Mariners snatch draw with Victory

Updated January 12, 2013 20:06:51

Central Coast Mariners coach Graham Arnold was sensationally sent from the field but his team rallied without him to earn a 1-1 draw with Melbourne Victory at York Park.

Arnold received his marching orders just before half-time for what appeared to be comments directed at match officials.

Referee Jarred Gillett banished him to the stands after conferring with his linesman soon after his side had gone a goal down as the Victory dominated the first half.

The Victory could not convert a weight of chances into anything more than Marcos Flores' 42nd-minute goal.

But some subtle half-time tweaks and a much improved second half allowed the Mariners to get back on level terms with 13 minutes remaining thanks to a Daniel McBreen penalty.

Victory skipper Adrian Leijer's clumsy challenge, which bundled over Michael McGlinchey, earned the spot-kick after the Mariners had lifted markedly in the second half and pressed hard for an equaliser.

Elsewhere in a tense contest there was a missed Victory penalty - Marco Rojas shaving the post with a poor first half effort - and world-class saves from Mariners goalkeeper Mat Ryan and Victory's Nathan Coe.

But the Victory will rue not putting the league leaders to the scoreboard sword in the first half, playing superb football but missing several good chances.

After a week in which sundry Mariners' players have been linked with being sold abroad, the team spent the first half looking exactly like a shop window - full of mannequins as Victory pinned them deep in their territory for virtually the entire first 45 minutes.

Rojas' missed spot-kick and a horrible point-blank miss from Archie Thompson came back to bite them.

Much of the Victory's fluidity drained away in the second half as the Mariners found far more rhythm and were able to shake off Victory's hugely effective pressing game in midfield which had troubled them in the first.

Both goalkeepers made extraordinary saves midway through the second half, Coe first pulling off a magic reflex save to deny McGlinchey on 63 minutes.

Then two minutes later Ryan twice stopped Rojas, the second time twisting mid-air to turn over the New Zealander's audacious chip.

The Mariners now hold a two-point advantage atop the table, with the Victory remaining third.

Victory: 1 (Rojas 42')

Mariners: 1 (McBreen 77')

AAP

Tags: a-league, soccer, sport, launceston-7250, melbourne-3000, gosford-2250

First posted January 12, 2013 19:31:16

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Hoops shock Chelsea as Liverpool, Everton climb table

Updated January 04, 2013 09:58:52

An under-strength Chelsea was punished by one of the team's former players as Shaun Wright-Phillips fired bottom-of-the-table QPR to a 1-0 win over the Blues at Stamford Bridge on Thursday (AEDT).

Chelsea interim manager Rafael Benitez opted to rest Juan Mata and Eden Hazard, but the move backfired as Wright-Phillips' 78th minute strike was enough to give the visitors only their second win of the season, with the home side missing the chance to move into third above Tottenham.

Elsewhere it was a good night for Merseyside clubs as Liverpool beat struggling Sunderland 3-0, while Everton defeated Newcastle 2-1.

Chelsea, with a game in hand on leaders Manchester United and third-placed Tottenham, have 38 points from 20 matches and trail the table-toppers by 14 points and Spurs by one.

The Blues dominated possession and nearly broke the deadlock midway through the second half when Frank Lampard had a goal disallowed for being off-side as he fired in a low shot.

Branislav Ivanovic grazed the crossbar with a header after half-time as Chelsea pushed for an opener, but QPR and defended doggedly and took the chance when it came.

Adel Taarabt always looked lively and it was a well-controlled lay off from the Moroccan with 12 minutes remaining which set up Wright-Phillips on the edge of the box to drive a fierce low effort beyond Ross Turnbull into the bottom left corner.

A Luis Suarez double for Liverpool helped the Uruguayan move one goal behind Premier League top scorer Robin van Persie in the scoring charts as Liverpool swept Sunderland aside 3-0 at home.

Young talent Raheem Sterling's second top-flight goal also helped lift Liverpool to eighth on 31 points from 21 games.

Sterling opened Liverpool's account with a deft lob after 19 minutes and Suarez bagged another shortly after before adding his 15th league goal of the campaign seven minutes into the second half to complete the easy win.

Liverpool threatened more goals but had two chalked off late on, both for off-side.

In the late match Everton climbed above Arsenal into fifth place on 36 points from 21 games with a 2-1 comeback win at Newcastle United, leaving the Magpies sitting two points above the relegation zone.

