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General Sports News

Rafa rues dropped points

Author: Craig Williams
Date: 22/04/2009

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has admitted Manchester United are now in the driving seat in the title race following his side's 4-4 draw with Arsenal.

The Reds moved back to the top of the Premier League table on goal difference despite dropping two points as Andrey Arshavin scored all four of Arsenal's goals in a remarkable night at Anfield on Tuesday.

United have two games in hand on their Merseyside rivals ahead of their own meeting with Portsmouth at Old Trafford on Wednesday and online betting pundits predict another title for Sir Alex Ferguson.

Meanwhile, Reds legend Kenny Dalglish has revealed he would be interested in making a return to the club in a coaching role.

Dalglish, who managed Liverpool in the 1980s and early 90s and is regarded as one of the club's greatest ever players, was linked with a youth development role in weekend reports.

Elsewhere, Sir Alex Ferguson believes Paul Scholes will join a pantheon of Manchester United legends when he makes his 600th appearance for the club against Portsmouth on Wednesday night.

The former England midfielder will join an elite group of three others - Ryan Giggs, Sir Bobby Charlton and Bill Foulkes - to have made at least 600 appearances for the Red Devils.

Meanwhile, Aston Villa boss Martin O'Neill has admitted Martin Laursen is considering retirement after seeing a specialist over his long-running knee problems.

Chelsea winger Florent Malouda has dismissed reports that he could be on his way out of Stamford Bridge in the summer.

Barry Ferguson's miserable month has hit a new low after it was confirmed that the former Rangers captain's season is over.

The 31-year-old has been told he faces six weeks on the sidelines after suffering a torn calf muscle in the opening stages of a reserve team game against Hearts' second string.

In cricket, Ian Bell has been included in an England Lions side to face West Indies in a warm-up match at Derby next week.

The Warwickshire batsman headlines a strong team for the April 30-May 3 encounter as fellow full internationals Samit Patel, Tim Ambrose, Sajid Mahmood, Luke Wright and Liam Plunkett have also been included.

Meanwhile, Kevin Pietersen has been warned for a show of dissent after being dismissed during the Bangalore Royal Challengers' IPL loss to the Chennai Super Kings.

In rugby union, South Africa coach Peter de Villiers has spoken of his surprise that Paul O'Connell has been named as the new captain of the British and Irish Lions.

De Villiers was expecting another Irishman, Brian O'Driscoll, to lead the Lions for this summer's tour, but still expects a tough test for the reigning world champions.

Elsewhere, Edinburgh chief Andy Robinson has finally confirmed that he has applied for the vacant post of coach of the Scotland national side.

The 45-year-old former England supremo is the favourite to succeed Frank Hadden, although the SRU insist that they are considering applications from around the globe.

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