International sports, football
Old Trafford, Manchester (GenevaLunch) - Arsenal were knocked out of their third Cup in two weeks as they lost 2-0 to Manchester United on Saturday 12 March in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup. They also lost their Swiss international defender Johan Djourou to an injury (suspected dislocated shoulder) that might put him out for the rest of the season. Djourou played for Geneva club Etoile Carouge until he joined the Arsenal Academy as a 16 years old but his career has been plagued by injuries ever since. Arsenal are still second in the Premier League, behind Manchester United but the lack of depth in the squad looks like it might halt their progress. Man United will meet Man City in the semi-finals, while the other match will see Bolton Wanderers take on Stoke. Both games will be at Wembley, on 17th and 18th April. Man City edged past Reading 1-0 while Stoke beat West Ham to reach their first semi-final since 1972.
Links to other sites: Premier League, Guardian
Stamford Bridge, London (GenevaLunch) – The English internationals Frank Lampard and John Terry shook off any fatigue from their mid-week match against Egypt to beat Stoke 2-0 in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup. Aston Villa came back from 2-0 down to win 2-4 thanks to a hat-trick by their Norwegian striker John Carew. They will meet Chelsea in the semi-finals.
Fulham, London, England (GenevaLunch) - Manchester United lost another Premier League game when they were comprehensively beaten 3-0 by Roy Hodgson’s Fulham. The London manager, who once coached the Swiss national team, took full advantage of the shaky Manchester defense which was weakened by many injured absentees. Chelsea were only able to manage a 1-1 draw at West Ham, and this was thanks to a dubious penalty decision. Frank Lampard took it three times before the referee was satisfied. Chelsea now lead Man United by four points.
Manchester City won 4-3 against Sunderland but it was not enough to save the job of manager Mark Hughes, who is being replaced by Roberto Mancini, ex-manager of Inter Milan. Arsenal beat Hull 3-0 to take third place while Aston Villa are next after beating Stoke 1-0.
Links to other sites: Premier League, Times, UK
England (GenevaLunch) - Manchester City won a bad-tempered duel with Arsenal 4-2, showing they have the talent to challenge the traditional big four teams but also revealing a nasty streak that may cost the team. Emmanuel Abedayor, transfered from Arsenal for £25 million at the end of last season, was involved in two incidents which are likely to be investigated by the FA authorities: the first was when he appeared to kick Robin Van Persie in the face, the second when he ran the length of the pitch to celebrate in front of the Arsenal fans after scoring at the other end.
Premier League(GenevaLunch) – Newly promoted Burnley celebrated their first home game in the top division by beating current champions Manchester United 1-0. Man United were appalling, with a much weakened defense in the absence of Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic, while Michael Owen was completely out of touch at the front and was substituted in the second half.
(GenevaLunch) - Manchester came back from two goals behind to beat Spurs 5-2 and now lead the Premier League by three points from second placed Liverpool, and have a game in hand. Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo each scored twice but for many observers the key change was when Carlos Tevez came on and added new energy to the team.
