Barcelona, Sevilla through to King's Cup semis

Barcelona and Sevilla claimed the final two places in the King's Cup semi-finals on Thursday, Barca knocking out city rivals Espanyol 3-2 and Sevilla coming through on away goals against holders Valencia.

Sevilla, the 2007 winners, will play Athletic Bilbao for a place in May's final in Valencia, while Barca take on Real Mallorca.

Espanyol had held Barca to a goalless draw in the first leg, but a mistake by Cristian Alvarez gifted the league leaders their opening goal at the Nou Camp on 35 minutes.

The Espanyol goalkeeper dived to block an innocuous-looking shot from Silvinho but could only divert it into the path of Bojan Krkic, who sidefooted into the empty net.

Bojan scored a well-taken second just after the break and defender Gerard Pique made it 3-0 when he nodded home a Daniel Alves cross.

A deflected shot from Ferran Corominas and a spectacular long-range drive from Jose Callejon gave Espanyol hope but they were unable to find the goal that would have taken them through.

They ended the match with 10 men after the referee showed defender Daniel Jarque a second yellow card in added time.

Sebastien Squillaci scored a dramatic last-minute winner as Sevilla came from behind to earn a 2-1 home win over Valencia and edge through on away goals after a 4-4 aggregate.

Valencia looked to be cruising when a header from captain Carlos Marchena put them in front but Frederic Kanoute equalised with a header before the break.

Sevilla missed several chances before Frenchman Squillaci hooked Renato's corner in from close range in the 90th minute.

Coach Manolo Jimenez predicted it would be difficult to get past Athletic in the semi-finals and noted the Basque side had won the Cup 23 times, one fewer than record winners Barca.

"Athletic are just as hard to beat as Valencia, because they are a side with history, they have won a lot of Cups and have been on a long unbeaten run," he told a news conference.

The semi-finals take place over two legs, with the first leg next week and the second in the first week of March.

La Liga: Messi imperious as Barca thump Numancia

Barcelona extended their lead at the top of La Liga to a massive 15 points after thumping Numancia 4-1 at the Camp Nou.

The first half was goalless, though Javier González Del Pino had the ball in the net for the visitors but the referee had blown, somewhat harshly, for a foul on Xavi.

But after the break Leo Messi got his 13th goal of the season after great work from Dani Alves.

Alves skipped into the box, looping the ball over left-back Boris before nodding it to Messi whose deft touch took the ball past 'keeper Juan Pablo Colinas.

It was 2-0 just minutes later when Samuel Eto'o raced onto a Andres Iniesta to clip home.

Numancia gave themselves hope when a fantastic Javier Barkero free-kick cut the defocit to just one.

But then Thierry Henry made it 3-1 with 20 minutes remaining. After being fed by Messi inside the area Henry squeezed a shot into the far corner.

Then Messi waltzed into the box and forced a save from Colinas. Unfortunately for the Numancia keeper, his save cannoned back onto Messi and left him with a tap in from three yards.

Messi had two chances to bag his hat-trick when he went clean through but Colinas, and then the bar, denied him.

Elsewhere, struggling Osasuna came back to draw 1-1 at Villarreal with a spirited Primera Liga performance at the Madrigal on Saturday.

The visitors were rewarded for their ambition when substitute Dady scored from close range following an error by Pascal Cygan in the 65th minute, cancelling out Giuseppe Rossi's stylish first-half opener.

Villarreal remained fifth with 34 points, kept out of the Champions League playoff places on goal difference by Valencia.

Osasuna climbed off the bottom of the table, drawing level on 14 points with Real Mallorca but going above them on goal difference.

Wenger ready for "tricky" Cardiff FA Cup test

Arsene Wenger will not take the ''tricky'' trip to Cardiff City lightly on Sunday as Arsenal aim to keep themselves on course in the FA Cup.

The Gunners, who continue to track Zenit St Petersburg playmaker Andrei Arshavin, are expected to take a strong squad to Ninian Park, where former Bluebirds midfielder Aaron Ramsey looks set to face his old club.

Wenger will stick with his policy of rotation, mindful of already missing injured key men like captain Cesc Fabregas and England winger Theo Walcott.

However, as in the last round, the Gunners boss will show the competition the respect he feels it deserves rather than field a team of teenagers, as he does in the Carling Cup.

''[Goalkeeper] Lukasz Fabianski will play because it is the FA Cup, maybe one or two others will come in too,'' Wenger said.

''The team will be comparable to the side which played against Plymouth.''

The Gunners boss declared: ''It is a tricky cup tie and we want to come out on top.''

Ramsey admits he will have ''mixed emotions'' when he returns to Ninian Park, but the Wales midfielder is fully focused on helping Arsenal get to Wembley.

The 18-year-old came through the Bluebirds' youth ranks and was part of the team beaten by Portsmouth in last season's final.

It was his last appearance in Cardiff colours before joining Arsenal in a £5million move during the summer.

Ramsey made his debut in the Champions League qualifier away to Steve McClaren's FC Twente, and Wenger is delighted with the youngster's progress, with some 15 appearances now under his belt.

''Cardiff was a big part of my life. I was there for a long time,'' Ramsey said.

''I came through the youth system there and went on to get into the first team, so it will be mixed emotions for me on Sunday - but I am an Arsenal player now and I want to win the game.''

Defender William Gallas (hamstring) is not yet in contention, while full-back Gael Clichy must serve a one-match ban.

Eduardo has claimed he is ''ready for the first team'' after stepping up his rehabilitation following another run-out with the reserves, when he completed a full 90 minutes at Stoke.

However, Wenger may not rush to recall the striker, whose leg was broken horrifically at Birmingham last season.

The end of the Gunners' drawn-out chase of Arshavin, meanwhile, could soon draw to a successful conclusion as the clubs move closer to agreeing a fee.

''We are certainly conducting negotiations directly with the Arsenal chief executive,'' Zenit general director Maksim Mitrofanov said.

''It is not simple, but it is moving and we hope that it will lead to its logical conclusion.''

Leaked Proton MPV Pictures!

