Van der Sar set to retire at end of season

Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson expects goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar to retire at the end of the season.
The 40-year-old Dutchman has featured 19 times this season, helping United reach the Premier League summit and the Champions League knockout phase.

But Ferguson said Thursday that “we are planning for this being his last season.”
Van der Sar has won three Premier League titles and the Champions League since arriving in 2005 from Fulham and has a contract until the end of this season.
There could still be a coaching role for Van der Sar at United in the future.
Ferguson says that “We have not discussed it, but Edwin is a player who would be of interest in terms of his knowledge and standing in the game.”

Inter working out details to fire Benitez

Inter Milan officials are meeting with Rafa Benitez’s agent to figure out how they can dismiss the manager.
Club president Massimo Moratti has apparently already decided he wants to fire Benitez, but the club needs to work out the details of his contract, which isn’t due to expire until the end of next season.

Italian media widely report that Benitez’s agent Manuel Garcia Quillon was meeting Thursday with three top Inter officials, plus the club’s lawyer, Angelo Capellini.
Benitez guided Inter to the Club World Cup title last weekend, but the European champion is languishing in seventh place in Serie A, 13 points behind city rival AC Milan.
Moratti has reportedly already decided to hire former AC Milan manager Leonardo to lead the club beginning in January.

Ronaldo hat trick as Real Madrid routs Levante 8-0

Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema had three goals each to lead Real Madrid to an 8-0 rout of Levante on Wednesday night in the first leg of the fifth round of Spain’s Copa del Rey.
Ronaldo scored in the 45th, 72nd and 74th minutes, raising his season total to 25 goals in 24 matches in all competitions for Madrid this season.
Benzema connected in the sixth, 32nd and 70th minutes, and Mesut Oezil and Pedro Leon also scored. The second leg of the total-goals series is at Levante on Jan. 5.

Controversial Benitez shows up in Liverpool

The bizarre saga of Rafa Benitez and Inter Milan is soccer’s most-compelling current soap opera, and the most outrageous plot twist of all could be yet to come.
Benitez is on the verge of being fired by Inter after a series of disputes which came to a head when he criticized owner Massimo Moratti in a public rant last weekend. Inter sent Benitez a message on Monday to inform his actions were a breach of contract, and are currently trying to negotiate a reduced payoff figure before officially firing him.
While the storm of acrimony swirls, Benitez has taken the extraordinary step of uprooting himself from Milan and returning to his former home in Liverpool. Benitez was fired as Liverpool boss at the end of last season, and there is no coincidence about the timing or location of the place he has sought sanctuary from the controversy brewing in Italy.

 With Liverpool having endured a desperate start to the season under new head coach Roy Hodgson, Benitez would love to return to the Anfield hot-seat if the Englishman was sacked. By arriving on the doorstep, it turns up the heat on Hodgson even more.

“It would be surprising,” said Hodgson, when asked if he saw Benitez as a threat to his position. “If he was the right man, then it would have been wiser not to let him go and then bring him back six months later.
“This job will always have people linked with it. When you occupy one of the top jobs in the country, it would be very strange if other people were not linked with your job. I’m sure there are people who are very envious of my position.”
But perhaps Hodgson has more to worry about than he thinks. It didn’t take long for word to get out that Benitez was in town, and banners begging the Spaniard to return to Anfield soon sprung up both outside the club and his own home.
Polls of Liverpool fans expressed strong support for a Benitez comeback, even though he only left six months ago following a deeply disappointing campaign.
This has truly become an extraordinary situation. Benitez’s anti-Moratti rant was incredible and, according to some, utterly crazy. Turning up at Liverpool is shameless and unfair on Hodgson, who is suffering through some desperately tough times.
Make no mistake, Benitez is making a symbolic move by heading back to the north-west of England. He isn’t there for the weather (currently under a heavy blanket of snow) or for the peace and quiet. He wants his old job back.
Liverpool spent the early part of the season in crisis, and even dipped briefly into the relegation zone before rebounding slightly to sit in ninth place in the English Premier League. Hodgson has found it tough to win over the Liverpool fans, and some of his signings (especially defender Paul Konchesky) have not gone down well.
That situation doesn’t mean Benitez is going to waltz straight back through the Anfield doors, but that hasn’t stopped the rumor mill from cranking into overdrive.
In the meantime, in Italy, there is this most unusual form of status. To all intents and purposes, Benitez is no longer Inter manager. He knows it, Moratti knows it and so does the soccer public.
But with neither side wanting to give any financial ground this thing could keep on rumbling for a while. Most twists to come? Don’t bet against it.

