Sources: Rockets make deals with Suns, Kings; Morris twins reunited in Phoenix

The Houston Rockets acquired Sacramento's Thomas Robinson, the fifth overall pick in the 2012 draft, in a deal on Wednesday night, league sources told Yahoo! Sports. The Rockets sent Patrick Patterson, Toney Douglas and Cole Aldrich to the Kings. In a separate deal, the Rockets sent Marcus Morris to the Phoenix Suns for a 2013 second-round draft pick. That deal reunites Morris with his twin brother, Markieff. Thomas Robinson (USA Today Sports) The Kings give up Robinson, the power forward out of Kansas, Francisco Garcia and Tyler Honeycutt, sources said. Marcus and Markieff played together at Kansas and were chosen back-to-back with the 13th and 14th picks of the 2011 draft. Marcus started 17 games for the Rockets this season, averaging 8.6 points and 4.1 rebounds in 21 minutes a game. Robinson is off to a slow start in the NBA. In 51 games off the bench, he averaged 4.8 points and 4.7 rebounds in nearly 16 minutes per game. Nevertheless, he's still considered to hold considerable potential as a power forward. The Seattle ownership group, led by Chris Hansen and Steve Ballmer, was notified of the trade before its completion, a source told Y! Sports. The group has agreed to purchase the Kings from the Maloof family and is awaiting approval from the NBA Board of Governors.

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Lakers beat Celtics 113-99 on emotional night

Dwight Howard had 24 points and 12 rebounds in helping the Los Angeles Lakers to an emotional 113-99 victory over the Boston Celtics on Wednesday night in their first game since the death of owner Jerry Buss. Kobe Bryant added 16 points, Steve Nash and Earl Clark had 14 apiece, and Metta World Peace 12 in a game that surely would have delighted Buss, who always loved to win but especially liked beating the Celtics. The Lakers won their most recent NBA championship - and last under Buss - in 2010, defeating the Celtics 4-3 in the finals. Buss died Monday at 80 after an 18-month struggle with cancer that had forced him to watch his team's games on TV or an iPad instead of from his suite above the Staples Center court. Paul Pierce scored 26 points for the Celtics, who fell to 8-17 on the road and lost their third in a row away from home. Courtney Lee added 20 points and Kevin Garnett had 12 on 6-of-14 shooting. Howard's performance in the Lakers' first game since the All-Star break came on the eve of the NBA trade deadline. He has been the subject of rumors, but general manager Mitch Kupchak said this week that Howard wouldn't be going anywhere. He was among seven Lakers in double figures on a night when they shot 51 percent, dominated the paint 54-30 and were 22 of 31 from the free throw line for one of the most complete games they've played in months. Clark had a career-high 16 rebounds, and Antawn Jamison added 15 points off the bench for Los Angeles. The Lakers improved to 26-29 and gained a split in the season series, having avenged a 116-95 loss to the Celtics on Feb. 7 when they trailed by 32 points. Boston trailed by nine at the end of the first two quarters before the Lakers opened up a 75-57 lead early in the third. Typical of their balanced scoring throughout the game, World Peace, Bryant, Nash, Howard and Clark each contributed baskets in the 11-2 run. Nash had seven assists, giving him 10,144 while passing Magic Johnson for sole possession of fourth place on the career list. The Lakers shot 51 percent in the first half and had four players in double figures, helping them to a 64-55 lead. Howard was energetic in scoring 15 points and setting screens reminiscent of his days with Orlando. Bryant had 14 points, Nash 12 and World Peace 10. Pierce carried the Celtics with 23 points on 9-of-15 shooting in the half, when they shot 49 percent. Buss was remembered in a pregame video tribute featuring photos of him as a child all the way through him hoisting trophies marking the team's 10 NBA championships won under his ownership. Bryant fittingly spoke on behalf of the Lakers' players, having been acquired by the Lakers as a 17-year-old. ''He was a brilliant, incredible owner but an even better person,'' Bryant said of Buss. ''His innovation transcended the game and we are all, all spoiled by his vision and his drive to win year after year after year.'' There was a moment of silence in the darkened arena before the crowd broke up the quiet with chants of ''Jerry, Jerry.'' A memorial service for invited guests will be held Thursday at Nokia Theatre across the street from Staples Center. Buss will be buried in a private service on Friday. NOTES: Lakers F Pau Gasol said he hopes to get off his crutches soon and return before the end of the regular season. He had surgery on his right foot after injuring it on Feb. 5. ... The Celtics signed free agent G-F Terrence Williams to a 10-day contract on Wednesday. He had been playing with Guangdong in the Chinese league, averaging 17.9 points, 3.4 rebounds and 4.1 assists in 29 games. ... Jeanie Buss accepted condolences on her father's passing from numerous well-wishers stopping by her seat before the game. ... Jack Nicholson and Dyan Cannon, longtime Lakers fans dating to the team's days at the Forum in Inglewood, were on hand.

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Soccer: Milan strangle Barcelona to seal shock win

