"United must learn from setback"

Darren Fletcher says it is important for Manchester United to bounce back quickly from the shock draw at Goodison Park.

Going into injury-time, United were leading 3-1 and seemed to have successfully navigated a tricky encounter against David Moyes' Everton.

However, goals from Tim Cahill and Mikel Arteta in the dying minutes of the game left United ruing two points dropped yet again. Worryingly, this was the second successive Premier League match in which United had let slip a lead late in the game.

Two weeks ago they were forced to settle for a draw against Fulham after leading 2-1 in stoppage time. Fletcher feels this trend must be bucked soon.

In comments reported by MUTV, he said: "It's desperately disappointing. We were 3-1 up at 90 minutes... [to draw from that position ] is not what's expected at United.

All we can do now is learn from it - that's the biggest thing. The same happened to us at Fulham and this shows we haven't learned from that. We really have to do that now and see games out when we're in a winning position. United had initally gone a goal down after a strike from Steven Pienaar but roared back with three goals to make themselves favourites for three points.

"It was important we scored straight away and went into half-time at 1-1," said Fletcher. At that point we would have been the happier team. Then we came out in the second half, played some good football and got ourselves into a good position. We started the second half the way we should do - we passed the ball around and took our chances. We were in control of the game.

Once they got that second goal it gave the whole place a lift. You can't give teams like Everton any sort of confidence - it gives them hope and then they threw men into the box for the last minute, which they wouldn't have done at 3-1. Teams like Everton play until the final whistle and they proved that today. If we don't defend right as a team we're going to get punished. The biggest thing, though, is that we learn from today and don't let it happen again. The Red Devils next face a massive clash against Liverpool at Old Trafford on Sunday, September 19.

Arsenal 4-1 Bolton

Arsenal beat 10-man Bolton 4-1 at Emirates Stadium to keep up the pressure on Barclays Premier League leaders Chelsea.

Laurent Koscielny bundled home his first Arsenal goal after 24 minutes, only for the French defender's poor back header to allow Bolton to equalise just before half-time through Johan Elmander.

Marouane Chamakh headed the hosts back in front, with Gary Cahill then sent off for a tackle from behind on the Moroccan.

Alex Song netted Arsenal's 1,000th Premier League goal under manager Arsene Wenger and substitute Carlos Vela stroked in number four with seven minutes left.

As expected, the home side made all the early running, with captain Cesc Fabregas, who has a fine personal record against Bolton, having a shot blocked after cutting into the right side of the area.

Andrey Arshavin should have made it 1-0 after latching onto a brilliant through ball by Tomas Rosicky, but Bolton goalkeeper Adam Bogdan - making his first Premier League start in place of the suspended Jussi Jaaskelainen - was out quickly to close the Russian down at the edge of the penalty area.

The Czech midfielder then had a go himself, driving an angled shot just over as Arsenal continued to press. Bolton - who now play a much-changed style under Owen Coyle - found an opening on 12 minutes when a knockdown by former Gunner Fabrice Muamba fell to Kevin Davies, but the striker's shot on the turn was held by Manuel Almunia.

The Gunners were ahead after 24 minutes. Jack Wilshere's angled chip across the penalty area picked out Fabregas' run at the far post, and his cutback was bundled in by Koscielny following a rebound from Bogdan.

The Hungarian was being kept busy, as a fine passing move ended with Rosicky drilling in a low, angled shot which produced another fine reaction block from the Bolton shot stopper. Arshavin clipped the side-netting after he just got ahead of Zat Knight before he was again denied on the breakaway, as this time Gretar Steinsson did just enough to put the Russian off balance. Bolton snatched an equaliser just before half-time following a terrible mix up in the Arsenal defence.

Koscielny's backward header was far too soft, leaving Almunia exposed as Lee Chung-yong darted onto the loose ball. The Korean rounded the goalkeeper, before chipping back across goal, where Elmander headed in at the far post. The tempo was lacklustre during the opening exchanges of the second half, as both sides knew the next goal would be crucial. Song hacked away a loose ball in the Arsenal six-yard box before Chamakh burst clear and on to the edge of the Bolton box, but again Bogdan produced a superb save.

