Written By Unknown on Selasa, 31 Desember 2013 | 23.07
Updated: Tuesday, 31 Dec 2013 14:43 | Comments
Ross Barkley has certainly caught the eye so far this season as Everton go in search of a top-four finish
Everton can resist any bids for highly-prized young England midfielder Ross Barkley when the January transfer window opens because they are in a strong financial position, manager Roberto Martinez has revealed.
Barkley, who turned 20 this month, has been linked with a £50million move to Manchester United after a series of excellent displays which have helped lift Everton into the top four of the Premier League.
Speaking at his pre-match news conference before Wednesday's match at Stoke City, the Spaniard was asked if he was confident that the club could turn down approaches for the player.
Martinez said: "Yes. Absolutely. There is not even a doubt.
"He has a long-term contract and the first half of the season has been a real joy to see him grow and the second half of the season will be even better.
"We are in a strong position financially. When you have to bring in money then it can be a real difficult position as you can be anxious and frustrated.
"The stability we have from a financial point of view allows us to make football decisions and this January window is important for us to make sure we kick on and finish stronger than we started."
Barkley has not only become a first-team regular this season, he has also won his first England caps, playing three times, against Moldova, Chile and Germany.
Martinez has described him as a mix of Paul Gascoigne, the former England midfielder and Michael Ballack, the former Germany one, while his former Everton team mate Tim Cahill said he was the most talented player he had ever worked with.
Kieran Marty Waters has got the chance to line out for his boyhood club
Shamrock Rovers have announced the signing of Kieran Marty Waters from Bray Wanderers ahead of the 2014 season.
The 23-year-old winger put pen to paper a contract that will see him link up with Trevor Croly's squad after spending six years with Bray.
Speaking on the Shamrock Rovers website, Waters revealed that he is determined to make his mark with the Hoops. He said: "I am absolutely delighted to have signed for Shamrock Rovers.
"There has been interest in me from the manager for me for a while now, but it had to be the right time for me to make this move and I feel that it is now.
"I have been a Shamrock Rovers fan since I was a child and so I am intent on working hard and giving my all for this club.
"I would like to thank everyone at Bray Wanderers for all the support they have given me over the last six years. I really enjoyed my time at the club and wish them the best. I'd especially like to thank Pat Devlin for all his support."
Jezki (green and yellow silks) lost nothing in defeat to the all-conquering Hurricane Fly
Trainer Jessica Harrington has confirmed Jezki will tackle Hurricane Fly for a second time in the BHP Insurance Irish Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown on 26 January.
The four-times Grade One winner emerged with plenty of credit after coming off second best behind Willie Mullins' incredible gelding, who was collecting an astonishing 18th top-level triumph.
Harrington said: "He's come out of the race very well, I'm very pleased with him.
"I was very happy with how he ran on the day. There'll be another day for him, hopefully.
"He'll be entered for the Irish Champion Hurdle and, all being well, that's where he'll run."
Latest brain scans have revealed a more positive update on Schumacher's condition
There has been a "slight improvement" in the condition of former Formula One champion Michael Schumacher, doctors treating him have said.
The 44-year-old German suffered a severe head injury while skiing off-piste in France on Sunday and is currently in a critical condition at the University Hospital of Grenoble.
Those treating Schumacher reported good news on Tuesday morning at a press conference at the hospital.
"Late in the evening (Monday) a new brain scan was carried out and there was a slight improvement," one of the doctors said.
"The scan allowed us to suggest we could have a new intervention (on the brain) and that took place overnight. A new scan was carried out this morning and this shows slight improvement."
The doctors added that the procedure they carried out overnight, one designed to ease the pressure on Schumacher's brain, was not one they had initially envisaged.
"We had a transitory improvement of inter-cranial pressure. Michael Schumacher's inter-cranial pressure improved and we were able to carry out the scan without taking a risk," one of the five doctors said.
"That scan showed a few signs that were relatively stable. There were no signs that implied there was a worsening.
"Talking to my colleagues, we felt at the moment that it was possible, taking into consideration his state had slightly improved, that we carried out a surgical intervention that we had not thought possible.
"It allowed us to treat in a more radical fashion to relieve inter-cranial pressure.
"This was carried out in the night. This allowed us to do a new scan and see new images and see the hematoma has been evacutated in a good fashion.
"We have seen a few signs to show the situation is better controlled than it was yesterday."
Arsenal will be expected to see off Cardiff at the Emirates and still lead the Premier League race before the break for the FA Cup
WEDNESDAY 1 JANUARY (3pm)
Swansea v Manchester City, 12.45
Michu, Michel Vorm and Nathan Dyer remain sidelined for Swansea.
Michu and Vorm are recovering after undergoing ankle and knee surgery respectively, while Dyer is facing a long spell out after suffering ankle ligament damage at Norwich.
Manager Michael Laudrup may again opt to rotate his squad, with Leon Britton, Wayne Routledge and Angel Rangel all in contention for a start.
Manchester City playmaker David Silva is suspended after accumulating five bookings.
Top scorer Sergio Aguero (calf) also remains on the sidelines along with striker Stevan Jovetic and defenders Martin Demichelis and Micah Richards (all hamstring).
Goalkeeper Joe Hart will play despite five stitches in a wound under his left eye and right-back Pablo Zabaleta, rested against Crystal Palace on Saturday after recent injury, is fit.
Arsenal will be without striker Olivier Giroud (ankle) and Kieran Gibbs (calf) , but expect other key men to be available.
Midfielders Tomas Rosicky (calf), Jack Wilshere (ankle) and forward Theo Walcott (shoulder) were all carrying minor knocks, while defenders Nacho Monreal and Thomas Vermaelen have both been laid low by illness.
However, following Tuesday's training session, all should now be involved in the squad.
Midfielder Aaron Ramsey (thigh) will be out for around three weeks, while the extent of German playmaker Mesut Ozil's shoulder problem is still being assessed. Yaya Sanogo (back), Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Abou Diaby (both knee) all remain sidelined.
Craig Bellamy will again miss out for Cardiff.
The veteran forward has been struggling with a knee injury and will not feature at the Emirates, while left-back Andrew Taylor is also set to miss out with a knock.
That means teenager Declan John should continue in defence, while caretaker boss David Kerslake may decide to recall Aron Gunnarsson and Peter Odemwingie to his side.
Cameron Jerome will face a late test on a knee injury ahead of the clash against fellow Premier League strugglers Norwich.
The striker, on loan from Stoke, was forced off during Saturday's 1-0 defeat at Manchester City but Eagles boss Tony Pulis is hopeful of having Jerome available.
Midfield duo Stuart O'Keefe and Kagisho Dikgacoi have returned to training following minor muscular injuries but Jack Hunt, Glenn Murray, Jerome Thomas and Adlene Guedioura remain out.
Norwich hope to have forward Gary Hooper fit after he was troubled by a tight muscle in his leg against Manchester United.
Centre-half Michael Turner returns from suspension, but midfielder Jonny Howson remains doubtful again following his back problem.
Midfielders Anthony Pilkington (hamstring) and Alexander Tettey (ankle) are on course to return in January, while winger Elliott Bennett (knee) is a long-term absentee.
Dimitar Berbatov (groin) and Adel Taarabt (ankle) face late fitness tests ahead of West Ham's visit.
Defender Phillipe Senderos and midfielder Scott Parker are both fit to play.
Fulham boss Rene Meulensteen is expected to continue with Hugo Rodallega up front should Berbatov and Taarabt both miss out.
Goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg is also still missing, meaning David Stockdale continues after leaking six goals in defeat at Hull last weekend.
West Ham will be without any recognised central defenders.
James Tomkins was forced off early in the 3-3 draw with West Brom with a groin injury and joins fellow defenders James Collins (groin) and Winston Reid (ankle) on the sidelines, although midfielder Ravel Morrison could return.
Andy Carroll is back in training following a long-term heel injury but is not in contention whilst Ricardo Vaz Te (shoulder), Stewart Downing (calf) and Mladen Petric (thigh) all miss out.
West Ham squad: Jaaskelainen, Adrian, Demel, O'Brien, McCartney, Ruddock, Rat, Chambers, Diarra, Noble, Nolan, Diame, Collison, Morrison, J Cole, Jarvis, Taylor, C Cole, Maiga.
Liverpool v Hull City
Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard could make his return to action against Hull.
Gerrard, who has missed the Reds' last four games after sustaining a hamstring problem in a win over West Ham on 7 December, has been back in training and his condition is being assessed ahead of the contest.
Joe Allen (abductor) has been ruled out for "a few weeks" and Mamadou Sakho (hamstring) also looks set to miss a number of matches, but Jordan Henderson is expected to be fit despite feeling sore after Sunday's defeat at Chelsea, while the on-loan Victor Moses is available again after being ineligible for the meeting with his parent club.
Hull midfielder David Meyler (knee) and defender Alex Bruce (calf) could be in contention to play at Anfield.
The pair had both been doubtful for Saturday's clash against Fulham but were unused substitutes as their team won 6-0 at the KC Stadium.
Midfielder Stephen Quinn (hamstring) and striker Sone Aluko (Achilles) have both been long-term casualties.