3 months before the Proton MPV official launch, the pictures already circulated in the internet. If you guys can't wait to see it live, please check here for 100% fully uncovered interior and exterior pictures of Proton MPV.

The exterior is very beautiful, I can say similar design as Toyota Wish and Mitsubishi Grandis. However, the rims are quite small. Interior-wise, there's something new with stereng wheel and meter panel as almost the same as Gen2.

** Sorry guys, it appear that the pictures has been removed from the forum :(

Arsenal reject Atletico Madrid bid for Eboue

Arsenal have rejected a bid from Atletico Madrid for Emmanuel Eboue, according to the Ivorian's agent.

Eboue was the target of abuse from Gunners earlier this season but is clearly part of Arsene Wenger's plans as the Arsenal boss reportedly wants to open talks on a new deal less than two years after the player had signed a new one.

Franjo Vranjkovic, Eboue's representative, said: "We received an official request from Atletico Madrid which was passed to Arsenal.

"I have the fax from director Ken Friar who wrote to me to say they are not interested in the offer.

"Then I received a call from Arsene Wenger, who invited me to go to England to start negotiations over a renewal. I see no possibility that the player will leave Arsenal."

Meanwhile, Zenit St Petersburg appear to have softened their stance on the fee demanded for target Andrei Arshavin.

Following the rejection of a £12million offer which included add-ons, it now appears a compromise could be reached which would allow Arshavin, 27, to complete his dream move to the Gunners - whom he claims are his ''team of the future''.

Zenit are resigned to losing their star man and confident matters will be concluded - despite the claims of Arshavin's agent, Dennis Lachter, that their inflated demands were unreasonable.

''We are certainly conducting negotiations directly with the Arsenal chief executive,'' Zenit general director Maksim Mitrofanov told Russian newspaper Sport Express. ''The footballer's agent is not taking part in them. Because of this he simply does not know all the details of the process of negotiation, and in this sense his comments should not always be trusted.

''As regards the process itself, as I have already said, it is not simple, but it is moving and we hope that it will lead to its logical conclusion.''

Arsenal are understood to have set a deadline of Monday for the matter to be resolved one way or another before they would then look to pursue other targets - reported to be West Ham's former Gunners defender Matthew Upson and Le Mans' Ivory Coast striker Gervinho.

Real Madrid target Arsenal boss Wenger

Real Madrid presidential contender Florentino Perez will make the appointment of Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger the cornerstone of his election campaign.

"Florentino wants to make Wenger both coach and general manager of Real this summer - and will promise it will happen," a source close to Perez told The Mirror.

Perez is the favourite to win the presidency following the resignation of Ramon Calderon over a vote-rigging scandal and will also target Gunners skipper Cesc Fabregas and Kaka, from AC Milan.

The 61-year-old Perez was the architect of Real Madrid's galactico era between 2000 and 2006 and was elected as president on the back of a promise to sign Luis Figo from arch-rivals Barcelona.

And the former Bernabeu chief is hoping the same trick will work twice.

"With Kaka and Fabregas as players and Wenger as coach, Florentino will take Real back to where they should be," the Perez contact said.

Wenger has twice rejected Perez's overtures during his 13-years as Arsenal manager; but the dual role of coach and general manager - which would mean the departure of sporting director Predrag Mijatovic - would mean far greater control at Real than previous coaches have enjoyed.

Many a Madrid president has swept to power on the promise that they will sign some of football's biggest names and have failed to deliver. Calderon promised to lure Kaka and Cesc Fabregas to the Bernabeu during his election campaign but neither arrived.

Nokia Profits Crash In Q4 2008

Wow, when Nokia was riding high with an unprecedented 40 per cent mobile phone market share in January last year it seemed the Finnish giant was unstoppable. Well, perhaps someone just managed to find the brake pedal...

For Q4 period the company has reported profits fell 69 per cent to 576m euros compared to the year ago period. Overall sales dropped off 19 per cent to 12.7bn euros and market share fell more than eight per cent to 37 per cent - though it remains considerably ahead of second place rival Samsung on approximately 20 per cent.

Now Nokia naturally remains in pretty good shape despite this but the results aren't out of the blue. Not one, but two profit warnings had been issued since mid November and the Q3 Results were also pretty depressing. Perhaps more pertinently, aside from the superlative E71 (above) there has been a distinct lack of innovation in its handsets over the last 18 months and the continued success of Apple and RIM - plus a likely strong comeback from Palm - look set to only damage it further.

That said, with its immense resources it will take a lot more than a bad year or even two or three bad years to see Nokia knocked from its lofty position at the head of the mobile phone table.

Ericsson to lay off 5,000 workers

The telecoms infrastructure firm Ericsson is to lay off 5,000 workers, after its results for the fourth quarter of 2008 showed a 31 percent year-on-year drop in profits.

The results came out on Wednesday, with profits in the fourth quarter of 2008 totaling 3.9bn Swedish kronor (£341m) — down from SEK 5.6bn in the corresponding quarter of 2007. Ericsson blamed the drop on restructuring charges and a "dramatic drop in the contribution" from Sony Ericsson, which is Ericsson's handset-manufacturing joint venture with Sony.

Sony Ericsson's fourth-quarter results, which came out last week, showed losses of €187m (£125m), prompting analysts to predict that 2009 will be a "deciding year" for the company. According to Wednesday's results statement, the 5,000 laid-off workers will include around 1,000 in Sweden, primarily in Stockholm. Many of those made redundant will be consultants and other temporary staff, although Ericsson has also said it will consolidate its research and development sites.

In the statement, Ericsson president and chief executive Carl-Henric Svanberg claimed his company had demonstrated "solid performance" in 2008.

"Sales grew by 11 percent with good demand for our entire portfolio and across the world," Svanberg said. "Changes in currency rates had a very small effect on full-year growth. Professional services have continued to show strong growth. Operating margins, excluding Sony Ericsson, have steadily improved, and our financial position is strong with net cash of SEK 35bn. Sony Ericsson is affected by the economic downturn and the declining demand in the consumer market and has taken necessary actions."

