After the Malaysia grand prix last week, the F1 garages headed north to China for the Shanghai grand prix. All 24 cars will start tomorrow's race but there was a huge shock in Q1. It was the usual six plus one to exit in Q1 with Hispania again propping up the rest with Liuzzi out qualifying Karthikeyan. Again Lotus out qualified Vigrin with Glock 22nd, D'Ambrosio 21st, Trulli 20th and Kovalainen 19th. However the other driver to miss out on Q2 was the surprise Mark Webber who is still having problems with his Red Bull car, the other surprise may have been that Mercedes' Rosberg was fastest in Q1.
Q2 also had fantastic drama, with just over two minutes remaining Petrov had secured a place Q3 but lost his engine and had to stop the car in the middle of the track. This caused a red flag until the car was removed and put huge pressure on the remaining cars to progress. Petrov's teammate at Renault, Heidfeld, was yet to complete a time and suffered the price by getting stuck in traffic. He qualifies sixteenth, just ahead of Williams' Maldonado. Maldonado's teammate Barrichello starts fifteenth with former Ferrari teammate Schumacher just ahead of him. The Saubers line up twelfth and thirteenth with Perez doing better, the final driver to fall in Q2 was Force India's Sutil.
The top ten shoot-out of Q3 was cut to a top nine with Petrov automatically qualifying in tenth place. The Toro Rosso's looked extremely good with Alguersuari starting seventh and Buemi ninth, birthday boy Di Resta provides the meat in the sandwich as he continues to impress in his debut season. The Ferrari's will start side by side in fifth and sixth with Alonso out qualifying Massa. With Webber way down the order, Rosberg took full advantage by getting fourth place which could have arguably been Webber's. But McLaren were out done yet again by Vettel's Red Bull and the reigning champion makes it three poles from three with Button in second and Hamilton third.
Saturday, 16 April 2011
Friday, 15 April 2011
Premier League Darts: Week 10
The tenth week of the Darts Premier League headed to the Steel City, Sheffield with table starting to take a bit more shape. This week's fixtures were the replays of the week three fixtures in Belfast. Up first was Wade who needed a win against Whitlock, but Whitlock won 8-5 in Belfast. There were nine breaks of throw in the match and Whitlock got off to the perfect start with the top 170 checkout in the first leg. Wade broke back straight away and ended up taking the next three legs to lead 3-1, the highlight was a 112 checkout in the fourth leg. Whitlock pulled it back to 4-3 but Wade won the following two legs to extend his advantage. But again Whitlock fought back to 7-6 but this time he faded away, allowing Wade to win 8-6.
Webster is unfortunately in the mind set where he's defeated before he goes on stage. In Belfast, Anderson thrashed him 8-1 and the Scot was keen to repeat that result in Sheffield. Anderson also broke the throw in the first leg with a 136 checkout and went onto take a 3-0 lead. Webster got a leg on the board despite another disappointing display. But it was to be the only leg of the match for him as Anderson then strolled to an 8-1 victory.
There was also a sense of deja vu in the third match as Jenkins took on Taylor. Taylor won 8-2 in Belfast and took the first six legs in Sheffield with the highlight being a 130 checkout in the third leg after Jenkins had missed the bull for a 170. Jenkins did win the seventh and ninth legs but Taylor won 8-2 to secure his place in the playoffs.
Adrian Lewis said before his match with Barneveld that he fancied a nine darter, not settling for a win but a nine darter. Belfast obviously didn't prove to Lewis that winning against Barney is difficult as the Dutchman won 8-6. Yet again Lewis' arrogance fell short as a nine darter was never on the cards, the closest anyone came to a nine darter was actually Barney with four perfect darts. Barney took the first two legs before Lewis came back to 2-2. Both players were a little off colour but Lewis couldn't find his doubles and Barney took a 6-2 lead. Lewis momentarily broke the momentum in the eighth leg but there was no stopping the Dutchman as he went onto win 8-3.
Taylor has secured his place in the playoffs with sixteen points to his name. Anderson is almost there on fourteen and Barney was clear air in third on twelve points. It's still close in the battle for fourth with Whitlock on ten, Lewis nine and Wade on eight. But it now looks like Jenkins and Webster are out of it with Jenkins on five points and Webster on four.
