Liverpool’s Spanish coach Rafael Benitez, whose future at Anfield has been uncertain amid reports of a move to Italy, said Wednesday his future is with the club. “I still have four years left on my contract at Liverpool. I am delighted. I hope that Liverpool will once again be competitive. My future right now is [...]

LONDON (AFP) – Chelsea would be faced with a disaster if they fail to clinch the English Premier League title on Sunday according to their French midfielder Florent Malouda. The Londoners will ensure top honours they defeat Wigan at home in the final game of the season, but holders Manchester United are still in the [...]

MUNICH – Arjen Robben scored in the 68th minute, and Bayern Munich beat Lyon 1-0 Wednesday night in the first leg of a rough European Champions League semifinal in which both teams finished a man short. Robben cut inside from the right flank and put the ball under goalkeeper Hugo Lloris with a shot the [...]

LONDON (AFP) – Carlo Ancelotti has warned his Chelsea stars not to underestimate Aston Villa in Saturday’s FA Cup semi-final at Wembley as the holders face the team they thrashed 7-1 last month. Ancelotti is concerned that his side’s demolition of Villa could lead to complacency creeping into their play against a wounded team who [...]

MANCHESTER (AFP) – Alex Ferguson has confirmed that Wayne Rooney will miss Sunday’s trip to Blackburn but could return for next week’s Manchester derby. The England striker, who suffered an ankle injury in the 2-1 defeat at Bayern Munich last week, aggravated the problem at Old Trafford on Wednesday. United won that second leg tie [...]

BOLTON, England (AFP) – Dimitar Berbatov made light of Wayne Rooney’s absence by scoring twice as Manchester United restored their one point lead at the top of the Premier League with a 4-0 win at Bolton on Saturday. It took the reigning champions 38 minutes to go in front and then they needed an own-goal [...]

Blackburn Rovers put a huge dent into Chelsea’s Premier League title aspirations and helped Manchester United extend their lead over the London side to seven points with a well deserved draw at Ewood Park. The visitors started the better early on, when they exposed Blackburn’s left hand side, with both Florent Malouda and Nicolas Anelka [...]

LONDON (AFP) – Michael Carrick believes Manchester United can open the door to an unprecedented fourth consecutive Premier League title by slaying their recent Liverpool jinx this weekend. Liverpool have won the last three meetings with their biggest rivals, and despite struggling this season, will travel to Old Trafford on Sunday buoyed by memories of [...]