Team India wait for a decision following a play where India believed Australian batsman David Hussey was obstructing the field while playing in their one day international cricket match on Feb. 26, 2012, in Sydney.

Indian bowlers stifled Australia’s batsmen in the death overs to restrict the hosts to 252 for nine in a critical league match of the ongoing ODI cricket tri-series here today.

The hosts, struggling at 57 for 3 in the 14th over, hoisted themselves to 252/9 thanks to half centuries by David Warner (68), David Hussey (54) and Matthew Wade (56).

Praveen Kumar provided two early wickets; Umesh Yadav chipped in with a couple of scalps in the final two overs but Virender Sehwag was the surprise package with 3 for 43 from his nine overs.

In the final 10 overs, India conceded only 47 runs.

The talking point at the ground though was the ”obstructing the field” appeal by the Indians against David Hussey in the 24th over which was over-ruled by onfield umpires, after direction from third umpire Simon Fry.

It was Ravichandran Ashwin’s seventh over and Australia were 119 for 4 when left-hander Matthew Wade hit the ball into the covers.

Suresh Raina swooped on the shot and threw it hard at the keeper Mahendra Singh Dhoni. Hussey, then on 17, dashed down from the non-striker’s end in a flash.

He found himself in line with the throw and instinctively thrust out his right hand to fend himself.

The Indians viewed it as obstruction of field and skipper Dhoni appealed against the batsman.

However, after long deliberation, the decision was given in favour of the batsman. The umpires’ view was that Hussey wasn’t trying to obstruct the field but was trying to save himself from a physical injury.

As umpire Billy Bowden resumed his position at the striker’s end, Dhoni and other Indian fielders followed him and argued. Dhoni clearly wasn’t in sync with the decision and gave the umpire his piece of mind.

It was a critical moment of the game for both teams, more so for India who were just a wicket away from assuming the ascendancy in the game.

India had begun well through Praveen, who immediately made his presence felt after being given a game on account of Vinay Kumar’s hamstring injury.

Praveen began with a maiden and then took the wickets of stand-in captain Shane Watson (1) and Peter Forrest (7) in his first spell of 7-1-22-2.

Watson pulled a short-delivery from Praveen into the hands of the mid-on fielder while Forrest tried to cut a rising delivery too close to him and dragged it down on to his stumps.

Warner and Mike Hussey (10) then tried to stem the rot before the latter fell by way of run-out. Hussey drove Ashwin past covers to long-off and sensing a second run went for it as his partner Warner had initially responded.

Warner then changed his mind and Hussey was too way down the track to turn and regain the non-striker’s crease. Fielder Irfan Pathan was good with his throw and Ashwin did the rest.

Australia were 57 for 3 in the 14th over.

India’s stranglehold was loosened when Umesh Yadav was introduced in the 15th over. The medium-pacer conceded 20 runs in his two overs, much to Warner’s benefit who completed his half century by thrashing him through the covers, needing 48 balls with five fours.

Warner left as soon as the 100 of the innings was posted.

He tried to sweep a fullish delivery from Ravindra Jadeja in the 21st over.

As the ball looped up in the air, both Suresh Raina, from inside the circle, and Irfan Pathan at fine leg, dashed for it.

Raina, running with the ball, took a splendid catch but couldn’t avoid the on-rushing Pathan and both collided in a terrible manner. However, both escaped without any serious injury.

Warner made 68 off 66 balls and hit seven fours during his knock. Australia were 107 for 4 in the 21st over and in trouble.

Then the “obstruction of field” appeal went Australia’s way and Wade and Hussey didn’t need any other invitation to turn the situation around for their team.

The two batsmen matched each other stroke for stroke and briskness between the wickets. Wade completed his half century with a massive six over midwicket off Ashwin.

However, the left-hander departed in the 40th over while trying to steer a delivery from Umesh Yadav, caught comfortably by Dhoni.

Wade made 56 off 66 balls with two fours and a six and shared a 94-run fifth wicket stand with Hussey off 110 balls.

The latter completed his half century in the same over, facing 58 balls and striking two fours. Australia were 205 for 5 after 40 overs.

