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Wenger's thoughts turn to title

Author: Lynda Collins
Date: 22/03/2010
Football betting

Arsene Wenger believes Arsenal are displaying all the credentials needed to be a title-winning side following Saturday's hard-fought 2-0 victory over West Ham United.

A first-half goal from Denilson and a late penalty from Cesc Fabregas saw Arsenal move above main title rivals Manchester United and Chelsea.

Sandwiched in-between was a red card for Thomas Vermaelen and a penalty save from goalkeeper Manuel Almunia.

"We have a good chance to do it this year," declared Wenger. "It will be exciting, tight and the response we gave today in the second half was very important in future games."

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Meanwhile, coach Marc Lievremont admitted France's first Grand Slam since 2004 had been a difficult but rewarding experience after they completed an unbeaten Six Nations with a 12-10 victory over England.

Lievremont replaced Bernard Laporte following Les Bleus last Six Nations victory in 2007 and endured some difficult moments before seeing his side come of age this season.

"It is a very nice baby even if the birth was quite difficult," said Lievremont after a Francois Trinh-Duc drop-goal and three first-half Morgan Parra penalties were enough to maintain his side's 100 per cent record in horrendous conditions in Paris.

"For the first time we have reached the end of a series or a tournament and I can be satisfied. We have a Grand Slam to celebrate.

"I am very proud of this team for the bravery they showed in the 80 minutes.

"We owe a lot to our forwards and I am happy for them that (tight-head prop) Nicolas Mas was named man of the match. No scrum, no win."

Team manager Martin Johnson believes England answered some of their critics following an improved showing in Paris against the sportsbook favourites.

"Of course we are frustrated - we lost - but I said to the guys as France picked up the trophy 'you have played the Grand Slam champions and you took them all the way'," declared Johnson.

"A lot of players came of age today."

In cricket, England have steadied the ship at the end of day two of the second Test against Bangladesh after a slow start to proceedings in Dhaka.

With eight wickets down from the opening day, the hosts' tail wagged, frustrating captain Alastair Cook and his team-mates in a piping hot field before they were eventually all out for 419.

England's first innings got off to a languid start as Bangladesh restricted the visitors to 171-3 from 64 overs for a lead of 248 runs at stumps.

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