AC Milan produced a defensive masterclass to shackle Barcelona and secure a shock 2-0 win in their Champions League last-16 first-leg match on Wednesday. A hotly-protested goal by Kevin-Prince Boateng in the 57th minute set AC Milan on their way over the Champions League favorites. Barcelona, who eliminated Milan last season, surrounded the referee complaining Cristian Zapata had handled the ball before it landed at the feet of Boateng who smacked it into the net. Barca, who had dominated possession in their familiar style, lost their grip on the game after the incident and were sunk by a second goal from Boateng's fellow Ghanaian Sulley Muntari. "It's very bad (for the return leg)," Barcelona defender Gerard Pique said in an interview with Spanish television broadcaster Canal Plus. "The first half wasn't bad and we controlled the game but when they scored the first goal we lost that control and they were able to take their second chance. "We have to improve and learn and try to turn things around at the Camp Nou. "There is no excuse from the pitch or the referee. We'll look forward to the return leg now and try to win," he added. The return leg is on March 12. Even Barcelona top scorer Lionel Messi, who has netted in the last 14 La Liga matches, struggled to make his mark with a muted performance against Milan. Milan had failed to win in their previous seven meetings with Barcelona and started as rank outsiders with a team mostly assembled during the course of the season. WARNING SHOT Muntari fired a warning shot with a dipping 30-metre volley which flew over the crossbar after five minutes and Stephan El Shaarawy should have done better when he was sent clear by Boateng's flicked pass. The teenage forward failed to control the ball as he raced towards goal, allowing Carles Puyol to intercept. From the corner, Boateng hooked the ball just wide of the far post, giving Barca their first scare. Barca, who could have had a penalty when Dani Alves' whipped cross hit Philippe Mexes' outstretched arm, took control with their familiar slick passing, although they did not create many real openings. It was Milan who were more dangerous as a low diagonal cross into the area from Zapata eluded El Shaarawy just before halftime. The second half started with more Barcelona possession before Milan struck the first blow. A short free kick was played by Riccardo Montolivo, his low shot struck Jordi Alba, ricocheted against Zapata's outstretched arms and fell to Boateng to sweep into the goal. Barca protested furiously and were unsettled. The match degenerated into a niggly affair, with the visitors infuriating the crowd at one point by keeping possession after a drop ball. Andres Iniesta was close to equalizing with a shot which swerved wide but instead Milan added another goal when a well-worked move ended with Muntari firing into the far corner of the net in the 80th minute. "We played as a team. Our coach did a fantastic job," Muntari told Sky Sports. "We were very disciplined and closed every angle. Barca are the top club in the world, they play fantastic football and have amazing players. They're going to make you suffer if you don't have discipline. "2-0 is a lot but the Nou Camp is not easy, they can win by five goals. They have amazing players but we'll do our best," he said of the return leg.

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Champions League - Paper Round: Wenger out of a job?

This morning's papers make dismal reading for Arsenal fans after their Champions League humiliation against Bayern Munich.

 Out of the FA Cup - Out of the League Cup - Out of title race - Almost out of CL - Should Wenger be OUT OF A JOB? Oliver Holt: The righteous anger of Arsene Wenger gave way to something more poignant at the Emirates. Outraged by newspaper headlines on Monday, he was humbled in front of the fans who once adored him. Sure, the supporters grew angry now and again at the impotence of their team against the might of Bayern Munich. But they have been angry for so long here that it is almost as if they are burned out with it. This is becoming a place of constant sorrow and the mood towards Wenger at times during this 3-1 mauling felt dangerously like pity. The Sun - Kiss good Bayern to another season Steven Howard: The loyalists still preach the Wenger mantra, that Arsene still knows best. But the once great man looks to have run out of both ideas and inspiration. It happens to them all — even the mighty Brian Clough. Even the best have a shelf life. So in many ways this was the result Arsenal Football Club probably needed. To show them exactly where they stand in the grand scheme of things. The Times - Arsenal left with no way back Matt Dickinson: We came to the Emirates Stadium wondering if this might be a watershed evening in the decline, and fall, of the Arsene Wenger empire. But that would load the occasion with historic significance when this, depressingly, was just more of the same. Terrible defending, an absence of leadership (the admirable Jack Wilshere aside), a team without a striker. So far so predictable. When the supporters have seen it all against Bradford City and Blackburn Rovers, it was hardly a surprise that Bayern Munich should brutally expose all the same fragilities. Daily Telegraph - Down and out Paul Hayward: Bayern are a pretty good approximation of how Wenger would probably like Arsenal to look, but in the same domestic league there would be 15-20 points between them. Jack Wilshere was one of the very few who carried the battle to Bayern in a way that Tony Adams or Vieira might have recognised. There was no turning point, no relief for Wenger and very little hope of Arsenal overturning this deficit in Bavaria, unless they can summon the spirit of Chelsea in last season’s Champions League final and somehow treble it. As Wenger himself said: “Let’s not hide the truth." The Guardian - Wenger concedes trophy hopes David Hytner: Jack Wilshere stuck to his task impressively, never hiding and always seeking to push his team. There was the creation of a couple of half-chances before the interval and he inspired a little more in the second-half. Even to the last, he gritted his teeth, burst into the area and forced Neuer into a rare safe. This, however, was Bayern's evening. They were too good for Arsenal. The worry is that Wilshere might be, as well. Independent - Don't blame Wenger James Lawton: (The possibility of a recovery) was put to the sword when Bayern’s marvellously fecund striker Mario Mandzukic ran beautifully to deliver a third goal. On the touch-line, Wenger sagged again. He had talked of the mental strength of his team and their deep-seated ability before this trial and no doubt he will walk again to create something from the debris of defeat. It is a forlorn task for a great football man for whom the weight of pressure had reached still another level.. Daily Mail - Hurtling towards oblivion Martin Samuel: Only seven clubs have overturned a first-leg home deficit in the Champions League, and a two-goal margin gapes like a chasm. Arsenal require a backs-to-the-wall performance as great as anything Chelsea pulled off last season; greater, really, considering Wenger’s team need to reverse not just form, but recent history.

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NBA trade deadline buzz: Clippers end Kevin Garnett trade talks – for now