Yadav made it a twin strike when he made one rise on Hussey and the batsman, trying to slash it, edged the chance behind the stumps. The junior Hussey made 54 off 64 balls with two fours. Australia were 212 for 6 in the 43nd over.

India built on these two successes when Sehwag claimed a wicket in the 44th over, drawing Clint Mckay forward and Dhoni effecting a stumping. Australia were 217 for 7 in the 44th over with last three wickets being claimed in the space of 23 balls for 16 runs.

Sehwag too built on his success when he lured Brett Lee (4) into hitting a catch in the deep where Virat Kohli held an easy catch.

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LONDON: Stoke City booked their place in this season's FA Cup quarter-finals with a 2-0 win away to fourth-tier Crawley Town on Sunday despite playing most of the match a man down after Rory Delap was sent off.

Goals either side of half-time, courtesy of a Jonathan Walters penalty and a Peter Crouch header, saw Stoke, last season's beaten finalists, make it into the last eight.

Stoke's victory ended the FA Cup run of League Two side Crawley, the lowest-ranked club left in the tournament, who also reached the fifth round stage of English football's leading knockout competition last season.

But Premier League Stoke suffered an early setback when Delap was shown a straight red card by referee Mike Jones for a lunging challenge on David Hunt in the 17th minute.

"We're one win away from Wembley again and it would be lovely if we could get a home tie," said Stoke manager Tony Pulis, whose side have had three away matches in this season's competition.

Asked about Delap's red card, he added: "There is a big problem within the game in that I think professional people and referees are so far apart in what they see in terms of what are fair challenges or competitive challenges and the bad, reckless challenges.

"We had a fourth official (Lee Probert) today who I think has got Rory sent off.

"He has refereed a game against Liverpool and not even booked a player for what was the worst challenge in the Premier League this year in (Yohan) Cabaye's challenge on (Jay) Spearing.

"Lee was five yards away and the difference between what we think and sometimes what referees think is enormous."

Crawley manager Steve Evans was also unhappy with the officiating.

"I think we're unfortunate to go out this year," he said. "I think I probably take it harder this year than I did going out at Manchester United.

"I can't help but be disappointed by the match referee. I think from a second-half perspective, he has had a poor game for me and he is normally a very good referee."

Three minutes before half-time Crawley's Kyle McFadzean found himself playing an unwanted role when he tangled with Ryan Shawcross in the Crawley box.

There was enough contact for Jones to point to the spot and Walters's driven low penalty had too much on it for Crawley keeper Rene Gilmartin.

Stoke, who lost to Manchester City in last season's final at Wembley, went into the break 1-0 up and seven minutes after half-time England striker Crouch had doubled their lead in typical fashion when he headed in a free-kick.

- AFP/ac/de

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LONDON: Premier League high-flyers Tottenham Hotspur were held to a shock goalless draw away to third tier Stevenage in the FA Cup fifth round on Sunday and face a replay to reach the quarter-finals.

League One Stevenage demonstrated excellent defensive organisation and no little skill in attack to keep a Spurs side managed by Harry Redknapp, favourite for the permanent England job, at bay.

Tottenham, third in English football's top-flight and eight-times FA Cup winners did see Stevenage goalkeeper Chris Day, a former Spurs player, make a good save to turn Gareth Bale's 25-yard effort round the post early in the second half.

Spurs then had the ball in the back of net when Louis Saha steered in Danny Rose's cross only for the effort to be ruled out after a linesman spotted the striker's shot had clipped the offside Scott Parker before hitting the net.

However, few could deny Stevenage deserved a money spinning replay trip to Spurs' White Lane ground.

"I've managed lower league sides that have knocked Premier League teams out (of the FA Cup) and managed Premier League teams who've been knocked out," Redknapp told ITV.

"They (Stevenage) made it difficult and worked hard. The ball was bobbling around, it was difficult to pass the ball on that pitch."

Delighted Stevenage boss Gary Smith said: "We had one or two opportunities we could have made more of but, overall, the players were outstanding."