ABC / Reuters

Tags: sport, soccer, english-premier, united-kingdom, england

First posted January 03, 2013 10:25:53

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Bosnich slams Mariners over Ryan absence

Updated January 07, 2013 07:51:25

Former Socceroos goalkeeper Mark Bosnich has slammed Central Coast Mariners for allowing Mat Ryan to miss a vital A-League match next weekend to train with fallen Scottish superpower Rangers.

Goalkeeper Ryan is bizarrely being allowed to spend 10 days with the Glasgow club and miss the Mariners' clash with third-placed Melbourne Victory in Launceston.

Rangers now play in the fourth tier of Scottish football - considered well below A-League standard - after financial troubles led to their demotion.

They are also currently under a transfer ban, so should Rangers eventually decide to sign him, they could not do so until some time next European season.

The Mariners say Ryan's move was brokered by the club's general manager of football Lawrie McKinna after a meeting with Rangers manager Ally McCoist last month.

But Bosnich says any possible move to Scotland would be wrong for the 20-year-old, already a Socceroos squad regular and potentially the nation's number one goalkeeper when Mark Schwarzer retires.

"Absolutely ridiculous," former English Premier League keeper Bosnich told Fox Sports of Ryan's move.

"He's going for a 10-day trial for the right to play against the likes of Elgin City, Montrose, Clyde and Stirling, and he's going to miss a top of the table clash with Melbourne Victory.

"This is one of Australia's best young talents and he's going to go down to the fourth tier of Scottish football.

"The Scottish Premier League isn't as good as the A-League.

"I don't know what he's thinking, I don't know what the club's thinking."

The Mariners trumpeted Ryan's link with Rangers on Sunday ahead of their 2-0 win over Western Sydney Wanderers which gives them a four-point lead atop the A-League.

"It is a credit to Mat and to our club that Ally (McCoist) was well aware of Mats' ability and potential and immediately offered for him to join Rangers for a training spell," McKinna, the former Mariners coach and present mayor of Gosford, said in a statement.

Ryan is off contract with the Mariners at the end of the A-League season.

Bosnich said Ryan should immediately seek independent advice from the players' union, the PFA, about whether he was making the right move.

The former Aston Villa, Manchester United and Chelsea keeper believes Ryan is capable of playing in a top European league, well above what Rangers could currently offer.

Ryan is scheduled to depart for Glasgow on Monday.

AAP

Tags: sport, soccer, a-league, gosford-2250, nsw, australia, united-kingdom, scotland

First posted January 06, 2013 22:21:29

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Goals galore for Arsenal, City

Updated December 30, 2012 10:02:13

Goals rained down on the Premier League on Sunday (AEDT), with Arsenal beating Newcastle United 7-3 and champions Manchester City edging Norwich City 4-3 to keep pace with leaders Manchester United.

City's win prevented United from extending a seven-point lead at the summit, after overcoming West Bromwich Albion 2-0 to take the team's tally for the season to 50 goals.

United manager Alex Ferguson was the focus of pre-match attention at Old Trafford for an outspoken attack on Newcastle United coach Alan Pardew, but his side got down to business quickly and went ahead inside nine minutes.

The scorer wore a blue and white shirt, however, with West Brom defender Gareth McAuley inadvertently shinning the ball into his own goal after Ashley Young drove a low cross across the face of goal.

The hosts were not able to breathe easily until substitute Robin van Persie curled a glorious shot into the top-left corner in the last minute, before unveiling a T-shirt that paid tribute to a personal friend who recently died.

"We're in a good position," Ferguson told the BBC.

"We're half-way there. We've a game on Tuesday away from home at Wigan and we've got a few players to freshen it up. We'll look forward to the next game and try and win it."

City lost Samir Nasri to a first-half red card at Norwich but edged an open-ended encounter thanks in no small part to Edin Dzeko, who scored twice and might have had a hat-trick.

The Bosnian, who has had to become accustomed to a role on the substitutes' bench this season, struck twice inside the opening four minutes to put City in control at Carrow Road.

But Norwich hit back through a deflected Anthony Pilkington free-kick, and the visitors were then dealt a blow when Nasri was sent off for aiming a head-butt at Sebastien Bassong.

Sergio Aguero's deft, lobbed finish made it 3-1, but City benefited from an own goal by Norwich goalkeeper Mark Bunn, who inadvertently deflected Dzeko's shot into his own net, after Russell Martin had twice hit back for the hosts.

"I don't know why (Nasri was sent off) as the linesman was there and I don't know what he saw," said City manager Roberto Mancini, whose side lost 1-0 at Sunderland on Wednesday.