For now, the Los Angeles Clippers have terminated talks with the Boston Celtics on a Kevin Garnett for Eric Bledsoe and DeAndre Jordan trade, league sources told Yahoo! Sports. The Celtics have been eager to continue the conversation on the deal, but league sources said the talks will remain dormant unless Clippers star Chris Paul pushes the issue with management. Several prominent executives and coaches with championship contenders told Yahoo! Sports they believe the Clippers would become more dangerous with Garnett. Clippers coach Vinny Del Negro is a proponent of the deal, too, sources said. The Celtics won't consider moving Garnett to the Clippers for any other combination of players, and won't revisit the talks unless Bledsoe and Jordan are in the package, sources said. Boston hasn't approached Garnett to waive his no-trade clause without an agreement in place, but there's strong belief he would ultimately agree to it. What's more, Boston could simply trade Paul Pierce and leave Garnett with even less desire to finish his career with a young, rebuilding roster. [Watch: Possible movers at NBA trade deadline] Boston is balancing the parallel considerations of finding a way to add to its core for a playoff run, or disassembling its aging veterans to start the process of rebuilding again. If the Celtics trade Garnett before the deadline, they would move Pierce, too, sources said. For the Celtics, the chance to get Bledsoe and Jordan could be a prelude to trying to package Pierce in a possible deal to the Atlanta Hawks for Josh Smith, sources said. The Hawks also have discussed sending Pierce onto a third team in some previous conversations around the league. The Nets are trying to make a deal for Smith, too, and have offered Kris Humphries, MarShon Brooks, and either a future first-round pick or the draft rights to Croatian Bojan Bogdanovic, sources said. Despite intentions to keep free-agent guard J.J. Redick this summer, it's unlikely the Orlando Magic will be his highest bidder come July 1. J.J. Redick will be a free agent at the end of the season. (USA Today Sports)The Magic are willing to re-sign Redick to a deal near the mid-level exception of $5 million per year, but sources say Redick's agent, Arn Tellem, will likely start the bidding at four years, $40 million for Redick on the free-agent market. Redick won't get that kind of a deal, but teams with interest in the guard tell Yahoo! Sports they could be willing to pay him in the range of $7 million annually. Redick has great value for contending teams who understand how far he grew under former Magic coach Stan Van Gundy. His ability to make shots comes at a premium in the NBA. [Also: Kobe Bryant would have been a Piston if not for Jerry Buss] Indiana, Milwaukee, Chicago and Minnesota have expressed interest in trading for Redick, but teams have been reluctant to give up a first-round pick and a good young player for a player who could turn into a rental for the rest of the season. The Philadelphia 76ers could be a real possibility for Redick in free agency, sources told Yahoo! Sports. Redick has a strong relationship with coach Doug Collins, the father of his close friend and Duke assistant coach, Chris Collins. The Minnesota Timberwolves were turned down on an offer of Brandon Roy and a first-round pick to Denver for center Timofey Mozgov, league sources told Yahoo! Sports. Denver is combing the market further for offers on Mozgov. He will be a restricted free agent this summer, and the emergence of Kosta Koufos could make it hard for Denver to match an offer sheet for Mozgov. The Timberwolves are trying to include Roy's contract into offers, selling the non-guaranteed value of his 2013-14 year as an appealing factor. Roy is rehabilitating his knees, and neither the Wolves, nor Roy, truly expect he'll be able to play again in the NBA, sources said. Timberwolves GM David Kahn has been interested in negotiating a buyout with Roy, presumably as a way to show owner Glen Taylor he can get some money back on a failed free-agent signing. A buyout could possibly come after the trade deadline, if Minnesota is unable to use Roy's contract to balance out the money of a trade. Teams who'd consider including Roy in a deal understand that he's unlikely to ever play again, sources said. Minnesota has offered multiple first-round picks for established wing players in the league, sources said. Behind a glut of power forwards, the Houston Rockets are showing a willingness to move rookie Terrence Jones for a first-round draft pick, league sources told Yahoo! Sports. The Rockets selected Jones out of Kentucky with the 18th pick in June and he's shuttled between the Development League and Houston most of the season. Jones has played minimal minutes in 11 games for the Rockets. The San Antonio Spurs will likely move forward DeJuan Blair close to the deadline, ultimately accepting the best final offer for him, sources said. Blair has wanted a trade for more than a year, and clearly will not re-sign with the Spurs as a free agent this summer. The Spurs had tried to canvass the market for a first-round pick, but have relented on that demand. The Spurs could get a second-round pick, or perhaps a player on an expiring deal in return. …The Charlotte Bobcats are offering guard Gerald Henderson to teams for a first-round pick. …Several teams are inquiring about Washington Wizards guard Jordan Crawford.

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Labidou: Strange timing for New York Red Bulls to replace Erik Soler as GM

Shock waves spread across Major League Soccer on Tuesday evening when the New York Red Bulls announced their decision to replace Erik Soler as general manager.

The consensus reaction: Why now?

After all, the Red Bulls currently sit five points away from Eastern Conference leader Sporting Kansas City and still have a reasonable chance of finishing at the summit with three games remaining.

While Soler has definitely made some questionable moves in the past (Rafa Marquez, the decision to trade for and then trade away Dewayne De Rosario during a three month period), his decisions this year were primarily solid. After two years of having a threadbare bench, the Red Bulls featured MLS's most potent attack in Thierry Henry, Tim Cahill, Kenny Cooper and Sebastien Le Toux.

Now, instead of focusing on trying to secure as many points as possible heading into the playoffs, most Red Bulls players will be contemplating their future at the club, unless their name is Thierry Henry or Tim Cahill. The arrival of former AS Monaco President Jérôme de Bontin‏ as new GM might not necessarily mean a major upheaval but it could have significant implications for Marquez.

The Mexican international revealed to Goal.com last week that he wanted to extend his contract at New York and was looking for an additional year to his current deal which ends in 2013.

"My ultimate dream is to play in the 2014 World Cup," Marquez told Goal.com through a translator. "I would like to extend my contract for one more year to stay playing at this level, though I have options in Mexico [should the Red Bulls choose not to extend]."

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Yaya Toure: We must beat Dortmund

Manchester City midfielder Yaya Toure has declared that Wednesday night's tie against Borussia Dortmund is a "massive” must-win game for the club after losing its opening Champions League group game 3-2 to Real Madrid.

The energetic Ivorian revealed that last year's campaign - in which the Premier League champion failed to qualify from the group stages - was a "disaster" for the club.

Despite disappointment in the opening game this year, the 29-year-old former Barcelona player believes his side can follow in the footsteps of rivals Manchester United and Chelsea and win the European crown this season.

"Hopefully it is going to be a massive game for us. Borussia Dortmund are a fantastic team. They work very hard in attack and defense and we know it is going to be tough and we have to deliver," he told reporters. "Our last campaign was a disaster. We want to change that. Look at our rivals, Chelsea and Manchester United. They have appeared in a final and this year I hope we can go far and even win it.