Webster is unfortunately in the mind set where he's defeated before he goes on stage. In Belfast, Anderson thrashed him 8-1 and the Scot was keen to repeat that result in Sheffield. Anderson also broke the throw in the first leg with a 136 checkout and went onto take a 3-0 lead. Webster got a leg on the board despite another disappointing display. But it was to be the only leg of the match for him as Anderson then strolled to an 8-1 victory.
There was also a sense of deja vu in the third match as Jenkins took on Taylor. Taylor won 8-2 in Belfast and took the first six legs in Sheffield with the highlight being a 130 checkout in the third leg after Jenkins had missed the bull for a 170. Jenkins did win the seventh and ninth legs but Taylor won 8-2 to secure his place in the playoffs.
Adrian Lewis said before his match with Barneveld that he fancied a nine darter, not settling for a win but a nine darter. Belfast obviously didn't prove to Lewis that winning against Barney is difficult as the Dutchman won 8-6. Yet again Lewis' arrogance fell short as a nine darter was never on the cards, the closest anyone came to a nine darter was actually Barney with four perfect darts. Barney took the first two legs before Lewis came back to 2-2. Both players were a little off colour but Lewis couldn't find his doubles and Barney took a 6-2 lead. Lewis momentarily broke the momentum in the eighth leg but there was no stopping the Dutchman as he went onto win 8-3.
Taylor has secured his place in the playoffs with sixteen points to his name. Anderson is almost there on fourteen and Barney was clear air in third on twelve points. It's still close in the battle for fourth with Whitlock on ten, Lewis nine and Wade on eight. But it now looks like Jenkins and Webster are out of it with Jenkins on five points and Webster on four.
Thursday, 14 April 2011
Real and Schalke Preserve Leads
The remaining Champions League quarter final second legs took place last night, although the ties were already finalised. Real Madrid led 4-0 going into their second leg at White Hart Lane against Tottenham. Despite Harry Redknapp and co stating miracles can happen, everyone knew it was a case of damage limitation for the English side and they coped rather well against Madrid. The first half saw Tottenham have a good penalty appeal turned down and a goal correctly ruled out for offside. The only goal of the game came five minutes into the second half with Ronaldo scoring thanks to another Gomes blunder. Real Madrid coast through with a 5-0 aggregate win and will meet Barcelona in the semi-final.
Schalke also had to just preserve their aggregate with five away goals after their 5-2 win over Inter Milan. Any chance of a comeback was crushed in first half injury time when Raul broke the deadlock for the German side. Inter equalised on the night through Thiago Motta five minutes into the second half. But Schalke wanted to win on both legs and made it 2-1 on the night, 7-3 on aggregate nine minutes from time with Benedikt Howedes getting the goal. Schalke will meet Manchester United in the semi-finals.
Schalke also had to just preserve their aggregate with five away goals after their 5-2 win over Inter Milan. Any chance of a comeback was crushed in first half injury time when Raul broke the deadlock for the German side. Inter equalised on the night through Thiago Motta five minutes into the second half. But Schalke wanted to win on both legs and made it 2-1 on the night, 7-3 on aggregate nine minutes from time with Benedikt Howedes getting the goal. Schalke will meet Manchester United in the semi-finals.
Tuesday, 12 April 2011
City Lose, United Win, Barca Round Off Tie
Monday Night Football last night as Liverpool hosted Manchester City at Anfield. City were struck a double blow with a crushing defeat and Tevez being forced off with a torn hamstring, as for Liverpool a new era may have materialised. It took Liverpool thirteen minutes to break the deadlock when Andy Carroll scored his first ever Reds goal. Dirk Kuyt made it 2-0 eleven minutes before half-time and then Carroll sealed the win with his second just a minute later. Liverpool now move four points clear of Everton in sixth while City remain three points ahead of Tottenham in fourth.