However, there was little the Bolton goalkeeper could do moments later when, as the danger was not cleared after the resulting corner, Morocco international striker Chamakh headed in Fabregas' cross at the far post to restore Arsenal's lead after 58 minutes.

Koscielny and Davis, jumping in at full pelt, both needed treatment after a nasty clash of heads as they challenged for a ball on the edge of the Arsenal penalty area. Despite calls for action from referee Attwell, it was Emmanuel Eboue who ended up in the book for protesting.

The Nuneaton official - who famously allowed a "ghost goal" during a match between Watford and Reading two years ago - then missed what looked liked a foul by Kieran Gibbs on Lee at the edge of the Arsenal box.

Moments later, the 27-year-old official did reach for his back pocket, this time to show Cahill a straight red card after the England international went through the back of Chamakh right in front of the dugout. The match suddenly developed an edge, as a few hefty challenges went in from both sides, Arsenal substitute Abou Diaby eventually had to be replaced after suffering an injury in a clash with Paul Robinson.

Song made it 3-1 when he collected a cutback from Arshavin to cleverly chip the goalkeeper from a tight angle, before substitute Vela stroked in number four with seven minutes left - and Eboue was denied what looked a penalty when tripped by Muamba.

US Open Women's Review: Day Five

Defending champ Kim Clijsters set up a mouth-watering clash with Ana Ivanovic on a day of easy wins at Flushing Meadows.

Clijsters won 12 games in a row to beat Wimbledon semi-finalistPetra Kvitova 6-3 6-0, whileIvanovic dropped just two more games in beating France's Virginie Razzano 7-5 6-0.

And third seed Venus Williams continued the theme in the evening session with a 6-2 6-1 win over qualifier Mandy Minella from Luxembourg to set up a last-16 clash with Israel's Shahar Peer.

Kvitova, who lost in the first round of her next five tournaments after her last-four defeat to Serena Williams at the All England Club, raced into a 3-0 lead against Clijsters with two breaks of serve.

That meant the Czech left-hander had already won more games than during her previous meeting with Clijsters - a 6-1 6-1 defeat in Miami this year - but that was as good as it got for the 27th seed.

Ivanovic has dropped to 40th in the world rankings due to injuries and a loss of form, but has lost just 13 games in her first three rounds in New York.

"She and I are good friends and I'm happy to see her doing well again," Clijsters said of Serbian Ivanovic, who topped the rankings after winning the French Open in 2008.

"I followed her very closely obviously when I wasn't playing and saw her win the French Open, but from there she just lost it a little bit."

Told of Clijsters' comments, Ivanovic replied: "That's really nice to hear, because she is such a nice person. Ever since I started on tour, I thought highly of her and really admired her for everything she achieved. I still do. I have great respect for her.

"It's true also when I was struggling, she was messaging me. She was very supportive. That's really rare and really nice to see. In those times, you know who your friends are."

Williams, playing her first tournament since Wimbledon after a knee injury, looked set for a tougher time against world number 185 Minella when the first four games all saw breaks of serve.

But the two-time champion, watched by sister Serena who is out with a foot injury, then won 10 of the next 11 games to book her place in the fourth round.

Earlier in the day, Russia's Elena Dementieva recovered from 5-2 down in the opening set against Daniela Hantuchova to win 11 of the next 13 games to complete a 7-5 6-2 win.

"I did not want to lose that first set, I was just trying to fight for every point and that was the key for the match," said Dementieva, who dropped out of the world's top 10 for the first time in more than three years in August.

"After that I felt so much more confident in the second set and played a more aggressive game."

Dementieva will face French Open finalist Samantha Stosur in the last 16, the fifth seed beating Italy's Sara Errani 6-2 6-3.

Elsewhere in the bottom half of the draw, French Open champion Francesca Schiavone beat Alona Bondarenko 6-1 7-5 and will face Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova in the fourth round after the Russian beat Gisela Dulko 6-1 6-2.

Euro 2012 Qualifying Review

England, Spain and Holland all kicked off their Euro 2012 campaigns with impressive victories.