Svanberg said the recession's effects on the global mobile-network operator market — Ericsson's primary customer base — "should not be that significant" as operators are still doing well and traffic continues to grow.

"It remains, however, difficult to more precisely predict to what extent consumer telecom spending will be affected and how operators will act," Svanberg warned. "To date, our infrastructure business is hardly impacted at all, but it would be unreasonable to think that this would be the case also throughout 2009."

Ericsson also said it would reduce its number of software platforms and "increase the re-use of hardware", and would also move some of its operations to "low-cost" countries.

King's Cup: Espanyol hold Barca, Valencia beat Sevilla

uan Mata's deflected late strike gave holders Valencia a 3-2 victory over 2007 winners Sevilla in the first leg of their King's Cup quarter-final on Wednesday.

In the night's other first leg, a second-string Barcelona were held to a goalless draw at city rivals Espanyol, who put on a solid, morale-boosting performance for new coach Mauricio Pochettino.

Mata grabbed a valuable lead for Valencia before next week's return leg in Seville when he picked up the ball in the area in the 86th minute and unleashed a low drive that spooned up off defender Sebastien Squillaci into the net.

A defensive howler by Adriano Correia had gifted Valencia their opening goal after five minutes. Striker David Villa intercepted the Brazilian's wayward back pass, rounded Palop and drove the ball into the empty net from a narrow angle.

The Spain international was forced to leave the pitch shortly afterwards with an injury to his left hamstring and was replaced by Fernando Morientes.

Sevilla coach Manolo Jimenez brought on winger Diego Capel at the break and his cross from the right created the equaliser.

Valencia keeper Vicente Guaita rushed off his line but the 21-year-old missed his attempted punch and Luis Fabiano leapt to nod the ball home.

The Valencia players were furious with the officials after Correia made it 2-1 on 67 minutes.

Replays showed the Brazilian was several metres offside when the ball was played through but the referee allowed the goal to stand after Correia sent a crisp finish past Guaita.

Ruben Baraja equalised in the 84th minute with a low shot and Valencia's efforts to find a winner were rewarded when Joaquin released Mata to score two minutes later.

Valencia coach Unai Emery said the error by the referee's assistant had been hard to take but he was more worried by the number of goals his side were leaking recently.

"Generally I am satisfied but we had a bad patch in the second half, not for the first time this season," he told reporters.

Villa was doubtful for Sunday's Primera Liga match at Real Mallorca, he added.

Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola opted to leave key players including Lionel Messi, Xavi and Samuel Eto'o out of the starting line-up and the league leaders struggled to break down Espanyol's stubborn resistance.

Not even the introduction of Messi and Xavi midway through the second half could open up the home side's defence and the match stuttered to a draw.

Athletic Bilbao host Sporting Gijon and Real Betis play at Real Mallorca in Thursday's quarter-finals.

In the semi-finals, the winners of the Espanyol-Barca tie will play Mallorca or Betis for a place in May's final and Valencia or Sevilla will take on Athletic or Sporting.

Peter Solberg for Proton WRC 2010?

There's a possibility that Proton will make a debut in World Rally Championship in 2010. Negotiation has been made with Peter Solberg to drive Satrio Neo S2000 edition.

Rijkaard rules out taking vacant Feyenoord job

Former Barcelona boss Frank Rijkaard has ruled himself out of the running for the vacant Feyenoord coaching post.

The Rotterdam club parted company with Gertjan Verbeek last week, leaving assistant coach Leon Vlemmings in charge on an interim basis.

Rijkaard has been out of work since stepping down as Barca coach at the end of the 2007/08 season, and recent reports have linked him with the Feyenoord post.

But the 46-year-old, who spent five years at the Nou Camp, insists he has no plans to return to coaching just yet.

"My phone is off," Rijkaard told De Telegraaf. "It was not for nothing that I took a sabbatical. At the start of the season I said I would not work for a year and I am sticking by that.

"I think I will be open to another job in football in the new season. What and where, I do not know yet. Anything would be fun, but I do prefer a club to a job with the FA. For the time being their are no concrete plans or talks, though."

A 3-1 defeat to Heerenveen last Friday has left Feyenoord lying a disappointing 12th in the Eredivisie.

EPL: Gunners' late double

Hull City 1 - 3 Arsenal

Arsenal struck twice late on to see off battling Hull 3-1 and keep pace with the Premier League top four.

Hull had looked set to frustrate the Gunners for the second time this season when Daniel Cousin cancelled out Emmanuel Adebayor's first-half opener after 65 minutes.

But the KC Stadium visitors produced a strong finish and snatched victory with goals in the final nine minutes from Samir Nasri and substitute Nicklas Bendtner.

It was the perfect response from the Gunners after wins earlier in the day from Manchester United, Chelsea and Aston Villa.

It also extended their unbeaten run to eight games and avenged their shock loss to Hull at the Emirates Stadium in September, when Cousin had been the match-winner.

Those heady days seem a long time ago now for Hull, who despite their encouraging display, have now lost their last five league outings.

Adebayor's goal, only his third in nine games, initially seemed to justify his inclusion in an unchanged Arsenal side ahead of Bendtner, the match-winning substitute against Bolton last week.

Hull fielded an unfamiliar line-up. After playing an under-strength side in the midweek FA Cup win at Newcastle, six changes were not unexpected but Ryan France and Peter Halmosi surprisingly retained their places.

There was a debut for new signing Kevin Kilbane at left-back while yesterday's loan recruit from Manchester United, Manucho, was on the bench.

France's unexpected start, after spending most of the campaign in the reserves, meant he became the fourth Hull player to play in all four divisions for the club.

Geovanni, scorer of Hull's first goal at the Emirates, had the game's first chance after two minutes.

The Brazilian confused the Arsenal defence with a late run while two other Hull players stood in offside positions but he scuffed his shot.

A chance opened up for Nathan Doyle moments later but the right-back shot straight at Manuel Almunia from distance.

Arsenal's first opportunity came from a free-kick and Robin van Persie almost got lucky as his firm effort was deflected narrowly wide by Michael Turner.

