Championship round-up

West Brom got the better of Preston in a thriller, while Newcastle fought back for a point at Bristol City.

West Brom maintained their push for automatic promotion thanks to a 3-2 win over Preston at the Hawthorns.

Newcastle snatch a point away at Bristol City after two goals down.

Nottingham Forest kept up the pressure over the Baggies with a 1-0 victory over basement boys Peterborough courtesy of Rob Earnshaw's first-half goal.

James Harper's late goal earned Sheffield United a 1-1 draw with Doncaster in their South Yorkshire derby at the Keepmoat Stadium

Ipswich eased their relegation fears with a 1-0 win over Barnsley

Swansea had their promotion hopes checked after being held to a 1-1 draw by QPR at Loftus Road.

Blackpool came from two goals down to secure a 2-2 draw with Crystal Palace

Scunthorpe climbed out of the bottom three with a 2-1 win over fellow strugglers Plymouth

Middlesbrough's promotion hopes suffered a blow after they were held a 1-1 draw at home to Reading.

Sheffield Wednesday and Derby shared the points after a goalless draw at Hillsborough

Newcastle moved eight points clear at the top

Newcastle relocated eight points bright at the top of the Championship as Neil Warnock's QPR defeated West Brom and Nottingham Forest left it behindhand to strike Swansea.

Newcastle connected their advance appear an burning acknowledgment to the Premier League with a 6-1 on 10-man Barnsley, who had goalkeeper Luke Steele absolved afore the break.

Nottingham Forest connected their almanac City Ground acceptable run to 10 matches but left it horribly behindhand to see off Swansea as Luke Chambers hit at the afterlife to lift Billy Davies' men aback into second.

Neil Warnock enjoyed a auspicious begin to his career as QPR administrator with an absorbing 3-1 achievement at home to West Brom, with goals in the first 18 minutes from Jay Simpson and Matthew Connolly ambience the Rs on their way.

Warnock's backup at Crystal Palace, Paul Hart, aswell had a admission to bethink as his relegation-threatened ancillary saw off inconsistent Sheffield United 1-0 at Selhurst Park with Alan Lee award the net.

Nigel Pearson did not accept a blessed acknowledgment to Hillsborough as Leicester were put to the brand as Sheffield Wednesday airtight their three-game accident band with a 2-0 success address of Leon Clarke's brace.

Five-star Doncaster formed hapless Bristol City at Ashton Gate with Billy Sharp and Jay Emmanuel-Thomas bagging a brace apiece in a six-goal first half. The Robins' Bradley Orr hit three times, but his final accomplishment went into his own net.

Cardiff circumscribed their position in sixth with a 1-0 home celebration on play-off block Middlesbrough as Jay Bothroyd's third-minute ambition accepted decisive.

Peterborough were pushed addition footfall afterpiece to an actual acknowledgment to League One as Coventry connected their play-off advance acknowledgment to on-loan striker Jon Stead's aloof first-half effort.

Stead's ancestor club Ipswich abide in assignment crisis afterwards their 1-0 defeat at Blackpool, with Jason Euell scoring the alone ambition of the match for Ian Holloway's top-six hopefuls in the 54th minute.

Plymouth are now seven points from assurance afterward their 1-1 Home Park draw with Preston North End, area Sean St Ledger's opener was annulled out by Damien Johnson's second-half penalty.

Derby relocated over Watford in the bottom part of the table as goals in either parts from Michael Tonge and Chris Porter claimed all three points for the Rams.

Macclesfield bossKeith Alexander dies

Macclesfield Town manager Keith Alexander has died at home at the age of 53, the club have announced.

A statement from the club said on Wednesday: "It is our sad duty to report that Keith Alexander passed away today after arriving home from Macclesfield Town's game at Notts County last night.

"Keith was a splendid man. He will be sorely missed at the Moss Rose and by everyone involved in football.

"Our thoughts and sympathies are with his family at this very difficult time."

Alexander played as a striker for Barnet, Grimsby, Stockport, Lincoln and Mansfield and took over as Lincoln manager for the first time in 1993.

After spells with Ilkeston and Northwich, he returned to Sincil Bank in 2002 with the club in administration and on the verge of folding, leading the club to four successive League Two play-off campaigns - the only manager to achieve that feat.

Macclesfield chairman Mike Rance led the tributes to Alexander, saying: "We're all absolutely devastated.

Macclesfield are set to play Hereford on Saturday but that match may now not go ahead, with Rance stating that he has already spoken to Hereford boss Graham Turner.

Assistant manager Gary Simpson added:

"He was a larger than life character - an honest man, a splendid man and will be missed by not only football people but people in all walks of life.

"He was an absolutely superb human being."

Championship round up Report

Newcastle extend lead at the top as West Brom climb above Forest

Newcastle's lead was extended as Nottingham Forest suffered a 3-0 defeat at Leicester in the East Midlands derby.