"The first year was quite hard. This can be massive for us to get to the second round. We know we are in a tough group and we have to get a good result."
City finds itself in Group G against a trio of domestic champions in Jose Mourinho's Madrid, Ajax and Borussia Dortmund. However, Toure is eager to please the home fans by beating the Germans on Wednesday evening.
"In our life we know what we have to do but we understand the position we are in because we lost in Madrid," he said. "Now we are playing the first game in the Champions League at home and we want to show our fans what we can do and produce a good result. With a team like this we can go very far in the competition."
Italian boss Roberto Mancini queried the seeding process, as City has yet to pick up enough coefficient points to be included in the first pot of the seeding process despite winning the Premier League title last season.
"Arsenal are seeded above you and you find yourself with three champions. This is the Champions League and for this reason, it is difficult," Mancini said. "We have won our championship and we are facing the best teams in Germany, Spain and Holland. Sometimes when you play in the Champions League you should also be lucky with the draw.
"It is important to get into the second stage because after that anything can happen because we are a good team."

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Suarez pledges to help Liverpool youngsters

Luis Suarez has backed Liverpool's youngsters to continue their rapid improvement and vowed to offer any assistance that they require.

The Uruguayan has been impressed by the likes of Raheem Sterling and Suso, among others, and understands that his role as a senior player is to support them.

"We've got a lot of quality youngsters here, such as Raheem; Suso showed what he could do the other day," Suarez told the club’s official website.

"[Adam] Morgan has to keep taking his chance to feature more and more and [Jerome] Sinclair made his debut."

But the Liverpool striker has urged the younger members of the Merseyside club not to rest on their laurels, instead to continue to work hard to impress and improve.

"They are all really good players and they are at Liverpool for a reason. The form that Raheem has been showing and Suso the other day, they are showing us that they want to help the team," he continued.

"And we so-called experienced players are always there to help them so let's hope that they continue to develop and don't just stand still but continue to prove exactly why they are at Liverpool."

Suarez believes that it is the role of the senior players in the side to educate, encourage and aid Liverpool's youngsters.

"I think it should be us who are offering advice to them, telling what they are doing well, and not so well," he declared, "but I think they do realize that they have to learn things from the older players."

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Brazil comedy mocks ‘own goal' over World Cup preparation

A Brazilian theatre company is touring the country with a new comedy playing on the public's growing fears that hosting the 2014 World Cup will be a disaster with unfinished stadiums and overwhelmed airports.
"The Cup is Ours" by Brasilia slapstick comedians "De 4 e melhor", portrays a chaotic tournament which starts late while finishing touches are put on stadiums and an opening ceremony botched by corrupt officials who have stolen the cash to pay for it.
"We are making these criticisms because it's obvious that there are a lot of things to deal with urgently. But if this Cup is to be a success, it will take a lot more than criticism," the play's director Flavio Nardelli told Reuters backstage.
FIFA Secretary General Jerome Valcke caused a diplomatic storm in March when he said Brazil needed a "kick up the backside" to speed up preparations. Brazil refused to work with him before FIFA eventually patched up relations.
Despite earlier concerns about progress on new stadiums, most are now roughly on schedule, though costs are soaring. But transportation infrastructure, from airports to public transport and hotels, still look woefully inadequate for an expected 600,000 visitors.
The comedy group hopes to take the play to all 12 cities which will host games from the tournament.
In one sketch, soccer fans learn from the airport announcer after a half dozen gate changes, that their overbooked flight has been cancelled and they will be bussed to a game in Sao Paulo, a two-day journey, "for a rebooking fee of only 213 reais", about $100.
"A lot of people are telling us they can identify with these scenes. People are saying it's the comment you hear most at the airports today: ‘Imagine when it's the World Cup'," Nardelli said.
In other sketches, a fan from Brazil's soccer nemesis Argentina, is conned out of cash by a quick-thinking beggar and an American woman runs for safety from a flirt with broken English who misunderstands her words as welcoming his advances.
At the final in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil faces Argentina. A shot fired from one of the dozens of shanty towns that sprawl across its hillsides, hits three-time World Player of the Year, Argentina's Lionel Messi, securing victory for the hosts.
A handful of audience members interviewed were confident preparations would fall into place and that Brazilians would resort to the culturally instilled 'jeitinho', or 'little way' to creatively dribble around difficulties.
"I think it will happen because it just has to. We will have to do something, I don't know what but we will have to do it," said Gustavo Tosto, an employee of the public airport operator as the audience shuffled out of the theater.

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UPDATE 2-Soccer-Barcelona sink Benfica but Puyol injury mars win

* Alexis Sanchez and Fabregas secure 2-0 win in Lisbon

* Puyol to miss Sunday's 'Clasico' after dislocating elbow
* Barcelona's Busquets shown late red card (adds quotes)
Barcelona's Lionel Messi set up goals for Alexis Sanchez and Cesc Fabregas in their 2-0 Champions League Group G victory over Benfica on Tuesday but the success was marred when captain Carles Puyol suffered a dislocated elbow.
Sanchez fired Barca ahead early on and Fabregas added a second 10 minutes into the second half but the damage to Puyol means he will miss the La Liga 'Clasico' against Real Madrid at the Nou Camp on Sunday.
The Catalans had Sergio Busquets dismissed two minutes from time but will be more concerned about Puyol, who landed awkwardly after leaping for a ball and was carried off on a stretcher in obvious pain after 78 minutes.
The Spain international was playing his first match since recovering from a knee problem.
"We are waiting for more information but he will certainly miss the 'Clasico'," Barcelona coach Tito Vilanova told reporters.
Barca defender Dani Alves, who was visibly shaken by Puyol's injury during the match, said his team mates were concerned.
"We are really saddened by the (Puyol) situation," he said.
Barca have six points from two games and although their confidence is high heading into 'El Clasico', they now have problems at the back with Puyol's defensive partner Gerard Pique also sidelined by injury.
ARCHITECT MESSI
Messi was once again the architect of Barcelona's win in Lisbon.
The Argentine sprinted down the left and crossed for Chilean Sanchez to tap home after six minutes.
Benfica also looked dangerous going forward and Brazilian striker Lima could have levelled five minutes later but Victor Valdez saved at his feet when the striker was through on goal.
With centre back Luisao suspended, the home side's defence looked wobbly with Artur denying Messi with a reflex save and then the lively Sanchez blasted over the bar with only the keeper to beat.
"There is only one ball and when they have the ball for three quarters of the match it is very hard," said Benfica playmaker Pablo Aimar, who Messi has said was his childhood idol.
Barca doubled their lead after the break when Messi cut in from the right and with a trademark dash left several defenders trailing. He then slid a perfect ball through to Fabregas who coolly slotted in.
"They are, in my opinion, the best in the world, always get more than 70 percent of possession and boss around every opponent," said Benfica coach Jorge Jesus
Celtic beat Spartak Moscow 3-2 in the earlier kickoff in Russia and are second in Group G, with four points after two matches.

