Sports Latest
The latest UK & World sports news from the Press Association
Cottagers win to keep hopes alive
22:45, Dec 3 2009
Fulham's hopes of reaching the Europa League knockout stages will go down to the wire after Zoltan Gera earned them a 1-0 victory against CSKA Sofia at Craven Cottage.
Needing to match Group E rivals Roma on the night, Roy Hodgson's men did their part with maximum points against their Bulgarian opponents, who only had Luboslav Penev in the dug-out for the second half after their coach nearly missed the trip altogether.
Danny Murphy, making his first appearance in six weeks after a knee injury, missed a penalty but Gera headed home to spare his captain's blushes. They travel to Basle on Wednesday, December 16 still with a slim hope of reaching the last 32.
Penev was named on the team sheet for the visitors after making the late trip to London when a ban on him leaving Bulgaria, for a debt owed, was lifted. His side struck the crossbar early on but only genuinely threatened when he emerged in the second half, although his side ultimately have only one point from their five matches in the group.
That early chance came when Todor Timonov latched onto a loose clearance and got his shot away before John Pantsil arrived with the challenge, with the ball rebounding to safety after smacking the crossbar.
Then came Murphy's ninth-minute penalty when Gera was fouled by Ivan Ivanov, an offence so blatant there was no need for the extra official behind the goal that have been trialled in this competition. After his time on the sidelines, Murphy's ring-rusty spot-kick was sidefooted over the crossbar.
The hosts, however, were ahead in the 15th minute when Bjorn Helge Riise won a 50-50 ball after a corner was cleared, he dashed down the right flank and crossed for Gera to nod home from close range.
Bobby Zamora, also back in the side after a knock ruled him out last weekend, could have doubled the lead but volleyed over after Gera nodded in his direction on the edge of the area.
Fulham were cutting through the CSKA defence every time they gained possession, with Christopher Smalling heading over from a corner, Riise failing to direct a shot from a promising position and Simon Davies dragging wide after Zamora had headed in his path.
Spas Delev then missed an opportunity to make Fulham pay for their first-half wastefulness - but he went just wide after meeting a cross with a volley.
Charnley inspires Wigan triumph 20:45, Feb 11 2012
Winger Josh Charnley scored a hat-trick of tries as Wigan bounced back from their shock opening home defeat by Huddersfield with a clinical 20-6 destruction of Stobart Super League champions Leeds. more
Spurs fans show Redknapp the love 20:45, Feb 11 2012
Tottenham's fans pleaded with Harry Redknapp to snub England and stay at White Hart Lane as the Spurs boss masterminded a brutal 5-0 hammering of Newcastle. more
France/Ireland clash called off 20:45, Feb 11 2012
Ireland's RBS 6 Nations clash with France has been postponed due to the weather conditions in Paris. more
Adebayor inspires Spurs romp 19:45, Feb 11 2012
Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp ended an emotional week on a huge high as his team ruthlessly hammered Newcastle 5-0 at White Hart Lane. more
England claim narrow Italy victory 18:45, Feb 11 2012
England dug themselves out of a snow-hole in freezing Rome to beat Italy 19-15 with another charge-down try from Charlie Hodgson and Owen Farrell's perfect kicking display. more
Chelsea suffer defeat at Everton 17:45, Feb 11 2012
Steven Pienaar and Denis Stracqualursi struck as Everton piled on the pressure for Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas with a 2-0 victory. more
Late Henry winner rescues Arsenal 17:45, Feb 11 2012
Substitute Thierry Henry marked the final league game of his loan spell at Arsenal with a last-gasp winner to see off Sunderland 2-1. more
McArthur clinches Wigan victory 17:45, Feb 11 2012
James McArthur boosted Wigan's survival hopes with a dramatic goal which handed the Latics a 2-1 win over fellow Barclays Premier League strugglers Bolton at the Reebok Stadium. more
Williams inspires Quins win 17:45, Feb 11 2012
Harlequins returned to winning ways as winger Tom Williams helped orchestrate a 30-23 victory over London Irish which extended their lead at the top of the Aviva Premiership. more
Fleming and Hutchins put GB ahead 16:45, Feb 11 2012
Great Britain moved to within one rubber of a fifth consecutive Davis Cup win under captain Leon Smith after Colin Fleming and Ross Hutchins beat Michal Mertinak and Filip Polasek of Slovakia at Glasgow's Braehead Arena. more
Cold snap affects sporting weekend 15:45, Feb 11 2012
The cold snap continued to wreak further havoc with the sporting calendar on Saturday after the npower Championship clash between Peterborough and West Ham was postponed due to a frozen pitch along with a number of League One and League Two matches. more
Rangers ease to win at Dunfermline 15:45, Feb 11 2012
Lee McCulloch grabbed his first goal of the season as Rangers fought back from behind to claim a 4-1 win and deny Dunfermline their first home victory of the season in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League. more
