, and Liberian George Weah, two of the greatest players to emerge from Africa and still highly influential figures within the game, are equally convinced.

Not only are the six African representatives competing on home soil but they will benefit from an advantage that the likes of Brazil, Argentina, Italy, France, Spain, Germany and England will never have - the support of an entire continent.

AFRICA'S WORLD CUP INVOLVEMENT
Group-stage exit unless stated
1934: Egypt
1970: Morocco
1974: Zaire
1978: Tunisia
1982: Algeria, Cameroon
1986: Algeria, Morocco (last 16)
1990: Egypt, Cameroon (quarter-finals)
1994: Cameroon, Morocco, Nigeria (last 16)
1998: Cameroon, Nigeria (last 16), South Africa, Tunisia, Morocco
2002: Cameroon, Nigeria, Senegal (quarter-finals), South Africa, Tunisia
2006: Angola, Ghana (last 16), Ivory Coast, Togo, Tunisia

"The idea that one of our sides could win the World Cup is not going too far," said former Nigeria captain Sunday Oliseh. "African players perform a lot on emotions and that will be a powerful force.

"When Nigeria played at the Olympics in 1996 we were not playing as Nigerians but as Africans because we had every African country behind us.

"We had this psychological edge and if an African nation gets to the semi-finals on home soil in 2010, I would not want to be in the team who plays against them."

All but five of the 18 previous World Cups have been won by teams from the host continent, while Brazil's victories at Mexico 1970 and USA 1994 and Argentina's triumph at Mexico 1986 were still in the Americas. There is little doubt that home advantage helped South Korea reach the 2002 semi-finals.

Former Charlton forward Bartlett suggested the "spirit inside every African" and the various expatriate communities in South Africa will ensure huge support for each home nation, with fans of one African side rallying behind another once their team has been knocked out.

Yet optimism stems more from the knowledge that, in terms of numbers, quality and experience, this is the strongest set of African nations to contest a World Cup.

Cameroon, Ivory Coast, Nigeria, Algeria and Ghana constitute a fearsome quintet, while South Africa will be desperate to avoid embarrassment on home soil.

Ivory Coast are viewed as having the most talented squad but much will also be expected of Ghana following their impressive World Cup debut in 2006 and Cameroon, revitalised under ex-Rangers coach Paul Le Guen and making an African record sixth appearance in the finals.

Nigeria, Algeria and South Africa - the only African team who will be seeded - might be less fancied but all three are capable of reaching the knockout phase.

"African teams have matured a lot, they no longer want to go to competitions to make numbers; they want to make an impression," stated Ivory Coast midfielder Yaya Toure.

"The difference between the teams from African and European countries is no longer vast. In the past, African teams were taken for granted in big tournaments but this time it's going to be different."

Since Zaire became the first African nation to qualify for a World Cup in 1974, the continent can lay claim to only two quarter-finalists - Cameroon in 1990 and Senegal in 2002.

INDEFENSIBLE
Nigeria defender Ayodele Adeleye rues an 89th minute equaliser by Tunisia in September
Late goals conceded in 2010 World Cup qualifying
Algeria: Four goals conceded. One in the 86th minute, one in the 95th
Cameroon: Two goals conceded. One in the 90th minute
Ghana: Three goals conceded. One in the 89th minute
Ivory Coast: Four goals conceded. One in the 78th minute
Nigeria: Four goals conceded. One in the 89th minute

So what makes them better equipped in 2010? Increased experience, maturity and tactical awareness are sure to play a part but, above all else, Oliseh points to the number of Africans now mixing it with the best on a weekly basis.

"Nothing boosts a player more than playing at the top level each week and winning titles," added the ex-Borussia Dortmund midfielder, who rose to fame with a stunning goal for Nigeria against Spain at France 1998. "A lot of African players have won titles in the last four years.

"Samuel Eto'o and Yaya Toure won the Champions League with Barcelona and Didier Drogba and Michael Essien reached the previous final with Chelsea.