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Robin Van Persie has found a home in Man U

If his national team coach is to be believed, Robin Van Persie moved from Arsenal to Manchester United because he wanted people to be mean to him. If that indeed was the Dutchman's true motivation behind a switch that cost United a transfer fee of $38 million, he is going the wrong way about it.

In Champions League play Tuesday, Van Persie scored both goals as United survived a tricky away clash to beat Romanian champions CFR Cluj, a result that set the club on course to a likely spot in the knockout stage, even after only two of six group games.
While some have speculated on where Van Persie's mind was at when he chose to leave Arsenal, his soccer home of the previous six years, and join one of its English Premier League rivals, Netherlands head coach Louis Van Gaal revealed some of the 29-year-old's thought processes.
"Robin had several options of course, to stay, to go to Manchester or to go somewhere else," Van Gaal told Dutch television. "To me it seemed that his priority was to go somewhere where he would be pushed. All of his options were great clubs and it was important to him that wherever it was people would not just agree with him, but they would be mean to him, if necessary, and push him to improve and to be his best."
United has had mixed results in the early part of the EPL season, losing at home to Tottenham last weekend and slipping four points behind leaders Chelsea. Van Persie has already shown glimpses that he can bring the kind of scoring productivity that boss Sir Alex Ferguson craves though, and Tuesday's double will help the settling-in process no end.
Cluj, situated in the Transylvania region that literary mythology claimed was home to Count Dracula, might be relatively unknown outside Romania but had served notice of their ability by winning their opening group match at Portuguese side Brada. The hosts made a confident start against United and deserved their opening goal, when Pantelis Kapetanos produced a calm finish after 14 minutes.
At that point United's critics were busy whetting their knives once more, and the theory that this is far from being Ferguson's best crop of players in his long career, especially defensively, seemed to carry some weight. That argument will be settled over several months and not 90 minutes, yet this was still a comeback to give Ferguson some level of satisfaction.
If Van Persie's equalizer on 29 minutes was scrappy – with the ball glancing off his shoulder and flying into the net – his second was outstanding, a skillful flick of his left boot just after halftime that beat goalkeeper Mario Felgueiras.
Van Persie was the player Ferguson urgently wanted over the summer, making him the focal point of his transfer activity, and it seems that the team's fortunes may hinge on his productivity. It was a carefully researched move on Van Persie's part, who is at a point in his career where he has the potential to elevate himself into the discussion of the world's very finest players.
He spoke at length to experienced mentors such as Van Gaal and former United players such as goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar before eventually taking the plunge in choosing United over Italian giants Juventus.
"He wanted to hear my thought about [United and Juventus]," Van Der Sar told the Daily Telegraph. "We spoke for five minutes about Juventus and 55 minutes about United."
Van Persie, then, has perhaps found his natural home, as these sixth and seventh goals since his move would indicate. If this kind of scoring rate continues, he may have difficulty in finding the hard time he seems to want.

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Odemwingie leaves Liverpool red faced

Nigeria goal poacher Peter Odemwingie added to the pressure on Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish with the weekend winner for West Bromwich Albion at Anfield.

He snatched the lone goal 15 minutes from time as the 'Reds' once again flopped at home to lie an embarrassing eighth on the English Premier League table -- 37 points adrift of leaders Manchester United.

QPR and Morocco midfielder Adel Taarabt had a mixed day against former club Tottenham Hotspur at Loftus Road, scoring the winner midway through the first half and being red carded in the closing stages.

ENGLAND

PETER ODEMWINGIE (West Bromwich Albion)

The Nigeria forward scored the only goal of the game as the Baggies ended their 45-year wait for a win at Anfield with a 1-0 victory over Liverpool. There were 15 minutes left when the Baggies, who had been under persistent pressure, saw Odemwingie strike after being played in by Democratic Republic of Congo midfielder Youssuf Mulumbu.

ADEL TAARABT (Queens Park Rangers)

The Morocco midfielder scored what could be a priceless goal for Rangers in their battle to avoid Premier League relegation, securing a 1-0 win over London rivals Tottenham Hotspur -- his former club -- with a superb 25-yard free-kick in the 24th minute at Loftus Road. He was sent off for a second bookable offence 12 minutes from time but QPR held on.

PAPISS DEMBA CISSE (Newcastle)

The Senegal striker's impressive scoring run since joining from German club Freiburg in January continued as he made it 11 goals from 10 matches during a 3-0 win at home to Stoke that took the Magpies into fourth place. Cisse struck in between two goals from Yohan Cabaye when the French midfielder turned provider in the 18th minute, allowing the forward to beat Asmir Begovic with a first-time shot.

FRANCE

PIERRE-EMERICK AUBAMEYANG (Saint-Etienne)

Having gone five games without scoring, Gabon star Aubameyang found the net twice in Saint-Etienne's 4-1 win at Caen to take his tally to 13 league goals this season. The 22-year-old set up his side's opener in the 40th minute with a left-wing cross that was turned in by Caen defender Aurelien Montaroup, before making it 2-0 on the hour with a 20-yard shot that goalkeeper Alexis Thebaux could only help on its way into the net. Aubameyang sealed victory in the 83rd minute with a header from Ivorian team-mate Max Gradel's dinked cross.

