Premier League round-up

Manchester City put down an early marker of their ambitions for the season by beating Blackburn Rovers away from home as title favourites Chelsea left it late to overcome Hull City on the opening day of the Premier League season.

Arsenal fired a warning to any critics doubting their title credentials with an emphatic 6-1 victory at a woeful Everton.

New boys Wolves and Burnley suffered 2-0 defeats against West Ham and Stoke City respectively, while Aston Villa surprisingly lost by the same scoreline against Wigan Athletic.

Portsmouth look set for a difficult season after losing at home to Fulham and Sunderland's campaign got off to a winning start after a narrow success at Bolton Wanderers.

Didier Drogba scored a lucky injury-time winner as Chelsea overcame stubborn resistance from Hull City to secure a 2-1 victory at Stamford Bridge.

Stephen Hunt marked his debut by putting the Tigers in front on 28 minutes, but Drogba fired home a free-kick to equalise before half-time and the Ivory Coast striker's attempted cross crept inside the far post to claim the points at the death.

Arsenal enjoyed a dream start to the new season as Cesc Fabregas ran the show in a brilliant 6-1 victory over Everton at Goodison Park.

Denilson opened the scoring for the Gunners on 26 minutes before Thomas Vermaelan and William Gallas were both left unmarked to head home free-kicks.

Fabregas made it 4-0 to Arsenal just three minutes after half-time and the Spaniard added another on 69 minutes with a low shot from 25 yards before Eduardo tapped home a late sixth. Louis Saha scored a late consolation.

Mark Hughes enjoyed a happy return to Ewood Park as Manchester City scored at the start and end of the match to beat Blackburn Rovers 2-0.

City's goal after just three minutes arrived on the back of some desperate defending on their own line with the visitors then breaking upfield before debutant Emmanuel Adebayor smacked a thumping effort past Paul Robinson.

With Rovers pressing for an equaliser, City broke in the final minute and, after taking his time, Stephen Ireland eventually slipped the ball inside the post.

Burnley were given an early warning of the difference between the Championship and the Premier League following a 2-0 defeat by Stoke at the Britannia Stadium.

Ryan Shawcross headed the Potters in front on 19 minutes and a trademark Rory Delap throw-in provided the second on 33 minutes as Burnley defender Stephen Jordan nodded the ball past his own keeper.

Wolves endured a disappointing return to the Premier League as West Ham scored a goal in each half in a 2-0 victory at Molineux.

Mark Noble curled home a sublime opening goal for the Hammers midway through the first half and Matthew Upson made sure of the points with a 69th minute header.

Aston Villa were booed off at the end of their first game of the season after crashing to a 2-0 defeat at home to Wigan.

Wigan twice came close to taking the lead when Charles N'Zogbia struck the post and Hugo Rodallega's header was cleared off the line by James Milner in an incident likely to spark the technology debate again.

There were no doubts over the Latics' opener on 31 minutes, though, as Rodallega beat Brad Friedel with a stunning volley and Jason Koumas slotted home the second 11 minutes after half-time.

Darren Bent made an instant repayment on his club record transfer fee by scoring the only goal as Sunderland beat Bolton 1-0 at the Reebok Stadium.

Bent, signed from Tottenham Hotspur, rose at the far post to head home a deep cross after just five minutes to give Steve Bruce a winning start to his reign as Black Cats manager.

Fulham ensured there will not be such a long wait for an away win this season as Roy Hodgson's men posted a 1-0 win at troubled Portsmouth.

The only goal came after just 13 minutes when Clint Dempsey's drive from 25 yards took a wicked deflection off Bobby Zamora and left Pompey keeper David James with no chance.

www.skysports.com

Umenyiora proud of rival Eagles after Vick signing

Osi Umenyiora doesn’t like the Eagles any more than he has for the rest of his career. But the Giants defensive end said he has a new respect for the organization.