The visitors were almost caught after Geovanni sparked a counter-attack but Cousin's cross was blocked and his follow-up shot went well wide.

Geovanni also curled in a dangerous-looking free-kick from out wide but Almunia safely gathered and another set-piece moments later was shot into the wall.

Boaz Myhill produced a brilliant double save to deny Arsenal the lead after 28 minutes following the award of a dubious free-kick for a foul on Emmanuel Eboue.

The goalkeeper just did enough to tip Van Persie's fierce shot onto the bar and then recovered to block from Johan Djourou as the defender pounced on the rebound.

Yet Hull could not hold out much longer and fell behind as Adebayor headed home a Van Persie corner at the far post a minute later.

Van Persie muscled into the area early in the second half but was penalised for a foul on Sam Ricketts.

Adebayor then beat Turner to create space for a shot but Myhill punched clear.

Hull made their first change after 53 minutes when the ineffective Halmosi was replaced by new striker Manucho and the formation switched from 4-5-1 to 4-4-2.

Manucho's first taste of the action left him with a facial wound after clashing heads with Djourou contesting a bouncing ball in the area. Hull appealed for a penalty but referee Alan Wiley was uninterested.

Hull snatched an equaliser when Cousin headed firmly past Almunia after Bernard Mendy's cross took a slight deflection off Gael Clichy.

Mendy caused more problems moments later and won a free-kick on the right but Arsenal escaped further damage.

Clichy was then booked for a foul on Mendy as the Hull winger, clearly inspired by his role in the goal, continued to cause havoc on the right.

Hull had the bit between their teeth and enjoyed a good spell but Arsenal still threatened in possession and Abou Diaby fired a good chance wide.

Myhill then saved again after Bendtner, introduced in the 68th minute, worked his way into the box and fired across goal.

Hull were exposed again after 81 minutes as Van Persie's pass found Nasri in space and the Frenchman shot left-footed across Myhill to restore Arsenal's lead.

The Gunners then killed off the game five minutes from time as Bendtner played a one-two with an apparently offside Van Persie and finished clinically.

Arsenal almost added a flattering fourth when Bendtner struck the post late on.

Meet Uncle Hussain wins AJL 23

Last year Estranged bagged the prestigious AJL award and this year is Meet Uncle Hussain turn to be crowned as a Juara Lagu 2008 with killer song Lagu Untuk Mu.

In their acceptance speech, Lan thanked everyone who have supported the indie music movement in the country. "This is a big recognition for our years of hard work. And an honour to all the independent bands in Malaysia." The band won $25,000 cash prize and a trophy for Best Song, plus another $12,000 for clinching the championship in the Pop/Rock category.

image courtesy of www.Gua.com.my and kdmg.wordpress

La Liga: More to come from Barcelona

Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola sounded an ominous warning to the rest of the Primera Liga by insisting his team's performance in Saturday night's 5-0 thrashing of Deportivo La Coruna was "far from perfect".

Thierry Henry and Samuel Eto'o both struck twice as Barca hammered Depor at the Nou Camp to amass a record total of 50 points at the league's halfway stage.

But Guardiola, whose side hold a 12-point cushion over second-placed Real Madrid, said afterwards: "(It) was far from perfect. There are still things we aren't doing well.

"I got a good feeling, but there are always errors that need analysing and correcting."

Lionel Messi gave the hosts the lead with a fine individual strike after 21 minutes and Henry headed the Catalans two up shortly afterwards following a good cross by Dani Alves.

Eto'o then added a third four minutes before half-time to put the league leaders out of reach at the break.

Henry struck his second of the night late on from close range and Eto'o blasted home the fifth from the penalty spot after Deportivo goalkeeper Daniel Aranzubia had upended Carles Puyol.

The visitors were forced to finish the game with 10 men after Aranzubia was sent off for his challenge on the Barca captain.

Guardiola, who succeeded Frank Rijkaard as Barca boss in the summer, is delighted with his first half-season at the helm but warns nothing has been decided yet.

"We have collected a lot of points and scored a lot of goals," he added on Barca's website.

"I celebrate the fact that the fans have enjoyed these games so much. They will remember this forever if we win the league, but if we don't it'll just be an anecdote.

"There is no time to stop. We have to continue. There will be time later for more extensive evaluations."

Fabregas warning for City over Kaka pursuit

Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas has warned Manchester City that their vast wealth will not guarantee success after their £107 million bid to bring AC Milan ace Kaka to Eastlands.

Fabregas, who is currently on the sidelines recovering from a serious knee injury, has followed manager Arsene Wenger's lead and warned fans against expecting instant results.

The Spain international told The Sun: "A team is not built by the cheque-book alone. Money is not the most important thing in football.

"I think the important thing is not to rush into signing a new player just because money is available.

"A good team will develop naturally and trying to speed up this process with lots of money can be dangerous.

"If the club is well run, and the money they now have is well spent on building a good team, Manchester City will be dangerous. But money cannot work a miracle overnight.

"For example, Manchester United have an expensive team. Yet they won the title because they were a strong group of players, who played good football and had the belief.

"Their philosophy of attacking football was clear and they were rewarded for that."

Fabregas prefers Arsenal's approach to the game, where young talent is nurtured by Arsene Wenger, and he insists no team has a divine right to success.

He added: ""At Arsenal we prefer to develop young players and give them their chance, as I was given my chance when I was a teenager.

"Other clubs can spend what they like but we are happy with the way we do things here. I have to say I feel lucky to be at Arsenal and part of the club's philosophy.

"I am sure City will now have bigger ambitions. But only time will tell how successful City become. At Arsenal, we do not have the right to qualify for the Champions League every season. And City do not have that right either just because they are now very rich.

"In the future, City can perhaps be a top four team. With the foundations they have and what may happen in the future, anything is possible."

Barca and Sevilla advance to King's Cup quarters

Barcelona joined Sevilla and Valencia in the quarter-finals of the King's Cup on Wednesday as goals from Bojan Krkic and Eidur Gudjohnsen gave them a 2-1 win over Atletico Madrid in their second leg at the Nou Camp.