"They know what it takes to win at the very highest level of club football. If they can bring that mentality to their national sides they will be hard to beat."

All six of the African teams have their weaknesses - Bartlett mentions "poor goalkeepers", "occasionally catastrophic defending" and "a tendency to concede late goals because they can't concentrate for 90 minutes" - and a lot will depend on their ability to stay injury-free, especially with January's Africa Cup of Nations looming in Angola.

Yet that tournament will provide five of them (South Africa failed to qualify) with competitive game time to work on their plans - something that no other nation will benefit from between now and 11 June.

Which is just as well because South Africa 2010 promises to be one of the most fiercely contested World Cups to date, with every past champion in attendance and no genuine contenders missing.

The fact that no African team has gone beyond the quarter-finals does not bode well and they will be praying that Friday's draw treats them kindly.

At Germany 2006, the Ivory Coast were pooled with Argentina and the Netherlands and Ghana reached the round of 16 only to be pitted against five-time champions Brazil.

Good fortune also evaded Senegal in 2002 as they were eliminated on the golden goals rule and Cameroon in 1990 after they succumbed to England after two controversially awarded penalties. Serious question marks also surrounded Germany's 1-0 victory over Austria that knocked out Algeria in 1982.

"If the Ivory Coast, Ghana and Cameroon have good draws and a bit of good fortune I can see them going as far as the semi-finals," commented Bartlett. "After that, the team who plays better on the day will go through so anything could happen."

Didier Drogba's Ivory Coast
If you look at the way they play, the quality of their squad and the teams their stars play for, it's clear the Ivory Cost could do the unthinkable by winning the World Cup

Former South Africa striker Shaun Bartlett

Although the altitude at Johannesburg's Soccer City could favour the Africans, this will be the first winter World Cup since 1978 so cold temperatures should make for neutral footballing conditions.

That will contrast sharply with the weather in Angola during the Cup of Nations, increasing the need for thorough and well-organised preparation - a lack of which has seriously damaged the African challenge in years gone by.

"There have always been problems off the pitch which prevent our teams from having that extra edge to go further," divulged Oliseh.

"In 2002 it took Cameroon two days to get to their base; they were the last team to arrive in South Korea. There were so many administrative problems, with things like travelling, flights and player bonuses, that the players weren't focused enough to win."

Bartlett added that "one or two African teams will still be fighting over money when the tournament starts, organisation is a huge issue".

If they manage to avoid such problems, we could be in for an absolute treat.

African nations have been punching above their weight for some time, their progress severely hampered by poverty and a lack of resources.

After battling against the odds for so long, who would begrudge one of their captains holding aloft the FIFA World Cup trophy at Soccer City on 11 July 2010?

READ MORE - Can an African team win the 2010 World Cup?

Beating the drop by any means necessary

Sheffield Wednesday fans don't need to be told that relegation is a painful blow, almost like a death in the family.

It is so traumatic that the major South American leagues have a history of trying to ensure that it never happens to their big clubs. There were years in Brazil when it was decreed that no former First Division champion could go down.

Even when this clause was not in effect, there were times when big clubs finished bottom of the table, and still stayed up. All kinds of strange justifications were employed to keep them in the top flight - such as scrapping relegation altogether to save Fluminense from the drop.

People in Brazilian football would argue, in all seriousness and with a totally straight face, that it was absurd for big clubs to be in the Second Division, no matter how bad their results. It was feudalism in action, the exact opposite of meritocracy of the game.

It is an indicator of how much progress the country has made in the last few years that this way of thinking is now obsolete. Even Corinthians have been relegated to the Second Division - and with over 20m supporters, this is a giant club indeed - and other big names have also fallen, including Palmeiras, Vasco da Gama, Botafogo, Gremio and Atletico Mineiro.

The Second Division has benefited enormously as a result from TV deals and greater publicity and there is no doubt that Brazil is more than big enough to support a good standard second tier.

The clubs have benefited as well and with the exception of Bahia, all have bounced back at the first attempt, stronger for the experience.