NFL closer to a ruling on Favre investigation

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell is close to announcing whether the league will punish Brett Favre(notes) for sending inappropriate photos and phone messages to a former New York Jets game hostess.
Goodell said Wednesday he received the league’s report about the case “last week and I expect that some time in the near future I will make a decision.”

Asked if that would come by the end of the season, he said, “I expect that, yes.”
The NFL is examining whether Favre sent Jenn Sterger messages and photos in 2008, while he was playing for the Jets and she also worked for the team.
Now with Minnesota, Favre, whose record consecutive starts streak ended at 297 on Monday night because of a shoulder injury, could face disciplinary action under the league’s personal conduct policy.
Sterger’s manager, Phil Reese, has said his client would like the league to “implement a program” to prevent unwanted advances—similar to those she’s alleging Favre made.
Reese said Sterger wants the league to discipline Favre before his career ends. “It’s not a money story,” Reese said, adding his client’s goal is some acknowledgment that Favre was in the wrong.
Favre has said this season will be his last.

NASCAR’s Johnson wins Driver of the Year

Five-time defending NASCAR champion Jimmie Johnson beat out NHRA Funny Car champion John Force for the Driver of the Year award on Wednesday.
It’s the fourth time Johnson has received the honor, tying him with Hendrick Motorsports teammate Jeff Gordon for most wins in the award’s 44-year history.

“It’s an honor to win the award again,” Johnson said. “Among such tough competition, with the voting panel, who it is and how well versed they are in motorsports, it’s a huge, huge honor.”
Journalists and broadcasters from across the country vote for Driver of the Year, which is eligible to any driver from any series that competes on four wheels in the United States. Past winners include Mario Andretti, Richard Petty, Darrell Waltrip, Dale Earnhardt and Bobby Rahal.
Johnson received 10 votes to beat Force, who received seven votes. NASCAR driver Kyle Busch received one vote.
“This year’s pre-vote teleconference was one of the most spirited debates that I can recall,” said panelist president Barry Schmoyer. “As many people have said already, it will be a long time before anyone will set the bar as high as Jimmie Johnson.”

After almost being fired earlier this season, Claude Puel has reversed Lyon’s fortunes and now has a chance to lead his team to first place in the standings with a win at defending champion Marseille in the French league’s biggest match so far this season.
Seven-time champion Lyon, which dropped to 18th place after seven rounds this season, has recovered from the shaky start and sits third, two points behind leader Lille.
Lille has 31 points from 17 games, one more than second-place Paris Saint-Germain, which plays struggling Monaco. Lille hosts Nancy.

Marseille coach Didier Deschamps, who guided the team to their first French league title since 1992 last season, paid tribute to Puel’s work ahead of Sunday’s clash.
“I have a lot of respect for what he is doing,” Deschamps said. “A few months ago, there was not a single program where his future was not brought up. We do the same job, and I thought it was natural to give him my support.”
Lyon’s morale reached its low when the club lost at home to fierce rival Saint-Etienne for the first time in 16 years in September.
Puel’s future at the club then looked in danger, with fans repeatedly calling for his sacking and even hanging banners off highway bridges and in the town center calling for the coach to go.
With pressure mounting and even players criticizing him in newspapers, Puel soldiered on and convinced Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas to give him his backing until the end of the season.
And Aulas’ bet paid off: Lyon hasn’t lost a game in the league since the bitter defeat to Saint-Etienne and is enjoying a 10-game unbeaten streak.

The team also showed an unprecedented defensive cohesion this season in a 2-0 win over Toulouse last weekend, at last keeping a clean sheet after conceding 31 goals in its 23 previous games.