"We saw the video -- both players touch heads. With 10 men it was difficult. The guys played very well."

A day bursting with goals - 35 in total - concluded in an extraordinary game in London in which Theo Walcott claimed a hat-trick as Arsenal overcame Newcastle 7-3 to climb to fifth.

Arsenal took the lead three times, through Walcott, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Lukas Podolski, only for Newcastle to hit back each time through Demba Ba, Sylvain Marveaux and Ba again.

Arsene Wenger's men finally killed the game off in the latter stages, with Walcott completing his treble and substitute Olivier Giroud claiming a quick-fire brace.

"I've been saying for the past few weeks that I want to play up front and I am showing the manager what I can do," said Walcott.

Wenger paid tribute to Walcott.

"He has done very well, it typifies what I think he can do. He can play through the middle, he will only get stronger," said the Arsenal manager.

Tottenham had earlier overturned a half-time deficit to win 2-1 at Sunderland and provisionally move into third place.

John O'Shea scored against the run of play to put the hosts ahead at a rain-sodden Stadium of Light, but a Carlos Cuellar own goal drew Spurs level before Aaron Lennon completed the comeback with a composed 51st-minute strike.

Andre Villas-Boas' side have taken 19 points from a possible 24 and Spurs now sit a point above third-place Chelsea.

Chelsea has games in hand on the leaders and will play Everton on Sunday.

Elsewhere, Aston Villa's recent miseries continued with a 3-0 home loss to Wigan Athletic.

Goals from Ivan Ramis, Emmerson Boyce and Arouna Kone put paid to Paul Lambert's young team.

Villa has now shipped 15 goals in three games after losing 8-0 to Chelsea and 4-0 to Tottenham Hotspur.

Villa would have slipped into the relegation zone had third-bottom Southampton not been denied victory in a 3-3 draw at Stoke City by a sensational 25-yard strike from Cameron Jerome.

Southampton had led 3-1, and played against 10 men following the 71st-minute dismissal of Steven N'Zonzi, but second-bottom Reading did a better job of defending a lead in a 1-0 home win over West Ham United.

Fulham's dismal form continued, meanwhile, losing 2-1 at home to Swansea City.

AFP

Tags: sport, soccer, english-premier, united-kingdom, england

First posted December 30, 2012 09:42:14

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Ward denies Wanderers late on

Updated December 28, 2012 00:29:22

Perth Glory substitute Nick Ward scored an 87th-minute thunderbolt to secure a 1-1 draw against a second-string Western Sydney Wanderers outfit at Patersons Stadium on Thursday night.

The Wanderers appeared headed for their fourth straight win after Labinot Haliti's 38th-minute strike gave them the lead against the run of play.

But just as the game looked to be petering out, Ward met Ryo Nagai's beautiful cross with a powerful volley to ensure for a share of the spoils.

"I just sort of hung out at the back post and luckily enough it came to me," Ward said.

"It's good to get a point, but we're disappointed not to get a win."

Glory almost secured all three points at the death, only for Shane Smeltz's goalward-bound header to cannon off teammate Nagai.

Despite rescuing a point out of the match, Perth were dealt a major blow in the 77th minute when defender Michael Thwaite suffered what appeared to be a serious calf injury.

Ward's goal was heartbreaking for the Wanderers, who put on a brave showing for most of the night despite entering the match minus a host of stars.

The Wanderers made six changes to the starting line-up that walloped Adelaide 6-1 last week, with coach Tony Popovic eager to rest key players during a period in which the club will play three games in 11 days.

Japanese star Shinji Ono and Youssouf Hersi didn't play while in-form striker Mark Bridge and Dino Kresinger started on the bench.

The result was enough for the Wanderers to jump above Melbourne Victory into third spot on the ladder on goal difference, while Perth remain in fifth spot.

Fleet-footed Glory duo Chris Harold and Nagai caused the Wanderers problems early on, but the visitors drew first blood when Haliti cut inside Josh Risdon and unleashed a beautiful curling strike that bounced in off the upright.

With almost all of the 8,936 crowd pro-Glory, Haliti ran over to a group of 16 Wanderers supporters to celebrate the goal.

Despite dominating possession in a physical first half, Perth were unable to unlock the Wanderers' defence, with low drives from Shane Smeltz and Steven McGarry easily saved by goalkeeper Ante Covic.