Jermain Defoe relieved some of the gloom after England's dismal World Cup by netting a hat-trick in the 4-0 victory over Bulgaria in the opening Euro 2012 qualifier at Wembley. The Tottenham striker lifted the 73,000 crowd by netting after only three minutes and added a second just after the hour mark. Substitute Adam Johnson made sure of the points in the 83rd minute before Defoe completed his treble four minutes from time.

Wayne Rooney helped to set up all four goals, and Defoe paid tribute to his strike partner after the game.

Belarus made it a dismal night for France as new coach Laurent Blanc saw his team slump to a 1-0 defeat in Paris. It was a grim night for France at the outset of the Euro 2012 qualification campaign, after a woeful World Cup effort earlier in the summer. They failed to take their chances and then saw substitute Sergey Kisliak seize a match-winning opportunity in the 86th minute.

Striker Louis Saha made his return to national team favour as a second-half substitute in the Group D clash but had to be replaced himself after just 10 minutes on the pitch, due to injury. A Stade de France crowd of 76,395 jeered Blanc's players as they left the pitch.

Bosnia-Herzegovina joined Belarus on three points with a 3-0 win over Luxembourg.All the goals came early, with Senijad Ibricic scoring a sixth-minute opener, Miralem Pjanic adding a second six minutes later and Edin Dzeko making quite sure of the points on the quarter-hour mark.

The other group game surprisingly finished in a draw, with Romania held 1-1 at home by Albania. Substitute Bogdan Stancu ended Romania's wait for a goal in the 80th minute, only for Gjergj Muzaka, who came off the Albania bench with nine minutes remaining, to grab an 88th-minute equaliser.

Group H favourites Portugal were held to a 4-4 draw by Cyprus in Guimaraes. First-half goals from Efstathios Aloneftis and Michael Constantinou for Cyprus were cancelled out by Portugal's Hugo Almeida and Raul Meireles, the new Liverpool midfielder. The home team then led through Danny and Manuel Fernandes in the second period, but Yiannis Okkas and Andreas Avraam, who scored the eighth goal of the match in the 88th minute, drew Cyprus level and earned them an unexpected point.

In the same group, Norway staged a fine second-half comeback to beat Iceland 2-1. Egil Olsen's side went behind shortly before half-time in Reykjavik when veteran QPR striker Heidar Helguson scored for Iceland. But captain Brede Hangeland showed his team the way with a headed equaliser after 58 minutes, and Mohammed Abdellaoue hit the winner 17 minutes later.

World champions Spain began the defence of their title with a thumping 4-0 win over outclassed Liechtenstein in Vaduz. Fernando Torres struck twice while David Villa and substitute David Silva were also on the scoresheet as the world's top-ranked side, who this summer added the World Cup to the European crown they won two years ago, kicked off their latest qualifying campaign in impressive style.

Vicente del Bosque's side, who have now won 52 of 57 matches since 2006, scored two brilliant goals in the first half through Torres and Villa but could have had many more after cutting open the home defence time and again.

Elsewhere, Italy came from behind with two second-half goals to snatch a 2-1 away win at Estonia in Group C. Antonio Cassano equalised on the hour mark before setting up Leonardo Bonucci three minutes later for Italy's second. Sergei Zenjov had put Estonia into a 31st-minute lead and the home side were unlucky not to add to their advantage when Sander Puri's right-footed strike beat Italy goalkeeper Salvatore Sirigu but hit the crossbar and stayed out. The result marks Italy's first win in 2010 and gives new coach Cesare Prandelli his maiden victory with the Azzurri since replacing Marcello Lippi.

Also in Group C, Serbia kicked off with a routine 3-0 victory over the Faroe Islands. Danko Lazovic set the visitors on their way after 13 minutes and when captain Dejan Stankovic doubled their advantage five minutes later it looked like Brian Kerr's hosts could be in for a torrid evening. But Gunnar Nielsen, on loan at Tranmere from Manchester City, was beaten just once more - by Birmingham new boy Nikola Zigic in the 90th minute.