“We sorted out our mistakes in defense,” Puel said. “It’s normal to have an improved level of play when you’re on a good unbeaten run. The game against Marseille will be fun. They’re going well despite their draw with Auxerre.”
Marseille’s poor run of results in the league continued last weekend as Deschamps’ team was held 1-1 at Auxerre. The defending champions have failed to win their last three games and dropped to fifth place overall, four points behind Lille.
“We haven’t won in our last two games and everybody are talking about a crisis at OM. This is not true,” Argentine playmaker Lucho Gonzalez said.
But Marseille’s bid to retain the title received a big boost on Wednesday with the signing of France and Rennes defender Rod Fanni. Marseille brought in Fanni as a replacement for injured right back Cesar Azpilicueta, who tore the anterior cruciate ligaments in his knee and is out for six months.
“I am delighted and so proud to sign for Marseille,” said Fanni, who was born in the nearby town of Martigues. “There is no denying that I have come here to try and win the title, and to do well in the Champions League.”
Lyon playmaker Yoann Gourcuff and Marseille forward Brandao are both doubtful for Sunday’s clash. Gourcuff has not played since picking up an Achilles’ injury in a Champions League game at Schalke last month.
“We’ll see this week whether Yoann can get up to speed and be OK on the ball,” Puel said.
Also Saturday, it’s: Lens vs. Caen; Montpellier vs. Auxerre; Rennes vs. Valenciennes; Saint-Etienne vs. Arles and Toulouse vs. Lorient.
Sunday’s match between Sochaux and Bordeaux could feature American striker Charlie Davies’ return to action.
The 24-year-old Davies was a passenger in a car accident Oct. 13, 2009 in which another passenger died. Davies was left with two broken bones in his right leg, a broken and dislocated left elbow, a broken nose, forehead and eye socket, a ruptured bladder and bleeding on the brain.
The injuries caused him to miss this year’s World Cup.
“At the moment I really feel I’m ready,” Davies told the league’s website. “That (Bordeaux match) was my home debut for Sochaux last season and I scored twice and I really can’t think of a better way to make my comeback than against Bordeaux, in the game where it all began, and come back after over a year out of the game against one of the top teams in France. It would be astonishing to finally get my chance.”

---

AC Milan faces Roma in final

Already guaranteed of finishing 2010 at the top of the Serie A standings, injury-ravaged AC Milan faces a tough challenge at home against Roma on Saturday.
Milan leads the league with 36 points, six more than Juventus, Napoli and Lazio.
However, Milan midfielder Gennaro Gattuso and defender Gianluca Zambrotta joined Thiago Silva, Filippo Inzaghi, Alexandre Pato and Mathieu Flamini on the injury list.
Milan coach Massimo Allegri is confident, though, that other players will use the opportunity to make their mark.

 Ghana midfielder Kevin Prince Boateng has scored two goals in the last two games since breaking into the team, while Sierra Leone midfielder Rodney Strasser has also played a role despite only being 20 years old.

“Boateng has had time to fit into the team and is doing well, like the rest of them,” Allegri said. “Strasser has been a pleasant surprise and showed character. His development will be far quicker than other players of his age because he is part of good squad.”
Roma coach Claudio Ranieri has injury problems of his own. He is likely to have to turn to third-choice goalkeeper Doni because of injuries to Julio Sergio and Bogdan Lobont.
Striker Mirko Vucinic is expected to miss the game, while Marco Borriello, who is on loan from Milan, will have to wear a protective mask after injuring his face against Bari.
“The victory would allow us to close the gap and make the championship interesting,” Ranieri said. “It is an important match for us because after our poor start we are starting to improve and we are in a confident mood.
“A win would tell everyone that Roma can close the gap.”
Juventus will play at Chievo Verona without suspended midfield anchor Felipe Melo. Even so, the Turin club is confident it can extend its unbeaten run of 12 games.
“For sure, we are having an excellent season and reaching second place, level with Lazio and Napoli, is an important step forward,” defender Giorgio Chiellini said. “For the moment, Milan is way out in front, but we are happy with what we are doing.”
Napoli, meanwhile, is at home to Lecce and will be in a confident mood after reaching the knockout rounds of the Europa League.
Edinson Cavani scored in injury time for Napoli to beat Steaua Bucharest 1-0, the ninth goal in Serie A for the Uruguay striker.
“We proved that with heart you can achieve anything,” Cavani said. “Going through to the knockout rounds was a very important objective.”
Lazio hosts Udinese having slipped to fourth place. Also this weekend, it is: Cesena vs. Cagliari; Bari vs. Palermo; Catania vs. Brescia; Parma vs. Bologna and Sampdoria vs. Genoa.

Exclusive: Bertrand Marchand is no longer national coach of Tunisia!