SOULEYMANE CAMARA (Montpellier)

Senegalese international Camara scored the only goal of the game as Montpellier edged Valenciennes 1-0 to preserve their two-point lead over Paris Saint-Germain at the top of the table. Camara found the target in unorthodox fashion in the fifth minute, deflecting a fierce cross from his Moroccan team-mate Younes Belhanda inside the left-hand post from close range with his knee.

MODIBO MAIGA (Sochaux)

Mali striker Maiga scored for the fifth game in succession but saw his side slump to a 6-1 defeat against Paris Saint-Germain at Parc des Princes. Maiga got his name on the score-sheet in the 12th minute, cancelling out Javier Pastore's opener for the hosts by beating PSG goalkeeper Salvatore Sirigu to Marvin Martin's raking pass and scoring with a brave header. It was his ninth league goal of the season.

GERMANY

JOEL MATIP (Schalke 04)

The Cameroon midfielder's long ball put Dutch striker Klaas-Jan Huntelaar away to score Schalke 04's equaliser on 38 minutes in their 1-1 draw at Augsburg after the hosts took an early lead. Schalke are third in the Bundesliga table, which carries an automatic Champions League qualification place, but only two points clear of Moenchengladbach with two games left this season.

ITALY

MEHDI BENATIA (Udinese)

The Morocco centre-back was largely at fault for the incident that should have proved decisive in Udinese's 0-0 draw at Chievo. Benatia hesitated and lost the ball in midfield leading to a Chievo break that resulted in a penalty. Cyril Thereau's spot-kick was saved by Samir Handanovic and Benatia's blushes were spared. He improved in the second half and was quite solid, but is no longer the rock he was in the first half of the season.

KWADWO ASAMOAH (Udinese)

The Ghana midfielder provided one moment of ingenuity in the first half when his clever back-heel to Pablo Armero could have resulted in more of a chance but it went begging. Asamoah otherwise looked lost in midfield where Chievo controlled matters in a goalless stalemate. Asamoah's loss of form, like Benatia's, is a major reason that previously flying Udinese are now struggling.

SULLEY MUNTARI (AC Milan)

The Ghana midfielder was a passenger at times in a disapointing all-round performance from his team in the 1-1 home draw with Bologna. Muntari did not give one of his better performances although he helped the side get a grip of the match in the second period when they started to take the ascendancy.

SPAIN

AROUNA KONE (Levante)

The Ivorian striker scored an important equaliser for Levante against the club who still own his registration, Sevilla, in the 1-1 draw between the clubs. The goal was his 14th in the league this season, making him top scorer for a Levante side that remain fifth and in contention for qualification for European competition next season.

SOFIANE FEGHOULI (Valencia)

The Algerian midfielder scored his sixth goal of the season as his Valencia side romped home 4-0 winners over Betis. Feghouli played a starring role in the victory and was responsible for Betis going down to 10 men in the second half when he was pulled down by Jose Dorado with a free run at goal.

IKECHUKWU UCHE (Granada)

The Nigerian striker played in Granada's important 1-0 victory over Getafe that all but guarantees the participation of the Andalusian club in the first division for a second season after their promotion last summer. Granada have fielded a number of African players this season, including Algerian Hassan Yebda, Senegalese defender Pape Diakhate and fellow Nigerian Ighalo Odion, but Uche was the only one involved at the weekend.

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City stumble as emotional Bolton down Rovers

Manchester City's Premier League title hopes suffered a setback with a 1-1 draw at Stoke on Saturday as Bolton paid tribute to stricken star Fabrice Muamba with a morale-boosting win over Blackburn.

With leaders Manchester United expected to beat Fulham on Monday, City desperately needed a win at the Britannia Stadium to keep the pressure on their cross-town rivals.

However City were forced to scramble a draw via a deflected long-range shot from Yaya Toure after Stoke striker Peter Crouch had fired City ahead with a spectacular 30-yard volley.

The draw returned City to the top of the table on goal difference but means that United can now open up a crucial three-point lead if they beat Fulham at Old Trafford on Monday.

"We're a little bit disappointed but a draw is a good result," City defender Kolo Toure told ESPN. "Every point now is very important. We have to treat every game like a final now."

Elsewhere, Bolton gave Muamba the perfect get well present with a 2-1 victory over fellow strugglers Rovers at the Reebok Stadium, one week after the midfielder collapsed from a heart attack at Tottenham.

Two first-half headers from David Wheater settled the game in Bolton's favour with Steven Nzonzi getting on the scoresheet for Blackburn.

"In a football context it's a great end to the week to get three points but the perfect end will be for Fabrice to come out of that hospital better with that big smile of his," Bolton boss Owen Coyle said.

"Our thoughts are still with him. He's not only a footballer and a colleague to those players in the dressing room but an outstanding young man."

Arsenal tightened their grip on third place with a comfortable 3-0 win over Aston Villa -- the Gunners' seventh victory in a row.

First-half goals from Kieran Gibbs and Theo Walcott and a stunning long-range free-kick from Mikel Arteta were enough for Arsene Wenger's side, who moved three points clear of Tottenham in fourth place.

Tottenham were held to a 0-0 draw by Chelsea in the early kick-off, a result which leaves the fifth-placed Blues struggling to close the gap on Spurs in the race for a Champions League qualifying place.

Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp praised his side's performance but warned they still faced a fight to finish in the top four.

"It was a big point for us. It keeps them five points behind us," Redknapp told Sky Sports television.

"It was a tough away game. We have a decent enough run-in but you have to be at it in every game."

But Chelsea interim manager Roberto Di Matteo admitted his team now faced an uphill struggle to secure a top four place.

"We knew we were behind (in the league) and had to catch up. It is not going to be easy but we will try to the end," Di Matteo said.

Liverpool's slim hopes of a top four finish were effectively extinguished after Kenny Dalglish's men suffered a shock 2-1 defeat against Wigan at Anfield.

Wigan stunned Liverpool when Shaun Maloney put the Latics ahead from the penalty spot on 31 minutes after Martin Skrtel's challenge on Victor Moses.