There no stumbles for the other two Premier League sides involved in Cup action on Sunday.

Liverpool and Stoke will face each other in an Anfield quarter-final after the Reds thrashed Championship Brighton 6-1 and Stoke triumphed 2-0 away to fourth-tier Crawley Town.

Liverpool, helped by a Cup record three own-goals from Brighton, went ahead at Anfield in the fifth minute when Martin Skrtel got in front of Ashley Barnes to head in a Steven Gerrard corner.

But the Seagulls were level in the 17th minute when Kazenga LuaLua's fierce free-kick through a disintegrating Liverpool wall gave Pepe Reina no chance.

Before half-time Liverpool were 2-1 up when a Glen Johnson header deflected in off Liam Bridcutt.

Andy Carroll made it 3-1 with a thumping 57th minute shot before the luckless Bridcutt 'scored' his second own goal in the 71st minute, when he turned in a Gerrard shot.

Three minutes later Brighton's Lewis Dunk hacked a Luis Suarez cross into his own net and five minutes from time Suarez, who had a penalty saved, completed the rout when the unmarked striker headed in Liverpool's sixth goal.

Stoke won at Crawley despite playing most of the match a man down after Rory Delap was sent off.

Goals either side of half-time, courtesy of a Jonathan Walters penalty and a Peter Crouch header, saw Stoke, last season's beaten finalists, into the last eight.

Stoke's victory ended the FA Cup run of League Two side Crawley, who also reached the fifth round last season before losing to Manchester United.

But Premier League Stoke suffered an early setback when Delap was shown a straight red card by referee Mike Jones for a lunging challenge on David Hunt in the 17th minute.

Stoke manager Tony Pulis criticised Jones for Delap's red card by saying: "There is a big problem within the game in that I think professional people and referees are so far apart in what they see in terms of what are fair challenges or competitive challenges and the bad, reckless challenges."

Sunday's quarter-final draw produced another all Premier League tie with Everton, who knocked Blackpool out on Saturday, at home to Sunderland, who ended Arsenal's FA Cup campaign.

Stevenage or Tottenham will welcome Bolton while Chelsea or Birmingham, who drew 1-1 on Saturday, will face Championship Leicester, who on Saturday beat Premier League Norwich 2-1 in the only upset win of the fifth round.

- AFP/de

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LIVERPOOL, United Kingdom: Two own goals from Liam Bridcutt and a third by Lewis Dunk helped Liverpool to a 6-1 win over second-tier Brighton at Anfield on Sunday as they set up an FA Cup quarter-final tie with Stoke.

The Reds, who have not won any silverware since the 2006 FA Cup, face another Championship side in Cardiff in the League Cup final at Wembley next weekend.

But they also moved into the last eight of the FA Cup with a convincing display against Gus Poyet's team.

Martin Skrtel made the breakthrough in the fifth minute and although Kazenga Lua Lua pulled Brighton level, Bridcutt's first own goal sent Liverpool in ahead at the interval.

Andy Carroll scored a third with a low finish just before the hour, Bridcutt and Dunk scored own goals and, after missing a penalty, Luis Suarez added a sixth from close range.

It was the first time in history a team had scored three own goals in one FA Cup tie.

"You know you're going to have to defend, but I think we scored three own goals," Brighton manager Gus Poyet told ESPN.

"I don't remember the last time that happened. I think we were naive, but welcome to the world of the Premiership."

Liverpool went ahead when Gerrard's corner picked out Skrtel, who peeled away at the near post and glanced a header past Brighton keeper Peter Brezovan.

But the visitors drew level when Lua Lua made Jordan Henderson pay for giving away an unnecessary free-kick on the edge of the area by driving the ball powerfully past Reina at the goalkeeper's near post.

Liverpool then saw Carroll headed wide from a Charlie Dam cross, Jose Enrique miss with a right-foot shot after a strong run and Inigo Calderon hack off the line after Suarez had beaten Brezovan with a stabbed shot.

Charlie Adam drilled over from 25 yards and Carroll also saw a header from a Gerrard cross fly narrowly over the bar.