The Primera Liga leaders will face city rivals Espanyol in the last eight, Sevilla play Valencia, Real Mallorca take on Real Betis and Sporting Gijon will face either Athletic Bilbao or Osasuna, who play their second leg on Thursday.

Atletico sparked hopes of an unlikely comeback from their 3-1 defeat in last week's first leg in Madrid when striker Florent Sinama Pongolle headed them in front on 24 minutes.

But their chances were effectively snuffed out only a minute later when Krkic leapt to nod Silvinho's cross into the top corner past Gregory Coupet.

Atletico's woes were compounded when Sergio Aguero had to be replaced midway through the second half with the Argentine striker in some discomfort from what appeared to be leg cramps.

Barca made sure of progress soon after when Gudjohnsen drove the ball into the net after good work from Andres Iniesta down the left, condemning the visitors to a fourth straight defeat in all competitions.

Luis Fabiano scored twice for Sevilla as the 2007 Cup winners brushed Deportivo Coruna aside 3-0 to run out 5-1 winners on aggregate.

But holders Valencia needed extra time to see off Racing Santander 3-1, two goals from Vicente and one from Joaquin sending them through to the last eight 4-2 on aggregate after both the first leg and the opening 90 minutes had ended 1-1.

Sevilla took the lead at Deportivo in the opening minute when Jesus Navas volleyed home a cross from winger Diego Capel.

A couple of calamitous Depor defensive errors then gifted Luis Fabiano two goals to leave Sevilla 3-0 up at halftime.

The Brazilian robbed defender Diego Colotto and rounded goalkeeper Fabricio for his first with just over 20 minutes gone and then a collision between Colotto and Adrian Lopez let him in to score a second just before the break.

Sevilla finished the match with 10 men after keeper Andres Palop was sent off for felling Colotto in the area with around five minutes left.

Sevilla's Uruguayan striker Ernesto Chevanton, just back from injury, pulled on the keeper's shirt and watched Pablo Alvarez skew his shot off the post and wide.

In Valencia, Gonzalo Colsa equalised for Racing in the 21st minute, shortly after Vicente had given the home side the lead from the penalty spot, but neither side was able to find a winner in regular time.

Oriol Lozano's misplaced backpass in the first period of extra time allowed Vicente to run through and lift the ball over Tono for Valencia's second and Joaquin sealed the win with a superb finish to a swift break.

In other second legs, Segunda B (third tier) teams Poli Ejido and Real Union were eliminated by Espanyol and Real Betis respectively, although Espanyol needed the away goals rule to progress after Wednesday's tie ended 3-3 on aggregate.

Jorge Garcia's header in added time sent Sporting through at the expense of Real Valladolid with a 4-3 aggregate win, and Mallorca drew 1-1 at Almeria to give them a 4-2 win over the two legs.

Athletic host Osasuna on Thursday with the pair tied at 1-1 in the one remaining last 16 tie. The quarter-finals take place in the next two weeks.

Man City make Kaka bid

Manchester City have opened talks with Italian side AC Milan over a possible world record transfer bid of £100 million for Brazilian playmaker Kaka.

A City delegation led by chief executive Garry Cook flew to Italy on Tuesday to begin negotiations and are reported to be willing to pay Kaka a weekly wage of £250,000 or £13.65 million per season.

Milan owner Silvio Berlusconi could only claim he was "hopeful" that Kaka would remain at the San Siro and sources claimed that City want the 26-year-old "at all costs".

Slumping Atletico face trip to Barca

After three defeats in a week and calls from fans for coach Javier Aguirre to be sacked, Atletico Madrid face a daunting trip to Barcelona for Wednesday's King's Cup last 16 second leg needing to overturn a 3-1 deficit.

The Catalans humbled Atletico in the first leg last Tuesday thanks to a superb hat-trick from Lionel Messi and the Argentine forward was on target again on Sunday, hitting the winner in the 3-2 Primera Liga win at Osasuna.

The Atletico players have rallied round Aguirre. Goalkeeper Leo Franco said criticism from fans after Sunday's 3-2 woeful home loss to Athletic Bilbao was unfair while defender Antonio Lopez called for patience.

"The players are the ones who are to blame because he (Aguirre) is not out there on the pitch," Franco said on the club's website.

"We need to try to get back on the winning trail and then I am sure the cat calls directed at the coach will stop."

Atletico's task of stopping Messi and Barca's other prolific forwards, including the league's top scorer Samuel Eto'o and Thierry Henry, will be complicated by the absence of central defender John Heitinga.

The Dutchman is suspended for one match after he was sent off in the first leg for felling Messi in the penalty area, but Franco said he and his team mates still believed they had a chance of making it through to the quarter-finals.

"We are not going there for a stroll," he said. "We are confident of our chances and I sincerely believe we can do it."

In other Cup second legs on Wednesday, Sevilla travel to Deportivo Coruna with a 2-1 lead from the first leg having also beaten the Galicians 3-1 in the league at the weekend.

Holders Valencia host Racing Santander level at 1-1 and Real Valladolid need to reverse a 3-1 loss at Sporting Gijon in the first leg having also lost to them 2-1 in Sunday's league game.

Struggling Real Mallorca, thumped 3-0 by Real Madrid on Sunday, will be defending a 3-1 advantage at Almeria.

There are two non-Primera Liga teams left in the competition, Segunda B (third tier) sides Poli Ejido and Real Union, conquerors of Real Madrid in the previous round.

Poli Ejido travel to Barcelona looking to defend a 3-2 advantage over Espanyol while Real Union play Real Betis in Seville trailing 1-0.

In Thursday's one remaining match, Osasuna, currently bottom of the league, and Athletic Bilbao are tied at 1-1 following the first leg in Pamplona.

Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen

Release Date: Summer 2009

Decepticon forces return to Earth on a mission to take Sam Witwicky prisoner, after the young hero learns the truth about the ancient origins of the Transformers. Joining the mission to protect humankind is Optimus Prime, who forms an alliance with international armies for a second epic battle.

Why Israel scared to Hamas?