Liverpool drew level through Luis Suarez immediately after half-time but Gary Caldwell's 63rd minute winner clinched victory for Wigan and left Dalglish's side 13 points adrift of fourth place.

Queens Park Rangers -- who had stunned Liverpool 3-2 in midweek -- were brought down to earth after an emphatic 3-1 loss at Sunderland.

Sunderland's goals came from Nicklas Bendtner, James McClean and Stephane Sessegnon as QPR saw Djibril Cisse sent off for the second time in his short career with the Londoners following a wild challenge on Fraizer Campbell.

Taye Taiwo scored a late consolation for QPR.

Meanwhile Wolves remain rooted to the foot of the table after a 2-1 defeat to Norwich at Carrow Road.

Wolves snatched a 25th-minute lead through Matt Jarvis but Norwich drew level inside a minute through a Grant Holt strike before the Canaries striker made it 2-1 with a penalty on the stroke of half-time.

Norwich endured a nervous finish when Holt was sent off in the second half but Paul Lambert's side dug in for the win.

Everton ended a run of two consecutive defeats with a 2-0 win at form team Swansea courtesy of goals from Leighton Baines and Nikica Jelavic.

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No slip-ups as Murray eases into Miami third round

World number four Andy Murray eased into the Miami Masters third round on Friday when he saw off Colombia's Alejandro Falla 6-2, 6-3, avoiding a repeat of last week's embarrassment in California.

The Scot, who was surprisingly eliminated in the first round of the Indian Wells Masters by Spain's Guillermo Garcia Lopez, had no such problems in Florida.

Murray will tackle either Canadian 26th-seed Milos Raonic or Arnaud Clement of France for a place in the last 16.

Fourth seeded Murray, the 2009 champion in Miami when he defeated Novak Djokovic, recorded his 15th match win of the season, hitting four aces for victory in 77 minutes against Falla.

The 24-year-old won his 22nd ATP World Tour title at the Brisbane International in January and fell to Roger Federer in the Dubai final earlier this month.

He is 15-3 overall on the year.

France's Gilles Simon, the No. 13 seed, overcame Spanish qualifier Roberto Bautista-Agut 6-4, 6-2 in 85 minutes.

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Wide receiver Manningham signs two-year deal with 49ers

Wide receiver Mario Manningham, whose spectacular sideline catch helped the New York Giants win the Super Bowl last month, has been signed by the San Francisco 49ers on a two-year deal.

The move was announced by the 49ers on Thursday, five days after Manningham's agent said terms had been agreed by the two parties.

"We are very pleased to add a player like Mario to our team," 49ers general manager Trent Baalke said in a statement.

"Although it is still early in his NFL career, he is a productive wide receiver with a lot of big game experience. He will be a nice compliment to our current wide receiver group and a good fit for our offensive system."

Manningham, who had also considered a move to the St. Louis Rams, said on a conference call: "They (the 49ers) have a great defense and I know I can come in there and make plays. I know I can make an impact there."

Asked why he had settled on the 49ers, he replied: "Knowing that they have good coaches there with good players around them and I know what they are capable of doing."

A third-round draft pick by the Giants in 2008, Manningham has recorded 160 receptions for 2,315 yards and 18 touchdowns in 49 games.

Last season, he had 39 catches for 523 yards and four touchdowns in 12 regular season games before adding 13 receptions for 189 yards and three touchdowns in the playoffs.

With the season on the line, the 25-year-old Manningham grabbed the headlines during the Giants' 21-17 Super Bowl win over the New England Patriots in Indianopolis on February 5.

Trailing the Patriots 17-15, Giants quarterback Eli Manning lofted a pass down the left sideline that Manningham brilliantly corralled, tip-toeing inside the sideline for a 38-yard gain.

Manning connected with Manningham again before Ahmad Bradshaw darted through the middle for the go-ahead score with 57 seconds to play in New York's win.

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Senator calls hearing to examine bounties in NFL

The Senate wants to grill the NFL about bounties. And the NBA, NHL, NCAA and Major League Baseball are invited, too.

Sen. Dick Durbin is setting up a Judiciary Committee hearing about bounties in professional football and other major sports in the wake of news that New Orleans Saints players received extra cash for hits that hurt particular opponents.

The assistant Senate majority leader, an Illinois Democrat, said Thursday he wants to examine whether federal law should make such bounty systems a crime.

"Let's be real basic about it here. If this activity were taking place off of a sporting field, away from a court, nobody would have a second thought (about whether it's wrong). 'You mean, someone paid you to go out and hurt someone?'" Durbin said in a telephone interview before raising the issue on the floor of the Senate.

"It goes way beyond the rules of any sporting contest, at least team contest, to intentionally inflict harm on another person for a financial reward," he said.

His announcement came a day after the NFL took a harsh stand on bounties, suspending Saints head coach Sean Payton for all of next season, and indefinitely banning their former defensive coordinator, Gregg Williams. Saints general manager Mickey Loomis was barred for half of 2012, an assistant coach got a six-game ban, and the team also was docked two second-round draft picks and $500,000.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell still needs to decide what penalties to give players who were involved in the Saints' scheme from 2009-11.

"I am encouraged by what the National Football League did. What they came down with as a penalty on the New Orleans Saints was decisive and historic," Durbin said, adding that he thought the league was "taking this very seriously."

But moving forward, the NFL and other leagues must "come up with standards to make sure this isn't going to happen again," he said. Otherwise, lawmakers will need to "at least explore whether it is necessary to have federal legislation in this area."

One possibility, Durbin explained, would be to extend federal sports bribery laws to cover bounties, so that "if someone offers in a team sports situation some sort of value, money or otherwise, to intentionally hurt another player, that, in fact, would be a crime."

Under the bounty system overseen in New Orleans by Williams — who was hired in January by the St. Louis Rams — the targeted players included quarterbacks Aaron Rodgers, Cam Newton, Brett Favre and Kurt Warner. "Knockouts" were worth $1,500 and "cart-offs" $1,000, with payments doubled or tripled for the playoffs.