World Cup runners-up Holland began their campaign with a comprehensive 5-0 rout of Group E minnows San Marino. Klaas-Jan Huntelaar netted a hat-trick and Ruud van Nistelrooy was on target on his international return after Dirk Kuyt had opened the scoring. Kuyt converted a 16th-minute penalty after Huntelaar had been brought down in the box. Huntelaar, who joined Schalke from AC Milan last week, added a second after 38 minutes as the Dutch, who suffered a 1-0 extra-time defeat to Spain in July's World Cup final in Johannesburg, took a 2-0 half-time lead. Huntelaar netted again after 48 minutes and completed his treble after 67 minutes before substitute Van Nistelrooy struck in stoppage time at the Stadio Olimpico, Serravalle.

Elsewhere in the group, Pontus Wernbloom's first international goals helped Sweden to a comfortable 2-0 home win over Hungary. The 24-year-old was a regular scorer for IFK Gothenburg before departing to join Dutch outfit AZ 15 months ago, but he had not showcased that form in the Sweden shirt until tonight. On his ninth appearance for his country, Wernbloom put Sweden in front after 51 minutes and then guaranteed three points in Solna by netting again after 73.

Moldova took full advantage of Finland captain Sami Hyypia's first-half dismissal to complete a 2-0 victory. Bayer Leverkusen defender Hyypia was sent off after 36 minutes and Moldova made their visitors pay for their numerical disadvantage in the second half. Substitute Alexandru Suvorov struck the opener after 69 minutes before Anatolie Doros added a second after 74 minutes to complete the victory.

Miroslav Klose's goal was enough to give Germany a winning start in Brussels. The Bayern Munich striker scored six minutes into the second half as Joachim Low's side edged out Belgium 1-0 in Group A. In a tight game there were chances for both teams early on, but Belgium could not find a way past Germany goalkeeper Manuel Neuer and paid the price. Germany scored with the first attack of the second half as Thomas Muller's ball found Klose for a simple finish.

Turkey cruised to a 3-0 victory in their qualifier in Kazakhstan. Two goals in three minutes from Arda Turan and Hamit Altintop had them in control midway through the first half, and Nihat Kahveci made sure of the three points 14 minutes from time. With Guus Hiddink in charge for the first time, Turkey looked assured as they overpowered their hosts. Turkey needed little time to take control of the game, and had already gone close a couple of times before Turan put them in front in the 24th minute with a close-range strike. Two minutes later, Altintop all but ended the game as a contest as he volleyed home. Were it not for wayward shooting, Turkey might have added more but they would get a third late on when Turan's long pass found Kahveci and he rounded the goalkeeper before slotting home.

Russia were indebted to Pavel Pogrebniak as the striker's double got their Group B campaign off to a 2-0 winning start in Andorra. A strong start saw the eastern Europeans take a 14th-minute lead with a well-worked goal. However, Andorra succeeded in roughing their opponents up at the Estadi Comunal and it was not until the 64th minute that Russia secured some breathing space through Pogrebniak's penalty.

Filip Holosko's stoppage-time strike ensured Slovakia a winning start at the expense of 10-man FYR Macedonia. Vladimir Weiss' side had the better of the chances but could not make the breakthrough until the 91st minute. Slaven Bilic saw his Croatia side cruise to a comfortable 3-0 win over Latvia as they opened their Group F campaign in Riga. Hamburg striker Mladen Petric opened the scoring shortly before half-time and Bayern Munich's Ivica Olic doubled the lead six minutes after the break before Shakhtar Donetsk's Darijo Srna completed the scoring. Croatia dominated from the off and had several chances before finally taking the lead two minutes before half-time. Tottenham midfielder Niko Kranjcar had several opportunities before Petric netted just before the break. Bayern Munich's Olic added the second goal after 51 minutes and Srna also netted with eight minutes remaining to wrap up the three points for the visitors.

Elsewhere in the section, Greece drew 1-1 with Georgia after Nikos Spyropoulos earned them a point with a second half equaliser. Alexander Iashvili had given the visitors the lead after three minutes but Spyropoulos levelled with 18 minutes remaining.

San Marino 0-5 Netherlands: Hattrick Hero Huntelaar Ensures Oranje Victory

'The Hunter' was well and truly on form tonight.