Southampton will assess the fitness of club-record signing Dani Osvaldo before the visit of Chelsea.
The Italy forward suffered a knock in the 1-1 draw at Newcastle and, having recovered from that, was then struck down by illness.
Morgan Schneiderlin returns from suspension while Nathaniel Clyne will be hoping to start as he steps up his return from a hamstring complaint. Artur Boruc (hand), Victor Wanyama (shin) and Guly do Prado (knee) remain sidelined.
Chelsea are without Frank Lampard, Branislav Ivanovic and David Luiz.
Lampard (undisclosed muscular injury) and Ivanovic (knee) were injured in Sunday's win over Liverpool, when Luiz picked up his fifth booking of the season to incur a suspension.
Ivanovic's injury means Ashley Cole is set to return at left-back with Cesar Azpilicueta switching to the right, while midfielder Ramires is back from a one-game ban.
Stoke's Irish duo of Marc Wilson and midfielder Glenn Whelan return from suspension.
Forward Marko Arnautovic could also return after missing Sunday's defeat at Tottenham through illness.
Defender Andy Wilkinson faces a spell on the sidelines with a foot injury while goalkeeper Asmir Begovic is still missing with a broken finger.
Everton defender Sylvain Distin is expected to recover from a minor hamstring problem to face the Potters.
Fellow centre-back Phil Jagielka will be sidelined for a few weeks with a similar injury but midfielder Gareth Barry returns from a one-match suspension.
Goalkeeper Tim Howard is likely to regain his place at the expense of Joel Robles after also serving a one-game suspension.
Sunderland boss Gus Poyet will take late decisions over John O'Shea, Fabio Borini and Adam Johnson for the home tie with Villa.
Central defender O'Shea has missed the last two games with a shoulder injury, but is close to a return, while striker Borini is undergoing tests after recovering from the illness which saw him taken to hospital during Saturday's draw at Cardiff, a game midfielder Johnson missed because of a virus.
O'Shea's defensive partner Wes Brown completes his three-match ban and loan signing Marcos Alonso will not be available until the weekend, while keeper Keiren Westwood (shoulder) and defender Carlos Cuellar (hip) are still out.
Aston Villa manager Paul Lambert will monitor the fitness of Christian Benteke and Ron Vlaar.
Striker Benteke has missed the last three games with a knee problem, while defender Vlaar is on his way back from a calf injury.
Ciaran Clark is suspended, while the game is likely to come too soon for Joe Bennett as he recovers from his back injury.
Aston Villa squad: Guzan, Steer, Baker, Lowton, Luna, Vlaar, Bacuna, El Ahmadi, Albrighton, Westwood, Sylla, Tonev, Delph, Gardner, Kozak, Helenius, Weimann, Benteke, Bowery, Agbonlahor.
West Brom v Newcastle
West Brom caretaker boss Keith Downing must decide whether to stick with striker Nicolas Anelka for the visit of Newcastle.
Anelka is being investigated by the Football Association following his controversial 'quenelle' goal celebration in the 3-3 draw against West Ham, but remains free to play for now.
Striker Shane Long is expected to be fit after missing the last two games with a calf strain, while Downing is also confident over winger Chris Brunt (back), but striker Victor Anichebe (groin) remains a big doubt.
Newcastle boss Alan Pardew has no injury problems ahead of the trip to the midlands.
The Magpies emerged unscathed from Sunday's 1-0 defeat by Arsenal, for which midfield enforcer Cheick Tiote returned from suspension in place of Hatem Ben Arfa.
Pardew was happy with the way his side played against the Gunners and is unlikely to make changes as he attempts to bounce back from just a second defeat in 10 league games.
Manchester United manager David Moyes is sweating on the fitness of Wayne Rooney ahead of the encounter with Tottenham at Old Trafford.
Rooney is still to return to training after missing Saturday's win at Norwich with a groin injury.
Robin van Persie (thigh) and Phil Jones (knee) are unlikely to be involved as United look to extend their winning sequence to seven matches and Marouane Fellaini (wrist) is definitely out.
Paulinho will miss Tottenham's trip north and the next four weeks through an ankle ligament injury.
The Brazil midfielder, making his return after a three-match ban, sustained the injury during Sunday's 3-0 defeat of Stoke.
Kyle Walker will return from suspension at Old Trafford, although Sandro (calf), Younes Kaboul (thigh), Andros Townsend (hamstring) and Jan Vertonghen (ankle) remain sidelined. Jermain Defoe (hamstring) and Danny Rose (fatigue) are doubts.
Manchester United squad: De Gea, Lindegaard, Johnstone, Rafael, Smalling, Ferdinand, Evans, Evra, Vidic, Fabio, Valencia, Nani, Carrick, Fletcher, Cleverley, Giggs, Anderson, Young, Zaha, Januzaj, Rooney, Welbeck, Kagawa, Hernandez.
Boston Bob's next run could be in the Cleeve Hurdle at Cheltenham on 25 January
Boston Bob made a most impressive seasonal reappearance in the Follow Punchestown On Facebook Hurdle.
A Grade One winner as a novice over hurdles a couple of seasons ago, Willie Mullins' charge also struck at the highest level over fences last term.
However, he fell at the final fence when holding a narrow lead in the RSA Chase at the Cheltenham Festival and having come to grief again at Punchestown in April, he reverted back to the smaller obstacles for his comeback.
Sent off the 8-11 favourite in the hands of Ruby Walsh, Boston Bob hurdled fluently in the main and covered the move of Un Beau Matin when he kicked rounding the home turn.
It was soon evident Boston Bob had far more to give in the straight and he pulled clear with the minimum of fuss to score by 10 lengths.
The disappointment of the race was Boston Bob's high-class stable companion Mourad.
Even allowing for the fact it was his first competitive appearance in 569 days, he could have been expected to have finished better than sixth of the seven runners.
Walsh said of the winner: "He was a bit high at the first and a bit slow at the second, but after that he was nimble enough.
"He was quite slick in the last part of the race and travelled well.
"He's a very good horse and it's good to see him back on the track and going the right way.
"I'm under no illusions, I've ridden Big Buck's and there is not a staying hurdler running that doesn't have to improve a good bit to get to his level."
Mullins said: "That was a nice performance. He hasn't been doing that at home on the gallops and I didn't expect anything like that.
"Mourad ran poor and coming here I wouldn't have been surprised if this lad had done the same. The owner (Graham Wylie) is keen to go for the World Hurdle.
"Whether that's a World Hurdle performance or not I don't know, but we may go along that route.
"If we're thinking of going that way then the Cleeve Hurdle (next month) could be a possibility at Cheltenham."
Written By Unknown on Minggu, 29 Desember 2013 | 23.06
Updated: Sunday, 29 Dec 2013 15:04 | Comments
Hurricane Fly produced a superb display at Leopardstown
Hurricane Fly brilliantly defended his title in a star-studded renewal of the Ryanair Hurdle at Leopardstown.
The Willie Mullins-trained nine-year-old (11-10 favourite) expertly lowered the colours of Our Conor and Jezki, two of Ireland's leading hurdlers, with another ruthless display under Ruby Walsh.
Hurricane Fly has now won an extraordinary 18 races in Grade One company and was roundly cut in the betting for the Champion Hurdle - a race he won so convincingly in the spring - at the Cheltenham Festival next March.
Jezki (15-8) fared best of the young pretenders when finishing a slightly unlucky second in the five-runner Grade One over two miles.
Despite being prominent in the market for the Champion Hurdle, neither Our Conor nor Jezki could match the finishing kick of Hurricane Fly.
Laudable veteran Captain Cee Bee set a fierce pace under Mark Walsh, but he was unable to maintain such a rapid tempo and weakened two flights from home.
Hurricane Fly, who did not impress many when victorious in Punchestown's Morgiana Hurdle on his seasonal bow, was at the back of the field for most of the journey before he slalomed into contention late in the piece.
Mullins' ace jumped the last a fraction behind Our Conor, who along with Captain Cee Bee had earlier squeezed Jezki for room approaching the final flight.
Whereas Our Conor did not have much more to give, Jezki stayed on stoutly for jockey Tony McCoy.
Hurricane Fly was hardly knocked off his stride, though, and maintained a zesty gallop to ease home for another landmark success.
Mullins said: "It was a hugely tactical race and Ruby was very cool on him.
"At one stage I thought the leader (Captain Cee Bee) had got away in front, and Ruby had to quicken up a bit sooner than he would have liked to.
"We spent a long time getting him to settle and, as a result, he's inclined to go to sleep early in his races. Because of that, we've changed slightly the way we've trained him.
"He'll be back here at the end of January (Irish Champion Hurdle) and then it will be Cheltenham. He's coming along and is going to improve again.
"He's a fantastic horse and a horse of a generation."
Seamus Coleman fired home his fifth Premier League goal of the season
Everton finished 2013 on a high as another magnificnet Seamus Colemant goal helped them to a 2-1 home victory over Southampton.
The Toffees - looking to bounce back from the St Stephen's Day defeat to Sunderland that had ended their hopes of going through the whole calendar year unbeaten at Goodison Park in the Barclays Premier League - went ahead in the ninth minute when Coleman burst into the area and finished with a powerful strike.