According to the league, Saints defensive captain Jonathan Vilma offered $10,000 to any player who knocked then-Vikings QB Favre out of the 2010 NFC championship game.

Durbin isn't sure when the hearing will happen, but he said it could be two to three weeks from now.

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Inzaghi out with hamstring strain

Veteran forward Filippo Inzaghi will be out for two to three weeks with a hamstring strain, his club AC Milan said Thursday.

The 38-year-old has been a bit-part player this season, making just eight appearances in all competitions. All of those, bar one, was as a substitute.

The injury comes at an inopportune time for Inzaghi, who may have been in line for more regular first team action with Pato out injured, Antonio Cassano's long-term heart problem and doubts over both Robinho and Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

It means only Argentine Maxi Lopez and youngster Stephan El Shaarawy are definitely fit for this weekend's game against Roma, although Ibrahimovic is expected to overcome a back problem.

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Rooney says sorry after breaking young fan's wrist

Wayne Rooney has apologised to a nine-year-old Manchester United supporter after the striker accidentally broke the boy's wrist with a stray shot before his side's 5-0 win at Wolves on Sunday.

Rooney was taking shots at goal during the pre-match warm-up and one wild effort from the United star flew into the crowd and struck Jamie Thomas on the wrist as he tried to block the ball.

Thomas managed to watch the first half of the Premier League match, but was taken into the first aid tent after his arm "ballooned" at half time.

Medics then sent the youngster to hospital where he had a plaster cast put on his injured wrist.

Rooney was not aware of the incident at the time, but he used his Twitter page to say sorry to the schoolboy and promised to send him a personalised gift.

He said in a tweet: "I want to apologise to Jamie Thomas. I have arranged for a letter and a signed shirt to be sent to his home address."

Thomas was watching his United heroes for the first time and his father, Andy, told the Shropshire Star: "It shook him up a bit but he's fine about it now and I don't think it's put him off going to other games.

"I don't think Rooney realised what he had done, otherwise I am sure he would have come over."

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Terry hands Chelsea fitness boost

Chelsea captain John Terry has handed his side a major boost ahead of Saturday's crucial clash against Tottenham as the England defender returned to training on Thursday.

Terry has missed Chelsea's last two matches, including Wednesday's 2-1 defeat at Manchester City, with calf cramps and had not been able to train properly since before last week's Champions League win over Napoli.

That loss to City has left fifth-placed Chelsea five points adrift of Tottenham, who currently occupy the fourth and final Champions League place in the Premier League table.

In the circumstances, Blues interim boss Roberto Di Matteo knows it would be a significant factor if Terry is available for Tottenham's visit to Stamford Bridge.

And the 31-year-old looks set to feature in the London derby after coming through a training session on Thursday.

Although Terry is now expected to figure against Spurs, Chelsea are still waiting on news regarding the thigh injury picked up by Serbian defender Branislav Ivanovic at Eastlands.

Meanwhile, Terry's fellow defender Gary Cahill, who scored in the City defeat, remains convinced Chelsea can pile on the problems for Spurs this weekend.

Spurs have dropped out of the top three after failing to win any of their last four matches and another slip would leave them facing a battle to qualify for the Champions League.

"Arsenal are having decent form and Spurs have been hit the last few games," Cahill said.

"It is hard to keep that momentum going throughout the season. Spurs have been absolutely fantastic but it is tough to keep it going every single game week in, week out.

"You'll always have a blip in the season and maybe theirs has come now.

"We're at home, where we have some confidence now, and we are looking to get the positive result we need."

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NCAA Tournament: Kentucky still dominating odds going into Sweet Sixteen

Once again, we're taking a break from politics to discuss the most pressing upcoming contest in American: March Madness. Kentucky heads into the Sweet Sixteen in the same place it was a week ago, the overwhelming favorite to win the championship at a 29.9 percent likelihood of victory. Mitt Romney is slightly more likely to win the Presidency than Kentucky is to win the NCAA crown, but let's be fair: Kentucky has four rounds left, while Romney only has two.

Thursday: East and West Regions

Even though all four top seeds having survived the first two rounds, our second most likely team to take the tourney is the second seed in the East, Ohio State, with 12.8 percent likelihood. This is a sign of how weak top-seeded Syracuse has looked without its star player, Fab Melo, who did not qualify for the tournament. (They came dangerously close to being the first top seed ever to lose a first-round game in their battle against UNC Asheville.) In their next game, we have top-seeded Syracuse at just 65.3 percent against No. 4 Wisconsin, our second tightest game. Ohio State is heavily favored at 77.2 percent likelihood over No. 6 Cincinnati.

The West continues to look like the weakest region. Michigan State is 66.5 percent likely to defeat No. 4 Louisville in the Sweet Sixteen. The other matchup is our closest game with No. 3 Marquette slightly favored at 54.8 percent over No. 7 Florida.

Friday: South and Midwest Regions

In the South, the loss of second-ranked Duke opened up the field for the top-ranked Kentucky team, but this loss did not move up Kentucky's likelihood of victory much; we already had Duke as the least likely second ranked to make it through to the Final Four. Kentucky is 81.7 percent likely to beat No. 4 Indiana, the most lopsided prediction we have in the Sweet Sixteen. No. 3 Baylor is 71.5 percent likely against No. 10 Xavier.

The Midwest continues to look like a preordained collision course between top-seeded North Carolina and second-seeded Kansas. They continue to jockey for third and fourth most likely to win it all with 11.1 percent and 10.2 percent respectively. Their paths are wide open to the Elite Eight; North Carolina is 80.8 percent likely to prevail over No. 13 Ohio and Kanas is 78.5 percent likely to defeat No. 11 North Carolina State.

Follow along live with PredictWise's real-time likelihood of winning each game and real-time likelihood of winning the tourney.

David Rothschild is an economist at Yahoo! Research. He has a Ph.D. in applied economics from the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania. Follow him on Twitter @DavMicRot and email him at thesignal@yahoo-inc.com.

Want more? Visit The Signal blog, connect with us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter. Handy with a camera? Join the Yahoo! News Election 2012 Flickr group to submit your photos of the campaign in action.

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