Argentina has a different system. Since the early 90s, in a bid to keep the interest level high, the season is split into two short and separate championships. The Apertura (Opening) runs from August to December, and the Clausura (Closing) from February to May, each with the 20 teams playing each other once.

It would clearly be unfair to relegate clubs after one campaign of 19 games, but using a combined total of points from the two championships (38 games) would surely be a fair solution. That's not the way it works, however.
The perceived problem is that even the biggest clubs are forever selling their best players and are thus frequently caught in a spell of transition, when results can suffer as one team is deconstructed and another built. So, to protect the giants from the consequences of such a situation, relegation is worked out on an average of points accumulated over three years, or six championships.

This system helps the big clubs, but it's not foolproof, not if a transitional phase becomes an institutional crisis, as has happened with River Plate.

The Buenos Aires giants enjoyed their last taste of success when they won the 2007/8 Clausura, but since then the wheels have come off. Over the two championships in that season they accumulated 66 points, but in in 2008/9 they managed just 41 and with two games to go in the current campaign, they only have 40.

What has gone wrong? Coaches have come and gone, with no improvement in results. Traditionally a great producer of players, the club's talented youngsters have not been making the progress expected. Both are signs of something fundamentally wrong in the set up.

Supporters groups, meanwhile, have been battling for control, prompting suspicions that they may have been receiving a cut of transfer fees.

River's former great Daniel Passarella took over as president at the turn of the year and announced that he found the club in a financial coma. He recently appointed Angel Cappa as the new coach, an old style footballing romantic, whose preference for a pass-and-move game puts him right in line with the tradition of the club. It should be a perfect fit - and it needs to be.

River are not in immediate relegation danger. The two teams with the worst points average go down, the next two go into play-offs. Of the 20 clubs, River currently lie 12th in the relegation standings - saved by those 66 points accumulated in 2007/8.

But next August, when the new season kicks off, they lose those points. Only their disastrous results from the next two seasons will count, along, of course, with the points they pick up in 2010/11.

They will therefore go into the next campaign under pressure and if they do badly in the Apertura they could find themselves in a strange situation - needing to win the Clausura to stay up, simultaneously fighting for the championship and to avoid relegation.

Comments on the piece in the space provided. Other questions on South American football to vickerycolumn@hotmail.com, and I'll pick out a couple for next week.

From last week's postbag:

Q) I've been very impressed by Maxwell of Barcelona in this current campaign. He looks very good going forward and a pretty decent defender. Can you tell us a bit more about him, and why he's never been called up for Brazil despite their left-back problems?
Shayak Banerjee

A) Interesting, though, that Barcelona didn't trust him to start the home game against Inter Milan. It probably counts against his international chances that he moved abroad so early, and has played almost all of his career outside Brazil. Dunga has said that the World Cup squad will not have any surprises, which would seem to rule him out, because he hasn't been called up to the senior ranks.

Dunga is also keen on people who've done well for Brazil at junior level, and here again Maxwell loses out. He played for the Under-23s in the Olympic qualifiers at the start of 2004 - taken very seriously over here. He was awful - had to be dropped though he was the only left back in the squad.

Q) There seems to be a lot of hype around Velez Sarsfield defender Nicolas Otamendi. This week Liverpool have been linked with a £9m bid for him and in the past he has been linked with Real Madrid. At 5'10 he seems a little on the small side to cope with the likes of Peter Crouch or Nicolas Bendtner in particular. I can only think of Carlos Puyol in recent years who has had an impact despite being so small. If he was to come to the Premier League how would he fare? And should we expect to see him at the World Cup?
Michael Hocking

A) He had a fabulous 2009 - from Velez reserve to Argentina's first team. Looks like being first choice right-back in the World Cup, though it's not his position. He's a centre-back by trade, well built with excellent anticipation and good timing in the tackle. I would be a bit worried about him with a big Premiership club at this stage, though I think he does have real potential.