It is reported that Hamas vows to increase their rocket launch and mujahideen bombers to Israel and 70,000 Iranian students voluntarily to be with Hamas' side as a suicide bombers.

Gaza Attacks Continue

Far more civilians than Hamas fighters are arriving for treatment of war wounds at Gaza's main hospital as Israel's military incursion into the territory continues, two doctors say.

When the Israeli airstrikes began more than a week ago, the first casualties Shifa Hospital saw were fighters in military uniform, a Palestinian doctor said Monday.

"But after that day and until this day, we didn't receive any men from the resistance or anyone in the military," he said. "All of them were civilians."

Eric Fosse, a Norwegian doctor volunteering at Shifa, said he had seen more women and children among the casualties Monday than on any other day since the Israeli offensive began December 27. Most of the wounded men he is seeing are civilians as well, he said.

It is not clear whether Hamas dead and wounded are being taken to a different hospital.

Nearly 600 Palestinians, including at least 100 women and children, have been killed in Gaza since the campaign began, according to Palestinian medical sources. In addition, at least 2,750 Palestinians have been injured, most of them civilians, the sources said.

Nissan Grand Livina Tuned by Impul

For Grand Livina fans out there, this news will make you guys excited and aroused because Nissan will introduce tuned version for Grand Livina in Malaysia. You can check it out at Nissan showroom today.

The Grand Livina Tuned will be equipped with bodykit comprising of a new front grille, lips for the front and rear, side skirts, and an Impul rear wing spoiler.

The MPV is also fitted with the Impul sports suspension system which lowers ride height by 25mm and are tuned for a sportier drive with reduced body roll and pitch. The sporty look is completed with an Impul Blast II exhaust muffler, and 17 inch Impul Aura SX-10 alloy wheels wrapped with Dunlop Formula D 01 205/45R17 tyres.

The following are the prices for the Impul Grand Livina:

Impul Nissan Grand Livina 1.6 MT Comfort	RM 95,586.00
Impul Nissan Grand Livina 1.6 AT Comfort	RM 99,386.00
Impul Nissan Grand Livina 1.8 AT Comfort	RM 108,086.00
Impul Bodykit with Spoiler	RM 2,800
Impul Front Grille	RM 800
Impul Suspension	RM 2,800
Impul Blast II Exhaust	RM 1,800
Impul Aura SX-10 17 inch wheels	RM 4,500
Dunlop Formula D 01 205/45R17 tyre	RM 350 per tyre

Arsenal on Ashavin alert as Advocaat admits defeat

Zenit St Petersburg coach Dick Advocaat is resigned to losing star man Andrei Arshavin with Arsenal looking the most likely destination.

Arshavin has been a target for a number of Europe's top clubs since his excellent displays at Euro 2008 and it now looks as though the Gunners are stepping up their bid to bring him to the Emirates Stadium.

Certainly, Zenit boss Advocaat does not expect to have Arshavin at his disposal for much longer.

He said: ''I am aware that Arsenal are interested but I don't know any more than that. However, I am expecting Arshavin to leave Zenit for another club.

''He is a top player and he could play for any team and any of the top teams in England, Arsenal, Manchester United, Chelsea or Liverpool.

''He was voted player of the year by the sportswriters last season - and we know that they know everything!

''Arshavin played well for us last season but he didn't play as well as he can. There is still more to come from him and people will see that.''

''In principle, I have already bought Arshavin's successor, Danny, because I thought Arshavin was going to leave last year so Zenit. Danny can play in the same position as Arshavin so we won't be disrupted when he goes.''

Gunners boss Arsene Wenger has money to spend should he wish to strengthen the squad during the January transfer window - but maintains business will be done only for an ''exceptional talent''.

Arshavin would appear to fit that bill, and even the fact he will be cup-tied for the Champions League knock-out phase would not deter Wenger if it meant signing a quality player.

For Zenit's part, Advocaat believes Danny, the Portuguese midfielder who Zenit signed for around £24million, will become the new focal point for the Russian side.

King's Cup: Messi treble gives Barca cup win over Atletico

A superb Lionel Messi hat-trick gave Barcelona a 3-1 win over 10-man Atletico Madrid in the first leg of their last 16 King's Cup tie on Tuesday.

The Argentine forward, playing for the first time since the Christmas break, also hit the crossbar and many of the Atletico fans stood and applauded him when he was replaced near the end.

Barcelona made most of the early running at a chilly Vicente Calderon despite resting key players from the team who beat Real Mallorca at the weekend, including Xavi and Samuel Eto'o.

A deft piece of skill from Daniel Alves unlocked the Atletico defence for Messi's opening goal on 12 minutes.

The Argentine international played the ball inside and Alves sent a clever backheel through for him to run on and place a low shot past Gregory Coupet.

Atletico had to play with 10 men for most of the second half after defender John Heitinga felled Messi in the penalty area as he was racing to meet an Alves cross.

The referee showed the Dutchman a red card and Messi sent Coupet the wrong way to double Barca's lead before substitute Tomas Ujfalusi pulled a goal back just over 10 minutes later with a header from Simao Sabrosa's corner.

Messi completed his hat-trick on 80 minutes when he picked the ball up in the area, wrong-footed Coupet and lifted the ball into the roof of the net.

Seconds earlier, he had weaved his way through the Atletico defences and crashed a shot against the bar.

Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola said his side, who lead the Primera Liga by 11 points, had made a big step towards the quarter-finals ahead of next week's second leg.

''I am very satisfied with the effort the players made tonight,'' he told a news conference. ''We kept up a good level of intensity and Messi was magnificent.''

Guardiola's counterpart at Atletico, Javier Aguirre, also paid tribute to Messi.

''He's playing at an extraordinary level. He also has a lot of confidence and that's very positive for his team,'' Aguirre said.

''We were never really in the game in the first half but in the second half we came out much more brightly.

''But going two down and also down to 10 men against Barca is very complicated. Let's see what happens next week.''

There are five more Cup first legs on Wednesday, including holders Valencia's trip to face Racing Santander and 2007 winners Sevilla's match at home to Deportivo Coruna.