West Brom took the chance to move back above Forest into second as they came from behind to beat Derby 3-1 at the Hawthorns.

Swansea stay fourth as they beat bottom-of-the-table Peterborough 1-0 at the Liberty Stadium.

Cardiff remain in sixth, but they are now adrift of the top five after they were well beaten 3-0 at Preston North End.

Blackpool missed the chance to move back into the play-off places as they were beaten 1-0 at Barnsley.

Sheffield United got their push for the play-offs back on track as they claimed a hard fought 4-3 victory over second-from-bottom Plymouth.

Middlesbrough claimed their third successive home victory with a 2-0 win over Queens Park Rangers at the Riverside.

Coventry closed to within four points of the play-off places as they claimed a 2-1 win over Scunthorpe at the Ricoh Arena.

Reading returned to winning ways in emphatic style as they beat Sheffield Wednesday 5-0 at the Madjeski Stadium

Wednesday's loss saw them drop back into the bottom-three as Crystal Palace climbed out of the relegation places after a 1-1 draw at Doncaster.

Ipswich and Bristol City played out a goalless draw at Portman Road.

Championship round-up

Newcastle moved back to the top of the Championship after drawing at Swansea, while Nottingham Forest lost at Doncaster and Leicester hit five

Newcastle inch back to the summit after a 1-1 draw at play-off chasing Swansea, who had taken the lead through David Cotterill.

Forest slipped to a third successive away defeat in the Championship as Billy Sharp's 12th goal of the season for Doncaster earned Rovers a 1-0 win at the Keepmoat Stadium.

Paul Gallagher fired a hat-trick as Leicester demolished Scunthorpe United 5-1 at the Walkers Stadium, with four of the goals arriving in the first half.

Middlesbrough stretched their unbeaten run to six games as Barry Robson's first goal for the club clinched a 1-0 success at home to Peterborough.

Plymouth overturned a half-time deficit at Barnsley to run out 3-1 winners, with Carl Fletcher, Jamie Mackie and Rory Fallon scoring in the space of 19 second-half minutes.

Sheffield United ended a run of four games without a win as second-half goals from Henri Camara and Darius Henderson saw off out-of-form Bristol City 2-0 at Bramall Lane.

Gary Deegan's first goal for Coventry secured a 1-0 triumph at home to Queens Park Rangers, who have now won just once in their last 14 league games.

Local rivals Preston and Blackpool drew for the second time this season following a 0-0 stalemate at Deepdale.

Sven-Goran Eriksson quits Notts County

A spokesman for Ray Trew has confirmed that the former Lincoln City chairman is the new owner of League Two outfit Notts County. New chief executive says Sven-Goran Eriksson has quit the English club.

Jim Rodwell told that the former England coach has "resigned his position today as director of football" following a takeover at the club.

"I am absolutely certain I can do something with this club. But I might upset a few fans. The problem with this club is that it has been living beyond its means and that cannot go on.

"We have to build a club here that is secure for the future generations and that means we will have to make some serious decisions.", Rodwell added

Eriksson joined Notts County in July with the aim of taking the club back to the topflight for the first time since 1991.

There is no comment yet from Ericsson

Crystal Palace put for sale

The administrators in charge of Crystal Palace have taken out an advert in today's Financial Times in a bid to sell the Coca-Cola Championship club.

The P&A Partnership are offering buyers the chance to own 'a long-established south London club' who are 'currently enjoying success in the FA Cup'.

Owner Simon Jordan has been trying to sell since July 2008, but the Eagles slid into administration a fortnight ago with debts upwards of £30million and have been deducted 10 points by the Football League.



On the pitch they have won their last three matches to ease clear of the relegation zone and secure a lucrative FA Cup fifth-round tie at home to Aston Villa on Sunday.

P&A appointed the Wasserman Media Group, who were responsible for the infamous Michael Owen brochure last summer, to seek buyers for players last month.

Teenage forward Victor Moses' £2.5million move to Wigan provided a short-term lifeline and the next step is to find a buyer for the club itself.

The advert reads: 'The sale of the football club and its associated assets presents an opportunity to acquire a long-established south London club (founded in 1905) currently playing in the Championship division of the Football League and currently enjoying success in the FA Cup (next match against Aston Villa in the fifth round).'
Neil Warnock's side are currently 16th in the table, four points clear of the bottom three and nine adrift of the play-offs, and host Swansea at Selhurst Park tonight.

Championship round-up

West Bromwich Albion closed to within two points of second with victory over Sheffield United, as Nottingham Forest lost the East Midlands derby at Pride Park.

West Brom grabbed victory at The Hawthorns with a comfortable 3-1 win over Sheffield United.

Graham Dorrans' penalty put the Baggies ahead early on, before Roman Bednar doubled their lead before the break.