The Netherlands may have been the visitors tonight, but there was no surprise that they went into tonight's clash against San Marino as the clear favorites to pick up all three points.

And the Oranje did not disappoint, as a hat-trick from Schalke new boy Klass-Jan Huntelaar and a late goal from Ruud van Nistlerooy shored up an early penalty converted by Dirk Kuyt, spelling a 0-5 scoreline and three points in the Group E bag for the 2010 World Cup runners up.

Bert van Marwijk's side turned up the heat immediately, pressuring the hosts from the start. The early dominance allow Wesley Sneijder show his class, and the expert string-pulling resulted in a few early corners for the visitors, although nothing would come of them.

It didn't take long for the deadlock to be broken, however, as Davide Simoncini put in a challenge on Huntelaar in his own area bad enough for the referee to point to the spot. Liverpool workhorse Dirk Kuytwas charged with the task of burying the penalty, and he duly did so.

San Marino showed some heart midway through the first-half as strikes from Andy Selva and Manuel Marani both looked to trouble Maarten Stekelenburg. However, Ajax's number one was never in any real danger from strike force of the European minnows.

Marani soon turned into the villain though, as his foul on Van Bommel after 38 minutes resulted in a free-kick to the Oranje. Wesley Sneijder delivered the ball well enough forKlass-Jan Huntelaar to grab his first goal of the match, leaving La Serenissima reeling as they went in after half time.

Nigel De Jong was replaced by Rafael van der Vaart at the break, and Tottenham's latest bargain didn't take long to get in to the game, testing Aldo Simocini soon after taking to the pitch. With the second period warning shot fired, Huntelaar then found the net for the second time with 48 minutes on the clock.

It was a case of “who wants to score next?” after that point, as Sneijder, Kuyt and Huntelaar continued to pepper Simoncini's goal for the next twenty minutes with no reply. The sustained pressure proved fruitful once again as Huntelaar popped up again after 67 minutes to bag his hat-trick and prompting Bert van Marwijk to introduce Ruud van Nistlerooy into the game.

Even after a three substitutions and a bit of reshuffling amongst his ranks, San Marino coach Giampaolo Mazza was afforded no respite from the flurry of Oranje attacks.

After 91 minutes of sheer agony for the home side, all they wanted to hear was the final whistle, but Ruud van Nistlerooy would delay the end for a few moments, scoring an injury time goal to highlight his return to the Netherlands ranks, and put a neat little bow on the comprehensive Group E victory.

Botha succeeds Smith as SA T20 captain

Spinner Johan Botha was named South Africa Twenty20 captain Saturday after Graeme Smith stood down this week. "Botha was the unanimous choice and we have every confidence that he will do an excellent job leading up to the 2012 ICC World Twenty20 Cup," said Cricket South Africa chief executive Gerald Majola.

Selection convener and former star Test batsman Andrew Hudson added: " Johan has an excellent record as a leader and proved an inspirational captain when he stood in for Graeme during a ODI series victory in Australia last year."

Botha welcomed the challenge: " I really enjoyed the captaincy when I stood in for Graeme, an proud to be offered the job, and I'm looking forward to working with such a special team." Believing he has too many responsibilities, Smith will step down as ODI skipper after the 2011 World Cup in the sub-continent but plans to continue captaining the 'Proteas' Test team.

Chelsea's impressive start continue

Chelsea's ominously impressive start to the defense of their Premier League crown continued on Saturday with another six-goal thrashing of hopelessly outclassed opponents. After beating West Brom 6-0 in their season opener last weekend, Carlo Ancelotti's side inflicted an identical scoreline on Wigan at the DW stadium. 

Chelsea's win at Wigan had French foundations with Florent Malouda opening the scoring in the first half before a Nicolas Anelka double killed the contest in the space of four minutes shortly after the restart. Salomon Kalou then claimed two late goals both made by man of the match Didier Drogba before fellow substitute Yossi Benayoun wrapped things up in the 90th minute.