I worry that he goes to ground too much, and I think he might have problems in the air. He certainly had problems in a game against Catalonia at the end of the year - Argentina lost 4-2, and after the game one of the Velez directors was hoping that none of the clubs interested in him was watching the game. "if they saw it they'll withdraw their offer," he said. So he's a work in progress. Not there yet, but one to watch.

READ MORE - Beating the drop by any means necessary

Wigan 2 - 2 Hull

Steve Gohouri scored an injury-time equaliser for Wigan to confirm Hull's relegation from the Premier League.

Victor Moses fired the Latics ahead after cutting in from the left flank.

Will Atkinson levelled on his Hull debut, heading in Kevin Kilbane's cross after the Wigan defence hesitated when the linesman flagged for offside.

Mark Cullen nodded in George Boateng's cross to put the Tigers ahead but Gohouri smashed in an overhead kick from close range to make it 2-2.

Gohouri's acrobatic goal meant that instead of celebrating a first away Premier League victory since March 2009, the travelling Hull fans were left to mourn the end of their two-year top-flight adventure - not that many would have arrived at the DW Stadium expecting their team to get the sort of heavy-scoring win that would have given them hope of an unlikely survival.

The draw means the Tigers can no longer match West Ham's points tally, but they were effectively down in any case because their goal difference is vastly inferior to that of the Hammers, who lie one place above them in 17th.

606: DEBATE
Doesn't matter what division Hull City play in, we need to learn that football matches last 90+ minutes.

vendorofquacknostrum

Things could soon get a lot worse for Hull, who have estimated debts of about £35m ahead of their return to the Championship, with the club forced to deny rumours sweeping around the ground at half-time that they have gone into administration.

Iain Dowie's long-term future as Tigers manager is also uncertain and his hopes of keeping the job will not have been helped by his side's failure to close out what would have been only their second win under his command.

Not that Hull particularly deserved the three points. Wigan, who only secured their own safety last week, out-passed them for most of the game and had enough chances to run out easy winners.

The Latics were on top for the opening half-hour but were let down by that lack of cutting edge until Moses broke the deadlock in style for his first goal since joining from Crystal Palace in January.

A Hull counter-attack broke down and, after the ball was fed out to Moses out on the left flank, he cut inside before beating Matt Duke with a superb low drive which went in off the far post.

Moses could have had a second minutes later when he mis-kicked with the goal gaping after Maynor Figueroa knocked Ben Watson's cross into his path, but instead Hull were quickly level.

The Latics defence played to the linesman's flag, not referee Phil Dowd's whistle, when Vladimir Stojkovic failed to deal with a hopeful ball into the area and Atkinson, who has spent most of this season on loan at League Two side Rochdale, ran from an onside position to head home Kilbane's cross.

Wigan's players were clearly frustrated by the decision to let the goal stand but responded well and peppered Duke's goal with shots at the start of the second half.

The Latics travel to Stamford Bridge next week with Manchester United needing them to get at least a draw against Chelsea to keep Sir Alex Ferguson's title hopes alive.

United boss Ferguson will have been encouraged by the spirit they showed here, but not by the defending that allowed Cullen to put Hull ahead after 64 minutes.

Gohouri inexplicably allowed Boateng's cross to fly over his head and Cullen, who turned 18 last month, was on hand at the back post to turn in the bouncing ball.

Wigan continued to press forward but their search for an equaliser in their final home game of the season became more and more desperate.

Hull looked capable of soaking up everything the home side could throw at them until substitute Scharner knocked down a deep cross into the area in the third minute of stoppage time, and Gohouri turned the ball in.

The Tigers' Premier League exit was confirmed in chaotic fashion, with a pitch invasion needing to be cleared before the last minute of the match could be played, but their fate is now officially sealed.

Wigan boss Roberto Martinez:
"It's a performance which leaves me with mixed feelings.

"They were well-organised and working hard and I thought for spells, we showed very good moments.

"I felt we would kick on after scoring first but we conceded two soft goals and that is a clear area that we have to improve for next season.

"But what we don't lack is character and the desire to carry on doing the right things until the end. The second goal was the reward we deserved."