A Darius Henderson spot-kick gave the away side some hope, but that did not last long as Jerome Thomas fired home to seal a comfortable win for Robert Di Matteo's side.

Nottingham Forest lost their unbeaten away record as they went down 1-0 to Derby in the East Midlands derby at Pride Park.

The only goal of the game arrived with just 12-minutes remaining and it was Rob Hulse who rose highest to head home a Kris Commons free-kick.

Leaders Newcastle were held to a goalless draw by Leicester at the Walkers Stadium in the day's late game but they remain four points clear of Forest.

Cardiff City left it late against Doncaster to claim a 2-1 home win.

The Bluebirds went ahead as Michael Chopra fired home after just nine minutes, but Gareth Roberts grabbed an equaliser on 65 minutes.

But just as Rovers looked set to claim a point, Jay Bothroyd struck for home side.

Swansea City remain in fifth as their game at Watford was postponed.

Coventry had to come from behind against ten-man Blackpool at the Ricoh Arena to claim a 1-1 draw.

Brett Ormerod was sent off for violent conduct, but that did not stop Barry Bannan giving Ian Holloway's men the lead - but they could not hang on as Alex Baptiste put through his own goal.

Gordon Strachan's Middlesbrough continue to struggle at home as they were held to a goalless draw by Bristol City. Boro also had Barry Robson sent-off on his first appearance at The Riverside Stadium.

Danny Welbeck scored on his league debut for Preston as they secured a 2-0 win over Ipswich Town at Deepdale.

Neill Collins had given North End the lead just after the hour, before Welbeck chipped home a second.

Scunthorpe United claimed an excellent 1-0 win at Queens Park Rangers. The only goal of the game coming via Garry Thompson with just 16 minutes left.

Sheffield Wednesday came from behind to grab a 2-1 win over Plymouth at Hillsborough.

Rory Fallon put Argyle ahead, but their lead lasted less than a minute as Luke Varney levelled.

Varney was then the hero for the home side again as he fired home the winner just before the break.

Plymouth are now second from bottom as Reading moved above them courtesy of a 1-0 win over Barnsley.

The only goal of the game at the Madejski Stadium came from Shane Long on the half-hour.

Due to their ten point deduction for going into administration, Crystal Palace have been sunk into a relegation battle - but they shrugged off their financial problems with a 2-0 win over bottom of the table Peterborough United.

A goal in each half from Neil Danns gave Neil Warnock's men all three points.

Championship round-up

Nottingham Forest boosted their promotion ambitions with another win as Alan Irvine and Darren Ferguson had contrasting starts in their new jobs.

Swansea City boosted their play-off ambitions as local rivals Cardiff City drew away from home and Mick Harford started his tenure as Queens Park Rangers' caretaker boss with an away point.

Sheffield United and Crystal Palace also enhanced their prospects of finishing in the top six, while Ipswich Town snatched a thrilling win at home to Coventry City.

Derby County claimed a much-needed three points away to nine-man Peterborough United and Watford are still searching for a first away win since October after losing at Doncaster Rovers.

Forest made it 18 games unbeaten in the Championship after a 2-1 triumph at home to Reading as Nicky Shorey was sent off against his former club.

Ferguson's first game as Preston North End manager ended in disappointment after Bristol City cruised to a 4-2 victory at Ashton Gate.

Jermaine Johnson ensured it was a happy start to his tenure for Irvine as Sheffield Wednesday won for the first time in 12 league games after a 2-1 success at local rivals Barnsley.

QPR twice came from behind to deny Blackpool manager Ian Holloway victory against his old club following a 2-2 draw at Bloomfield Road.

Gorka Pintado's first goal since March last year moved Swansea up to fourth spot in the table after a 1-0 win at home to play-off rivals Leicester City.

Doncaster responded to Sean O'Driscoll staying on as manager by holding on for a 2-1 win over Watford at the Keepmoat Stadium.

Richard Cresswell scored for the third game in a row as his second-half effort was enough to earn Sheffield United a 1-0 win at home to Middlesbrough.

Pablo Counago poached an injury-time winner as Ipswich beat Coventry 3-2 after Richard Wood's stoppage-time own goal appeared to have earned the visitors a draw.

Cardiff maintained their spot in the play-off places after coming from behind to draw 1-1 away to Scunthorpe United.

The in-demand Victor Moses was Palace's hero as he struck the only goal of the game in the first half in a 1-0 win at lowly Plymouth.

Derby claimed a first Championship win in five games after taking advantage of Peterborough having two men sent off in the first half to prevail 3-0 at London Road.

Forest moved up to second place

Nottingham Forest moved up to second place in the Championship with a 3-1 win over fellow promotion hopefuls West Brom at The Hawthorns.

Dexter Blackstock, Radoslaw Majewski and Chris Cohen did the damage for the Reds, as they stretched their unbeaten run in the league to 17 games, while Roman Bednar grabbed the Baggies' consolation.