“It’s hard for me to say this, but I’m proud of that franchise,” Umenyiora said Friday, a day after the Eagles signed Michael Vick. “That was a big step they took. A lot of people didn’t have the -- what’s the word, cojones? -- to make a move like that. But they did.

“As much as I hate to say this because I’ve been bred to hate that franchise, I’m happy for them and I think they did a good thing,” he added.

The Giants’ reaction to the arrival of Vick in their division was one of concern and happiness. Many players were grateful that Vick was given another chance to play in the NFL. But they were also weary of what he’ll mean to the Eagles offense.

“Absolutely they got better,” defensive end Justin Tuck said. “There are so many more options with him now. It’s kind of like what we’re trying to accomplish with our defensive line. There are so many options for us, it makes it hard to game plan.”

Safeties coach Dave Merritt called Vick “the ultimate wildcat quarterback.”

“With his ability to play quarterback and this wildcat offense that’s coming in, I’m sure they’re going to be exploring those options,” Merritt said. “We’ve been working all offseason expecting the wildcat. Now with Philly adding Michael Vick, it’s going to be interesting to see what they do.”

The Giants will get a good look at it. They don’t play the Eagles until Week 8 of the season (Nov. 1 at Philadelphia) and then again on Dec. 13 at Giants Stadium. By that point it should be more clear how the Eagles will use Vick. Most figure it to be as part of a Wildcat scheme. The Eagles dabbled in that last year and even scored a touchdown against the Giants when receiver DeSean Jackson lined up for a direct snap and ran it in from the 9.

“If I had a Wildcat offense, as soon as he came available, I would have been chomping at the bit,” Tuck said. “Why not get a quarterback that’s probably just as good a running back as any other running back in this league and still can throw it? I think he is the ultimate guy.”

Not everyone was so impressed. Umenyiora applauded the signing, but he’s not worried about how it might disrupt balance in the NFC East.

“He is Michael Vick and he’s a phenomenal football player, but he’s still another quarterback who’s going to get hit in the mouth,” Umenyiora said. “It remains to be seen if he’s still the same football player. Whatever happens, I think we’ll be more than ready to take care of them.”

(newsday.com)

Rosetti, Danbury 12s plan to stick around

DANBURY -- With state and New England regional titles already in their collective pockets, the Danbury 12-year-old baseball team has its sights set on something more.

Danbury is one of 10 American and six international teams who've qualified for the ninth-annual Cal Ripken World Series, which starts Friday and finishes Saturday, Aug. 22 in Aberdeen, Md.

Danbury pitcher Pete Rosetti, who started and won every game in last week's regional, has high expectations for the team, which departs by bus from Rogers Park at noon on Thursday.

"I think we've had a good run, but it'd be good to win," said Rosetti. "Obviously we're going to give it our all, but we just want to win at least two or three games in the tournament."

Danbury manager Vinnie Fiddner, who's guided the bulk of the team as 9s and 11s to regional titles (years that don't include national tournaments), is excited about playing for the 70-foot World Series title.

"It'd be going out with a blast on the small field," said Fiddner. "On the other hand we don't want to go do down there and not play well. The boys are pretty ready to go.

"Once they get down there, they're going to have to soak everything in, but once they get on the field they're going to be ready to play a little baseball."

Danbury opens pool play in the tournament at 5 p.m. on Saturday against NW Bakersfield, Calif. The New England champs will then play Sunday vs. Williamette Valley, Ore.; Tuesday vs. Upper Montgomery,

Md., and Aug. 19 vs. Little Rock, Ark.

Those five teams are all in the American Division. The two teams with the best pool-play record will advance to a single-elimination bracket on Aug. 20 against the top two National Division teams (Brick American, N.J., Forest Hills, Fla., SE Lexington, Ky., Cape Girardeau, Mo., and Harford County, Md.).

The survivor, or U.S. champ, will play the international champion (Australia, Canada, Dominican Republic, Japan, Mexico, Republic of Korea) for all the marbles on Aug. 22.

"I'm just really excited for our team and all the parents," said Rosetti. "It's going to be a great experience."