 The federal office and Bertrand Marchand agreed to an amicable separation a few minutes ago. The now ex-coach has confirmed this information by telephone, and federal office will meet from 18:00 at the headquarters of the Tunisian Football Federation.

Men’s final US Open warmup moving to NCarolina

The men’s tennis warmup before the U.S. Open is moving from New Haven, Connecticut, to Winston-Salem, North Carolina, starting in August.
The U.S. Tennis Association and ATP tour announced Monday that the 48-draw event will be played in a new tennis facility on Wake Forest University’s campus. It’ll be held Aug. 21-27 and serve as the final warmup before year’s final Grand Slam tournament.

It replaces the event that has been held in New Haven for many years and has been known as the Pilot Pen.
The Winston-Salem tournament will be held in a new facility that will include a 3,500-seat center court and two show courts with seating of at least 1,500 fans each.

Lopez promoted to River Plate coach

Juan Jose Lopez, who served as River Plate’s interim coach after Angel Cappa resigned last month, was named the club’s new coach Tuesday.
Lopez said in a radio interview that he had been given the job and told of his promotion by club president Daniel Passarella.

Lopez, the club’s director of youth clubs, filled in for Cappa and managed to pull River out of relegation danger. He won four of six games in charge as River finished the Apertura season with 31 points. He was a surprise choice with many reports suggesting Estudiantes coach Alejandro Sabella would get the job. Estudiantes won the season title on Sunday.
Lopez is the third coach named to the job in 14 months, following Cappa and Leonardo Astrada.
“I’m the coach of River,” Lopez told radio La Red. “Passarella told me the club directors approved me to stay on the job.”
In addition to Sabella, Passarella also approached Marcelo Bielsa about taking over one of Argentina’s most popular clubs. Bielsa, who stepped down last month as Chile’s national coach, turned down the approach.

Spain ends year No. 1 in soccer’s world rankings

Spain has ended the year it won its first World Cup top of the FIFA rankings.
The Netherlands, which lost to Spain in July’s final, is second while Germany has moved ahead of Brazil into third since last month.

Argentina and England stay fifth and six. Spain has finished No. 1 for the third straight year.
Egypt leads the African nations and climbs one place to No. 9, while the United States tops the CONCACAF region, rising six places to No. 18.
Australia drops six places to No. 26 but still heads the Asian confederation.
One of the biggest movers over the last year has been Montenegro, which has soared to No. 25 from No. 74.
Russia, which won the right to host the 2018 World Cup earlier this month, stays at No. 13, while 2022 host Qatar drops a place to No. 114.

TP Mazembe makes Club WCup final

 ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates (AP)—TP Mazembe became the first African team to reach the Club World Cup final Tuesday, upsetting Copa Libertadores champion Internacional of Brazil 2-0.
The side from the Democratic Republic of Congo broke the deadlock in the 53rd minute, with striker Mulota Kabangu controlling a knockdown in the area before placing a right-foot shot into the top corner past flat-footed goalkeeper Renan.
Dioko Kaluyituka sealed the victory in the 85th by beating Renan at his near post with a driven shot from just outside the area.