Manchester City's FA Cup semi-final opponents on Saturday will be their neighbours Manchester United, who were at Old Trafford tonight playing their Champions League quarter final second leg against Chelsea. With United leading 1-0 on aggregate, the first goal was always going to be the most crucial. Hernandez thought he had it after heading a Rooney cross home but the linesman flagged for the marginal offside decision. But it was Hernandez who did break the deadlock two minutes before half-time, this time tapping in a low Giggs cross. It was a tense second half but it looked to be all over when Ramires received a second yellow card for a late, clumsy challenge on Nani with twenty minutes to go. But half-time substitute Drogba took full advantage of some slack defending before slotting the ball past Van Der Sar seven minutes after going a man down. It was set to be a nervy final fifteen minutes but within thirty seconds of equalising on the night, Park found the ball inside the Chelsea box and fired it past Cech to make it 2-1 on the night and 3-1 on aggregate. United look to face Shalke in the semi-finals as they have a three goal cushion at home to Inter tomorrow.
The other Champions League tie tonight saw Barcelona nurse their 5-1 aggregate lead in the Ukraine. The only goal of the game also came two minutes before half-time with Lionel Messi making it 6-1 on aggregate and look to set up the all Spanish affair with Real Madrid who are 4-0 ahead going into tomorrow's game at Tottenham.
Manchester City's FA Cup semi-final opponents on Saturday will be their neighbours Manchester United, who were at Old Trafford tonight playing their Champions League quarter final second leg against Chelsea. With United leading 1-0 on aggregate, the first goal was always going to be the most crucial. Hernandez thought he had it after heading a Rooney cross home but the linesman flagged for the marginal offside decision. But it was Hernandez who did break the deadlock two minutes before half-time, this time tapping in a low Giggs cross. It was a tense second half but it looked to be all over when Ramires received a second yellow card for a late, clumsy challenge on Nani with twenty minutes to go. But half-time substitute Drogba took full advantage of some slack defending before slotting the ball past Van Der Sar seven minutes after going a man down. It was set to be a nervy final fifteen minutes but within thirty seconds of equalising on the night, Park found the ball inside the Chelsea box and fired it past Cech to make it 2-1 on the night and 3-1 on aggregate. United look to face Shalke in the semi-finals as they have a three goal cushion at home to Inter tomorrow.
The other Champions League tie tonight saw Barcelona nurse their 5-1 aggregate lead in the Ukraine. The only goal of the game also came two minutes before half-time with Lionel Messi making it 6-1 on aggregate and look to set up the all Spanish affair with Real Madrid who are 4-0 ahead going into tomorrow's game at Tottenham.
Monday, 11 April 2011
Arsenal Keep Pressure On, Villa Edge Closer To Home
Super Sunday had its usual supplement yesterday with teams concerned with the top and bottom of the table. Up first was Blackpool as they hosted Arsenal, Blackpool needed the points to get further away from relegation whereas Arsenal needed to keep the pressure on Manchester United. Arsenal broke the deadlock after eighteen minutes through a rare goal by Diaby. It was 2-0 at half-time with Eboue getting the second goal three minutes after Diaby's. Blackpool fought back however and pulled a goal back through Taylor-Fletcher seven minutes after the restart. But Arsenal ended the nervy spell to put the result beyond all doubt when Van Persie made it 3-1 fourteen minutes from the end. Arsenal sit seven points behind United with that game in hand while Blackpool now sit seventeenth just a point from relegation.
That is due to Aston Villa securing a vital three points at home to Newcastle. The only goal of the game came after 24 minutes when an Ashley Young free-kick was flicked on by James Collins past Harper. It could have been made easier for Aston Villa when Bent put the ball in the net before half-time but the linesman wrongly flagged for offside, although it was extremely tight. The three points sees Villa move up to fourteenth, five points from safety. Newcastle remain ninth level on points with West Brom.
That is due to Aston Villa securing a vital three points at home to Newcastle. The only goal of the game came after 24 minutes when an Ashley Young free-kick was flicked on by James Collins past Harper. It could have been made easier for Aston Villa when Bent put the ball in the net before half-time but the linesman wrongly flagged for offside, although it was extremely tight. The three points sees Villa move up to fourteenth, five points from safety. Newcastle remain ninth level on points with West Brom.