A cagey opening saw both sides trade blows without landing anything close to resembling a knockout blow.

It was, however, Forest who settled quickest and they edged ahead after 18 minutes when Blackstock beat debutant Gabriel Tamas to a swinging corner from the left and volleyed home off the inside of a post.

West Brom looked rattled thereafter, while Forest flourished, and they were booed from the field at the interval after giving those who had braved the big freeze little to get excited about.

Things got little better for the hosts after the interval, with Forest wrapping the points up inside 11 minutes.

First Majewski crashed home an unstoppable volley on 53 minutes, with the underside of the crossbar rattled on the way in.

Then, three minutes later, Cohen sent the away support into dreamland as he drilled into the bottom corner from the edge of the box.

Bednar did pull one back for the Baggies on 64 minutes, and Roberto Di Matteo's men did force plenty of pressure late on, but it was all too little too late.

Football League action has been decimated

Four matches in the Championship have fallen foul of the cold snap and Leagues One and Two have been even harder hit, with only three of the 24 scheduled fixtures surviving inspections on Thursday.

The Championship basement battle between Sheffield Wednesday and Peterborough is one of the biggest casualties, along with Watford v Sheffield United, Preston v Doncaster and Reading v Newcastle.

The pitch at Hillsborough was protected by undersoil heating but areas immediately surrounding the ground were covered in a thick blanket of snow, rendering roads and pavements in the vicinity treacherous.

Wednesday chief executive Nick Parker said: "It is highly unlikely these areas could be cleared to the extent that would allow fans to come to the game and be guaranteed of their safety."

Watford head of operations Glyn Evans said: "We'd made great efforts to make sure the pitch was in good condition but, with freezing temperatures forecast for the area overnight and Friday, this was a clear-cut decision to have to make concerning our supporters."

Birmingham say they are "extremely confident" Saturday's game against Manchester United will go ahead.

Burnley are making every effort to ensure their Premier League match against Stoke goes ahead at Turf Moor.

A spokesperson said: "The pitch has undersoil heating and is currently playable, however our main concerns in terms of spectator safety are the surrounding streets."

A decision will be made on Friday on whether Sunderland's Premier League home clash with Bolton on Saturday can go ahead.

The city's Safety Advisory Group called an extraordinary meeting on Thursday to discuss the implications of the ongoing wintry conditions gripping much of the country.

The group, which comprises representatives of Sunderland City Council, police, ambulance and fire services as well as the club, will meet again on Friday, with weather forecasts suggesting that conditions will worsen over the weekend.

Group chairman Ken Scott, of Sunderland City Council, said: "It is too soon at this stage to make a definitive decision regarding the status of the match.

"However another meeting will take place tomorrow after which we will make a further announcement.

"In the meantime, we will continue to monitor the weather conditions and associated safety issues."

In League One, only the fixtures at Leeds and Norwich are still hoping to survive the wintry blast, while Northampton v Chesterfield is the last game currently standing in League Two.

The big freeze has also wreaked havoc with the fourth round of the Scottish Cup.

The Morton v Celtic and Kilmarnock v Falkirk ties were called off on Wednesday and seven more followed on Thursday, meaning just seven of the 16 matches remain.

Postponed games: Championship: Preston v Doncaster, Reading v Newcastle, Sheffield Wednesday v Peterborough, Watford v Sheff Utd.

League One: Brighton v Brentford, Bristol Rovers v Stockport, Carlisle v Millwall, Charlton v Hartlepool, Gillingham v Tranmere, MK Dons v Swindon, Oldham v Leyton Orient, Southampton v Huddersfield, Southend v Walsall, Yeovil v Colchester.

League Two: Aldershot v Rochdale, Bury v Darlington, Cheltenham v Hereford, Crewe v Grimsby, Lincoln City v Accrington Stanley, Morecambe v Burton, Notts County v Macclesfield, Port Vale v Bradford, Rotherham v Bournemouth, Shrewsbury v Barnet, Torquay v Dagenham & Redbridge.

Scottish Cup Fourth Round: Ayr v Brechin, Albion v Stirling, Edinburgh City v Montrose, Forfar v St Johnstone, Inverness CT v Motherwell, Kilmarnock v Falkirk, Livingston v Dundee, Morton v Celtic, Raith v Airdrie Utd, Ross County v Inverurie Loco Works.

Boxing Day - Championship round-up

SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY scored for the first time since NOVEMBER to hold runaway leaders Newcastle.

The Magpies fell behind in the 14th minute to Luke Varney's header — Wednesday's first goal since November 7.


A Kevin Nolan header and a goal from Shola Ameobi had United in front halfway through the first term.


But James O'Connor snatched a point for the Owls in the 59th minute when he made it 2-2 from six yards.