READ MORE - Wigan 2 - 2 Hull

Benitez and Ancelotti poles apart

At Anfield

Rafael Benitez and Carlo Ancelotti have shared honours and a common bond in Champions League finals from Istanbul to Athens - and the pair stood only a few feet apart again at Anfield.

How times have changed. As they exchanged handshakes after a Chelsea win that positions them on the edge of Premier League glory, it was hard to escape the image of two men literally heading in opposite directions at the final whistle.

Ancelotti was able to ponder the prospect of winning the title with victory on home soil against Wigan next week while Benitez's fate was to dodge, duck and dive around constant, and reasonable, questions about his Liverpool future.
When the fixture list was published, Benitez may have made a mental note that Chelsea's visit to Anfield for their penultimate game could be a defining day in the Premier League race. It probably was - but with Liverpool embarrassingly looking at the top from a distant seventh place.

Ancelotti readily accepted, without any complacency about the meeting with Wigan, that this was "the key game" for Chelsea. Win at Liverpool and win the league was the accepted wisdom - now the job is there to be concluded.

The Italian has been questioned since he was brought to Stamford Bridge by Roman Abramovich to redefine Chelsea. All these will be answered emphatically if he creates history by winning the league and FA Cup double.

This is more than can be said for Benitez who, far from answering questions emphatically, left everything hanging in the air and did nothing to dispel the damaging clouds of uncertainty hovering over Liverpool.

It had been suggested some Liverpool supporters may have welcomed defeat if it stopped Manchester United overtaking their tally of 18 titles. This in itself is a signpost to how far their fortunes have fallen this season - and why Benitez's position must be under close scrutiny.

"Gary Neville Or Chelsea?" was the poser put forward on one Chelsea banner in the Anfield Road stand. The brutal truth for Liverpool was that it was not a lack of effort or desire that let them down - it was a lack of class and quality.

And for this, for all his hints that he has again been let down by owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett, Benitez must take a large share of the blame. Too many average players signed and last summer's £37m transfer budget spent questionably on the talented but injury-prone Alberto Aquilani and England defender Glen Johnson, who has still not quite mastered the art of defending.

Amid talk of flirtation with the Old Lady of Italian football Juventus, Benitez declined countless opportunities to confirm that he would like to be at Liverpool next season - irrespective of any intervention the reconstructed Anfield board might care to make.

As for Benitez seeking assurances about his future, Liverpool's hierarchy may care to suggest the massively lucrative five-year contract awarded to him last season should be regarded as reassurance enough. It is time for the game-playing and manouevring to stop as it is Liverpool and their fans who are suffering.

Liverpool need a period of stability after the turbulence that has knocked the club off course in recent years. Benitez was either unwilling or unable to make a start in that process when asked to provide some guidance and commitment on his future.

I asked Benitez why it was not possible, on his part, to offer words of commitment about his future when he has four years left on his contract. On this day, he said, he wanted to talk about football rather than speculation. Words virtually guaranteed to lead to further speculation.

This could be a decisive summer for Liverpool. And all the sights and sounds around Anfield yesterday added to the growing belief that Benitez is increasingly unlikely to be part of it.

Support for Benitez, who has had an almost hypnotic effect on sections of Liverpool's support in the past, was muted during the game and on a "thank you" lap of Anfield in the minutes after the game. Adoration witnessed previously was in short supply and it had the appearance of a tenure that is drawing to a tame conclusion.
If Liverpool conjure up a huge transfer kitty from somewwhere - unlikely - this summer, would they be prepared to entrust it to Benitez? This must be addressed and such is the importance of the next few months to one of the great clubs in world football, the conclusions must be arrived at swiftly.

Benitez, sights lowered, talked about "guaranteed" European football next season. Not quite the guarantee of Champions League football he offered a few months ago, but a small crumb of comfort of sorts.

The second place finish last season that led to so much optimism - and wildly inaccurate predictions from some that Liverpool might win the league this time out - was a false dawn. History now tells us it was an opportunity missed as opposed to a building block for future success.

