Stokes fires Cats to cup comeback

Marton Fulop and Anthony Stokes were the heroes as Sunderland drew 2-2 with Northampton in the Carling Cup, beating them 4-3 on penalties.League One Northampton looked to be home and dry when Colin Larkin, who had put them ahead after 20 minutes, crossed for the impressive Luke Guttridge to make it 2-0 with nine minutes remaining.

But they had not counted on another late show from the Black Cats as Stokes climbed off the bench to pull a goal back with five minutes to go and then, with his side down to 10 men because of an injury to Nyron Nosworthy, level in the third minute of stoppage-time.

Extra time could not split the sides, and it came down to a test of nerve from 12 yards.

Cobblers skipper Mark Hughes and Stokes both failed, but after Kieran Richardson had converted the Wearsiders' fifth penalty, Fulop dived to his left to keep out Leon Constantine's effort to complete an unlikely fightback.

It was harsh on the Cobblers, who dumped Bolton out of the competition in the last round and were perilously close to doing the same to their top flight counterparts on Tuesday night.

But for all Sunderland boss Roy Keane will have been delighted with the outcome, what transpired before it will have left him with as many questions as answers.

The red and white faithful headed away from the Stadium of Light on Saturday evening celebrating a derby victory over Middlesbrough and a match-winning return from Michael Chopra following the personal problems which Keane admitted had taken his spark away.

There were more than a few raised eyebrows when the striker was not included in a starting line-up which featured eight changes, although the dead leg he suffered against Boro may have explained his presence only among the substitutes.

But if Chopra had rediscovered his spark, that quality was sadly lacking in the men who did take the field before the break, or at least until Northampton had edged their way in front.

The Cobblers enjoyed the better of the opening exchanges as Sunderland struggled for any kind of coherence, and the opening goal was far from against the run of play.

Constantine's flick-on fell perfectly for strike-partner Larkin, and his firmly-struck right-foot shot was too good for keeper Marton Fulop.

Only a last-ditch block from Nosworthy denied defender Jason Crowe a free strike at goal eight minutes later, and the home fans were less than impressed.

But it was then that the Black Cats finally managed to find their feet, and but for the excellence of keeper Frank Fielding, they would have been at least back on terms by the time the first half drew to a close.

He dived full-length to claw away David Healy's flicked 33rd-minute header, then denied captain Dean Whitehead in the final minute of the half - after Andy Reid and Grant Leadbitter had gone close.

Keane, never afraid to make changes, did just that at the break when he hauled Carlos Edwards and Healy off and replaced them with Richardson and, to the delight of the fans, Chopra.

However, Northampton came close to a second goal with 57 minutes gone when Constantine controlled Hughes' cross into space and then thumped a right-foot shot on the turn straight at Fulop.

The Sunderland goalkeeper was left exposed again six minutes later when Larkin and Constantine combined for the latter to stand the ball up at the far post, but midfielder Andy Holt glanced his header wide.

Keane's men were making little impression, and Chopra wasted a rare chance when he blazed a 70th-minute free-kick high over.

Parry in shock Wales retirement

Paul Parry has stunned Wales two days before a vital World Cup qualifier by retiring from international football.

BBC Sport Wales understands that the Cardiff City attacker was unhappy at being left on the bench during the 1-0 win over Azerbaijan on Saturday.

The 28-year-old was told by Wales boss John Toshack that he would start the match away to Russia on Wednesday.

But despite that Parry left the squad on Sunday night, ending a 12-cap career in which he scored one goal for Wales.

Parry had only recently returned to the Wales squad following an 18-month self-imposed absence.

He withdrew from Wales' Euro 2008 qualifying mid-campaign citing personal reasons.

World Cup qualifying tables- Fixtures

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FIFA World Cup European Qualifying : Group Seven Table 06 September 2008 22:43


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FIFA World Cup European Qualifying : Group Nine Table 06 September 2008 21:40

Pressure building on Scots boss

Whether he would admit it or not, George Burley was under a degree of pressure ahead of Scotland's World Cup qualifying opener against Macedonia.

Two draws and a defeat in his opening three friendly matches as Scotland boss did little to excite the Tartan Army, whose expectations had been raised by predecessors Alex McLeish and Walter Smith.

And now that the Scots have opened their campaign with a defeat, Burley's honeymoon period is well and truly over after his first competitive game in charge.

The former Ipswich and Hearts boss tried to play down the importance of the clash in Skopje as just one of eight qualifiers for the 2010 finals in South Africa.

But there was an ominous feeling as Scotland conceded an early goal to Ilco Naumoski in the stifling Macedonian heat.

Suddenly nerves crept into the Scottish play with passing pedestrian and the home side enjoying ample possession in attacking areas.

There were more encouraging signs for Burley after the interval with Scott Brown and Shaun Maloney coming close to equalising.

But it was not long before Macedonia turned the screw and but for two excellent saves by Craig Gordon, the Scots' fate would have been sealed much sooner than the full-time whistle.

Scotland finished the game strongly but could not find the opening that would have secured a point, with James McFadden furious at the referee's decision not to award a penalty following a challenge by goalkeeper Petar Milosevski.

Burley's men now turn their attentions to Wednesday's clash with Iceland in Reykjavik and lessons must be learned from the Macedonian defeat if Scotland are to return home with something to show for their travels.

Brown was much more effective when deployed in a central midfield role, having played wide on the right in the first half in Skopje.

The more direct approach adopted after the interval must be Scotland's tactic from the beginning in the Icelandic capital as another slow start could once again prove costly.

The fruit of Scotland's labours under Smith and McLeish was built on a defensive strength which made the side difficult to beat, particularly away from home.