Sunday, 10 April 2011
Two Races, Two Wins
Sebastian Vettel defied recent history to lead the Malaysian grand prix from start to finish. There was a little more drama than in Melbourne but no serious incidents. In terms of the big boys, Webber suffered due to having no KERS although Vettel also had the same problem later on in the race. Alonso also contacted Hamilton whilst trying to overtake him late on which resulted in Alonso damaging his front wing and Hamilton damagaing his rear tyre, this affected both of their positions.
The big winners were Renault as they got a second podium in two races, but only one did finish. There were six retirements during the race the first of which was Williams' Pastor Maldonado after he couldn't continue after sustaining damage after four laps. Karthikeyan's first race for five years ended prematurely for Hispania with his teammate Liuzzi retiring later on. Williams also failed to have either driver finish when Barrichello retired due to being so far behind after early damage. Trulli for Lotus, D'Ambrosio for Virgin and Perez for Sauber also retired before Petrov somehow managed to pull the steering loose before careering into the gravel.
Results in full: 1.Vettel(Red Bull),2.Button(McLaren),3.Heidfeld(Renault),4.Webber(Red Bull),5.Massa(Ferrari),6.Alonso(Ferrari),7.Hamilton(McLaren),8.Kobayashi(Sauber),9.Schumacher(Mercedes),10.Di Resta(Force India),11.Sutil(Force India),12.Rosberg(Mercedes),13.Buemi(Toro Rosso),14.Alguersuari(Toro Rosso),15.Kovalainen(Lotus),16.Glock(Virgin) DNF:Petrov(Renault),Liuzzi(Hispania),D'Ambrosio(Virgin),Trulli(Lotus),Perez(Sauber),Barrichello(Williams),Karthikeyan(Hispania),Maldonado(Williams).
The big winners were Renault as they got a second podium in two races, but only one did finish. There were six retirements during the race the first of which was Williams' Pastor Maldonado after he couldn't continue after sustaining damage after four laps. Karthikeyan's first race for five years ended prematurely for Hispania with his teammate Liuzzi retiring later on. Williams also failed to have either driver finish when Barrichello retired due to being so far behind after early damage. Trulli for Lotus, D'Ambrosio for Virgin and Perez for Sauber also retired before Petrov somehow managed to pull the steering loose before careering into the gravel.
Results in full: 1.Vettel(Red Bull),2.Button(McLaren),3.Heidfeld(Renault),4.Webber(Red Bull),5.Massa(Ferrari),6.Alonso(Ferrari),7.Hamilton(McLaren),8.Kobayashi(Sauber),9.Schumacher(Mercedes),10.Di Resta(Force India),11.Sutil(Force India),12.Rosberg(Mercedes),13.Buemi(Toro Rosso),14.Alguersuari(Toro Rosso),15.Kovalainen(Lotus),16.Glock(Virgin) DNF:Petrov(Renault),Liuzzi(Hispania),D'Ambrosio(Virgin),Trulli(Lotus),Perez(Sauber),Barrichello(Williams),Karthikeyan(Hispania),Maldonado(Williams).
Barclay's Premiership: 10/4/11
With only seven games remaining, any point is a vital point at either end of the table. Seven games took place yesterday with no tea-time kick-off and perhaps surprisingly not a single red card. The lunch-time kick-off was all over at half-time as Wolves hosted Everton. The deadlock was broken after 21 minutes when Jermaine Beckford flicked a header past Hennessey. It was 2-0 after 39 minutes when Phil Neville scored his first goal in three years with a nice curler into the top corner. It could have been worse for Wolves because Hennessey also pulled off some great saves but it finished 3-0 when Bilyaletdinov fired a screamer past the young Welshman in first half injury time. Everton move to within a point of Liverpool who play on Monday, Wolves remain nineteenth.
With Arsenal not playing until today, Manchester United had the chance to go ten points clear at the top. Their opponents at Old Trafford were Fulham but again this match was all over at half-time. United took the lead after twelve minutes through Berbatov but replays showed he was marginally offside. It was 2-0 two minutes after the half-hour when Valencia headed a Nani cross from very close range after Schwarzer had committed himself. The defeat leaves Fulham eleventh but still only six points from safety.