        

Nepal jumps at 27th position

Nepal climbed two spots up at the International Cricket Council (ICC) ranking after finishing third at ICC World Cricket League Division 4 defeating Tanzania in the play off match.After failing to book their ticket for the Division 3 in Hong Kong, Nepal have to satisfy in the third spot at Division 4.Nepali batsman fail to impress in this tournament resulting defeat to Tanzania by 9 runs where Nepal wasn't able to chase the total of just 118 leads to this disappointing tournament.

According to the press statement issued by Cricket Association of Nepal, Nepal elevated to 27th position from 29th.This will bring some joy to Nepali fans and hopeful the Nepali Cricket team will be able to take another opportunity to qualify for the World Cup 2015. Nepali Cricket team will return home on Monday evening.

Hamilton vows to hit back

The McLaren driver lost the lead in Hungary last time when Mark Webber clinched the victory while Hamilton retired from the race.

Only four points separate the two drivers and but Hamilton feels McLaren need to up their pace out after falling behind the Red Bulls and Ferraris in recent weeks

"Although it's been great for the whole team to have had the factory shutdown and a well-deserved holiday, I think we're all really looking forward to getting back into the title fight," he told the official McLaren website.

"The break gave us some valuable thinking time to consider how to improve our car for the remainder of the season - and we head into these two races not only optimistic of some better results, but also of stronger pace for the rest of the year.

"Neither Jenson or I had a great race at Spa last year - I didn't see much of it from the cockpit, but I think Jenson was pushed into a spin from behind at Les Combes and the resulting accident took me out too. So it was weird to watch the whole race back in the garage.

"For this year, too, I head to Spa off the back of a disappointing non-finish in Hungary. We've investigated the causes, and think we've identified the reason and are confident that it shouldn't happen again.

"Personally, I think Spa is one of the 'great' Formula 1 tracks, and one I'd really love to win. I'll be going flat-out to try and get us back into the hunt again in Belgium, and it would be fantastic if we could take home another win at the end of the weekend."

McGrady eyes fresh start in Detroit

McGrady, who is a seven-time NBA All-Star and two-time NBA scoring champion, played just 30 games last season with the Houston Rockets and New York Knicks averaging only 8.2 points, 3.1 rebounds and 3.3 assists in 22.4 minutes per game. A far cry from his career averages of 21.5 points, 6.0 rebounds and 4.7 assists in 814 games.

The 31-year-old McGrady told Pistons.com that while he might not be the same player he was during the NBA's 2002-03 and 2003-04 seasons when he led the league in scoring, nevertheless he is still effective.

"I might not be dunking on anybody like I used to, but I’m still effective.

"I know I can put the ball in the hole. … I’m not changing anything. I’m 31 years old. I’m not 44, 41 – I’m 31. There’s still a lot left in the tank.

"At this point in my career, 14 years, it’s a competition. You come off the bench – if that’s what it is, that’s what it is. I’m just ready to play basketball, y’all. Seriously. That’s what I wake up thinking about. That’s what I love to do. For these last two years, I’ve been kind of alienating my family a little bit because I’ve been fighting so hard to get back."

McGrady's career has been blighted by injuries but last season the forward showed glimpses of the type of form which established him as an NBA star for nearly a decade - including a season-high 26 points against the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Joe Cole: It was a bad penalty

The mighty Reds managed to walk away with a 1-0 win at Anfield in the Europea League qualifier against the Turkish side courtesy of a Ryan Babel goal.

Roy Hodgson's men could have doubled the lead in the second-half but Cole stepped up to the spot, only to see his weak effort saved by the goalkeeper.

After the game, Cole told ITV Sport, "It was a bed penalty, I hold my hands up. It was predetermined [the penalty], but you can't dwell on them things. We won the game 1-0 and we take positives from that."

The England star who has had a terrible week having received a straight red card in his Premier League debut against Arsenal at the weekend is refusing to dwell on the past, claiming that his assist that set Babel up for the goal is a stepping stone to better things ahead.

He added:"[I'm] finding my feet in there, its my job to do that and make goals and it was nice to do that for Ryan and I'm enjoying my start here,

"I'll try and do my best every game. I'm enjoying my football, getting fitter and getting stronger every game."

Liverpool will now shift their focus back to the domestic side of things with a trip to the Eastlands to take on Manchester City on Monday.

