Heartbreak for Middlesbrough
Middlesbrough 0 Sevilla 4
Middlesbrough’s powers of recovery deserted them just when they needed them most as Italian midfielder Enzo Maresca claimed a double to win the UEFA Cup for Sevilla.
Brazilian striker Luis Fabiano headed a 26th-minute cross from the hugely-impressive Daniel Alves past stranded goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer to open the scoring, but after Mark Viduka (pictured) had been denied a 52nd-minute equaliser by keeper Andres Palop, Maresca took centre stage.
The former West Brom midfielder followed up substitute Fredi Kanoute’s 78th-minute shot to make it 2-0 and then added a second with six minutes remaining before former Tottenham striker Kanoute completed the rout in the 89th minute.
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Keane still unsure over future*
Roy Keane insists he will not be rushed into making a decision about his future.
After gaining the "closure" he was looking for from his testimonial game at Old Trafford last night, the veteran midfielder will spend a short holiday with his family before meeting his surgeon and deciding whether he is fit enough to continue his career at Celtic for another season.
Hoops boss Gordon Strachan has left a one-year offer on the table for Keane to consider.
But, while the 34-year-old claims he has made no definite decision about his short-term future, the indications are that he will call time on an illustrious career.
“I realise my heart could be telling me one thing and my body another but I am quite relaxed about the situation,” said Keane.
“I don’t feel too bad but equally I do not feel as though I have done myself justice at Celtic."
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System blamed for Liverpool ticket disappointment*
The fiasco following Liverpool’s stolen FA Cup tickets could have been avoided if Millennium Stadium officials adopted the same system Chelsea use to get fans through the turnstiles.
Around 1,600 tickets were stolen following a raid on a Royal Mail van last week in Liverpool but fans will not receive duplicate versions, despite the Football Association consulting stadium officials in an attempt to resolve the problem.
There have also been calls for culture secretary Tessa Jowell to look into the matter, although it is understood that government intervention is highly unlikely.
However, the problem could have been avoided if the Millennium Stadium used a ‘Smart Card’, the system popular in Europe where tickets are purchased with identification and can be cancelled or re-issued.
Teamcard, who manufacture the ‘Smart Cards’ have Chelsea and Bolton among their clients.
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EL Cup Second Round Results:
Limerick 1 (Guerin 90) Kerry League 0
Cork City 0 (D Murphy s.o. 90) Cobh Ramblers 1 (Warren 8)