Lua Lua missed the chance to add a second for Brighton when he saw his effort hit the side-netting after another impressive run.

Brighton were once again grateful for Brezovan, who tipped over from a bending Gerrard free-kick.

But just before the interval the Reds went ahead thanks to Bridcutt's own goal.

Brezovan pushed a corner straight into the air but blocked Suarez's follow-up and when Glen Johnson headed towards the corner, Sam Vokes headed away only for the ball to bounce into the net off Bridcutt.

Liverpool continued to do all of the pressing after the restart, with Suarez's neat chip held by Brezovan.

Henderson failed to worry Brezovan with a long-range effort but Liverpool scored a third just before the hour.

Gerrard slipped a pass wide for Stewart Downing and the winger provided a low cross for Caroll to produce a neat finish at the near post for his sixth goal of the season.

With just under 20 minutes remaining Liverpool scored a fourth when they broke quickly from a Brighton corner and when Gerrard's initial effort was blocked by Brezovan, the Liverpool captain's cross was again turned into his own net by Bridcutt.

Suarez could have made it six after Dirk Kuyt was pulled down by Craig Noone in the area but the Uruguayan's penalty was pushed away by Brezovan.

"That was a bad decision," said Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish.

"There were three of them, Andy (Carroll), Charlie (Adam) and Dirk (Kuyt) wanted to take it as well and maybe if it hadn't been five (5-1) one of them would have done, but I wanted to give him a leg up with his confidence.

"In the end, he didn't need my help."

And with five minutes remaining, Enrique's cross was headed back across goal by Carroll and Suarez nodded in from just a couple of yards out.

- AFP/de

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PATTAYA, Thailand: Japan's Ai Miyazato fired a blistering seven-under 65 to take a one-stroke lead in a gripping third round of the $1.5 million Honda LPGA Thailand tournament on Saturday.

Miyazato is 14-under for the event, but hot on her heels is defending champion and world number one Yani Tseng from Taiwan who also shot a fine 65.

A further shot behind is second round leader Australia's Karrie Webb, who had to settle for a 71 on Saturday, and Korean Shin Ji-Yai who fired a 68.

Another Korean, Amy Yang is in fifth place after a 68, with world number two Suzann Pettersen from Norway another shot back.

Much cooler weather than the previous two days at the Siam Country Club Pattaya Old Course brought out the best in Miyazato, who sank eight birdies against one bogey.

"I enjoyed the cooler conditions," she said. "The previous night's rain also made the greens more receptive."

Miyazato, who won the tournament two years ago, was brilliant around the greens and chipped in three times.

"My short game is in good shape, especially my putting," she said. "And my chipping was pretty good too."

Miyazato, who was in the same group as Tseng, was roared on by a large gallery of Japanese fans who also gave generous applause to the Taiwanese star.

The pair will be together again in the final round which will guarantee a huge gallery.

"It's great to have lots of Japanese people cheering me in Thailand," Miyazato said.

Tseng was pleased with her round, hitting 65 for the second successive day.

"I'm feeling good," she said after a faultless round of seven birdies and no bogeys. "The greens are very tough, so I am pleased with my score although I missed some birdie chances."

Tseng said she was looking forward to a great battle with Miyazato and the other contenders in the final round.

"I really want to win this tournament," she said. "After all, I am the defending champion."

Webb was not at her best but said it could have been worse.

"I was really struggling with my swing and it got worse as the round progressed, so I will take one-under," she said.

"In the end I made some good pars out there. I'm not out of it."

Thrilling the local fans was 16-year-old Thai amateur Ariya Jutanugarn who shot a superb 65, including two eagles and four birdies against one bogey, to move up into seventh place on nine under.

"When I suffered a bogey at the sixth I thought I'd be happy with an even-par round," said the calm Thai teenager. "But then came the two eagles in four holes and that gave me a big boost of confidence."

- AFP/de

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NEWPORT, United Kingdom: China's Ding Junhui swept past England's Shaun Murphy 6-2 to reach the Welsh Open final on Saturday.