Saints substitute Gaston Ramirez equalised in the 71st minute, beating Toffees goalkeeper Joel Robles, who it appeared should have done better in his attempt to save the effort, with a shot from distance.
But the hosts were back in front by the 74th minute as Romelu Lukaku converted from James McCarthy's pass, the on-loan Chelsea striker taking his tally for Everton this season to nine goals.
The three points mean Roberto Martinez's side are - for a few hours at least - up a place to fourth in the table, while Southampton remain ninth.
Martinez made five changes to his starting line-up from the surprise Sunderland loss, with some of them enforced.
Captain Phil Jagielka was missing due to what the club confirmed was a hamstring injury, so defender Antolin Alcaraz came in for his Toffees debut.
Goalkeeper Tim Howard and midfielder Gareth Barry were also absent having picked up a red card and fifth yellow card of the season in the Sunderland match respectively.
Howard's replacement was Robles, making his first Everton Premier League start.
But while there were some key men not in the side, the Merseysiders were boosted by the return of full-back Leighton Baines, who had sat out the past six matches after suffering a broken toe.
And Everton certainly looked no weaker than usual in the early stages as Coleman's third goal in four games fired them into the lead.
The Republic of Ireland international collected the ball from Leon Osman, advanced down the right flank and then cut into the box, beating James Ward-Prowse in the process, before unleashing an emphatic effort beyond Kelvin Davis and into the net.
In the 18th minute, Steven Naismith chased a long ball over the top and, as Davis caught it, went to ground in the area having felt contact from Dejan Lovren, but no penalty was given.
Some nice build-up play from Southampton then saw Adam Lallana's clever flick tee up Rickie Lambert, who brought a save out of Robles, but the assistant referee's flag was raised - incorrectly, replays suggested.
Luke Shaw sent a tame effort across the face of Robles' goal moments later, and both sides struggled to create anything truly incisive for the rest of the first half, with Lukaku failing to make the most of one particularly decent-looking opportunity to send a cross in.
Having juggled the ball away from Sylvain Distin and Osman on the edge of the area, Lallana dragged a shot wide, Ward-Prowse looped another off-target and at the other end, Naismith looked to get his head to a delightful Baines free-kick delivery but Southampton cleared.
In the opening seconds of the second half Shaw made a run down the left and played a good ball into the danger zone, where a touch from the sliding McCarthy ensured Lallana could not finish.
Bryan Oviedo - booked moments earlier for a sliding challenge on Calum Chambers - then laid the ball to Ross Barkley, who side-footed wide right in front of goal.
Southampton looked to apply pressure once more and after a Jay Rodriguez shot deflected behind off McCarthy, Robles spilled a cross before smothering the ball with Lambert lurking.
And there was another suspect moment for Robles soon after as Ramirez collected the ball from Lallana and sent a dipping effort goalwards that seemed to fly right through the Spanish goalkeeper on its way in.
Robles will have surely been relieved to have seen Everton's advantage restored three minutes later.
Having received the ball from substitute Steven Pienaar as the Toffees swept forward, McCarthy neatly set up Lukaku, who smashed it home past Davis.
Lukaku sent an attempt over soon after and with Southampton desperately looking to salvage something, Shaw then did likewise.
In the last few minutes Lukaku might have added another for Everton, but saw his shot saved by Davis.
Kris Commons' early strike was enough to give Celtic a 1-0 win over Inverness in their Scottish Premiership encounter at the Tulloch Caledonian Stadium.
The in-form Hoops midfielder drove past Caley keeper Dean Brill after two minutes for his 15th goal of the season but the Hoops failed to capitalise on that in the first half as the home side grew in confidence.
Commons saw a chip shot clip the bar after the break but although the visitors could not find top gear, they did enough to stretch their unbeaten run in the league to 18 games.
Caley made life difficult for themselves by going behind so early in the game but boss John Hughes will take some satisfaction in the way his side responded.
In what was a freezing day in the Highlands, the visitors showed one change to their line-up.
Winger James Forrest came in for Darnell Fisher who dropped out of the squad altogether, with Adam Matthews moving back to right-back.
Hughes kept the same starting XI which fought out a goalless draw with Partick Thistle at Firhill on Boxing Day, with 17-goal Billy McKay leading the line.
However, it was Celtic's top scorer, Commons, who got the Hoops off to a great start.
After the Caley defence failed to clear their lines, the former Nottingham Forest and Derby player played a smart one-two with Georgios Samaras before drilling the ball low past Brill and into the far corner of the net.
The home side were stunned at the early set-back but slowly worked themselves back into the game.
In the 11th minute midfielder Aaron Doran tested Hoops keeper Fraser Forster with shot from distance after finding a pocket of space in front of the Celtic penalty area.
Danny Williams then had an effort from distance minutes later which went well wide of the target but it revealed a growing confidence among the home side.
However, in the 31st minute Celtic had a decent chance when left-back Emilio Izaguirre's cross from the left ended up at the feet of Anthony Stokes, via the head of Caley midfielder Ross Draper.
The Republic of Ireland striker pulled his shot back across goal and wide of the target.
The rest of the half was evenly-matched - with Samaras booked after a foul from behind on Draper - but Caley were far from knocking at the Parkhead door.
With three minutes of the opening 45 remaining, Hoops midfielder Joe Ledley put his side in trouble when he was unnecessarily dispossessed in the corner by Marley Watkins.
When the ball went to Graeme Shinnie, the Caley skipper powered in a drive which Forster did well to beat away, with Celtic surviving an intense but brief spell of pressure.
The home side came out energised for the start of the second-half and four minutes in Shinnie took the ball from Samaras and fired in another powerful drive which Forster parried away for a corner, again defended by the visitors.
Celtic were struggling to lift their game but just before the hour-mark Commons got on the end of a good cross from Stokes and flicked the ball inches wide of the far post.
Minutes later, a wonderful turn and chip from inside the Caley box by the Hoops midfielder saw the ball clip the bar before going over, another signal that the champions were coming back into the match.
A fine, flowing move by Celtic in the 68th minute saw Commons fire in another drive, this time from 10 yards, but this time Brill made the save, before skipper Scott Brown fired wide.
In the 75th minute, as Caley enjoyed a spell of pressure, Forster made another save, this time from Doran's 25-yard drive, before tipping a Gary Warren header over the bar.
However, there was to be no late rally from the home side and indeed Brill was forced into a save from Brown with two minutes remaining, although Draper missed a good headed chance with seconds remaining.
Michael Schumacher retired from Formula 1 for a second time last year
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Michael Schumacher suffered a head injury in a skiing accident in the French Alps on Sunday.
The seven-time Formula One world champion crashed while skiing in the resort of Meribel and was airlifted to hospital.
The 44-year-old German retired from F1 for the final time in 2012 after a three-season comeback with Mercedes.
Schumacher was wearing a helmet when he hit his head.
The former racing driver's spokeswomen Sabine Kehm said in a statement: "Michael fell on his head when he was on a private skiing trip in the French Alps.
"He was taken to hospital and is receiving professional medical attention.
"We ask for understanding that we cannot give out continuous information about his health.
"He was wearing a helmet and was not alone. No one else was involved in the fall."
The director of the Meribel resort was quoted as saying the injury, which happened at 11.07am local time, was "not very serious".
Christophe Gernignon-Lecomte said on rmcsport.bfmtv.com: "It was a pretty heavy fall at 1100 this morning while skiing off piste.
He was wearing a helmet. He was conscious after his fall.
"Two or three minutes later two ski patrol intervened to help him. They immediately asked for a medical evacuation helicopter. It arrived in less than 15 minutes. He was sent to Moutiers first, then on to Grenoble for more analysis."
Schumacher, who also raced for Jordan, Benetton, Ferrari, won the last of his world titles in 2004.
He won two with Benetton in 1994 and 1995 before moving to Ferrari and winning five in a row from 2000. The German has 91 career wins.
His return to the sport with Mercedes after a spell in retirement was less successful. He managed just one podium finish in his three years with the team and a best end-of-season placing of eighth in 2011.
During his first period of retirement, in 2009, he was taken to hospital after a motorbike crash during testing at a circuit in Cartagena, Spain.
He did not suffer serious injuries on that occasion. Meribel, an upmarket resort, hosted the ice hockey and women's alpine skiing at the 1992 Winter Olympics.
Olivier Giroud ended a barren run in front of goal to give Arsenal a deserved away win
Olivier Giroud's 11th goal of the season fired Arsenal back to the top of the Barclays Premier League after a scrappy 1-0 win at Newcastle.
The Frenchman struck with a 65th-minute header to seal a tight encounter which never really took off, although he was grateful that a glaring miss four minutes later did not prove too costly when goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny blasted a clearance straight at Loic Remy and saw the ball run just wide of the post with time running down.
Arsene Wenger's men enjoyed long periods of possession at St James' Park, but were rarely able to make it count, and it took a set-piece from Theo Walcott, who was otherwise largely anonymous, to present Giroud with his big chance.