With the temperature still hovering above 31 degrees at the 6.45pm kick-off, a drinks break was held midway through the opening half.

AAP

Tags: sport, soccer, a-league, perth-6000, sydney-2000

First posted December 28, 2012 00:29:22

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Reds easily account for Sky Blues

Updated December 31, 2012 22:48:18

Adelaide United maestro Dario Vidosic scored twice to orchestrate a 3-0 drubbing of an off-key Sydney FC at Hindmarsh Stadium.

Vidosic's first-half brace and a tap-in by Iain Ramsay in the second half ensured the Reds keep snapping at the heels of ladder leaders Central Coast Mariners.

The second-placed Reds remain two points shy of the Mariners, who earlier on New Year's Eve downed Perth Glory 1-0.

Vidosic's double took his tally to eight goals in an influential season. He also hit the crossbar with an audacious curling 20-metre free kick, and struck a side post with another hat-trick attempt.

But more importantly for the 10,934-strong crowd Vidosic helped break the Reds' two-match losing sequence, opening his account with an 18th-minute header.

Creative Marcelo Carrusca delivered a nifty pass, which Ramsay wisely let run for team-mate Cassio, who was streaming down the left.

Cassio's cross found an air-borne Vidosic, whose header floated into the top right corner of the net.

Just 10 minutes later, Vidosic sliced through slack defence before passing to frontman Bruce Djite, who was felled by a tackle from behind by defender Sebastian Ryall.

Vidosic calmly slotted the penalty and the Sky Blues were on their way to a ninth loss in 14 matches.

Adelaide winger Ramsay rubbed salt into the Sky Blues' wounds in the 61st minute after Djite outmuscled Ryall, charged at goal, and aimed a low left-footer at goal.

The shot was well saved by diving goalkeeper Vedran Janjetkovic but the rebound fell kindly into Ramsay's path and he tapped in from two metres.

Reds coach John Kosmina says his side could have scored seven or eight goals, such was their weight of scoring chances.

"It was a really good, solid performance," he said.

The Sky Blues, without injured star Alessandro Del Piero, were hampered by the loss of midfielder Adam Griffiths who hobbled off in the 12th minute with a leg injury.

Frank Farina's troops have now conceded a whopping 30 goals this season and will return to the bottom of the ladder should Melbourne Heart defeat or draw with Newcastle on Tuesday.

Reds: 3 (Vidosic 18', 28' (pen), Ramsay 61')

Sky Blues: 0

AAP

Tags: a-league, soccer, sport, adelaide-5000, sydney-2000

First posted December 31, 2012 21:59:53

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Aloisi searches for answers after defeat

Updated December 28, 2012 12:20:22

Melbourne Heart coach John Aloisi was brutal in his analysis of his team's failings after a disappointing 3-2 loss to Wellington Phoenix left the Heart mired at the bottom of the A-League table.

Leading 2-0 after 16 minutes, the Heart showed little appetite for a fightback and succumbed with a meek second-half performance after making all the early play on Thursday night.

Golgol Mebrahtu's curling free kick put them ahead after 14 minutes, with an own goal from Phoenix captain Andrew Durante doubling the lead two minutes later.

Teenage winger Louis Fenton pulled one back for the Phoenix in the 21st minute, then two Jeremy Brockie goals in the second spell secured the win for Wellington.

Aloisi said the manner of the loss was the most disappointing aspect, particularly the way Melbourne reacted after a mistake at the back let Fenton in for his second goal of the season.

"We switched off, we folded," Aloisi said.

"We made a bad mistake like that, then the players didn't look like they really wanted to be out there.

"I don't mean not running and chasing, I mean playing the way we want to play and know how to play."

It was the Heart's seventh loss of the season and the third on end after Melbourne fell 2-0 to the Mariners and 2-1 in a heart-breaking injury-time loss to cross-town rivals Victory last week.

"That was the beauty of last week against Victory - even when we went 1-0 down, we kept on trying to play our football right to the end," Aloisi said.

"It's upsetting, because anyone can make a mistake - a team can make a mistake, but you have to keep on going."

Aloisi's focus centres now on Heart's next match at home against Newcastle Jets on New Year's Day, when he will have central defenders Simon Colosimo and Patrick Gerhardt back from suspension, as well as Socceroos Richard Garcia and Aziz Behich who were rested for the Wellington trip.

"We have to fight back, we've got no choice."

AAP

Tags: sport, soccer, a-league, melbourne-3000, vic, australia, new-zealand

First posted December 28, 2012 12:17:49

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