"It's pretty special to be able to go to the World Series," said Fiddner, who added that he was gratified by the support he's received via e-mails and calls from area and rival coaches, as well as the collaborative fund-raising efforts to help finance the trip. "It makes you feel good when people are behind you. And I love the way the families and the whole community came together."

The 12s will also be keeping an eye out on how the 10s do in their World Series appearance in Lamar, Colo.

"Us and the 10s, we get along real well," said Rosetti. "The 10s are a really nice team. Last year we won it as 11s and they won it as 9s so we're feeling sort of a bond between each other."

(From newstimes.com)

Andrew Flintoff likely to miss fourth test match

England star all-rounder Andrew Flintoff is likely to miss the fourth test match of the Ashes test series against Australia, which will start from today at Headingley. Tall fast bowler Steve Harminson could replace him in the England squad.

However, final decision on Flintoff will be taken just before the start of the match but it is unlikely to include injured Flintoff in the squad. Flintoff has not yet recovered from his injury as he was unable to bowl in the nets during practice session yesterday.

England is leading the five test match series 1-0 and Fintoff has played a major role in this brilliant performance of English team against Australia. Flintoff has taken crucial wickets at right time and he also contributed with bat throughout the ongoing Ashes series.

England skipper Andrew Strauss said that they would include Flintoff in the squad only if he will be fit enough to play on all five days of the test match.

England bundles out on 102 runs in Leeds test match

Australian pacer P Siddle picked up a five wickets haul as England team returned to pavilion for just 102 runs on the board in the its first inning on the first day of the fourth test match of Ashes test series against Australia at Leeds on Friday.

English batsmen were looking helpless against the seaming deliveries of Siddle as only two English batsmen were able to score in double figures.

M Prior was top score for England with unbeaten 37 runs.

England star all-rounder Andrew Flintoff was ruled out of the ongoing test due to injury and tall fast bowler S Harminson has replaced him in the

England squad for this test match.

England is leading the five test match series by 1-0.

Australia also got to a bad start as they lost the wicket of S Katich (0) in second over of the match.

Australian team score was at 69 runs for loss of one wicket at the tea break.

Submitted by Bhuvan Kala

Sania breezes into semifinal of Vancouver Open

Indian tennis ace Sania Mirza has stormed into the semifinals of the women's single event of the International Tennis Federation (ITF) tournament in Vancouver with prize money of $75,000. The top seeded Sania defeated Canada's Rebecca Marino in the quarterfinal match on Friday.

Sania fought hard for win over the 18-year-old Marino but she used her experience to win the three setter match 7-6 (2), 6-7 (3), 6-4 in the Canadian city.

Sania won the first set after it went to tie-breaker. Marino stroked back to win the second set but Sania held her nerves to win the decider set and the match.

Sania will play against the winner of the match between Sharon Fichman and wild-card holder Marie-Eve Pelletier of Canada in the semifinal of the tournament.

By Bhuvan Kala (topnews)

Roddick through to semifinal of Washington Classic

The top seeded Andy Roddick of USA survived a scare from Ivo Karlovic of Croatia and he defeated his opponent in straight sets by 7-6 (7/4), 7-6 (7/5) to advance in to semifinals of the Washington Classic tournament on Friday.

The fifth ranked Roddick connected 74 percent of first serves in the match as compared to 59 percents by his opponent. However, Karlovic smashed 13 aces as compared to only seven aces by Roddick.

Roddick will meet with John Isner in the semifinal. John ousted eighth seeded Tomas Berdych of Czech in a three setter match by 6-3, 6-7 (10/12), 6-2. Roddick and John had met each other only once in the past.

In other semifinal of the tournament, the defending champion Juan Martin Del Potro of Argentina will lock horns with fourth seeded Fernando Gonzalez of Chile. Gonzalez defeated Tommy Haas 7-5, 6-4 while Del Potro was declared winner of the match when fifth seeded Robin Soderling of Sweden pulled himself out of the quarterfinal match due to a right elbow injury.