“This is a day of pride and we have succeeded,” Mazembe coach Lamine N’Diaye said. “I believe our players who I trained and played with every day are of high standard and achieved a great victory. This is good for the Congolese people. All Africans should be proud of this team.”
In Saturday’s final, Mazembe will face the winner of Wednesday’s second semifinal between Inter Milan and Asian champion Seongnam Ilhwa.
Internacional was the better side in the early stages on Tuesday, transfixing the opposition with slick passing and controlling the majority of the possession in the first half.
Mazembe goalkeeper Muteba Kidiaba somehow saved Rafael Sobis’s shot from close range after eight minutes before midfielder Tinga headed his side’s best chance over the bar 10 minutes later.
But Internacional failed to make the breakthrough and in the second half, Mazembe began to look dangerous on the counterattack as the Brazilian side pushed forward.
Mazembe came into the tournament without star striker Tresor Mputu, who has been banned for a year for assaulting a referee, but Kabangu made up for his absence with a goal of quality to put his side ahead. A physical player with a blonde mohawk, Kabangu was by far Mazembe’s most dangerous threat, firing three other shots on target including one in the opening minutes that caught Renan by surprise.
Once the frenetic Mazembe celebrations died down, Internacional went back on the attack but shot after shot was denied by the inspirational Kidiaba and Kaluyituka took advantage of the spaces left behind in the Brazilians’ defense to wrap up the win.
Internacional coach Celso Roth, whose team has struggled domestically coming into the match, defended his team’s attacking strategy and praised Kidiaba’s performance.
“We created opportunities but unfortunately we couldn’t turn them into goals. Mazembe had the opportunities and scored,” Roth said. “Football is like this. Mazembe defended very well and I congratulate them. We played much better than them but we have this very bitter defeat.”
Mazembe, dubbed the Chelsea of Africa by the media for its big-spending ways in the impoverished country, has been a dominant force in Congolese football over the past 30 years, winning 10 championships. It demolished Esperance Sportive de Tunis 6-1 to win a second continental championship in two years and beat Pachuca of Mexico 1-0 in the Club World Cup quarterfinals.
Outside Africa, though, the club is little known and was given little chance against Internacional. Mazembe lost both its matches in last year’s tournament and was not expected to overturn a tradition that always has the European and South American champions in the final.
The team seemed to take its underdog status personally, with captain Kazembe Mihayo insisting that Tuesday’s historic victory would not only raise the profile of African football but also force other teams and the media “to give them more respect.”
Mazembe’s victory caps a big year for football on the continent, following South Africa’s successful hosting of the World Cup and the performance at the tournament of Ghana, which knocked the United States out to reach the quarterfinals.
“We are able to think creatively and it’s time to take us seriously and believe in abilities of Africans,” said N’Diaye, a former Senegal international who took over after Diego Garzitto left before the African Champions League semifinals.
“Today was an opportunity for these young players to show they can make a difference.”

Parma beats Fiorentina 2-1 in Italian Cup

PARMA, Italy (AP)—Hernan Crespo came off the bench to score twice in extra time as Parma beat Fiorentina 2-1 on Tuesday to reach the Italian Cup quarterfinals.
Mario Santana put Fiorentina ahead in the 114th minute, but Crespo equalized a minute later and the 35-year-old Argentine striker hit the winner in the 117th.

Both sides had chances to finish the game inside 90 minutes. In the first half, Sebastien Giovinco and Valeri Bojinov hit the post for Parma, while Fiorentina’s Khouma Babacar hit the bar.
After the break, Fiorentina’s Alessio Cerci and Marco Marchionni both went close while Parma’s Giovinco was denied by Fiorentina goalkeeper Vlada Avramov. Parma keeper Nicola Pavarini then made a double save from Adem Llajic and Babacar in the closing stages.

Bolton consider Al Habsi deal

Bolton Wanderers could be ready to sell goalkeeper Ali Al Habsi in the January transfer window.

Manager Owen Coyle has already acknowledged that he could be looking to strengthen his squad in January.

As such he may have to raise cash by offloading players and Al Habsi is very much a saleable asset.
The Omani international is currently on a season-long loan at Wigan, where he has been impressing with a string of excellent displays.
Indeed Al Habsi's presence at the DW Stadium has seen Chris Kirkland move on loan to Leicester in order to get regular first-team football.
It is understood a number of Premier League clubs are now keeping a close check on Al Habsi, which could prompt Wigan to make his move permanent in January.
"It's all hearsay at the moment," said Coyle. "But if a bid comes in we'll sit down with Ali and his advisors and look at it.
"We can't really talk about it until it happens. We know he's been playing well, but we knew he was a top goalkeeper when we loaned him out.
"He needed to play and it was a great deal business wise for the club and it allowed Ali to play Premier League matches as well as enabling us to promote Adam Bogdan, who is also an excellent keeper.
"It was a win-win situation for us. If a bid comes in January, we'll look at it, and do the right thing for the football club."

Fergie hits out at Allardyce sacking

Ferguson, who is close friends with Allardyce, joined the rest of the football world in being shocked by the announcement from the club's owners, Venky's, that Allardyce had been relieved of his duties despite Rovers sitting in 13th place in the league.
Speaking after Manchester United's 1-0 win over Arsenal, Ferguson attacked Venky's for the controversial decision.
Ferguson told Sky Sports 1: "He phoned me at 3.10pm today saying 'can I have a cup of tea tonight?' because he was coming to the game. Then he phones me at half past four and says 'I've been sacked'.
"I've never heard of such a stupid decision in all my life, it's absolutely ridiculous. I don't know what they're doing up there, but deary me. It confounds common sense to be honest with you. Absolutely ridiculous. I wouldn't like to follow him."

