Liverpool Echo

Ranting Fergie Lets Rip at Ref ; United Manager Blasts Atkinson

MACHESTER UNITED manager Alex Ferguson claimed referee Martin Atkinson's decisions which led to Chelsea's winning goal at Stamford Bridge were the kind which lead managers and players to "lose faith in refereeing". Atkinson awarded a free-kick for Darren Fletcher's challenge on Ashley Cole, and Wes Brown appeared to be impeded as Frank Lampard's delivery was turned into the net.

Italy Chance for New Stars

Sandgrounders Switch Up Work-Rate to Surge Clear

SOUTHPORT opened up a three-point lead at the top of the Blue Square North League with a 2-0 victory at Workington. Port kicked off the game at Borough Park aware Droylsden had knocked them off pole position in the division on goal difference after the Bloods had dispatched Vauxhall Motors 2-1 in an early kick off.

Cables Put On a Show of Class

PRESCOT CABLES produced the performance of the weekend by inflicting a first league defeat of the season on high-flying FC Halifax Town. Dale Wright bagged the only goal on 74 minutes to give the Valerie Park side the three UniBond First Division North points and move them up to ninth in the table.

Northwich Gun Down Charlton

WAYNE RILEY scored the only goal as Northwich Victoria sent League One Charlton crashing out of the FA Cup. Riley struck with nine minutes remaining for the Blue Square North side.

Heavy Fines for Bayern Munich Stars Toni and Lahm ; European Round-Up

BAYERN MUNICH have fined Luca Toni and Philipp Lahm for their conduct over the weekend. Toni left the stadium at half-time of the 1-1 draw with Schalke after being substituted by coach Louis van Gaal.

Moyes Hails His Battling Blues ; Moyes Just Happy to Win After Poor Show

DAVID MOYES hailed Everton's resilience after they battled to a first Premier League win since the end of September with a 2-1 victory at West Ham, who slip back into the bottom three. Louis Saha returned to the starting XI after he missed the midweek Europa League defeat to Benfica with a calf problem, and the French striker netted from 20 yards against the run of play on 26 minutes, which continued his fine scoring record against the Hammers.

Eastmond Wants to Have Final Say ; Kyle Dreams of Glory in Four Nations

ENGLAND ........20 NEW ZEALAND.12 KYLE EASTMOND is ready to play a big role in the Gillette Four Nations final next week - even if he is only a supporter. The St Helens youngster is not taking his place for granted despite fully justifying his selection at scrum-half in England's superb victory over world champions New Zealand on Saturday night.

Story Able to Dream of Olympics ; Cycling

THE prospect of emulating Natalie Du Toit by competing at the Olympic and Paralympic Games is coming closer to reality for Great Britain cyclist Sarah Storey. Two scintillating performances at the UCI Para-cycling Track World Championships have further convinced Storey of her ability to compete in both Olympic and Paralympic competition, as South African swimmer Du Toit did in Beijing last year.

Carter Cited Over Tackle

ALL BLACKS star Dan Carter has been cited for an alleged dangerous tackle on Wales scrum-half Martin Roberts during Saturday's Test match at the Millennium Stadium. Carter will face a disciplinary hearing in Milan, where the New Zealand squad has arrived to prepare for next weekend's clash against Italy.

Alun Feels the Pain of Defeat

ALUN-WYN JONES conducted a brutal and personal honesty session after Wales' latest attempt to beat the All Blacks ended in another frustrating failure. Jones felt the pain of defeat more than most following New Zealand's 19-12 triumph - and he was not afraid to admit it.

We Must Learn to Land a Knockout ; Skipper Borthwick Fires a Warning to Team-Mates

ENGLAND .......... 9 AUSTRALIA ...... 18 CAPTAIN Steve Borthwick insists England must learn how to strike the knockout blow if they are to develop from mere sparring partners to heavyweight world championship contenders. England slipped back to their lowest world ranking of eighth following Saturday's defeat to Australia and a display packed with familiar failings.

Improve or We'll Be Thrashed, Raps Wilkinson

JONNY Wilkinson believes England need "to improve in every area" if they are not to take another beating at Twickenham next weekend. Wilkinson, making his first appearance in the famous white shirt for 18 months, scored all England's points on Saturday in an 18-9 defeat against Australia which began brightly but ultimately highlighted the inexperience of Martin Johnson's team.

Mickelson so Excited for 2010 ; Golf

PHIL MICKELSON is excited about the prospects 2010 will bring after ending a difficult year with a thrilling victory at the World Golf Championship-HSBC Champions in Shanghai. In a year in which his wife and mother were diagnosed with breast cancer, the world number two followed up September's TOUR Championship win with a one-stroke victory over South Africa's Ernie Els to claim a second WGC title of his career, adding to March's CA Championship success.

Zeb's Mind On a Champion Show ; Murphy Aiming High with Star

BIG ZEB put on a weekend show that could have connections of champion chaser Master Minded worried sick. The eight-year-old registered a clever win on his return to action in the Ladbrokes.com Fortria Chase at Navan.

Perfect Zen for Shirreff in Classic

THE European contingent may have enjoyed yet more Breeders' Cup success at Santa Anita but there was little doubt who the real star of the show was as Zenyatta secured her place in the history books. No filly or mare had won the Classic in it's 25-year history, but John Shirreff's unbeaten superstar put that record straight with a scintillating last-to-first success.

Injury Threat to Casey Challenge

THE rib injury which blighted Paul Casey's season now appears to have ended it - and the Ryder Cup star's bid for a maiden Order of Merit title. The world number four quit after just two holes of his final round at the World Golf Championships-HSBC Champions because of a recurrence of the nagging muscle problem.

Haye: This Is Just the Start ; New Heavyweight Champion Vows to Clean Up Division

DAVID HAYE has vowed to "clean up" in the heavyweight division and unify the titles after ripping the WBA belt from the waist of Russian giant Nikolai Valuev. In only his second fight as a fully-fledged heavyweight, the Englishman produced a technically sublime performance to beat champion Valuev on a majority points decision in Germany on Saturday night.

Hayemaker Is Boxing's Superstar - Schaefer

LEADING promoter Richard Schaefer hailed new WBA heavyweight champion David Haye as the most marketable world champion in the sport after his win over Nikolai Valuev. Englishman Haye was in brilliant form as he outboxed 7ft 2ins champion Valuev in Nuremberg, Germany, to take the belt with a majority points decision victory.

Clean Sweep for Merseyside On St Helens Show

MERSEYSIDE fight fans were treated to a busy little card at the Sutton Sports Centre in St Helens on Saturday night. Local favourite Craig Lyon marked time with a comfortable points win over Brummie journeyman Anthony Hanna, extending his bright start in the domestic bantamweight division to eight wins, referee Steve Gray scoring the fight 60-54 for Lyon.