Rossi's "love story" with Yamaha ends

Valentino Rossi described his decision to leave Fiat Yamaha for Ducati as the end of a "beautiful love story".

Ducati confirmed the reigning MotoGP world champion had signed a two-year contract to ride for the Italian team from 2011. Rossi will part company with Yamaha at the end of the current campaign, bringing to an end his hugely successful seven-season association with the team. He has won four MotoGP world titles with Japanese manufacturer Yamaha since joining the factory squad from Honda in 2004.

"It is very difficult to explain in just a few words what my relationship with Yamaha has been in these past seven years," said the 31-year-old.

"Many things have changed since that far-off time in 2004, but especially 'she', my M1, has changed. At that time she was a poor middle-grid position MotoGP bike, derided by most of the riders and the MotoGP workers.

"Now, after having helped her to grow and improve, you can see her smiling in her garage, courted and admired, treated as the 'top of the class'.

"Now the moment has come to look for new challenges; my work here at Yamaha is finished. Unfortunately even the most beautiful love stories finish, but they leave a lot of wonderful memories, like when my M1 and I kissed for the first time on the grass at Welkom, when she looked straight in my eyes and told me 'I love you!'"

Gabriele Del Torchio, president of Ducati Motor Holding: "We are delighted to announce that Valentino Rossi will be with us from 2011.

"He is a paragon of excellence in the world of motorcycling."

Filippo Preziosi, Ducati Corse general director, added: "Working with Valentino is one of the most exciting things for every engineer, and it's good to know we will have this great opportunity next season."

Lin Jarvis, managing director of Yamaha Motor Racing, paid tribute to the departing rider.

He said: "On behalf of the Yamaha Motor Group, I would like to express our sincere gratitude for the amazing seven years that we have spent together."

Yamaha are expected to draft in American Ben Spies as Rossi's replacement in the factory squad.

Spies' place in the satellite Tech 3 Yamaha team is likely to taken by Britain's Cal Crutchlow, who currently rides for the Japanese manufacturer in World Superbikes.

Federer lifts Cincinnati Masters title

Roger Federer warmed up for the US Open in style by clinching his 17th Masters 1000 title in Cincinnati.

The Swiss world number two got the better of home favourite Mardy Fish after coming out on top in a war of attrition.

In a match dominated by the serve, Federer secured the only break deep into the deciding set to clinch a 6-7 (5/7) 7-6 (7/1) 6-4 triumph in two hours and 40 minutes.

The outcome means Federer will be in perfect shape to regain the crown at Flushing Meadows after his run of five successive titles was ended by Argentina's Juan Martin Del Potro in last year's final. Fish can also take a great deal of confidence to New York after a wonderful week in which, after entering as a wild card, he saw off Andy Murray and Andy Roddick en route to the final.

The American certainly held his own against Federer although the few opportunities which did arise fell the way of the former world number one. Federer held four break points in the first set - including one set point - but was unable to execute. And he paid the price as Fish upped his game to clinch the tie-break.

The second set followed a similar pattern with both players struggling to gain any fluency on their returns. Fish had the only break point which came and went. This time it was Federer who found the reserves to up the tempo in the breaker, clinching it for the loss of just one point to take the match all the way.

A third tie-break seemed on the cards only for Fish to lose concentration for a moment, allowing Federer a break point at 4-4 which he converted when the American netted a routine backhand.Federer showed his opponent no mercy by serving it out with ease to claim his fourth title in Cincinnati. "It was a perfect match for both of us," Federer said afterwards, "but only one can win it.

"Mardy played fantastic."

Manchester City 3-0 Liverpool

Manchester City flexed their enormous muscles at Eastlands to deliver their biggest beating of Liverpool since 1937.

Sheikh Mansour could not have picked a better night to watch the team he has spent £1billion on in a league game for the first time. With James Milner enjoying an outstanding debut, City were far too good for a Liverpool side who have a week to get themselves into some sort of shape given Javier Mascherano's absence seems like the next step in a big-money move to Barcelona.