Liverpool's fans habitually (not to mention incorrectly) take potshots at Chelsea about their lack of history. It was done in desperation as opposed to defiance on this occasion and the response of "You're Ancient History" from the visiting support was a savage and hurtful retort to a sombre Anfield.

In Liverpool's defence, they tried to give a good account of themselves in an attempt to derail Chelsea and offer hope to United. They were simply too poor, too mediocre, to turn the early effort into anything tangible.

They sank like a stone after Steven Gerrard had one of those moments that hits him once every few seasons, placing a back pass unerringly into Didier Drogba's path for Chelsea's opening goal.

As the conspiracy theorists gathered on Sunderland's Grassy Knoll, what would you have given to have been in earshot of Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson?

Frank Lampard's second goal was celebrated like a title winner by Chelsea's fans. And so it may prove in a week's time.

Chelsea survived a slow start to end in total command as Liverpool ran out of legs, ideas and inspiration - their brilliant goalkeeper Pepe Reina apart. Ancelotti's side were nowhere near their best, but Liverpool's frailty, especially after playing 120 minutes in a lost cause against Atletico Madrid in the Europa League on Thursday, meant they did not have to be.

Ancelotti has the opportunity to usher in a new era at Chelsea with a title triumph against Wigan next Sunday. Benitez may be coming to the end of one when Liverpool bring the curtain down on a dismal campaign at Hull City.

READ MORE - Benitez and Ancelotti poles apart

West Ham honour youth boss who nurtured £80m of talent

When England travel to the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, manager Fabio Capello will owe huge gratitude to one man with whom he has exchanged only one word.

For more than 30 years, Tony Carr has headed up the West Ham United youth academy. Now graduates of its acclaimed development programme are likely to provide a quarter of the international squad.

Seven current England internationals, with a total of 345 caps between them, have passed through the east London set-up.

Rundown on the Academy's 'Magnificent Seven'

And while Capello has, so far, only said the word 'hello' to him, Carr's service to the club he supported as a boy will be rewarded on Wednesday night when many of those stars turn out for his testimonial at Upton Park.

Imagine Rio Ferdinand playing in a team alongside his brother Anton for the first time since they were youngsters; then picture Chelsea icons John Terry and Frank Lampard, usually guaranteed a hostile reception, playing at the Boleyn Ground in West Ham shirts.

It is set to happen at the tribute for 59-year-old Carr, whose values of hard work, discipline and fun, have oiled the conveyor belt of talent which has netted the east London club a fortune in transfer sales.


THE BIG ACADEMY SALES
£18m Rio Ferdinand (Leeds)
£11m Frank Lampard (Chelsea)
£6.6m Joe Cole (Chelsea)
£6m Jermain Defoe (Spurs)
£6m* Glen Johnson (Chelsea)
£2.75m* Michael Carrick (Spurs)
*Plus sell-on/appearance clauses

"The ethos of the football club has always been to produce the best local young talent that they can attract," said Cockney Carr, who was born a penalty kick away from the famous Bow Bells.

"Although it's getting tougher, we are still trying to maintain that ethos.

"It's a very working class area with lots of kids that love the game. People are keen, there's lots of leagues, there's enthusiasm for the game. We've just been lucky it's a fertile area for young talent."

The talent developed by West Ham includes current England captain Ferdinand, his predecessor Terry, plus international team-mates Lampard, Joe Cole, Michael Carrick, Glen Johnson and Jermain Defoe.

All left, for a variety of reasons, including one after relegation from the Premier League in 2003 with a side that contained four of those seven in Cole, Carrick, Johnson and Defoe.

"Rio was sold for £18m, Frank £11m. Someone added it up and said you're talking about £80m," said Carr, who has been ably aided down the years by chief scout Jimmy Hampson.

"Other players, not so much the bigger names, have gone for half a million here, or a million there, so you are talking about possibly that amount for the club in the last 10 years or so."