Newcastle might have gone ahead in at the break had Szczesny not tipped over Moussa Sissoko's blistering striker or had Mathieu Debuchy's header not come back off the crossbar.
However, they were unable to sustain the pressure as they slipped to just a second defeat in 10 league outings in front of a crowd of 52,161.
Pardew was able to draft Cheick Tiote back into his starting line-up after suspension with Hatem Ben Arfa making way, but opposite number Wenger was not so fortunate as he lost Mesut Ozil and Aaron Ramsey to injury and Thomas Vermaelen and Nacho Monreal to illness.
The Newcastle manager, just as he had done against Chelsea in November, set out to frustrate the Gunners with a five-man midfield, but saw his side concede space and possession in the early stages as they found themselves pinned back.
However, for all they created half-chances, keeper Tim Krul did not have a save of note to make with Tomas Rosicky shooting straight at him from 20 yards with 27 minutes gone.
Santi Cazorla extended the Holland international three minutes later with a deflected effort which dipped nastily in front of him, but Giroud curled harmlessly wide 12 minutes before the break with Mike Williamson and Fabricio Coloccini, with the support of full-backs Debuchy and Davide Santon, limiting the Gunners to long-range efforts.
The Magpies had a chance to take a 12th-minute lead when Arsenal target Yohan Cabaye floated the ball over the top into Debuchy's run, but the defender could not control with just Szczesny to beat.
The Frenchman shot wide from a similar position 13 minutes later after again getting in round the back to collect Cabaye's deep free-kick, but he was to go significantly closer as the whistle approached.
There was barely a minute of stoppage time remaining when Vurnon Anita surged forward and picked out Cabaye, whose long-range strike was blocked by Laurent Koscielny, only for Sissoko to latch on to the rebound and force Szczesny to tip over a piledriver.
From the resulting corner, Debuchy headed against the underside of the crossbar and the Gunners managed to smuggle the loose ball away as referee Lee Probert blew for half-time.
After a tentative start to the second half, Anita caused panic in the Gunners' defence when he clipped a cross towards lone striker Loic Remy, although between them Szczesny and his colleagues managed to keep the Frenchman at bay, if at full stretch.
The visitors were seeing plenty of the ball, but once again were able to do little with it with Mathieu Flamini's speculative 57th-minute effort, which sailed high and wide, as close as they came to troubling Krul as the game approached the hour-mark.
Pardew made his move with 28 minutes remaining when he sent on Ben Arfa for the tiring Yoan Gouffran and charged him with the task of running at Arsenal.
But it was the visitors who went ahead three minutes later when Walcott floated a free-kick into the box and Giroud got ahead of Williamson to glance it past Krul.
He should have doubled his tally within four minutes when, after Walcott saw his initial effort blocked by Krul and his follow-up headed off the line by Debuchy, the ball fell to him with the goal at his mercy, but he could not hit the target.
Newcastle's pushed for a late equaliser and came close when Szczesny hammered the ball at Remy and looked on helplessly as it ran just wide.
Tony McCoy drives Carlingford Lough (l) in the final stages of the Topaz Novice Chase
Carlingford Lough seized the day in a blockbuster finish to the Topaz Novice Chase at Leopardstown.
The John Kiely-trained seven-year-old forged clear of Morning Assembly along the run-in to provide Tony McCoy with another Grade One success.
Bright New Dawn and My Murphy had made most of the running, but Morning Assembly, the 11-8 favourite, travelled better than that duo and took the lead at the last fence under Ruby Walsh.
Pat Fahy's Grade One-winning novice looked set fair for another top-level success, but McCoy's mount had been spotted making encouraging progress three out.
Carlingford Lough (5-1) emerged from the chasing pack after the last and threw down a sustained effort which yielded a narrow verdict at the line.
Written By Unknown on Sabtu, 28 Desember 2013 | 23.06
Updated: Saturday, 28 Dec 2013 15:04 | Comments
Ruby Walsh guides Sure Reef home in the opening race at Leopardstown
Sure Reef gave the top team of trainer Willie Mullins and jockey Ruby Walsh a winning start at Leopardstown by taking the Madigans Maiden Hurdle.
The four-year-old gelding, owned by Andrea and Graham Wylie, had unseated Walsh at the first on his jumping debut but made amends in pleasing fashion.
Held up in the early stages as Akorakor made most of the running, the 5-2 favourite led soon after negotiating the final flight and pulled three and a quarter lengths clear. Shield was second and Akorakor third.
Courage (14-1) wore-down Seefood on the run-in to come out on top in the Pertemps Handicap Hurdle.
It looked as though Bryan Cooper's ploy to plough a lone furrow on Seefood was going to reap dividends as Deesie Hughes' charge turned for home with a clear advantage.
However, he could not hold the late challenge of Courage and David Casey with Charlie Swan's runner getting up in the last 100 yards to win by three-quarters of a length. Supreme Carolina was third and Gold Patrol fourth.
Casey said: "He ran well in Navan last time when they went too slow. He wants a strong pace, a distance and soft ground.
"It's great to win today with him. I thought I might have gone too early but the other horse was the danger and I had to give chase.
"In fairness, he put his head down and galloped."
Dysios (8-1) was given a patient ride by Barry Geraghty to get the better of Leah Claire in the Star Best For Racing Christmas Rated Hurdle.
There were several with chances between the final two flights, but nothing was going better than the Denis Cullen-trained Dysios, who battled on stoutly on the dash to the line to win by two lengths from Leah Claire.
The pace-setting Star Of Aragon plugged on for third.
Djakadam gave Mullins and Walsh a treble on the card, after the wins of Sure Reef and Zaidpour in the woodiesdiy.com Christmas Hurdle, when making a successful seasonal debut in the Ballymaloe Country Relish Beginners Chase.
The 11-8 favourite proved best in a three-way battle in the closing stages as he warded off Si C'Etait Vrai by a length and a quarter with Minsk just behind in third.
Captain Cutter provided Nicky Henderson with a welcome and timely big-race success just 24 hours after Sprinter Sacre's Kempton setback when landing the £35,000 Betfred Goals Galore Challow Novices' Hurdle at Newbury.
The JP McManus-owned gelding had something to find with a couple of his rivals on the book, but produced a much more accomplished round of jumping than had been the case for his triumphs at Kempton and Market Rasen.
After the second-last, both he and Timesremembered were moving ominously well but Tony McCoy had the last-named rival covered and sent Captain Cutter on before the final flight.
The combination maintained a clear advantage to the line to score by four and a half lengths
With Henderson at Leopardstown to saddle Bobs Worth in the Lexus Chase, assistant Patrick Harty said: "He seemed to jump better going left-handed and AP thought that also.
"The heavy ground suited him and he stayed on well all the way to the line.
"He will get three miles, so we'll have to see come Cheltenham time if he's good enough to be an Albert Bartlett horse."
McCoy added: "He's progressed with each run, but that was a big step up today and very pleasing."
Jimmy Gopperth (left) starts for Leinster. Niall Annett (right) is named on the Ulster bench
By Tadhg Peavoy
Leinster have been beaten back-to-back coming into this one, and while it will be worrying for their setup, it is far too early for alarm bells to be going off.
Their 18-9 defeat to Northampton Saints came against a side who were absolutely determined to avenge their hammering to Leinster the week before, and the defensive effort the English side put in was superhuman.
While last Friday's 11-6 defeat to Edinburgh was a game Leinster could, and probably should, have won. They were pummelling Edinburgh's line at the death – like they were against Saints – yet lacked the finesse to get over in the final throes.
By contrast, Ulster are flying. Two facile Treviso wins and a well-earned home victory over Zebre have them in fine form, scoring tries for fun, and playing superbly confident rugby.
With five wins on the trot, they will come to the RDS in the best possible condition, and bristling with arrogance. They can back that up knowing they won in Dublin last term in the regular season on a 22-18 scoreline.
However, Leinster then came out on top of their provincial rivals in the PRO12 final at the same venue by 24-18.
Go back three games and Ulster were the victors in Ravenhill by 27-19. What's the pattern: close matches. Margins of victory by six, four and eight are the surest indication of how close these sides are in terms of ability.
When they met in the final of the Heineken Cup at Twickenham in 2012, Joe Schmidt's Leinster swatted Ulster away like an annoying little child tugging at an adult's shorts during a club father-and-son match, smashing them 42-14.
But much has changed in the last year and a half. Ulster have closed the gap and matches between the side are highly unlikely to have 28-point spreads.
Leinster have no Jonathan Sexton or Isa Nacewa to spark brilliance in the backline, and both of those players are being missed sorely when it comes to one-score games for the Dublin team.
Furthermore, Brad Thorn's presence and experience in the second row in that final cannot be underestimated.
Add to that the missing dynamism of Richardt Strauss at hooker and Leinster are missing a fourth player who elevates the team's game to a higher level.
This Leinster side are one still in development. And the squad selection today shows that. Zane Kirchner has not yet displayed that he can deliver the accuracy and brilliance of Nacewa. He will get another chance from fullback today.
Jimmy Gopperth has been steady at outhalf. He lacks Sexton's creativity, but has arguably been the buy of the season in the PRO12 and his ability to do the right thing at the right time is invaluable.
