The Malaysian Insider :: Sports
The Malaysian Insider :: Sports |
| Pochettino makes solid start with Everton draw Posted: 21 Jan 2013 02:36 PM PST  Supporters of the south-coast club had threatened a frosty reception for the former Espanyol boss Pochettino. – Reuters pic Southampton were much the better side in the first half as in-form striker Rickie Lambert hit the woodwork with a bending free kick and narrowly failed to score with two trademark headers. Everton improved in the second half but also failed to convert chances as the home side clung on for a valuable draw. Everton moved to 38 points, within three of fourth-placed Tottenham Hotspur and four ahead of Arsenal and Liverpool while Southampton edged further away from the relegation zone to 23 points, four above the drop. Former Argentina international Pochettino was controversially appointed manager despite Southampton's improved recent form, including a 2-2 comeback draw from two goals down at European champions Chelsea on Wednesday, Adkins's final game in charge. Supporters of the south-coast club had threatened a frosty reception for the former Espanyol boss, given Adkins's popularity and the fact he had lifted Southampton out of the relegation places after leading them back to the Premier League. "I want to thank the players for the three days they have worked with me, they have done well. I also have to thank the supporters, they have been kind and the reception was amazing," Pochettino told Sky Sports through an interpreter. "We did well tonight, we created several chances to score. The only shame was that we did not score a lot of goals but we created a lot of chances against a good side like Everton. We suffered a bit in the second half, we were not as good as we were in the first half. "I really enjoyed the game today. The people who have worked in this league always said that it is amazing." There was little sign of hostility towards Pochettino or executive chairman Nicola Cortese as Southampton began brightly and Everton defender Phil Jagielka nearly turned the ball into his own net early on. BUZZING HOSTS Lambert crashed a 30-metre free kick on to the post from 30 metres and Everton goalkeeper Tim Howard was called into action on several occasions to deny the buzzing hosts. Two Lambert headers, a Gaston Ramirez effort and defender Jos Hooiveld's turn and shot underlined Southampton's dominance of the first half. Home goalkeeper Artur Boruc was forced into his first genuine save after 51 minutes when Marouane Fellaini shot low at the far post only for the Pole to clear with his leg. From the resulting corner Fellaini headed straight at the Southampton keeper and Everton started to find their feet, Nikica Jelavic spurning a great chance when he failed to connect with Victor Anichebe's inviting low cross. Boruc made a great one-handed save high to his right from Anichebe after 68 minutes when the substitute was played through and fired off a fierce left-foot shot. "I was frustrated with how we played and frustrated in the second half that we did not get the goal," Everton manager David Moyes said. "Southampton have played well in recent weeks and they continued that form. We got better in the second half. "In the end, they had the better of the first half and we probably had the better of the second." – Reuters |
| Makarova eager to face rampant Sharapova Posted: 21 Jan 2013 07:24 AM PST  Ekaterina Makarova of Russia celebrates defeating Angelique Kerber of Germany in their women's singles match at the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne, January 20, 2013. – Reuters pic The 19th seed met Sharapova in the same round last year at Melbourne Park, with the world number two recording a 6-2 6-3 victory and Makarova is keen on seeing if she has the game to match it with the world's best. "I really want to play against her," Makarova said. "During last year we played lot of times, and I never beat her. "So I'm really interested to play against her. She's in good form now, in good shape. I hope I show my good tennis again." Makarova had entered last year's quarter-final against Sharapova having beaten Serena Williams. Makarova was then ranked 52nd in the world. This year, she was seeded but still managed to upset a top-10 player when she beat fifth seed Angelique Kerber in the fourth round. She also beat 11th seed Marion Bartoli in the third round and Sharapova was not taking her lightly. "I have to do the right things to beat her," she said. "If I win that, it's moving on to the next one. That's how I go about a tournament, a grand slam. "Obviously I want to be playing my best tennis towards the end of the second week." While Sharapova has overpowered her opponents, tennis purists should be looking forward to the first match in the quarter-finals with world number four Agnieszka Radwanska playing China's sixth-seed Li Na. Radwanska and Li are renowned more for their touch and construction of points rather than relying on the power game that the top three seeds Victoria Azarenka, Sharapova and Serena Williams have utilised ruthlessly in the tournament. "It's never easy playing against her," Radwanska said of the 2011 French Open champion. "She's a very consistent player and moving very well, serving well. "We played in Sydney. It was really tough match (and)... I really have to play... hundred percent to beat her." Men's champion Novak Djokovic, who was forced into a five hour, five set marathon against Stanislas Wawrinka has been given some respite from that clash, with his match against Tomas Berdych the first match in the night session. The winner of the Djokovic-Berdych match will face either fourth seed David Ferrer or his Spanish compatriot 10th seed Nicolas Almagro in the semi-finals. Almagro has not beaten Ferrer in 12 previous clashes but his eyes are firmly set on ending that streak and moving into his first grand slam semi-final. "(It) is a big opportunity for me to be in a semi-final," Almagro said. "I'm ready to fight. I'm healthy and I'm happy with my tennis. I think I'm playing really good. "We'll see what happens." – Reuters |
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