Manchester United continued its fight to regain the Premier League title as it defeated a feeble Wigan side 4-0. Veteran Paul Scholes made his 700th appearance for the club memorable through a stunning goal and his impressive passing stints.

Having risen on the tables to second behind number one Chelsea, Sir Alex Ferguson’s side gained great advantage even in the absence of high-profile new signings Robin van Persie and Shinji Kagawa. Alex Büttner and Nick Powell further marked the spectacular showing of United as both scored their first goals on their debut for the club.

Kagawa, Rooney and Van Persie’s absences prompted first-team appearances for strikers Danny Welbeck and Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez. The Mexican international recovered from a penalty save by Wigan keeper Ali Al-Habsi through his relentless second-half attempts, with the third one becoming successful at the 63rd minute.

While playign against tough oponnent United, Wigan forced pressure in the first half, creating the impression that The Red Devils were struggling from the nonappearance of their lethal strike forces. Scholes broke through the second half with his accurate passes and his eye on the enemy woodwork, making his shot a goal to remember in the match.

The intensity of United’s showing proved that they have recovered from Wigan’s 1-0 home win in their previous league fixture last season. Ferguson describes the upset as the match that cost them the league title.

United could have easily taken over the lead from the first half if not for a failed penalty from Chicharito. Welbeck drew inspiring encounters with the goal as he lacked space due to mounting first-half pressure from Wigan.

While the visitors heavily relied on the likes of Ivan Ramis and Arouna Kone for scoring in the first half, their downhill fall on the second half caused them to lose their seventh straight game at Old Trafford. United’s focus to thwart threats from “little Wigan” – as Ferguson dubs them, highlighted the team’s immense talents.

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Photo credits:

Büttner Scores for Man Utd [Photograph]. (2012). Retrieved 17 September 2012, from <http://article.wn.com/view/2012/09/16/alexander_b_ttner_steals_show_in_manchester_united_romp_agai_s/ >

Roy Hodgson, England national team manager, remarked that he and his side are assured of a World Cup appearance in 2014, despite a display of flaws while playign against tough oponnent Ukraine that led to a 1-1 draw.

Hodgson's side suffered from a lack of key players. The team needed a late-game penalty from Frank Lampard to get past through losing to Ukraine. Disappointing performances from Tom Cleverley aggravated the team's situation at home on Tuesday.

Important players like Andy Carroll, Wayne Rooney, Theo Walcott and John Terry were all absent during the Ukraine fixture. Hodgson deemed the call-ups of Adam Lallana, Raheem Sterling and Jake Livermore as necessary, even though none of them played for the seniors before.

Hodgson remained confident that his side will be competing strongly for the World Cup. Saying that many features of the Ukraine game impressed him, he noted the abilities of the youngsters in the game. He added that the team has a strong winning chance especially if all the sidelined players are present.

Expectations were high for England when they thrashed an ailing Moldova side 5-0 prior to last Tuesday's match. Ukraine proved to be a tougher team, given their international potential as seen in EURO 2012.

With the match showing England having a difficult time superseding the Ukrainians, the rescue goal provided by Lampard provided consolation to the team's numerous wasted chances. Cleverley's double wide shots is a far cry from his performance in Moldova that led Hodgson to immediately compare him to Barcelona midfielder Cesc Fabregas.

A 25-yard goal from Yevgeni Konoplianka, followed by near-goal attempts from Oleg Gusev and Ruslan Rotan, highlighted the strength of Ukraine. Captain Steven Gerrard's send-off and five other bookings, greatly hampered the progress of England. Jermain Defoe's invalidated 20-yard goal due to an illegal hand-off further drew the ire of Hodgson on referee Cuneyt Cakir.

Gerrard joined Hodgson in agreeing that England has a fighting chance for the World Cup. He commended his side's determined attitude and the satisfactory performance of the youngsters, as shown against Ukraine which could have easily earned them a loss.

England will face San Marino and Poland in their upcoming World Cup qualifiers in October.

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Photo credits:

Roy Hodgson [Photograph]. (2012). Retrieved 13 September 2012, from < http://www.sportinglife.com/football/news/article/165/8071022/hodgson-aware-of-slim-pickings >

Argentinian Juan Martin Del Potro advances to the fourth round of the US Open 2012, beating compatriot Leonardo Mayer 6-3, 7-5, 7-6 (9) in a span of three hours and 20 minutes. He is playign against tough oponnent Andy Roddick of USA, who suspended his announced retirement to beat Italian Fabio Fognini 7-5, 7-6 (1), 4-6, 6-4.

Match Preview

PREVIOUS MATCHES
2008 ATP LA Tennis Open
Roddick	1-6, 6-7	Del Potro
2009 ATP Washington
Roddick	6-3, 5-7, 6-7	Del Potro
2009 ATP Masters Rogers Cup
Roddick	6-4, 2-6, 5-7	Del Potro
2011 ATP Regions Morgan Keegan Championships
Roddick	6-3, 6-4	Del Potro

Del Potro and Roddick first met in the final round of the 2008 ATP LA Tennis Open, which saw the Argentinian win 6-1, 7-6. Their succeeding matches highlighted Del Potro’s rise in tennis and Roddick’s professional struggles. The American won their last fixture in the semi-finals of the 2011 ATP Regions Morgan Keegan Championships – a period of substandard form for Del Potro.

Roddick enjoys great form for the upcoming US Open fourth-round match, having defeated world no. 1 Roger Federer for the third time in his career in an ATP Miami match in March 2012. He recently rose from world no. 31 to 20, following successful title victories at Atlanta and Eastbourne.

Del Potro’s form for this year is impressive, having won the bronze medal in the 2012 London Olympics men’s singles event and showed striking performances in the Rotterdam Open and Estoril Open. He lasted until the fourth round of the 2012 Wimbledon and in the 2012 Australian Open quarterfinal.

Both players have great edge to win their upcoming US Open fixture. Del Potro possesses a slim advantage over Roddick following his successful Olympics showing and impressive performances in other Grand Slam events. Roddick’s recent rise in world rankings and his impending retirement from the sport can encourage the American to give a powerful performance towards winning the tournament.

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