The only remaining non-Primera Liga clubs Real Union and Poli Ejido of the Segunda B (third tier) are at home to Real Betis and Espanyol respectively.

The northern derby between the Primera Liga's bottom club Osasuna and 23-times winners Athletic Bilbao is on Thursday, when Mallorca host Hugo Sanchez's Almeria.

The second legs take place on January 14 and 15.

Wenger ends interest in Udinese's Inler

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has confirmed that he has put and end to his pursuit of Udinese midfielder Gokhan Inler and will target a player with "special class" instead.

The Gunners boss had been widely tipped to trigger the Swiss international's buy-out clause with an £8 million bid but Wenger has now turned his attention elsewhere.

Asked if he was interested in signing the talented 24-year-old midfielder as a replacement for Mathieu Flamini, who signed for AC Milan in May, Wenger said: "Yes, in the summer. But not any more."

Instead, Wenger will turn his attention to signing a world-class player who may be currently cup tied for this season's Champions League but could benefit the club in the Premier League.

Wenger said: "I feel that if we do add somebody, we add somebody who has a special class.

"And I would like to think longer term than just whether that player is eligible for the Champions League this season."

The Arsenal boss' comments has lead to much speculation in the UK press that he was alluding to a £20 million move for Russian star Andrei Arshavin.

Arshavin has already represented Zenit St Petersburg in this season's Champions League and Wenger is reported to be an admirer of the want-away 27-year-old.

The arrival of the Russian forward would provide a much needed morale boost to Wenger's young squad following the long-term loss of injured skipper Cesc Fabregas.

And although the Gunners boss said last week he would not spend "silly money" on transfers club chairman Peter Hill-Wood has suggested there is money to spend.

Israeli troops push forward, splitting Gaza

Thousands of Israeli troops, backed by tanks, artillery and helicopters, have pushed deep into Gaza, essentially splitting the territory in two. More than 500 Palestinians have been killed over the past week, according to Palestinian medical sources. Four Israelis, one soldier and three civilians, have been killed in the ongoing rocket strikes according to Israeli officials.

Focused Van Persie ''dreams'' of Wembley

Robin van Persie has set his sights on firing Arsenal to FA Cup glory to fulfil a Wembley ''dream''.

The Dutchman, who captained the Gunners yesterday, netted a brace to help see off battling Coca-Cola Championship outfit Plymouth 3-1 at the Emirates Stadium.

Arsene Wenger named a strong side in a competition which may well now present Arsenal's best chance of ending their three-season trophy drought although they face a tough test in round four with a tricky trip to Cardiff.

Van Persie, signed from Feyenoord in August 2004, was at the end of his first campaign with the Gunners when they beat Manchester United on penalties to win the FA Cup at the Millennium Stadium in the Welsh capital.

Now the world's oldest knockout competition is back at its traditional home, the 25-year-old is hoping for a repeat performance under the Wembley arch in May.

''For me it is a big thing because the FA Cup has a big history going back a hundred years. I was lucky enough to win it in my first year and I hope to win it this year as well,'' he said.

''I know it is going to be difficult because you can draw teams that give absolutely everything.

''There are big tests coming up but hopefully we can go far and make at least the final.''

Van Persie added: ''When we were in the final last time, we were playing at Cardiff. It was fantastic in front of 70,000 people, but it is still a dream for me to play at Wembley. I have never played there.''

The Dutchman admits he did not think Arsenal would be in such a barren spell after he joined a club who at the time were ''winning trophies for fun''.

He said: ''I came to the champions, so I was expecting something, but it has not really happened in the last three years.

''It is not a reason for me to give up - it is a bigger challenge for me to do it.

''If we can do it now, then it is a big achievement.''

Van Persie added: ''Everyone has to improve, but that is no problem.

''If you look at the last couple of games, we have been winning and not losing, so that is the basics.

''Even the hard games, we need to produce and sometimes we need to win ugly games if you want to achieve something big. Hopefully we can do that.''

Van Persie revealed he was not expecting to be handed the captain's armband, albeit temporarily in the absence of injured skipper Cesc Fabregas and with veteran keeper Manuel Almunia on the bench yesterday.

''I was quite surprised when the manager said it, but I love it because I always just try to help and be positive for the team,'' he said.

''It is just a great honour to be captain even if it is for just one game.''

Wenger, meanwhile, maintained Arsenal needed to avoid a banana skin in what has already been a tough campaign.

''I was conscious we could not afford to slip up here, at home, in the third round because we have had enough negative publicity,'' he said.

''I feel that slowly the team is coming up again and growing in confidence and I did not want to cut that confidence.

''I feel as well that we are not, at the moment, in a position where we can choose the competitions.

''If that happens we will do it later, but at the moment I felt it was just important for the club and the team to go through.''

It was a brave effort from Argyle, cheered on by some 9,000 supporters who were handed a lifeline by a volleyed effort from captain Karl Duguid soon after an own goal from on-loan Manchester United defender David Gray, knocked in under pressure from Nicklas Bendtner, had looked to have put the tie beyond them at 2-0.

Manager Paul Sturrock feels that if Plymouth - who currently sit 15th in the Championship, but only eight points from the play-offs - could one day make it into the top flight, it would be a huge achievement for the whole of the region.

''We are not the finished article, now we have to sit down and come together as a squad,'' he said.

''If we were able to get up into the Premier League we would have to put another tier on as we could get 30, 40, 50,000 in - the whole of Devon and Cornwall would come to the fore because that is the type of football fans they are down there.''

FA Cup: Skipper Van Persie on song for Gunners

Arsenal 3 - 1 Plymouth Argyle

Stand-in captain Robin van Persie scored two goals as Arsenal finally saw off the brave challenge of Coca-Cola Championship Plymouth 3-1 in their FA Cup third-round tie at Emirates Stadium.

The Dutchman struck at the start and the end of the second half to secure safe passage into Sunday's draw after Argyle captain Karl Duguid had grabbed a lifeline for the West Country side and their superb 9,000-strong support.