606: DEBATE
I hope on the night there's an amnesty and fans respect the likes of Frank Lampard and Paul Ince

westhamuwhat

The presence of Terry and Lampard shows the respect which Carr commands and he hopes fans appreciate their appearance at the match.

"I've spoken to the players individually and they are all happy. Even though one or two have gone away and not enjoyed the best receptions, they have all been fantastically willing to come back," he said.

Carr could see the Boleyn Ground floodlights from his childhood home and as a teenager joined the academy, where he cleaned the boots of World Cup winners Bobby Moore, Geoff Hurst and Martin Peters.

Moore captained the 1966 England side which won the sport's biggest prize, while hat-trick hero Hurst and Peters provided the goals.

"I joined in that summer as a 15-year-old apprentice and was bumping into Moore, Hurst and Peters who had just won the World Cup so it was surreal, but at the time you took it for granted," said Carr.

"The lack of success at England level since then has made it a very big deal.

"Bobby was a great role model and example to young players in terms of the way he conducted himself, the way he trained and everything about him. Everybody looked up to Bobby as the captain, and the man to aspire to.

"I was a very young player and he was the captain of England but he always had time for young players and wasn't aloof in any shape or form."

Young Michael Carrick. Joe Cole and Frank Lampard with a photo of World Cup heroes Bobby Moore, Geoff Hurst and Martin Peters
Will Carrick, Cole and Lampard emulate the boys of '66?

The parallels between 1966 and 2010 are not lost on Carr, with another academy graduate in Rio Ferdinand set to captain the side, and he said the guiding principles remained the same.

"What you try to do with all the young players is try to give them good habits, on and off the pitch," he said.

"That means working hard, practising, trying to be the best player you can be and when you're off the pitch, conducting yourself in the right way and steering clear of trouble."

Carr did not make the grade as a West Ham player and moved to Barnet before a broken leg ended his career, and he was recruited by future manager John Lyall as a part-time junior coach in the early 1970s.

He has helped England internationals such as Tony Cottee and Paul Ince, worked under eight managers, witnessed two FA Cup wins, several relegations and promotions, and radical changes to the world of football.

"With the likes of Rio Ferdinand and Frank Lampard, not so long ago, they didn't really come into clubs until they were 13 or 14 years of age, that's when the recruitment started to hot up. But now you are talking about seven and eight year olds and it's tough," said Carr.

"To spot talent that's going to go all the way at that stage is almost an impossibility, but we do try our best. Competition around London now is immense."

Evidence of the academy's continuing success can be seen in the current first-team squad, which boasts Welsh midfielder Jack Collison, England under-21 internationals James Tomkins and Mark Noble, along with the country's former under-19 players Junior Stanislas and Freddie Sears.

They are likely to feature in Wednesday's match, which could also see current Hammers boss Gianfranco Zola donning his boots.

"Tony has done a brilliant job, not only for West Ham, but for the whole nation," said the 43-year-old former Chelsea striker.

"So many important and influential players with the national team have started here and that tells you what he is all about."

Carr said there had been no suggestion West Ham's new joint owners David Gold, a former Hammers youth player, and David Sullivan would change the youth set-up despite cost cutting at the club to alleviate debts of about £100m.

"I've still got a year to run on my contract and hopefully the new owners see fit to renew it at the right time. I've got no intentions of retiring at this point," he said.

With more youngsters set to progress into the main squad, they may reap the benefits of staying loyal to the successful system.

And if England thrive in South Africa, there might even be another word for Carr from Capello.

* Tickets for Wednesday's match, between West Ham and Tony Carr's Academy All-Stars, are available via the official West Ham website.

READ MORE - West Ham honour youth boss who nurtured £80m of talent

Liverpool 0 - 2 Chelsea

Chelsea moved to the brink of the Premier League title as they cruised to a comfortable victory against Liverpool at Anfield.

Carlo Ancelotti's side must beat Wigan at home on the final day of the season to guarantee the crown, following Manchester United's later 1-0 win at Sunderland.