Cardiff missed the chance to make up ground on the leaders in a dramatic 1-0 defeat at home to Plymouth.


Gary Sawyer's goal decided the game in the 84th minute.


Nottingham Forest had to settle for a goalless draw at Watford, their ninth draw on the road this season.


Crystal Palace came from behind to beat 10-man Ipswich 3-1 at Selhurst Park.


Jaime Peters put Town ahead in the 19th minute, but Jose Fonte levelled in the 38th minute.


Jonathan Stead was given a straight red card a minute later for a late challenge on Freddie Sears.


Neil Danns put the Eagles ahead in the 58th minute and Victor Moses sealed the points in added time.


QPR ran out 2-1 winners over Bristol City thanks to goals from Jay Simpson (31) and Mikele Leigertwood (40), with Nicky Maynard (57) replying for City.


Preston's match against Barnsley at Deepdale was called off because areas around the ground were deemed unsafe.


Gordon Strachan finally tasted his first home win in charge of Middlesbrough as they brushed aside 10-man Scunthorpe 3-0.


The visitors were always up against it from the moment Cliff Byrne was sent off for bringing down Jeremie Aliadiere in the area.


Adam Johnson slotted home from the spot to give Boro an 11th-minute lead.


Rhys Williams added a second in the 45th minute and Aliadiere a third a minute after the break.


But the match ended on a sour note for Boro as Leroy Lita was shown a straight red card for foul and abusive language in the 89th minute.

West Brom closed the gap on Newcastle as Luke Moore's 61st-minute goal set them on their way to a 2-0 home win over Peterborough.


Ryan Bennett's own goal in the 67th minute resigned Posh to the foot of the table.


Swansea were held to a 1-1 draw at Reading, Gylfi Sigurdsson's free-kick on the stroke of half-time cancelling out Darren Pratley's opener for the Swans.


Jake Buxton's 38th-minute own goal and a Brett Ormerod strike (79) earned play-off hopefuls Blackpool a 2-0 win at Derby, who ended the match with 10 men following Dean Moxey's 85th-minute red card.

Clinton Morrison converted an 85th-minute penalty to give Coventry a 1-0 win at home to Doncaster.

Top 10 sporting moments of 2009

Didier Drogba's live TV rant

"It's a f***king disgrace!" Wild-eyed and wagging an accusatory finger, this was the moment the Chelsea striker lost the plot completely - and kept millions of television viewers entertained well after the final whistle. A rather frustrated Drogba had been incensed by referee Tom Henning Ovrebo's failure to award Chelsea any one of four decent penalty appeals in a thrilling Champions League semi-final defeat to eventual winners Barcelona. He was slapped with a six-game ban and shamefully, the game will be remembered for his rant, rather than a superb late equaliser by Andres Iniesta that settled the tie.

Manny Pacquiao's left hook floors Ricky Hatton

Ricky Hatton travelled to Las Vegas in May with high hopes of an upset in his IBO light-welterweight world title fight at the MGM Grand. In reality, he lasted just two rounds, succumbing to an imperious left hook of such immense power that he ended the night in hospital. Hatton had already been knocked down twice in the first round before Pacquiao's huge left pole-axed the Mancunian fighter, who was counted out with one second remaining in the round. Defeat cast serious doubts over Hatton's future in the ring, while victory for Pacquiao confirmed the Filipino's status as the number one pound-for-pound fighter in the world.

Usain Bolt's golden double

The greatest sprinter of all time? That is still open to debate, but the Jamaican's incredible performance at the World Championships confirmed his status as the fastest man on the planet. 'Lightning' Bolt claimed 100m gold in 9.58 seconds in Berlin, stretching those long legs of his to smash his own previous world record with apparent ease. For good measure, the Jamaican went on to win the 200m by a country mile - and break another of his own records.

Tom Williams fakes injury

A bloody mouth and a knowing wink during Harlequins' Heineken Cup quarter-final against Leinster in April seemed innocuous enough at the time, but when Tom Williams was later outed as a cheat, the rugby world was shocked to its core. Williams, on orders from his club, had faked the injury by biting into a blood capsule bought earlier at a south London joke shop. But this was no laughing matter and the ensuing investigation found Williams guilty, sentencing him to a six-month suspension, while Quins' director of rugby Dean Richards was handed a hefty three-year ban from all rugby. The careers of the club's then-medical team have also been put in jeopardy.

Andrew Flintoff runs out Ricky Ponting

Unlike 2005, England's talisman failed to set alight this year's Ashes series - it was always going to be difficult considering the injuries he was carrying - but one brilliant cameo in his final Test stood out. At 217-2, with Australia threatening to get back into the game, Mike Hussey pushed to the onside and called a single. But he had not counted on Flintoff, who scooped up the ball and threw down the stumps in one glorious movement to run out Ponting and set England on their way to a series-clinching victory. Cue Fred's now famous celebration, legs wide apart, arms in the air, smile on his face and chewing gum.