West Brom edged their way to tenth as the unbeaten Roy Hodgson continued his run away to Sunderland. Sunderland did take the lead when Nicky Shorey put the ball into his own net after ten minutes. Odemwingie equalised after 28 minutes but parity was only for three minutes until Phil Bardsley smashed one home for 2-1. Again West Brom equalised this time through Youseff Mulumbu nine minutes into the second half. West Brom then took all three points when Paul Scharner rounded off a perfect move after 72 minutes. Sunderland are struggling and find themselves in thirteenth but level on points with Fulham.
Blackburn and Birmingham earned themselves a point apiece at Ewood Park in their relegation battle. Lee Bowyer gave Birmingham the lead after 32 minutes but Blackburn equalised through Junior Hoilett in first half injury time. Both teams move up to 35 points but Birmingham have that game in hand against Chelsea.
Stoke also remain level on points with Fulham and Sunderland due to Tottenham's resurgence after their thrashing in Madrid. After his mid-week red card, Peter Crouch became the hero again when he broke the deadlock after eleven minutes. Luka Modric made it 2-0 after eighteen but Stoke pulled one back through Matt Etherington nine minutes later. Crouch made it 3-1 after 34 minutes before Kenwyne Jones made it 3-2 seven minutes later in another game that was settled in the first half.
The Reebok also saw a game where the result was settled in the first half but this time the score wasn't. Bolton took the lead against West Ham when Sturridge scored yet again just before quarter of an hour. It was 2-0 six minutes later when Chung Yong Lee scored and the score was settled six minutes into the second half when Sturridge scored his second. Bolton move comfortably into eighth while West Ham are still in the relegation zone.
Bottom of the table Wigan almost earned themselves a point against Chelsea who were looking to bounce back from their mid-week defeat. Substitute Florent Malouda scored the only goal of the game after 67 minutes but it possibly should have been disallowed as Torres looked to have fouled keeper Ali Al-Habsi in the build up to the goal.
With Arsenal not playing until today, Manchester United had the chance to go ten points clear at the top. Their opponents at Old Trafford were Fulham but again this match was all over at half-time. United took the lead after twelve minutes through Berbatov but replays showed he was marginally offside. It was 2-0 two minutes after the half-hour when Valencia headed a Nani cross from very close range after Schwarzer had committed himself. The defeat leaves Fulham eleventh but still only six points from safety.
West Brom edged their way to tenth as the unbeaten Roy Hodgson continued his run away to Sunderland. Sunderland did take the lead when Nicky Shorey put the ball into his own net after ten minutes. Odemwingie equalised after 28 minutes but parity was only for three minutes until Phil Bardsley smashed one home for 2-1. Again West Brom equalised this time through Youseff Mulumbu nine minutes into the second half. West Brom then took all three points when Paul Scharner rounded off a perfect move after 72 minutes. Sunderland are struggling and find themselves in thirteenth but level on points with Fulham.
Blackburn and Birmingham earned themselves a point apiece at Ewood Park in their relegation battle. Lee Bowyer gave Birmingham the lead after 32 minutes but Blackburn equalised through Junior Hoilett in first half injury time. Both teams move up to 35 points but Birmingham have that game in hand against Chelsea.
Stoke also remain level on points with Fulham and Sunderland due to Tottenham's resurgence after their thrashing in Madrid. After his mid-week red card, Peter Crouch became the hero again when he broke the deadlock after eleven minutes. Luka Modric made it 2-0 after eighteen but Stoke pulled one back through Matt Etherington nine minutes later. Crouch made it 3-1 after 34 minutes before Kenwyne Jones made it 3-2 seven minutes later in another game that was settled in the first half.
The Reebok also saw a game where the result was settled in the first half but this time the score wasn't. Bolton took the lead against West Ham when Sturridge scored yet again just before quarter of an hour. It was 2-0 six minutes later when Chung Yong Lee scored and the score was settled six minutes into the second half when Sturridge scored his second. Bolton move comfortably into eighth while West Ham are still in the relegation zone.
Bottom of the table Wigan almost earned themselves a point against Chelsea who were looking to bounce back from their mid-week defeat. Substitute Florent Malouda scored the only goal of the game after 67 minutes but it possibly should have been disallowed as Torres looked to have fouled keeper Ali Al-Habsi in the build up to the goal.
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