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City to contest Adebayor charge

Author: Lynda Collins
Date: 20/09/2009
Football betting

Manchester City will contest the FA charge of improper conduct handed to Emmanuel Adebayor for his goal celebrations against former club Arsenal last weekend.

The striker raced almost the whole length of the Eastlands pitch to celebrate in front of the Gunners fans, who he felt had gone too far in barracking one of their former heroes.

Will Manchester City be able to cope with Emmanuel Adebayor's absence and beat rivals United on Sunday? - Latest Football Betting

Meanwhile, Argentina striker Lionel Messi has signed a new seven-year contract that ties him to European champions Barcelona until the summer of 2016.

The 22-year-old has been at the Camp Nou since 2001 and his new deal includes a buyout clause of 250million euros.

Fulham left-back Paul Konchesky is set to see a specialist about his ongoing problems with a knee injury.

The 28-year-old may need surgery on the problem, which has troubled him since the tail-end of last season.

Meanwhile, Cottagers manager Roy Hodgson remains confident that key central defender Brede Hangeland will soon sign an extended contract with the club.

The 28-year-old Norway international was strongly linked with a move away from Craven Cottage in the summer, but Hodgson is adamant that Hangeland is going nowhere in the foreseeable future.

West Ham United boss Gianfranco Zola has admitted that he is very concerned about striker Dean Ashton's ongoing struggles with a long-standing ankle problem.

The 26-year-old has not featured for a year, having suffered a number of setbacks after breaking his left ankle at the beginning of the 2006-07 season.

In rugby union, New Zealand ended this season's Tri-Nations tournament with a convincing 33-6 victory over Australia in Wellington.

The All Blacks ensured that they finished as runners-up to South Africa, scoring three tries to none against the below-par Wallabies.

The home side led 16-6 at the interval, thanks to a converted Cory Jane try and three Dan Carter penalties, with Australia's only replies being a Matt Giteau penalty and a Berrick Barnes drop-goal.

New Zealand then ran away with the game after the restart, with Ma'a Nonu and Joe Rokocoko both going over, while Carter converted both scores and also added another penalty.

In the first game of rugby league's play-offs, Leeds Rhinos, the online favourites to win next month's Grand Final, ran riot in the second half to record a comfortable 44-8 victory over Hull KR and secure a place in the qualifying semi-final in two weeks' time.

The Super League table-toppers led by just two points at the interval at Headingley, before romping clear in the second 40 minutes to emerge victorious with some ease.

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