Rafa Nadal's reign ends at Roland Garros

Nadal, the undisputed king of Roland Garros who had never lost in Paris going into the fourth-round encounter with unfancied Robin Soderling, was brought down to earth with a bump in one of the great tennis upsets of all time. The world number one's incredible 31-match winning run at the tournament was ended by the 23rd seeded Swede, who played the game of his life to win 6-2 6-7 (2-7) 6-4 7-6 (7-2). Nadal has since slipped to number two in the world rankings, while Soderling beat him for a second time this year at the ATP World Tour Finals in London.

Denis Menchov slips on the cobbles

Three weeks and 2,146 miles of cycling had been and gone before Menchov served up the most dramatic ending to the race with just 900 yards to go. The overall leader was in sight of the finish line at Rome's Colosseum in the final individual time trial, but as he closed in on securing a famous victory his bike skidded on the rain-slicked cobblestones and he tumbled to the floor. Cue a moment of sheer panic as the thought of falling at the last no doubt entered the Russian's mind. But he held it together to jump on to a spare bike and gingerly complete the course, still 41 seconds ahead of nearest rival Daniele Di Luca.

Felipe Massa's horror crash

The inherent danger of Formula One was brought into sharp focus once again at the Hungarian Grand Prix in July when Ferrari driver Massa was struck on the head by a bouncing suspension spring from Rubens Barrichello's car. Massa veered into a crash barrier before being airlifted to hospital in Budapest where he underwent surgery to his left eye. His condition was described as life-threatening but stable. Fortunately Massa has since recovered and is expected to continue racing, but the damage sustained to his helmet served as a poignant reminder of the risks drivers face on the track.

Thierry Henry's handball

Rarely has a sporting superstar experienced a more spectacular fall from grace or rapid decline in popularity than the France striker following his blatant handball during the World Cup qualifying play-off against the Republic of Ireland. Against the odds, the Irish had scored at the Stade de France, forcing extra-time, but with penalties on the horizon, Henry controlled a cross with his hand, twice for good measure, before setting up William Gallas to net the decisive goal. It was over in a split second, but the fallout lasted weeks with Henry widely branded a cheat and the Irish FA unsuccessfully asking for a replay and then for a place at the World Cup as a 33rd team.

Tom Watson falls to pieces

After four amazing days at Turnberry, the unthinkable seemed about to happen: Tom Watson, at the age of 59, was about to win a record-equalling sixth Open Championship. But when his good-looking approach to the final green ran just through the back the veteran yipped unmistakably, ending up in a tie with Stewart Cink. The magic spell that had been cast over the week was shattered as Watson collapsed in the play-off, and sport was robbed of perhaps its greatest fairytale of all time.
Eurosport

Watford saved from administration threat

Watford have been saved from the threat of administration after majority shareholder Lord Ashcroft agreed to pay former chairman Jimmy Russo an immediate £4.88million.

Russo had threatened to put the club into administration after demanding immediate repayment of the loans he made to the Championship club prior to resigning from the board on Tuesday.

He rejected an initial proposal to defer the payment as part of a £7.5million rights issue tabled by Lord Ashcroft.

However, the two parties have now come to an agreement which will avoid the threat of administration and a 10-point penalty being imposed on the club.

"I'm relieved to have all this sorted out but it's disappointing it has taken so long," Russo told BBC Radio 5 live.

"It has rescued the club and it is good for the club and I'm delighted. I didn't want to put them into administration.

"I wish the football club all the best and they have got a good future."

Meanwhile, the rights issue spearheaded by Lord Ashcroft will now go-ahead which will secure the future of the club until the end of the season.

Championship round-up

Paul Hart kicked off his Queens Park Rangers regime with a 1-1 draw at home to Sheffield United, while Swansea's bid for promotion gathers pace and Billy Sharp keeps on scoring.

At Loftus Road, Hart enjoyed the perfect start when QPR midfielder Mikele Leigertwood opened the scoring against Sheffield United in just the second minute.

It proved to be a false dawn though as the Blades hit back before the break courtesy of Richard Cresswell's leveller.

Doncaster Rovers' on-loan striker Sharp is the division's sharpest marksman of late and he was at it again at Derby as his 21st minute goal put them on their way.

A fourth successive win in the Championship was rubber-stamped in the last minute when James Coppinger exposed some weak defending to make it 2-0.

Barnsley are a side on the up and they took the lead at Crystal Palace thanks to Daniel Bogdanovic's 19th minute strike. The Eagles needed just six minutes of the second half to find a leveller as the sought-after Victor Moses reminded visiting scouts of his potential.

Peterborough took an early lead at home to Watford as Lee Frecklington struck, before John Eustace levelled for the troubled Hornets after half-time.

