footballs

Saturday, January 8, 2011

League One sides Notts County and Southampton giant-killed Sunderland and Blackpool in the FA Cup third round on Saturday, while League Two's Stevenage beat Newcastle.

Notts County pulled off a massive shock by beating top flight Sunderland at the Stadium of Light.
Craig Westcarr and Lee Hughes scored in either half to hand Paul Ince's

Magpies the advantage before Darren Bent pulled one back via the penalty spot but it was too little, too late for the Black Cats.
Lee Barnard and Guly were the heroes as Southampton also upset a top flight side in the shape of Blackpool.
After a goalless first period, Barnard put the Saints ahead eight minutes after the interval and Guly climbed off the bench to complete the victory with two minutes remaining.
League Two Stevenage beat Newcastle 3-1 in the evening game to continue the FA Cup shocks.
A Mike Williamson own goal, Michael Bostwick and Peter Winn earned a famous victory for the hosts, while Joey Barton netted a consolation for the Magpies.
The Championship's Cardiff earned a draw at Premier League Stoke after Michael Chopra's

early opener was equalised by Tuncay Sanli on the stroke of half-time.
Jonathan Spector

sidefooted home just before the half hour mark and substitute Frederic Piquionne netted at the death as West Ham saw off the challenge of Barnsley at Upton Park.

Pressure

"The pressure doesn't hold me back from working. You try to keep even more focused.
"I understand the fans are hurt as well as I am. All I can tell you everyone is working for the cause."
Villa have the chance of some respite from league action when they travel to Sheffield United

in the FA Cup on Saturday.
Houllier says the tie is not a distraction but expects the Blades to raise their game for the Bramall Lane clash.
"It is not a distraction. I think Sheffield will raise their game, we know that, and it is a good side, a good championship side, but we will be up for it," he remarked.
"The cup can bring some confidence and morale to the team as the Chelsea

game did last weekend.
"There may be one or two players that are rested because we've had a heavy period over Christmas. But there won't be many changes.

Aston Villa manager Gerard Houllier insists he does not fear for his job despite the club's precarious position in the Premier League.

Villa's home defeat to Sunderland on Wednesday leaves them in the relegation zone as Houllier's

early tenure continues to endure a bumpy ride.
The French coach has turned to youth this season but in the short term Villa have not clicked into gear and face an uphill task if they are going to claw themselves out of trouble.
Houllier, who is joined by fellow managers Roy Hodgson, Avram Grant and Carlo Ancelotti

on the under-pressure list, claims he still has the backing of owner Randy Lerner

and chief executive Paul Faulkner.
He said: "Am I worried about losing my job? I belong to this exclusive private club of four people under great pressure.
"But you lose a game and it's a crisis. You win a game and you are a hero.
"It's a long-term job. I have got the backing of the people at the club which is very important, and we are here for better or worse.
"We are going through a tough period. I am aware of that. It is difficult at times but all I can tell you is together we are working hard to get back on track.

Team effort

Marc Albrighton

was also on target in the first half before Stiliyan Petrov

added another late on following a Jamie Ward penalty.
And Houllier was thrilled with the overall team performance, adding: "The second goal was a very good team effort. The finish by Marc was a great goal.
"The third goal was a good relief at the end, I would say.
"I think the whole team stuck together and delivered a good performance."

Fantastic

"I don't think, whatever happened, there would have been any major change," said Houllier.
He added: "I thought the fans were fantastic today.
"I thought the boys were great, fantastic in terms of football and in terms of character.
"The players were terrific today. It's not easy when you don't get the results you want in the league. It's not easy when you play Sheffield United

in a cup tie.
"We managed, when we got the ball, to get some good pace."
Debutant Kyle Walker,

on loan from Tottenham, opened the scoring against his former club, and Houllier was impressed with the full-back's display.
"He had a fantastic debut. He showed a lot of composure," said Houllier. "What I like is he can play. He has a modern full-back style
"His goal was a moment of brilliance."

Gerard Houllier insists his position as Aston Villa manager was not hanging in the balance ahead of side's FA Cup win at Sheffield United.

Houllier

has come under pressure of late having seen Villa suffer a string of disappointing results in the Premier League, but the boss watched his side run out an encouraging 3-1 triumph at Bramall Lane

on Saturday to progress to the fourth round.
And the Frenchman, who heaped praise on both his side and the travelling Villa fans following the win, insists his position at the Midlands club is stable.

Friday, January 7, 2011

Notre Dame TE Rudolph declares for draft

Updated Jan 5, 2011 12:00 PM

South Bend, IN (Sports Network) - Notre Dame tight end Kyle Rudolph will skip his final season of eligibility to enter the NFL Draft.

Rudolph caught 28 passes for 328 yards and three touchdowns in six games for the Irish this past season. He had hamstring surgery and missed the last seven games, including Notre Dame's 33-17 win over Miami-Florida in the Sun Bowl.

A junior, Rudolph leaves Notre Dame ranked No. 4 on the school's all-time receptions (90) and receiving yards (1,032) list for tight ends. He scored eight touchdowns and started 28 of the 29 games he played.

Rudolph called the decision to leave school very tough, but said it has been a dream of his to play in the NFL.

"I truly feel blessed for the last three years of my life at Notre Dame. It has been a great experience I wouldn't trade for anything and wish everyone could experience something like this just once in his or her life," he said in a statement.

Rudolph aggravated his hamstring injury October 9 in a win over Pittsburgh, tearing tendons off the bone.