Those players are surrounded by developing talent in the form of Dave Kearney, Brendan Macken and Noel Reid, and a phoenix from the flames in the form of Luke Fitzgerald.
Kirchner and Gopperth must guide them through a tough derby encounter, because Ulster's back line is littered with strength. Andrew Trimble, Luke Marshall, Craig Gilroy, Paddy Jackson and Paul Marshall all start.
The match-ups across the line are intriguing and there will be very little space for creation out there, especially if the underfoot retains the damp of the storm that has passed through these parts over the last few days.
In true clichéd fashion, the game will likely be won up front. The platform from breakdown and set-piece will be crucial and it is here I would worry for Leinster.
Against Edinburgh they were probably two men short of the experience they needed to grind out a win in atrocious conditions. This week, only Mike McCarthy and Sean O'Brien could really be called first teamers in the pack, with Rhys Ruddock not far off.
However, Ulster's pack is strong. Declan Fitzpatrick, Lewis Stevenson, Dan Tuohy and Roger Wilson all start. If they can stick it to the Leinster pack early on and get a lead of eight points, the pressure will be on Leinster as the threat of three defeats in-a-row looms large.
By contrast, if Leinster gain parity up front and come out of the blocks fiercely - like they did against Saints at Franklin's Gardens - they will be hard to stop.
Both benches have game-breakers. Dominic Ryan, Luke McGrath and Ian Madigan for Leinster. Ruan Pienaar and Jared Payne for Ulster. So there are potential match-winning try scorers on both sides.
Like yesterday's inter-pro between Munster and Connacht it will be close, and could in truth go either way. However, maybe this time an upset might be on the cards.
Verdict: Ulster to win by three.
Follow Tadhg Peavoy on Twitter here: @TPeavoy
Leinster XV: 15 Zane Kichner 14 Dave Kearney 13 Brendan Macken 12 Noel Reid 11 Luke Fitzgerald 10 Jimmy Gopperth 9 Isaac Boss 1 Michael Bent 2 Aaron Dundon 3 Martin Moore 4 Leo Cullen (captain) 5 Mike McCarthy 6 Rhys Ruddock 7 Sean O'Brien 8 Jordi Murphy.
Replacements: 16 James Tracy 17 Mike Ross 18 Jack O'Connell 19 Tom Denton 20 Dominic Ryan 21 Luke McGrath 22 Ian Madigan 23 Darragh Fanning.
Ulster XV: 15 Ricky Andrew 14 Andrew Trimble 13 Darren Cave 12 Luke Marshall 11 Craig Gilroy 10 Paddy Jackson 9 Paul Marshall 1 Callum Black 2 Rob Herring 3 Declan Fitzpatrick 4 Lewis Stevenson 5 Dan Tuohy 6 Robbie Diack (captain) 7 Sean Doyle 8 Roger Wilson.
Replacements: 16 Niall Annett 17 Tom Court 18 Ricky Lutton 19 Neil McComb 20 Mike McComish 21 Ruan Pienaar 22 Jared Payne 23 Michael Allen.
Referee: John Lacey (IRFU, 32nd competition game) Assistant referees: Peter Fitzgibbon, Eddie Hagan-O'Connell (both IRFU) Citing commissioner: Eugene Ryan (IRFU) TMO: Sean Flannery (IRFU)
Zaidpour claimed the Christmas Hurdle ahead of Rule the World
Zaidpour went one better than last year when grabbing the honours in the woodiesdiy.com Christmas Hurdle at Leopardstown.
Beaten when favourite 12 months ago, the Willie Mullins-trained seven-year-old took full advantage of the absence through injury of Solwhit to claim the third grade One of his career.
Whatuthink took the four-runner field along until Rule The World jumped into the lead five out. Mala Beach made his bid but he was soon swept aside.
Ruby Walsh bided his time on Zaidpour before unleashing the 5-4 favourite at the business end to gain the upper hand on the run-in.
Mullins said: "He came back in very strong. The cheekpieces worked well at Fairyhouse but I took them off as I thought he might be too free over three miles.
"There's been huge improvement in him. He's better now as seven-year-old and that's very unusual.
"This was his ground and track but he's going to be very hard to place."
Three goals in four second-half minutes meant Barclays Premier League strugglers West Ham and West Brom had to settle for a share of the spoils from a 3-3 draw at Upton Park.
West Ham manager Sam Allardyce had labelled the game a 'must win' for his side, who remain 19th in the table and without a league victory in December.
Joe Cole seemed to alleviate the pre-game nerves for the Hammers when he scored early on, only for Nicolas Anelka to score his first two West Brom goals before the interval.
Anelka, who was Allardyce's talisman during his latter days as Bolton boss, had not featured for the Baggies in over two months but was named as one of six changes to Keith Downing's starting line-up from the St Stephen's Day draw at Tottenham.
The visitors had looked comfortable at 2-1 but two goals in two minutes from half-time substitute Modibo Maiga and skipper Kevin Nolan put West Ham back in front.
Downing's side did not let their heads drop and were back in the game almost instantly with a very smart finish from Saido Berahino.
The two sides met less than 48 hours after both had been involved in tough Boxing Day fixtures and, with neither side in any sort of form, a draw was arguably the most likely outcome.
West Brom captain Chris Brunt had a great chance to open the scoring after just four minutes as he arrived unmarked at the back post but could only fire James Morrison's cross in to the side netting.
Cole went one better moments later as Jussi Jaaskelainen's goal kick found it's way to the midfielder courtesy of Carlton Cole and Nolan, with the former Liverpool man finishing low under Ben Foster for his third goal of the campaign.
Allardyce has been struggling with injuries to his defensive line in recent weeks and he lost James Tomkins to what looked like a groin problem with only 10 minutes on the clock.
Guy Demel replaced Tomkins in a Hammers back four which no longer contained any recognised central defenders.
The Hammers may have had less penetration in the first half but they created much more as an attacking force, Carlton Cole was proving a constant threat and Demel clipped a post from close range at the end of a flowing move before West Brom made their own pressure count.
Brunt poked a perfectly-weighted through pass in to the path of Anelka, who timed his run well before side-footing the ball past the on-rushing Jaaskelainen to level proceedings and become the eighth player to score for six different Premier League clubs.
The former Chelsea and Arsenal striker added his second in first-half injury time following a disputed corner which was poorly defended by West Ham.
Anelka reacted quickest to Carlton Cole's goal-line clearance from Jonas Olsson's header to beat Jaaskelainen and put the visitors in front at the break.
Allardyce introduced Maiga at half-time with Carlton Cole, who had been cautioned towards the end of the half, making way.
However, it was West Brom who started brightly once more and Anelka came close to scoring his hat-trick inside the opening two minutes of the second half.
Billy Jones skipped past Razvan Rat with ease and pulled the ball back towards the former France international, whose effort was kept out by Jaaskelainen at his near post.
Berahino arrowed a low effort wide five minutes later as the Baggies, who had made six changes as opposed to West Ham's two, remained the fresher side.
Foster had been largely untroubled in the West Brom goal but that was all to change as the former Manchester United goalkeeper was forced into action just after the hour-mark as he pushed away Maiga's curling effort at full stretch to keep his side ahead.
Moments later, however, Maiga got the better of Foster as he gathered a pass from Nolan and bent in a low shot that went through the diving goalkeeper.
The equalising goal had the home fans singing en mass for the first time in the game and the tempo was raised even higher just two minutes later as Nolan bundled the Hammers in front once again.
Maiga was heavily involved once more as he headed back across goal where Nolan was on hand to turn the ball home.
The delirium amongst the West Ham supporters was short-lived as Berahino rifled an effort in off the post to draw the teams level with 20 minutes remaining.
Brunt almost capitalised on defensive indecisiveness from West Ham to put the Baggies back in front but his powerful volley was struck straight at Jaaskelainen, who held the ball well.
The experienced Finn, recalled by Allardyce following Adrian's shaky display against Arsenal, was left stranded shortly afterwards as Berahino struck a free-kick which cracked off the post.
That proved to be the closest either side could come to mustering a winning goal with both having reasons to be upset at having to go home with just a point apiece.
Barry Geraghty and Bobs Worth after victory in the Lexus Chase
Bobs Worth bounced back from a disappointing seasonal reappearance to land the Grade One Lexus Chase at Leopardstown.
Winner of last season's Cheltenham Gold Cup, Bobs Worth could finish only sixth behind Cue Card in the Betfair Chase at Haydock on his return last month, but he stepped up significantly on that effort to win the three-mile feature.
First Lieutenant jumped the last in the lead but Bobs Worth (11-4 joint-favourite) found plenty for Barry Geraghty on the run in to win by a length and a half, with Rubi Ball back in third.
Ruby Walsh set out to make all on Rubi Ball with First Lieutenant, Bobs Worth and his fellow joint-favourite Sir Des Champs sitting on his heels through the early stages.
With four fences to jump, there were a handful of contenders queuing up in behind to challenge Rubi Ball, with First Lieutenant putting in a couple of excellent leaps to put himself on terms with the leader.
However, Geraghty switched Bobs Worth to the outside turning for home and he found plenty for pressure on the run to the last.