It was the Posh who took the points though as Exodus Geohaghon delighted the London Road faithful with a winner on 78 minutes.

In-form Freddy Eastwood condemned new Plymouth boss Paul Mariner to his second defeat from as many games as Coventry claimed three points from Home Park.

Managerless Sheffield Wednesday started life without Brian Laws as they ended it - in defeat. Promotion candidates Swansea continue to impress as the in-form Darren Pratley broke from midfield twice in the first half to secure a 2-0 win at Hillsborough.

Reading are another club with managerial issues but they fared better in grabbing a last-gasp 1-1 draw at Ashton Gate. Bristol City midfielder Paul Hartley was the man on the spot as his penalty on 13 minutes gave the Robins a lead they held onto until stoppage time.

In the game's dying embers substitute Simon Church's neat near-post finish rescued a point for the Royals. Church's delight was tempered somewhat as he was shown a second yellow card for celebrating his goal by taking his shirt off.

Di Matteo frustrated after spoils shared with QPR

West Brom manager Roberto Di Matteo said his side deserved a point after they came from two goals down to snatch a 2-2 draw with QPR.

Di Matteo's men could have gone within five points of league-leaders Newcastle but they were held by the R's, who were playing their first match since manager Jim Magilton was suspended by the club.

Jonas Olsson headed past his own keeper to hand Rangers the lead, before Kaspars Gorkss nodded his side two goals up.

The home side rallied and Jerome Thomas pulled a goal back, before Simon Cox pounced in the last minute of injury-time to snatch a point.

And the Baggies boss felt his side were worthy of at least a draw after they were on top for long spells of the game.

QPR's temporary management duo of Mark Bircham and Steve Gallen set their stall out to frustrate their high-flying opponents, and Di Matteo admitted the tactics caused his side problems.

"I think it would have been harsh on us if we'd have lost this game because for long periods of the game I thought we were the better side and created more chances," he told Sky Sports.

"They sat behind the ball with ten men. Every team that comes here, they make it so difficult. It's difficult for us to break it down - you've got a bank of four, a bank of five and one striker up front.

"They went 2-0 up from set pieces really and when we got one back I thought we were still in the game.

"It's a shame the equaliser came so late because maybe we could have pushed on from there as well."

Rangers had chances of their own to increase their lead, but they were frustrated by the excellence of goalkeeper Dean Kiely.

The veteran stopper - making his first league start of the season - made two excellent saves to keep his side in the match.

First he tipped Adel Taarabt's fierce drive onto the cross bar, before turning Wayne Routledge's goal bound shot round the post.

Di Matteo acknowledged his keeper's heroics, adding: "He made some great save to keep us in the game. He's got experience to help us through this."

West Brom remain in second and the draw opens up a three-point gap over third place Cardiff.

The manager remained optimistic about his side's promotion chances, even though he was disappointed to have only drawn.

He said: "The table doesn't lie. You're as good as the table says. At the moment that's how good we are."

Earnie treble fires five-star Forest

Robert Earnshaw hit a hat-trick as Nottingham Forest climbed to third in the Championship with a 5-1 thrashing of Leicester at the City Ground.

An Earnshaw double put Forest in control at the break and the Wales international completed his hat-trick at the start of the second half with his fifth goal in his last three matches.

Paul Anderson made it 4-0 after 54 minutes before Martyn Waghorn pulled a goal back for Leicester from the penalty spot 10 minutes later.

Substitute Dele Adebola completed the rout 13 minutes from time to stretch Forest's unbeaten league run to 11 matches.

The victory saw Billy Davies' side leapfrog Leicester in the table and leave the Foxes still looking for their first win at the City Ground since January 1972.

Chris Cohen returned from suspension to replace Garath McCleary in the Reds' starting line-up. It was the only change made by Davies following last weekend's equally rampant 4-1 home victory over Doncaster.

Leicester manager Nigel Pearson also made one change, restoring captain Matt Oakley to the side at the expense of Paul Gallacher.

Forest began brightly and went ahead through a brilliantly worked goal.

Dexter Blackstock played a one-two with Earnshaw who continued his run into the box and fired a shot into the bottom corner from 12 yards when his strike partner picked him out again from the right-hand side.

Anderson forced a parrying save from Chris Weale midway through the first half as Forest continued to overpower the visitors.

Yann Kermorgant headed tamely at Lee Camp and it was the French forward's final contribution before Pearson replaced him with Steve Howard in the 28th minute in the hope that the burly striker would hold the ball up better and help City retain possession.

But it did not work. Four minutes later Forest doubled their advantage and it was Earnshaw who was on target again.

Cohen's shot into a crowded penalty area fell to Earnshaw and he showed great composure to lift the ball over Weale from eight yards out.

Leicester emerged after the break with renewed vigour but shot themselves in the foot just four minutes into the second half.