Arsenal have not made the final of the FA Cup since they won it in 2005 - the last trophy lifted by Wenger's men.

Given their current 10-point deficit in the Barclays Premier League, this famous old competition could now represent the most likely avenue to more silverware in 2009 - and as such Wenger named a strong side, led by van Persie in the absence of injured skipper Cesc Fabregas.

Arsenal saw plenty of the ball as the hosts dominated the opening exchanges.

There was a half chance on five minutes when Aaron Ramsey's scuffed shot found its way through to van Persie in the six-yard box. But the angle was tight and Plymouth keeper Romain Larrieu made a smart double block at the near post.

The home side remained patient in their build-up, and in the 15th minute they carved open the Plymouth defence.

Wales youngster Ramsey charged into the penalty box before laying the ball off to Emmanuel Eboue - and it took a brilliant reaction save from Larrieu to deny the much-maligned Ivory Coast midfielder.

Van Persie glanced a header just wide at the far post from Samir Nasri's cross as the Gunners pressed again.

Abou Diaby's quick turn in from the right corner saw him flash the ball across goal, but Nicklas Bendtner was unable to make contact.

William Gallas' angled effort was blocked first by Chris Baker and then the goalkeeper as the Plymouth goal continued to lead a charmed life.

Larrieu beat away a 20-yard strike from Ramsey before Arsenal were forced into a change on the half-hour when Mikael Silvestre limped off, to be replaced by Kieran Gibbs.

It was then Lukasz Fabianski's turn to take centre stage when the Pole, making a rare start, acrobatically tipped over Paul Gallagher's chip from the edge of the penalty area which was dropping in under the bar.

Arsenal finally grabbed the lead just 53 seconds after the restart through van Persie.

The Dutchman was left unmarked in the six-yard box at a corner, taken by Samir Nasri on the left, and promptly crashed a bullet header into the roof of the net.

Before the Championship side had time to regroup, it was 2-0.

This time van Persie turned provider, spinning his marker down the right side of the box and sending a low centre across goal.

With Bendtner lurking, David Gray - the on-loan Manchester United defender making his debut - could only manage to divert the ball past the goalkeeper on 50 minutes.

Arsenal, though, were themselves then guilty of poor defending to immediately allow Argyle back into the match.

A deep free-kick from the left was punched only half clear by Fabianski. Gray, on the overlap down the right, picked up the loose ball and whipped it across a crowded six-yard box, where skipper Duguid arrived at the far post to volley into the net - and send the massed ranks of green behind the goal into delirium.

The Premier League side were clearly rattled and for a spell lost their composure.

Plymouth continued to press for an equaliser, testing the resolve of the Arsenal backline with several high balls deep into the danger area.

Midfielder Rory Fallon tried his luck with a 20-yard curling effort, which was just wide of the top corner.

Arsenal fans sensed they would need a third goal to make the tie safe - and Ramsey was just off-target with his angled shot on the turn before Marcel Seip cleared Nasri's effort off the line after the keeper had raced out of his area.

It was finally 3-1 with six minutes left when Nasri chipped the ball through to van Persie. His lob was well saved by Larrieu, but the Dutchman was first to the rebound, which he smashed into the empty net.

# Wenger praise for professional Gunners

La Liga: Barcelona comeback stretches lead at top

Andres Iniesta came off the bench to score as Barcelona extended their lead at the top of the Primera Liga to 13 points with a hard-fought 3-1 win over Real Mallorca at the Nou Camp on Saturday.

The Spain midfielder, making his first appearance after an eight-week injury layoff, was at the far post to tap home Eidur Gudjohnsen's low cross in the 75th minute and score Barca's second, putting them ahead for the first time in the match.

Aritz Aduriz had stunned the home fans with a quarter of an hour gone when he stole the ball from Yaya Toure in midfield, outpaced defender Victor Sanchez and clipped the ball over the onrushing Victor Valdes to give the visitors the lead.

Barca soon equalised when Thierry Henry controlled Xavi's deep corner at the far post and swept the ball into the net and, after Iniesta had given them the lead, Toure made amends for his earlier mistake with a well-taken goal in added time.

The Mallorca players vigorously protested Iniesta's goal and television replays appeared to show Gudjohnsen had received the ball in an offside position before making the decisive pass.

"We can all make mistakes but it hurts when a refereeing error destroys a match," Mallorca coach Gregorio Manzano told reporters. "That mistake determined the outcome of the game."

Barcelona are top with 44 points from 17 matches ahead of Sevilla, who host bottom club Osasuna on Sunday (1800 GMT).

Mallorca, the last team to win at the Nou Camp when they triumphed 3-2 in May, have 14 points and are one place above the relegation zone. They finished with 10 men after defender Josemi was shown a second yellow card for a foul just before the end.

Toure set to leave Arsenal in January?

Arsenal defender Kolo Toure's will demand a move in the January transfer window after a furious bust-up with team-mate William Gallas, according to reports in the English media.

The Ivory Coast international has reportedly handed in a transfer request after falling out of favour at the club in recent games.

The defender got into a row with former captain Gallas following the 2-2 draw at Aston Villa on Boxing Day and has now told the Emirates club that he wants to quit in January, news which will alert Manchester City who are keen on bringing the £10million-rated defender to Eastlands.

A source told the Daily Star: "Kolo doesn't want to stay - he cannot stand Gallas and Gallas cannot stand him.

"Gallas is showing him complete disrespect and Kolo believes he's been mouthing off to Wenger about them not being able to play together and Wenger is listening to him."

Toure was dropped for the unconvincing 1-0 win over Portsmouth on Sunday after playing alongside Gallas in the heartbreaking draw at Villa Park.

Despite the 27-year-old's desire to quit north London, Wenger could still reject his transfer request - but could be forced to part with the versatile defender to boost funds.

Wenger hopes to bolster his midfield ranks, with Everton playmaker Mikel Arteta and Switzerland international Gokhan Inler on the Frenchman's radar.

And with Toure contracted to the club until August 2010, Wenger could be tempted into parting with the defender to release his £3.5m-per-year salary.