The 24-year-old, who laid the foundations for victory by taking a 4-1 lead in the best-of-eleven-frame clash, will tackle Mark Selby, who defeated Ronnie O'Sullivan 6-2, in Sunday's final.

It will be Ding's first ranking final since he lost to Mark Williams in the 2010 China Open.

"The past couple of years have been difficult because I have been travelling to and from China so I haven't been able to practise properly," said Ding.

"If I stay here for two or three months then I miss home and I want to go to China for a week.

"In the last few weeks I have had my best practice for a long time and I feel my game is getting better. I'm really happy to be in the final and I played well today."

Murphy praised Ding for his contribution to the sport, both on and off the table.

"Ding is very hard to read but he's a lovely lad and a credit to the game," he said.

- AFP/de

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BERLIN: Borussia Dortmund earned a 1-0 win at struggling Hertha Berlin on Saturday to open a three-point lead at the top of the German league as Bayern Munich were held to a goalless draw at bottom-side Freiburg.

Bayern, who drop to third in the table, were out-played by Freiburg in the first 45 minutes and although they improved when Dutch winger Arjen Robben came on after the break, the Bavarian giants could not break down the home defence.

"We have lost two more points to Dortmund," said Bayern coach Jupp Heynckes. "Normally, you shouldn't allow such lapses as we did here.

"The team believes they have enough ability to be successful but with teams who are in the relegation fight like Freiburg, that doesn't always work.

"In the first half, we were too sluggish, we played like I wanted us to in the second-half, but we have to do that over the full 90 minutes."

With Bayern to face FC Basel in Switzerland on Wednesday in the Champions League Round of 16, first-round tie, watching Basel coach Heiko Vogel would have seen little to worry his team.

The draw leaves the bottom three teams - Kaiserslautern, Augsburg and Freibury - all on 18 points while Bayern lag four points behind Dortmund.

The leaders' only goal came when a bullet header from Dortmund striker Robert Lewandowski was parried by Hertha goalkeeper Thomas Kraft with winger Kevin Grosskreutz on hand to hit an over-head shot on 66 minutes.

Berlin's Olympic Stadium was a 74,244 sell-out for the game which saw Dortmund play without injured Japan winger Shinji Kagawa and coach Jurgen Klopp starting Lucas Barrios as the lone striker.

"That was really hard work, the pitch was greasy and it was difficult to control the ball," said Klopp.

"I was thrilled by the will and attitude of the team. I think we deserved the win."

Hertha, who sacked coach Michael Skibbe last Sunday after five straight defeats, remain 15th in the league and Otto Rehhagel, who led Greece to the Euro 2004 title, will take over on Sunday.

Borussia Moenchengladbach took their chance to take second place from Bayern after a 2-1 win at Kaiserslautern.

The win came at a price as midfielder Patrick Herrmann scored Gladbach's first goal after only nine minutes, but was later carried off with a broken collarbone and is expected to be out for the next six weeks.

"It was no surprise to us how hard it was here," said Gladbach's Lucien Favre.

"Luckily, we managed to create two goals, we wanted to get a third, but then we conceded one.

"At the end of the day, we are happy with the win, because it won't be easy for the other teams to get three points from Kaiserslautern."

Werder Bremen, fifth in the league, earned the bragging rights in the north German derby with a 3-1 win at Hamburg.

Bayer Leverkusen, who were beaten 3-1 at home by holders Barcelona in the Champions League in midweek, bounced back to stay sixth with a 4-1 win over Augsburg, who are second from bottom.

Nuremberg pulled themselves up to 12th and out of the relegation mire with a 2-1 win at home to Cologne, who drop to 14th, just two places from the relegation zone.

On Sunday, Schalke 04 need a win at home to VfL Wolfsburg to stay amongst the title contenders while Hanover host Stuttgart.

- AFP/de

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MADRID: Real Madrid went 13 points clear of Barcelona in La Liga on Saturday as Karim Benzema grabbed a double in a 4-0 win over 10-man Racing Santander.

Jose Mourinho's men have given Barca little margin for error having now won 18 of the last 19 games since they drew 0-0 at Santander at the end of September.