He continued to dig deep all the way to the line and his triumph puts Bobs Worth right back into the Betfred Cheltenham Gold Cup reckoning.
Written By Unknown on Jumat, 27 Desember 2013 | 23.06
Updated: Friday, 27 Dec 2013 15:23 | Comments
Barry Geraghty with Sprinter Sacre after pulling up in The williamhill.com Desert Orchid Steeple Chase
Sprinter Sacre was found to be suffering from an irregular heartbeat after being pulled up on his comeback in the williamhill.com Desert Orchid Chase at Kempton won by Sire De Grugy.
Trainer Nicky Henderson had been forced to skip the Tingle Creek with the highest-rated jumps horse in training due to an unsatisfactory scope and this Grade Two was suddenly the focus of his attentions.
Slightly awkward at a couple of his early fences, Barry Geraghty pulled him up after jumping the seventh fence but remained on board as he trotted back.
Sire De Grugy, who won the Tingle Creek, was not that hard pressed to beat Oiseau De Nuit by four lengths.
The eventual winner was sent off at 4-1 to reward Gary Moore for his decision to take on Sprinter Sacre.
Henderson said of the 2-9 favourite: "They (vets) listened to him when he pulled him up and when he came back in, and there is an irregular heartbeat there.
"He landed on the back of the fence and Barry said he was empty.
"He was looking great, he jumped the first very well and his work was unbelievable
"He is going to have to go for dope tests and then they will scope him and hopefully we will know more later."
Moore said: "I'm over the moon for the horse and the owners, and especially Jamie (Moore, son and rider), but it's just a shame he had to do it that way but it's not his fault the other horse has gone wrong.
"I can enjoy it, but it has probably taken a bit of gloss off.
"That was a messy race, they went off fast then the pacemaker dropped out. He'd be better in a bigger field, covered up, and then you'd see his true potential.
"I said to Jamie to ride him for speed today, but he hasn't been able to.
"If ever we were going to take Sprinter Sacre on, today was going to be the day.
"I hope he has not had too hard a race as I want to take him on to the Clarence House Chase at Ascot (January 18).
"As far as I am concerned, Cheltenham (Queen Mother Champion Chase) is not the be-all and end-all."
The saga over Malky Mackay's future at Cardiff has come to an end after the club confirmed the Scot had been relieved of his duties.
The 42-year-old's exit had been widely predicted after owner Vincent Tan last week sent him an email demanding he resign or be sacked.
That ultimatum was briefly lifted when chairman Mehmet Dalman stated Mackay would be in charge for the "forseeable future", but the 3-0 St Stephen's Day defeat against Southampton proved the ex-Watford boss' last in charge.
A statement on the Cardiff website read: "The Board of Directors at Cardiff City Football Club have today relieved Malky Mackay of his duties.
"A new first team manager will be appointed and announced in due course."
Mackay had always insisted he would not resign, and this had long appeared to be the only realistic outcome of his dispute with Tan that first came to light when head of recruitment Iain Moody was dismissed in October.
Even Dalman's statement that Mackay would remain in charge came with the caveat that there would need to be a reconciliation between owner and manager.
Mackay had twice requested a meeting with Tan and Dalman earlier this week in order to discuss their differences, but the Scot revealed the Malaysian had turned them down.
Talks had been due to be held on Saturday, when Cardiff face Sunderland, but in the end Mackay did not last long enough.
Mackay, who has been linked with the vacancy at West Brom, had launched a staunch defence of his performance as manager, which Tan sternly criticised in his email ultimatum, following the defeat to the Saints.
He had said: "Overall this football club is competing well in the Premier League this season.
"We are not in the bottom three at around the halfway stage.
"Myself and my staff knew exactly how tough this was going to be this season, as did the players and the media.
"We are competing well, there are games we should have won, there are games we should have done better in.
"This is a season where I firmly believe we can stay in this league and build on it."
Mackay had guided the Bluebirds to the League Cup final in 2012 and the Championship title in 2013.
They lie 16th in the Premier League, one point above the relegation zone at the time of his departure.
Former Manchester United striker and Molde manager Ole Gunnar Solksjaer is among the favouties to replace Mackay, while Sven-Goran Eriksson and Turkish journeyman Yilmaz Vural have also been suggested as potential candidates.
Earlier on Friday, Vural's agent had mischievously tweeted that "explosive" events lay ahead at Cardiff.
Muzzi Ozcan tweeted: "The story is coming to a End in Wales and a new story will be born ... The next 48 hours will be explosive !"
When news of Mackay's sacking broke, he added: "New page has been turned over as I said .... Wish the best for MM."
Jockey Bryan Cooper onboard Benefficient clears the last fence on his way to winning the Paddy Power Dial-A-Bet Chase
Tony Martin's Benefficient was a surprise winner of the Paddy Power Dial-A-Bet Chase at Leopardstown.
Despite winning the Irish Arkle over the course and distance earlier in the year and landing the Jewson Novices' Chase at the Cheltenham Festival, the seven-year-old appeared up against it in this Grade One event.
Last year's winner Sizing Europe cut out much of the running, but the writing was on the wall for his supporters when he backed off a fence going down the back straight and received a reminder from Andrew Lynch.
As the veteran began to feel the pinch, the pack closed up, with Willie Mullins' 7-4 favourite Arvika Ligeonniere travelling powerfully rounding the home turn.
However, he could not pick up after the last fence and 9-1 shot Benefficient galloped all the way to the line under Bryan Cooper for a decisive victory.
Hidden Cyclone, who appeared to be slightly impeded by the winner after the last and had to switch, ran a fantastic race to finish second for Shark Hanlon, with Arvika Ligeonniere not far away in third.
Sizing Europe was a distant fourth.
A stewards' inquiry ensued but the placings remained unaltered, and Martin said: "He runs well for Bryan and you could see halfway down the back straight he was going well.
"Bryan just suits the horse so well. I should never have run him in Wetherby (Charlie Hall). He worked 12 days before that with Flemenstar at Tipperary, what Flemenstar did to him that day was unreal and he left his race behind as he did far too much.
"The Topham Chase at Aintree was in my mind before today, but he'll probably be too high in the handicap now and we'll have to think about races like the Ryanair (at Cheltenham), or maybe even the Queen Mother (Champion Chase) if the ground was soft."
Munster's Donncha O'Callaghan is tackled by Connacht's Brett Wilkinson: both players will feature in today's clash at Thomond Park
By Tadhg Peavoy
Munster v Connacht, Thomond Park, Friday, kick-off 1915
Munster come into their Christmas RaboDirect PRO12 derby clash with Connacht in irresistible form. Hammering Perpignan, coupled with injury time wins over the same French opposition, and Scarlets, has had Rob Penney's men playing some superb rugby.
Their maul and set-pieces have been hugely effective as platforms for attack, with the pack gelling exceptionally well over the last month.
And in combination with that dogged effectiveness, the backline have been retaining the ball to superb effect, with snipes, offloads out of the tackle, and taking the ball at pace the order of the day.
JJ Hanrahan retains his place at outhalf today, following his superb display against Scarlets last week, which was the clearest indication yet that he is now a very real contender to be first choice at No 10 for the southerners.
With Felix Jones, Keith Earls, Johne Murphy, James Downey, Donncha O'Callaghan and James Coughlan all coming back in, this Munster side is peppered with first teamers, and will be clear favourites to secure four points for the home side.
However, Connacht themselves have had some form in December too. They come to Thomond Park following a famous away win over Toulouse, and a last-gasp home win over Dragons sandwiching a chastening home defeat to the aforementioned French side.
Pat Lam - like Penney for Munster - has selected lots of big guns for the derby. Gavin Duffy, Fionn Carr and Matt Healy form a strong back three, while one of the season's biggest stars thus far, Robbie Henshaw, lines out at second centre. With the metronomic Dan Parks at outhalf, Connacht's back division looks primed.
Likewise up front there is strength in depth. Jason Harris-Wright starts at hooker, with Mick Kearney and Craig Clarke in the engine room. In the back row, John Muldoon will prove critical to his team's chances playing at openside flanker, while Eoin McKeon will lend dynamism from number eight.
Connacht's scrum and breakdown play has also been solid recently, and can in large part explain their decent results over the last month.
In another shadowing of Munster's form their outhalf, Parks, has been displaying his ability to spread the ball, while also kicking out of hand at the correct times, and having an eye for goal when needed.
Wingers Fionn Carr and Matt Healy have also looked dangerous in attack, and solid in defence, with Henshaw supplying the playmaking from the centre of the park.
It all sets itself up to be something of a humdinger. That said, an away trip to Thomond for a derby clash is as tough an assignment as any Irish province can get.
While Connacht are developing at a fine rate of late, I feel the home team will have too much for them on this occasion, but not by much.
Verdict: Munster to win by ten.
Follow Tadhg Peavoy on Twitter here: @TPeavoy
Munster XV: 15 Felix Jones 14 Keith Earls 13 Johne Murphy 12 James Downey 11 Ronan O'Mahony 10 JJ Hanrahan 9 Duncan Williams 1 James Cronin 2 Niall Scannell 3 John Ryan 4 Donncha O'Callaghan 5 Dave Foley 6 Paddy Butler 7 Sean Dougall 8 James Coughlan (captain).