Jack Hobbs' loose pass to fellow centre-half Wayne Brown was pounced upon by Earnshaw who completed his hat-trick in emphatic fashion by firing the ball into the top corner from the edge of the box.

Things got worse for City five minutes later following another defensive error when Brown was caught out of position in the middle of the pitch.

Blackstock attacked the space behind him but over-ran the ball as he tried to take it round Weale.

However Anderson, who was on the books at Leicester as a youngster, was on hand to turn the ball home from a tight angle.

Blackstock then forced Weale into another parrying save a minute later.

Leicester pulled a goal back in the 64th minute when Wes Morgan was adjudged to have handled Richie Wellens' shot. On-loan Sunderland striker Waghorn converted the resulting spot-kick.

The goal failed to breathe any life into City and Forest continued to create chances. Adebola should have scored but headed over the crossbar from six yards before Earnshaw shot wide.

But Adebola did get on the scoresheet in the 77th minute. Fellow substitute McCleary collected a loose ball in midfield and was allowed to advance to the edge of the box where his low shot forced a save from Weale. Adebola was on hand to finish off the rebound.
Teamtalk

Pearson considering contract offer

Derby midfielder Stephen Pearson is weighing up his options after being offered a new deal at Pride Park.

Rams boss Nigel Clough has admitted the club are in talks with the Scotland international about fresh terms with his current contract due to expire in the summer.

Clough is hopeful of agreeing a new contract with Pearson, but the player's agent, Willie McKay, has revealed the 27-year-old is considering all his options with other clubs keeping tabs on Pearson's situation.

"Stephen is a free agent in June and obviously some clubs have spoken to me to ask about his situation," McKay told sky sports.

"There has been some dialogue with Derby and they have offered him a new one-year deal.

"Stephen has been unlucky with injuries at Derby, but he has a wealth of experience having played in the Champions League for Celtic and the Premier League for Derby.

"Stephen is keen to secure his long-term future and we are waiting to see if that will be with Derby or another club."

Holloway - A missed opportunity

Ian Holloway was left to rue a missed opportunity after Blackpool were held to a 1-1 draw at home by Lancashire rivals Preston North End.

Billy Clarke gave Blackpool a dream start by scoring after just 22 seconds, but Ross Wallace's free-kick before half-time earned Preston a point.

Though the result maintains the Seasiders' unbeaten record at Bloomfield Road this season, Holloway felt his team had enough chances to secure a win which would have lifted his side up to fourth in the table.

The Blackpool boss was also disappointed with the award of the free-kick which led to Preston's equaliser, feeling there was a foul on one of his players earlier in the move.

"On the balance of play I think so," Holloway told Sky Sports when asked if it was a missed opportunity.

"It's very disappointing, they scored a fantastic free-kick, but I felt my centre-half just in the move before that was blatantly fouled, and the free-kick the ref gave I couldn't see anything in it.

"You can't afford to miss chances like we did. We created a few and missed a few."

Clarke praise
Holloway also praised promising striker Clarke, who was scoring for just the second time since joining the club from Ipswich Town last summer.

"He's been absolutely electric, he was very unlucky last week and he deserved his man of the match," added the Blackpool chief.

"He's growing all the time in his belief in his self. It was a fantastic strike and he does that day in, day out in training, so well done."

The match was Holloway's first taste of a Lancashire derby and he paid tribute to the Preston fans for their part in the minute's applause to respect the recent passing of Ray Charnley, who played for both clubs.

Holloway said: "That's what these people are like up here. There was fantastic respect from the Preston fans for our player who passed away.

"That's what sport's all about. You're a credit to your football club."

Irvine content with draw

Preston boss Alan Irvine was content to come away with a point after the draw with Blackpool at Bloomfield Road.

The visitors recovered from the shock of conceding to Billy Clarke in the very first minute to earn a point courtesy of Ross Wallace's superb free-kick.

Irvine described himself as happy with the result against high-flying Blackpool.

"I think for us to come back in a derby match at a very, very difficult place this season after the start we had was a good performance by us and a result we would be happy with," Irvine told Sky Sports 1.

Quality
Irvine singled out Wallace for special praise as the Scottish midfielder marked his return to the side with a trademark free-kick.

"Well you can see the quality he has got, you asked me before the game was it good to have him back and there is the answer," added Irvine.

"He has terrific quality, he is a creator of goals for us and a scorer of goals and that was another exceptional free-kick."

Irvine also defended Wallace for his goal celebration after a Blackpool steward was injured as the Preston star ran towards the visiting fans to celebrate.

"I think there is a very fine line - he has just scored a fantastic free-kick in a derby match and he is going to get excited abut it," noted Irvine.

"He ran over to the fans, I don't think what he did was a terrible thing. I think we have seen worse than that in games .

"I can understand why he got booked, I can understand the reaction of our fans as well and I am really sorry the steward got injured and I hope he is okay."