River end season on a high

River Plate finished in fourth place in Argentina's Apertura after a registering a convincing 4-1 victory at Lanus to end the season.
Eric Lamela gave the visitors a 28th minute lead and although Silvio Romero levelled from the penalty spot three minutes later, River Plate were too strong in the second half.
Adalberto Roman made it 2-1 six minutes after the break and Mariano Pavone converted a penalty two minutes later, before scoring again 15 minutes from time to seal a 4-1 win. A miserable day for Lanus was capped by the 83rd-minute dismissal of Santiago Hoyas.
Independiente slipped to the bottom of the table after a 1-0 defeat at Huracan, who previously held the position. Gullermo Roffes got the decisive breakthrough at the start of the second half.
Gimnasia La Plata picked up a point with a 1-1 draw at Boca Juniors - Juan Neira earning the strugglers a point with a 70th-minute effort which cancelled out Martin Palermo's fourth-minute opener for the hosts.
A third minute goal from Danilo Gerlo gave Quilmes a 1-0 win at Olimpo - their first away win of the season. The captain headed home a Gervasio Nunez free-kick and they held on to move above their opponents and into 16th place in the table, although Diego Galvon had a goal disallowed for the home side before being dismissed eight minutes from time.
In Monday's other Apertura match, Tigre and Argentinos Juniors drew 1-1, with Denis Straqualursi opening the scoring for Tigre with a penalty on the stroke of half-time - and substitute Ciro Rius equalising in the 62nd minute of a game which saw Tigre's Claudio Perez dismissed with 20 minutes remaining.
Estudiantes claimed the 2010 Apertura title on Sunday.

We've proven the doubters wrong: Culina

Newcastle coach Branko Culina feels his Jets have proven to the "doubters" they are bona fide A-League finals contenders.
The Jets have turned their season around after a shaky start and financial woes that at one stage put the future of the club in doubt.
They're now eying a finals berth sitting in sixth spot with two games in hand and a win against Gold Coast on Wednesday night will take them to fifth.
"Everyone doubted us early on in the season when we had a slow start and during all the problems with the ownership and everything," Culina told AAP on Wednesday.
"But we've done well but those people just don't take notice unless you're winning all the time.
"There are some clubs that win one match and everyone just jumps on the bandwagon and there are some clubs that have to do a bit more to get noticed.
"We're one of those clubs that needs to continuously do more before people start giving us a little bit of credit.
"But I'm not really worried what other people think. I never have been."
The Jets have posted a six-game unbeaten streak with a win over the second-placed Adelaide and a draw against top dogs Brisbane among the results.
Their run continued last weekend with a 10-man side stunning Melbourne Heart 2-0 after Jobe Wheelhouse was sent off in the seventh minute.
So Culina sees their match against the third-placed Gold Coast at EnergyAustralia Stadium on Wednesday night as a welcome challenge.
"Playing teams that are in form is the best measure of where you're at so we're looking forward to it.
"They're a good side, they've got a lot of great players so they're a solid unit and they've become very hard to beat.
"So it will be a good test for us tomorrow."
The Jets will be without Ruben Zadkovich and Ben Kantarovski, both out with injuries, while Wheelhouse is serving a two-match suspension.

Ligue 1: Lyon up to third after victory

First-half goals from Lisandro Lopez and Bafetimbi Gomis handed Lyon  a -2-o wen against Toulouse this afternoon which moved Les Gones up to third in the Ligue 1 table.

•European Gallery 

Lisandro grabbed the opener after five minutes and Gomis added a second 10 minutes before half-time as Claude Puel's men extended their unbeaten league run to 10 games to sit just two points behind leaders Lille.

St Etienne brought an end to their seven-match winless run to pile more pressure on Ligue 1 strugglers Monaco by beating them 2-0.

Goals from Laurent Batlles and Bakary Sako secured three welcome points for the visitors, who moved back into the top half of the standings as a result.

Monaco, however, remain one place above the drop zone with only goal difference keeping them ahead of Caen and Lens below them.

The evening game, between Bordeaux and Rennes, was adrab goalless draw

Utd stars on Arsenal threat

Manchester United players Chris Smalling and Nani talk about the threat of Arsenal before the two teams meet on Monday.