Replacements: 16Damien Varley 17 Alan Cotter 18 Stephen Archer 19 Billy Holland 20 CJ Stander 21 Gerry Hurley 22 Johnny Holland 23 Denis Hurley.
Connacht XV: 15 Gavin Duffy 14 Fionn Carr 13 Robbie Henshaw 12 Eoin Griffin 11 Matt Healy 10 Dan Parks 9 Frank Murphy 1Brett Wilkinson 2 Jason Harris-Wright 3 Nathan White 4 Mick Kearney 5 Craig Clarke 6 Andrew Browne 7 John Muldoon 8 Eoin McKeon.
Replacements: 16 Dave Heffernan 17 Denis Buckley 18 Rodney Ah You 19 Aly Muldowney 20 George Naoupu 21 Kieran Marmion 22 Jack Carty 23 Darragh Leader.
Jockey Danny Mullins onboard The Tullow Tank clears the last hurdle on his way to winning the Paddy Power Future Champions Novice Hurdle
The Tullow Tank secured his second Grade One prize of the season with a determined display in the Paddy Power Future Champions Novice Hurdle at Leopardstown.
Philip Fenton's star youngster arrived at Foxrock off the back of victory in the Royal Bond Novice Hurdle at Fairyhouse, but was still not favourite with Willie Mullins' previously unbeaten gelding Moyle Park the 6-5 market leader.
Moyle Park travelled best into the straight, but emptied quickly under Ruby Walsh and The Tullow Tank was in front jumping the final flight.
The 9-4 chance galloped all the way to the line to score comfortably in the hands of Danny Mullins, with the front-running King Of The Picts passing Moyle Park on the run-in to grab second.
France centre Florian Fritz is set to miss at least three Six Nations games after suffering an arm injury when falling off his motorbike, his club Toulouse said on Friday.
The 29-year-old Fritz has been a regular starter for France since coach Philippe Saint-Andre took charge last year and has 34 caps to his name.
"Florian was involved in an accident while driving his motorbike and has either broken or dislocated his arm," Toulouse manager Guy Noves told a news conference.
Written By Unknown on Kamis, 26 Desember 2013 | 23.06
Updated: Thursday, 26 Dec 2013 14:11 | Comments
JJ Hanrahan is the only Munster player to keep his spot in the team to face Connacht
Munster head coach Rob Penney continues with the squad rotation as JJ Hanrahan is the only survivor from last weekend's starting team against Scarlets to start in Friday's RaboDirect PRO12 derby against Connacht in Thomond Park..
Last Saturday's front row replacements Niall Scannell and John Ryan move in to the starting XV joining James Cronin for the round 11 clash, with Scannell making his first start at this level after making his debut last weekend as a replacement.
Donncha O'Callaghan also makes the step up and starts next to Dave Foley in the second row while Paddy Butler marks his return from injury with a starting place in the back-row, joining Sean Dougall and James Coughlan who captains the squad for the second time this season.
Hanrahan is joined in the half-backs by Duncan Williams this week with Gerry Hurley named in the replacements for the first time this season. The Cork Con man is line to make a return to league action against the same opposition he last played exactly six years ago.
Ronan O'Mahony who scored the winning try in the 83rd minute last Saturday is named in the new look starting backline with Johne Murphy joining James Downey in the centre partnership for the first time this season.
Munster team to play Connacht: F Jones; K Earls, J Murphy, J Downey, R O'Mahony; JJ Hanrahan, D Williams; J Cronin, N Scannell, J Ryan; D O'Callaghan, D Foley; P Butler, S Dougall, J Coughlan Capt.
Replacements: D Varley, A Cotter, S Archer, B Holland, CJ Stander, G Hurley, J Holland, D Hurley.
Connacht head coach Pat Lam has made three changes to his team to take on Munster.
Frank Murphy will earn his 100th Connacht cap when he starts at scrumhalf tomorrow. The Cork man joined Connacht in 2008 but missed out on last season due to injury. This fixture against Munster will represent his fourth game of the season.
Connacht's leading try scorer Fionn Carr has been named on the right wing while Gavin Duffy moves to full back to allow Irish International Robbie Henshaw switch to the centre.
In the pack, the front five remains unchanged from last week but the back row sees Andrew Browne promoted from the bench to start at blindside flanker while John Muldoon moves to the openside. Eoin McKeon makes up an all-Galway back row wearing the Number 8 jersey.
On the replacements bench, lock Aly Muldowney returns to the fray and 20-year-old Academy back Darragh Leader has been brought in as cover.
Commenting on the team selection and the upcoming game, Head Coach Pat Lam said: "Despite being boosted by the win on Saturday against the Dragons, we lost a couple of guys through that last game and it's hugely disappointing to have to plan without Dave (McSharry), especially on the back of losing our other midfielders Danie (Poolman), Craig (Ronaldson) and Kyle (Tonetti) to injury.
"Kieran Marmion has had a high work load this season having played in every game and taking part in a two-day national camp earlier this week.
"So he is named on the bench for tomorrow's game. We're delighted for Frank to achieve his 100th Connacht cap, especially after such a long road to recovery last season.
"Jake (Heenan) joins Willie Faloon on the injured list which is another huge loss to a crucial position for us. But John (Muldoon) has shown in the past that he has the skillset and experience to switch sides in the back row."
Connacht team to play Munster: Gavin Duffy, Fionn Carr, Robbie Henshaw, Eoin Griffin, Matt Healy, Dan Parks, Frank Murphy, Brett Wilkinson, Jason Harris-Wright, Nathan White, Mick Kearney, Craig Clarke, Andrew Browne, John Muldoon, Eoin McKeon
Replacements: Dave Heffernan, Denis Buckley, Rodney Ah You, Aly Muldowney, George Naoupu, Kieran Marmion, Jack Carty, Darragh Leader
Jose Mourinho appears determind to spark a feud with Arsenal
Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has labelled Arsenal boring for failing to score at home in a defence of his side's tactics in Monday's goalless draw at the Emirates Stadium.
Ever the pragmatist, Mourinho set up his side defensively and Chelsea were booed off the pitch after claiming a point, to chants of 'Boring, boring Chelsea'.
It was a recycling of lyrics which once were reserved for the Gunners and Mourinho insisted Arsene Wenger's men were the ones who should have felt the frustrations of their home supporters, not the visitors.
Mourinho said: "I think boring is a team that plays at home and cannot score a goal. That's boring.
"If somebody was boring, they were boring because Petr Cech made zero saves.
"You go to your stadium and you fill your stadium, in weather like we had on Monday, to see victories. There is not a home fan in any club in the world who goes to the stadium and expects his team not to win."
The resilient rearguard performance was down to preparation, according to Mourinho, who aimed a verbal barb at another of Chelsea's title rivals, Barclays Premier League leaders Liverpool, who play at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.
"We played Sunderland last Tuesday and we had one week to work which we didn't have since the summer," Mourinho added.
"I had three days to work tactically. I worked on everything because it was a special week for us. It was the kind of week Liverpool has every week."
Chelsea enter the St Stephen's Day contest with Swansea in fourth place, two points behind Liverpool, the leaders on goal difference from Arsenal.
"I think boring is a team that plays at home and cannot score a goal. That's boring."
Mourinho believes six sides are in title contention, with Manchester City one point better off than his side, Tottenham six points off the pace and defending champions Manchester United two points further adrift.
The Portuguese preferred romping away with the title during his first spell, but is enjoying the competitive nature of a Premier League season which has numerous twists and turns to come. He believes it is imperative his transitional side are in contention, with future title battles in mind.
"I enjoyed it more in 2005 and 2006," he said. "But for me it is fantastic. The pressure is there. I have told the players they have, some of them, to learn how to cope with this situation. Because they have to learn.
"For me it is not a problem. For some of the guys it is not a problem. But for them, now, they have to learn how to express themselves on the pitch in this situation.
"When you are 20 points behind the leader, you can play at home one day and win 6-0. But what does that mean? It means nothing.
"What means something is when you are fighting for the title, play a fantastic match and score the winning goal.
"That is the way, especially young players, grow up quickly. They have to grow and I think I'm the right guy to teach them how to cope with this situation because it's a situation I enjoy."
Yaya Toure insists that Manchester City fear no team
Manchester City midfielder Yaya Toure has warned league leaders Liverpool they should fear a trip to the Etihad Stadium as even Barcelona are afraid of them.
The Merseysiders arrive today full of confidence as they are top of the table at Christmas for the first time in five years.
They are actually the last club to be in that position and not go on to win the title but despite rising optimism at Anfield, Toure sounded a word of caution.
Having been drawn against Barcelona in the knockout stage of the Champions League Toure has had word from inside the Catalan club's camp that is not a draw they are relishing.
"I had a call from one of my old team-mates from Spain who was quite disappointed," said the former Barcelona midfielder.
"He wasn't sure what would happen. In the past they would be confident they would go through and beat anyone but they are afraid about us.