After a slow start at Anfield, they were put on the path towards the title by Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard, who gifted Didier Drogba the opening goal after 33 minutes with a dreadful backpass that left the striker with an easy job of scoring in front of The Kop.

Ancelloti stays cool on Premier League title

The goal, and the manner in which it was conceded, ended Liverpool's fleeting resistance and Chelsea cantered to victory.

Frank Lampard added the second from Nicolas Anelka's cross nine minutes after the interval, with only Liverpool goalkeeper Pepe Reina preventing a more emphatic victory margin.

Much had been made of the potentially unpalatable prospect - for Liverpool fans at least - of a victory for their team opening the door for United to eclipse the Anfield club's tally of 18 titles. But suggestions that Rafael Benitez's side would stand aside to avoid this eventuality proved incorrect.

Liverpool were not betrayed by a lack of effort, it was a lack of energy after playing through 120 minutes against Atletico Madrid on Thursday to no avail that was part of their downfall. And more crucially, in a condemnation of a managerial reign that may well be coming to a close, it was a lack of quality and squad strength assembled by Benitez that was brutally exposed by Chelsea.

Lampard claims Chelsea have the momentum

As Chelsea ruthlessly closed in on the points, Liverpool saw their last faint hopes of Champions League football extinguished with one game left of a season that started with so much optimism but is ending awash with uncertainty surrounding the future of Benitez, and the ownership of the club.

Benitez joined Liverpool's squad and their families as they made their way around Anfield as a "thank you" to their supporters after the final whistle - but the response to the manager was relatively muted and there is a growing sense that this is likely to turn out to be his final game at Anfield in charge after a six-year reign.

In contrast to Liverpool's despair, Chelsea know the title is almost in their grasp - with the possibility of clinching an historic double with the FA Cup final against Portsmouth still to come.

Benitez resisted the temptation to make wholesale changes after Liverpool's Europa League exit. Injured Glen Johnson was replaced by Sotirios Kyrgiakos, while Maxi Rodriguez, ineligible against Atletico, came in for Ryan Babel.

Lampard was just off target from long-range inside the first minute, but Liverpool emerged as the better side in what was admittedly a desperately mediocre opening half hour.

Expectations for season too high - Benitez

Alberto Aquilani came closest in that spell with a drive from outside the penalty area that glanced off the bar with Chelsea keeper Petr Cech beaten.

As the opening half threatened to drift aimlessly to its conclusion, a shocking error from Gerrard presented Chelsea with a lead their lacklustre efforts barely deserved. Under no pressure, Liverpool's captain sent a backpass straight to Drogba, who could barely believe his luck as he rounded Reina to score in an unguarded net.

Chelsea believed they should have had the opportunity to double their advantage in the dying moments of the half when Salomon Kalou fell as he raced into the box accompanied by Lucas. Referee Alan Wiley appeared to put the whistle his lips in readiness to award a penalty, but then waved away Chelsea's claims.

Ancelotti's side started with real purpose after the break, with Anelka somehow failing to convert Kalou's cross from almost on the goalline - but they did not have to wait long for the goal their fans clearly believed clinched the title.

PHIL MCNULTY'S BLOG
The brutal truth for Liverpool was that it was not a lack of effort or desire that let them down - it was a lack of class and quality

Anelka made amends for his earlier miss by beating Liverpool's attempts to play the offside trap before crossing for Lampard to slide in a simple finish.

The fight visibly drained out of Liverpool, who had to replace the injured Jamie Carragher with Daniel Ayala, and Reina had to produce an outstanding save low to his left to turn away Florent Malouda's volley.

Reina was keeping the score within respectable proportions for a Liverpool side who had barely raised a gallop after Drogba's goal, and he was forced to save twice from Anelka in the space of seconds as Chelsea went in for the kill.

All that was left was for Chelsea to play out time without any mishaps - which they were able to do without alarm as they moved to the brink of reclaiming the Premier League that they last won in 2006.

READ MORE - Liverpool 0 - 2 Chelsea