| Phelps' coach says Lochte is better _ for now By DAVID GINSBURG 2010-09-13T17:11:04ZHUNT VALLEY, Md. (AP) -- The longtime coach of Michael Phelps says the 14-time Olympic gold medalist isn't the best swimmer in the world right now.... hosted.ap.org |
Florida says football arrests shouldn't define its program overall Numbers mostly flatter Florida football coach Urban Meyer, who has produced two Southeastern Conference championships, three Bowl Championship ... rssfeeds.usatoday.com |
Tessco rejects Discovery's buyout bid Tessco Technologies Inc.’s board of directors unanimously rejected a buyout offer from Discovery Group. feeds.bizjournals.com |
Goodell says he will meet with Favre if necessary By BARRY WILNER 2010-10-13T08:34:28ZCHICAGO (AP) -- NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has no plans to meet with Brett Favre - for now.... hosted.ap.org |
Man City 3-1 Lech Poznan Emmanuel Adebayor became the first Manchester City player to score a European hat-trick on a night when David Silva's elusive movement and adhesive touch proved far too good for a spirited Lech Poznan.The Togolese striker's first three goals of a hitherto personally mixed season propelled his team to the top of Europa League qualifying Group A while reminding the home crowd of the talents that have been largely held back during the opening part of the season and the second half of the previous campaign.This amounted to his best performance of 2010 by some distance in terms of troubling opposition defenders and it was achieved with an accomplished sense of timing amid all the noise about Roberto Mancini wanting to spend a potential fortune on Wayne Rooney and with Adebayor's former club, Arsenal, next to visit Eastlands on Sunday."His performance was excellent," Mancini said. "It was very important for him, and very important for us, that he played like that. A striker needs to score goals and we need Manu to be playing well."Silva was equally impressive, also identified for special acclaim from his manager. "David makes it look easy to play football," Mancini said. "Everything for him is easy. He's a fantastic footballer."This, however, will be remembered as the night Adebayor rediscovered his form inside the penalty area, from the moment after 13 minutes when he applied a neat drag-back to Patrick Vieira's pass and opened the scoring with a composed finish.Silva, the £25m signing from Valencia, had been involved in the build-up for that goal and it was his cross, coupled with some wretched marking, that gave Adebayor the space to score his second from a free header.At that point it looked as if Poznan's loud and boisterous supporters might have feared a repeat of their team's sole previous visit to England, when they were thrashed 4-0 at Liverpool in the European Cup 26 years ago. However, the visitors, creditably, were not about to fold.There were some sporadically promising counterattacks while Mancini's defenders needed to maintain their concentration from the odd well-worked Polish set piece. They did not start the evening as group leaders for nothing and the second period had barely begun before a goal was pulled back.For a team that places so much emphasis on parsimonious defending, it was a terrible goal to concede from City's perspective. The entire defence seemed to pause when Slawomir Peszko capitalised on a mistake from Adam Johnson only to be brought down in the box in a challenge from Joleon Lescott. It was as if everyone in a blue shirt expected a penalty to be awarded when, in reality, play had been waved on.Pablo Zabaleta was particularly culpable, dithering on the ball and, when it eventually fell to Joel Tshibamba, the unmarked striker lashed it into Joe Hart's net. Ignoring the Mancunian chill, the away fans celebrated by whipping their shirts off.Suddenly looking his age, Vieira seemed a fading force at this point and Poznan sought to capitalise by finally liberating their key forward and principal midfielder, Artjoms Rudnevs – the scorer of a recent hat-trick against Juventus – and Semir Stilic from their surprising start positions on the bench.Mancini looked increasingly stern as Tshibamba missed a sitter before Silva and Johnson – who later struck the bar with an exquisite effort – set up Adebayor only for the striker to be denied a hat-trick by a heavy first touch and wild finish.It was out of keeping with his evening but he made amends in the 73rd minute when Silva, later given a standing ovation when he was substituted, picked him out with a glorious, subtly curving ball from the left to half-volley his hat-trick.A banner unfurled by City fans before kick-off proclaimed "2011: The Wait Is Over". Whether its intention was to forecast Mancini's side will lift the Europa League trophy, win the Premier League title or sign Rooney was unclear but optimism at Eastlands is currently running as high as they dare to remember.Europa LeagueManchester CityLech PoznanDaniel Taylorguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds guardian.co.uk |