Burley's emphasis in club management has always been on possession and passing and while admirable, he may have to mimic the tactics of his predecessors in learning to win the physical battles and hitting on the break.

The Scotland manager's appraisal of the Macedonia match being only the beginning of a qualifying campaign was indeed correct but unless his side recover quickly from a maiden defeat, the legacy of Skopje may haunt Burley for many months to come.

What's wrong with Argentina? - worldcup qualifying rounds

In the course of one round, the pressure in South America's World Cup qualification campaign has changed hands.

It was on Brazil, but their 3-0 win away to Chile takes them to second in the table, above Argentina on goal difference - an Argentina who have now gone four rounds without a win.

And in this midweek's eighth round, Brazil have much the easier game, the home banker against Bolivia.

Argentina, meanwhile, travel to Peru, who for all their problems have yet to lose in Lima in this campaign, and who will have their tails up after registering their first win on Saturday.

So what's the problem with Argentina?

There is no side in the world more pleasing on the eye, with their intricate midfield patterns. But for all their success at Olympic and Under-20 levels, their last senior title came in 1993. How can a side that circulate the ball so well be looking on Wednesday for their first win in five games?

What's more, they seem to be aware that something is wrong.

For the first 10 minutes at home to Paraguay on Saturday they were irresistible. The opening goal seemed a matter of time. But as soon as they went behind to Gabriel Heinze's own goal, the confidence drained out of them and for a while they were a shambles. The team sensed its own fragility. Perhaps they know that for all the interpassing they need to improve in both penalty areas, where matches are won and lost.

Gabriel Heinze is an example, a good, gutsy club defender who is not up to international football. At the highest level he is exposed as being neither one thing nor the other. He's not quick enough to play full-back - the Brazil coaching staff made it very clear that playing on this won them last year's Copa America - and not commanding enough for a centre back - Saturday's own goal was another illustration.

Now that Roberto Ayala has gone the Argentina back line is creaking. There is not a lot of pace there. Also, if they are going to select three centre backs, as they did on Saturday, then two of them must be capable of bringing the ball out of defence. If not, the consequence is a sequence of passes played back to the keeper - and Carrizo, the substitute goalkeeper who came on after first choice Abbondanzieri was injured, is not at his most comfortable with the ball at his feet.

He did, though, produce one flying save to ensure that Argentina secured a 1-1 draw. All eyes will be on Carrizo on Wednesday. It is a long, long time since Argentina produced a top class keeper - an aspect of the game where they have been comprehensively overtaken by Brazil. One of Brazil's leading goalkeeping preparation specialists told me he thought Argentine keepers were strong on personality but weak on technique.

In Argentina they are confident that the new generation has been better trained. Ustari, who injured himself in the Olympics, had a troubled season with Getafe in Spain but remains a hope. Romero, who took over from him, may be one for the future. But this is Carrizo's moment to show that he can provide the solution.

At the other end of the field, Carlos Tevez has become a problem. On Saturday he was sent off in the first half - as happened in the last World Cup qualifier he played, away to Colombia. But when he manages to stay on the pitch his scoring record is hardly prolific - seven goals in 42 games.

Sergio Aguero, who came off the bench to score Saturday's equaliser, looks a better bet. His extra pace means that he can be slipped behind the line.

But Argentina have plenty of stocky little strikers. What is lacking, if only as an option on the bench, is a target man. The key to Brazil's 3-0 win in Chile was the physical power, aerial strength and cutting edge of centre forward Luis Fabiano. Since the decline of Hernan Crespo Argentina have missed this type of player.

In the first 10 minutes against Paraguay the Olympic hero Di Maria, making his senior debut, put over two gorgeous crosses from the left. No one got on the end of them - if Batistuta was still around his eyes would have lit up.

Rooney unfazed by England drought- live football score

Wayne Rooney insists his England goalscoring record is not weighing on his mind as he approaches Wednesday's World Cup qualifier against Croatia.

The Manchester United striker has scored only five times for England in four years and was again off target in Saturday's 2-0 victory over Andorra.

However, ahead of the crunch game in Zagreb, he said of his lack of goals for England: "I've no problem with it.

"It's a new campaign, a new start and hopefully we can do well."

Observers have noted Rooney's other contributions aside from goalscoring and he showed the creative side of his game in setting up Joe Cole's second goal at the Olympic Stadium in Barcelona at the weekend.

Midfielder Frank Lampard agrees that Rooney need not worry about his recent lack of international goals.

"The thing with Wayne is that he is not just a goalscorer," stated the Chelsea star.

"He is a creator and works hard for the team, creating angles, not only an out-and-out striker."

Rooney insists his only concern is a good team performance and he added: "Croatia are a good footballing team and we know we'll have to be at the top of our game.

"We'll have to defend well, first of all, and create opportunities going forward. Hopefully we can do that."

The meeting will be the first between the sides since England's disastrous 3-2 defeat at Wembley in November 2007, a loss that resulted in then manager Steve McClaren's squad failing to qualify for Euro 2008.

However, captain John Terry and former skipper David Beckham are insistent that the match is not about revenge.

"It's not about having a score to settle," said Beckham. "We just want to get a good result and put a good performance in.

"We know Croatia have got some really good players and we know it's very hostile there but we have to forget about what has gone on in the past. This is the present and we have to work towards what we want to achieve in this group."

Terry commented: "I don't want to get across any kind of revenge message but, at the same time, it's a new campaign and we are going there to pick up three points so if we can get off to a good six-point start then we will take that.

"We have to rise to the challenge. We know it's difficult and we know they have not been beaten there for a long time.

"We have to go there with a clean slate and not think about the last game we played against them."