On Saturday, they weren't so forgiving towards Racing as they stayed on track for their first league title since 2008.

"It was not a brilliant performance but we won without too much effort and it was a good result," said Mourinho.

A Cristiano Ronaldo header hit the post as Real came out all guns blazing and after six minutes they were a goal up with Kaka crossing for Ronaldo to head in from less than a yard out for his 28th league strike of the season.

Real were given a further boost by the harsh dismissal of Domingo Cisma after 38 minutes when he was adjudged to have handled the ball.

On the stroke of half-time Benzema doubled the lead when he clipped the ball in from an acute angle and after the break Real remained firmly in control.

Xabi Alonso had a shot from the edge of the area which went narrowly past the post before substitute Angel Di Maria, returning from injury, hit a shot into the back of the net although goalkeeper Antonio Rodriguez perhaps should have done better.

Benzema completed the rout with a deflected strike a minute from the end.

Mourinho said he was happy to see Di Maria as well as Sami Khedira return to the side particularly with Champions League matches on the horizon.

"They have come back at the right time and especially Di Maria gives us options which we lacked when he was injured in terms of winning the ball back and attacking. It's good to have Khedira available now we are starting to play every three days."

Barcelona, who tackle third-placed Valencia on Sunday, return to La Liga action after a 3-1 victory at Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League and keeper Victor Valdes says that they need to continue the form they showed against the Germans.

The Catalan side have a difficult home clash against Valencia but it is their performances away from the Nou Camp, where they have won only four from eleven matches, that have given them a mountain to climb if they are to retain their title.

"Our Champions League progress is the path we need to follow in the league. It was an important match for us to win against Leverkusen because they were difficult opposition," said Valdes.

"We cannot relax, we need to keep believing in ourselves and the results will follow. We still believe that we can win the league but we have to go match by match.

"We are in the final of the King's Cup and we hope to retain the Champions League trophy. Other teams know us better now, so maybe that is one of the reasons why we haven't done so well away from home."

Espanyol moved into fourth place despite being held 1-1 by mid-table Getafe.

Espanyol were looking to bounce back from a surprise defeat against Zaragoza last week which brought to an end a seven-match unbeaten run, but they started slowly as Abdelaziz Barrada and Jaime Gavilan missed chances to put Getafe in front.

Espanyol had openings of their own with Philippe Coutinho in particular shooting just wide before the break.

Nicolas 'Miku' Fedor saw a header well-saved by Espanyol goalkeeper Francisco Casilla after 65 minutes before substitute Alvaro Vazquez clinically finished to give Espanyol the lead.

The advantage lasted less than a minute, however, as Miku was hauled down by Thievy Bifouma with Miku himself dispatching the penalty.

Casilla was the busier of the two keepers while Getafe were unable to take advantage when Espanyol defender Ernesto Galan was given a second yellow card with 10 minutes to go.

Jose Miguel Gonzalez 'Michel' had his first victory as Sevilla coach with his side beating Osasuna 2-0 with goals from Gary Medel and an injury time strike from Piotr Trochowski.

- AFP/de

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LOS ANGELES: Four-time major winner Phil Mickelson clung to a share of the lead after 54 holes of the Northern Trust Open on Saturday, alongside 2011 US PGA Tour Rookie of the Year Keegan Bradley.

Bradley, whose outstanding 2011 campaign included a major title with his playoff victory in the PGA Championship, had six birdies in a five-under 66 on the par-71 Riviera Country Club layout and was the first in the clubhouse on seven-under 206.

Mickelson, who began the day with a one-shot lead, got to one-under for the day with a birdie at the par-five 11th, but couldn't find another birdie the rest of the way in his erratic one-under 70.

Mickelson and Bradley were one shot in front of Americans Bryce Molder, Jonathan Byrd and Pat Perez.

Molder also posted a 66, while Byrd carded a 69 and Perez a 70.

The crowded leaderboard included another three players just two shots back on 208, including defending champion Aaron Baddeley of Australia - who shot a 66 - Dustin Johnson (67) and Bill Haas (68).