"The way we are playing at home - and they are seeing that - means they are quite scared because we play fantastic football, we score goals and it is total attack.
"At the moment we are terrific at home. Any team who comes here we think we can score against - maybe it wont always be the case for us to achieve that every game.
"We are not the sort of team that is fearful of opponents, we are playing in an attractive way and an attacking way, and I think Liverpool will be aware of that."
City's home record is formidable as they have won all eight league matches and scored 35 goals and they are only in third place, one point behind Liverpool, because of their inferior away form.
Striker Sergio Aguero has scored eight of his 13 league goals at the Etihad but his calf injury means fans will be denied the chance to see the top-flight's two leading scorers go head-to-head.
Liverpool's Luis Suarez is in the form of his life with 19 goals in just 12 league games and Toure admits it is difficult to separate the two.
"We are not the sort of team that is fearful of opponents, we are playing in an attractive way and an attacking way."
"Aguero is unbelievable, he is one of the most important strikers in this league at the moment," said the Ivory Coast international.
"He can always make something happen and his partnership with Alvaro (Negredo) was fantastic for us so at the moment missing him is a big blow for us but we have to deal with it.
"Suarez is a brilliant player and this season he is at the top. Him and Aguero are the best strikers in England, no question, and are up there as the best in the world too.
"It would have been fantastic to see them on the same pitch in this game; Suarez has everything in his game at the moment.
"But Liverpool are a team with other good players too and a good manager. It will be a big, big game."
Liverpool's progress to the top of the table has been unexpected considering they have finished seventh, eighth, sixth and seventh since coming runners-up to Manchester United in the 2008-09 season.
But Toure said that did not mean they should be under-estimated. "They have always been a big club and maybe it is a surprise that they haven't been up there for a few years but these clubs always return, and that's what is happening at Liverpool," he said.
"People shouldn't be surprised to see them at the top but I think this game will be watched by every fan of the Premier League, around the world.
"If we win we can go above them and that will be important for us too."
City boss Manuel Pellegrini has come in for some criticism for their away form, which has seen them lose matches at Cardiff, Aston Villa and Chelsea.
His public persona may appear dour and uninspiring but having replaced Roberto Mancini just a year after the Italian guided the club to their first title in 44 years, Toure insists the Chilean has developed them into a better side.
"The manager has turned us into an amazing team. The football is amazing," he said.
"I can say that Pellegrini is a top manager, he gives everyone confidence and respects everyone.
"He comes close to the players and talks to them. Every player wants confidence, a chat with the manager and to get advice from him.
"Pellegrini is doing really well in that respect. It's not easy to have time for everyone as you have a squad of 30 players but he gives everyone confidence, whether they are in the starting 11 or not."
Clondaw Court (left) was steered to victory by Ruby Walsh
Long odds-on favourite Clondaw Court was made to pull out all the stops as he got up right on the line in the Bookmakers Bar At Bewleys Hotel Leopardstown Maiden Hurdle at Leopardstown.
The imposing six-year-old was a 27-length winner of a Punchestown bumper in November of last year and although he has been sidelined since, he was still expected to take care of five opponents in what looked a surprisingly weak contest.
The Willie Mullins-trained 2-9 chance travelled powerfully for much of the two-and-a-quarter-mile journey, but looked in serious trouble as Ruby Walsh got to work from the home turn.
Little Rocky looked sure to win as he approached the final flight, but despite an untidy leap, Clondaw Court began to bridge the gap on the run-in and got up by a head under a power-packed Walsh ride.
Mullins said: "I'm happy that he won, but we probably should have made the running with him, to make more use of him.
"I haven't talked to Ruby or Rich (Ricci, owner) yet, but I would think we will be stepping him up in trip to two and a half miles plus from now on."
Western Boy made a winning start to his jumping career with a smart display under David Casey in the Thorntons Recycling Hurdle.
Fresh from opening his bumper account at the fourth attempt at Thurles last month, Pat Fahy's four-year-old was a 12-1 shot, with Daneking the 5-2 favourite for Mullins and Walsh.
The latter cut out much of the running, but had no answer when Western Boy quickened up to lead approaching the final flight.
Fahy's charge galloped all the way to the line to score by three and a half lengths, with Kylestyle grabbing the runner-up spot from Daneking.
Casey said: "He is a nice horse. He has solid bumper form and he jumped well.
"I didn't intend being in front so early but he kept galloping. Pat is in Limerick I think, and his horses are in good form."
Red-hot favourite Analifet was pulled up after just three flights of hurdles as Guitar Pete claimed victory in the Knight Frank Juvenile Hurdle.
The Mullins-trained Analifet had been hugely impressive on her first two Irish starts at Punchestown and Fairyhouse and was the 3-10 favourite to complete a hat-trick in this Grade Two contest.
Clarcam was left to lead the remaining four runners, but Dessie Hughes' Guitar Pete (9-2) had far more to give in the straight and pulled clear in the hands of Bryan Cooper to score by seven lengths.
Hughes said: "He is a smashing little horse. I brought him over to Cheltenham and he ran a cracker there on his last start.
"He has a good, tough pedigree and he will go back to Cheltenham now, for either the Triumph or the Fred Winter, but he will probably have another run before then."
David Meyler scored Hull's second but United rallied to win
Manchester United came back from two goals down to defeat a spirited Hull 3-2 at the KC Stadium, with former Red Devil James Chester deciding things with a second-half own-goal.
Chester, a one-time United trainee, had opened the scoring with a close-range finish in the fourth minute and, after heading in at the wrong end, had a glorious chance to finish it in injury time only for David De Gea to make the save.
David Meyler doubled Hull's advantage thanks to a heavy Jonny Evans deflection but United rallied swiftly from their calamitous start and were level by the 25th minute as Chris Smalling's header and Wayne Rooney's stunning volley found the target.
Hull enjoyed the best of the play at 2-2 but, after Alex Bruce's header hit the woodwork, Chester turned Ashley Young's cross into his own net.
Danny Graham spurned a fine chance to equalise in the 87th minute, with Chester also going close at the death after Antonio Valencia picked up a late red card.
For United boss David Moyes it was both a lucky escape and a fifth straight win in all competitions, while Hull's Steve Bruce has still yet to beat the club he once captained in 15 years of management.
He can rarely have had a better chance.
The visitors' team sheet - phoned in after a delayed arrival - contained several intrigues: Darren Fletcher back for a first start since December 1 2012, Danny Welbeck fit after Achilles trouble but Phil Jones absent with a knee injury.
Hull, unchanged for the third time in a row, set the tone for the afternoon by scoring with the first chance of the game, Jake Livermore and Ahmed Elmohamady having earned an early corner.
Tom Huddlestone delivered the ball into the box where Alex Bruce got above Patrice Evra to head towards the far post.
Welbeck was slow to come off the line but Chester was one step ahead, advancing to volley first time into the roof of the net.
United had been caught cold and worse was to follow in the 13th minute as Hull's fine start turned into the stuff of dreams.
Meyler was the man who drove Hull into the penalty area and stayed up to collect Yannick Sagbo's cutback across the box. His first connection was wayward but Evans allowed him a second chance with a sloppy clearance that came back to the Irishman.
The resulting shot would not have troubled De Gea but Evans again intervened, wrong-footing the Spaniard and turning the ball into his own net.
The home support first celebrated then turned their attention to Moyes, who was told "you're getting sacked in the morning".
An apparent groin injury to Rafael gave the Scot a chance to change things, and he made an aggressive move in sending on livewire winger Adnan Januzaj.
He had an almost immediate impact, winning a 19th-minute free-kick from which United scored.
Rooney provided the hanging cross from the right and Smalling produced a clinical header that nestled inside the far post.
United, almost immediately, regained confidence and only a superb save from Allan McGregor stopped Tom Cleverley finding the top corner with a 20-yard curler.
The Scotsman's effort was all the better considering he had earlier collided awkwardly with Ashley Young, an incident that eventually forced him off at half-time.
The pace did not relent and with 25 minutes gone, Rooney netted the pick of the day.
He controlled Evans' long ball effortlessly with his back to goal before flicking an overhead pass to Welbeck.
When it came back to him, via a combination of Welbeck and Curtis Davies, the England striker took another deft touch before crashing home a fierce 30-yard volley.
Bruce had to reshuffle at the interval, Steve Harper on for McGregor and Robert Koren replacing Meyler.
But the hosts once more came out brightly, Yannick Sagbo working De Gea on the turn and Davies glancing a header wide from Huddlestone's corner having beaten Smalling.
Hull turned the screw again either side of the hour mark, Sagbo tripped by Valencia as he surged towards goal and Huddlestone denied by a ricochet off Evra.
Bruce's header, off the resulting corner, had De Gea well beaten but came back off the frame of the goal.
Having weathered that storm, United promptly scored on the counter in the 66th minute.
Rooney started the move in midfield and hoped to finish it after Young had beaten Maynor Figueroa on the wing. Instead, it went down as an own-goal as Chester nodded into his own net.
In the 87th minute Sagbo's determination yielded a good chance for Graham to equalise but his header lacked conviction.
Valencia's red card gave Hull a sniff in extra-time but De Gea's block off Chester ensured United held out.