Milner set up Gareth Barry for City's opener before Carlos Tevez claimed to have got a touch to Micah Richards' goalbound header just after half-time. A brilliant double save from Joe Hart snuffed out any chance of a revival before Tevez sent Pepe Reina the wrong way from the spot after Martin Skrtel had fouled Adam Johnson.

It capped a performance that proves City have the credentials and the talent to win the biggest prize they can this season, if manager Roberto Mancini can keep his vast squad happy.

Long-standing City fans are still pinching themselves at having the opportunity to watch the likes of Yaya Toure and Tevez. But down the years, they have taken a huge amount of pride in their academy, which has produced so many first-team players, Richards among them. The level City are operating at now means continuing that work is going to be tough. Instead, pleasure has to be derived in different ways.

Johnson spotted Milner advancing just beyond the Liverpool skipper and found him with a smart pass. Milner delivered the perfect cut-back into an area he hoped a team-mate had filled. Barry obliged and did the business from 10 yards with a neat side-footed finish. It was the high point of a one-sided first-half.

Tevez and Johnson both found the side-netting from an acute angle. Johnson had earlier driven a fierce shot wide and Milner's running was intelligent and incisive. Liverpool could certainly not have complained if they had been further adrift. 

Roy Hodgson's men struggled to retain any source of possession, which just confirmed the gaping hole Mascherano will leave should he get his wish to start another phase of his career away from Anfield.

Liverpool appear too deficient in too many areas for Hodgson to waste much time persuading someone intent on leaving that his future remains on Merseyside.

In a meagre first-half, the visitors created just a single chance, which the returning Fernando Torres set up for Gerrard, who wasted it.

The only time Liverpool got any nearer after half-time was in the flurry of activity that followed Gerrard's explosive free-kick that thudded against the post. Hart was beaten on that occasion but not when David Ngog had a go.

England's new number one palmed that away, straight into Torres' path. It seemed a certain goal but Hart stood firm again, repelling the Spain striker with a magnificent save with his left hand.

That this all came after a second City goal, which Tevez claimed even though any touch to a Richards header from Milner's corner was so faint as to render it impossible to spot. Reina could not keep it out anyway. All summer, the football talk around these two clubs has centred around breaking into that top four.

Nick Clegg hails England's 'unbeatable' World Cup bid

Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg has told Fifa inspectors England's bid for the 2018 World Cup is "unbeatable".

The Fifa delegation, which will write a report on England's bid to host the World Cup, began its four-day visit with a reception at Downing Street. Clegg said: "I believe this is an exceptionally strong, unbeatable bid. We in this government believe in it, we hope that you will believe in it." The hosts for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups will be revealed on 2 December. England face stiff competition in the battle to stage football's premier tournament in eight years' time, with Russia considered to be among the strongest rivals.

Fifa president Sepp Blatter is not part of the visiting bid delegation and although he admitted from Singapore that England would represent the "easiest" option, he also said Russia would be a powerful contender. Blatter said: "The easiest way to organise the World Cup is to go to England. Everything is there - fans, stadiums, infrastructure." But he added: "You cannot deny Russia if they bid for something. They are more than a country. They are a big continent, a big power."

A tournament in England will deliver a global legacy that will produce greater football and social benefits for more people than ever before. We will show that a Fifa World Cup in England is not just about what it can do for England, but about what a Fifa World Cup in England can do for the rest of the world.

Anson also disclosed that Prime Minister David Cameron, currently on holiday in Cornwall, would be hosting a visit by Fifa president Sepp Blatter in the autumn. He added: "All candidate host cities have a valuable part to play during this week and they have all been exceptionally supportive and co-operative during our planning. We believe our bid book reflects a strong proposal to Fifa from a country that can deliver on facilities, commercial opportunities and general infrastructure, for the overall benefit of the tournament, its players and officials and the fans.

England's bid is based around stadiums and facilities that are already in place and already being used on a regular basis and so there is minimal construction and planning required. Meanwhile, sports minister Mr Robertson told BBC Radio 5 live: "There is a fantastically exciting period in front of us. We really want to win this 2018 World Cup bid, it would be fantastic for football in this country. I think we have got a really good offer to take out to Fifa and we are all determined to do everything possible to bring this home.