Australian Jarrod Lyle (71) and Ryan Moore (68) were a further shot back on 209.

Bradley had seized a share of the lead with his fourth birdie of the day at the 10th, a driveable par-four where he two-putted from the front edge of the green.

"Probably couldn't hit it in a more perfect spot," he said. "It's a tough hole, and I just was able to two-putt for birdie."

Although he gave a shot back with a bogey at the par-five 11th, Bradley responded with back-to-back birdies at the par-three 16th and par-five 17th. He made a nine-footer for par at the last to ensure he'd play in the final group on Sunday with Mickelson, a two-time winner at Riviera who is seeking a second title in as many weeks after winning at Pebble Beach last Sunday.

"That's kind of why I was excited to make that putt on the last hole," said Bradley, who added he "really looks up" to Mickelson. "Any time you play with Phil means you're playing pretty well. I enjoy the atmosphere and everything that comes with playing with Phil."

Bradley, nephew of LPGA great Pat Bradley, said he was familiar with the history of Riviera long before he played this tournament as a tour rookie last year.

He missed the cut by one stroke and "sulked" for a week. Since going on to win the Byron Nelson Championship and then the PGA Championship, however, that disappointment seems a long time ago.

"I have come a long way," Bradley said. "I can barely remember it honestly. It's pretty remarkable to see in one year I get to come back here as a major champion, a tournament winner, and have a chance to win."

- AFP/de

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MUNICH, Germany: Vitali Klitschko unanimously out-pointed Dereck Chisora for a 10th successive defence of his World Boxing Council (WBC) heavyweight title in a stormy clash at the Olympiahalle on Saturday.

After being slapped by Briton Chisora at Friday's weigh-in, Ukrainian Klitschko got revenge over his provocative challenger but he spent a lot of the fight on the back foot before earning scores of 118-110, 118-110 and 119-111 from the judges.

"He was very motivated. It was not easy but I saw every punch, he was slow. I am upset because I wanted to finish the fight before the 12th round," said Klitschko.

The Briton said: "The only thing that beat me tonight was experience. I don't hold back. I keep coming and I want a rematch."

Despite the wide margin of the scores, Klitschko's 40-year-old legs were made to work for every moment of the 12 rounds in a plucky effort from Chisora.

Klitschko won the title in 2004 but 'retired' later that year through injury only to resume his untroubled reign four years later.

Like all the other younger challengers who have stepped up to face the 6ft 7in Ukrainian, 6ft 1in Chisora fell short but he did give Klitschko some worrying moments.

Germany-based Klitschko improved his record to 44 wins, and two losses with his 41st stoppage while Zimbabwe-born Chisora, who moved to London aged 16, suffered his third defeat in his 18th fight.

It means all the world title belts remain in Klitschko hands, with Vitali's younger brother Wladimir owning the other three.

Chisora, 28, had lost his previous fight -- controversially on points to Finland's Robert Helenius for the European title in December -- but his aggressive start showed the Briton had bad intentions for Klitschko and was not intimidated, unlike a lot of Vitali's previous challengers.

Chisora climbed through the ropes to a chorus of boos from 13,000 German fans who had turned up to see Dr Ironfist for one of the last times in his career.

The challenger had hardly endeared himself to the locals by slapping their hero at Friday's weigh-in and there were more antics from Chisora moments before the fight.

Chisora continued to upset by Klitschko by threatening to pull out of the fight an hour before it started.

Vitali's younger brother Wladimir - the IBF, WBA and WBO champion - asked for Chisora's hand wraps to be reapplied and the challenger initially objected.

The row was eventually resolved and the fight delayed but Chisora's outrageous antics were not over.

Chisora got in Vitali's face as soon as the champion climbed through the ropes and then spat water in Wladimir's face which may earn him another fine from boxing authorities.

Despite the wind-ups Klitschko, who won the belt in 2004 only to retire later that year through injury before making a comeback in 2008, still made a reserved started.

Chisora marched forward in the second round but got caught by a right on the temple before landing a short right hook of his own.

So many of Klitschko's fights have been one-sided but Chisora made the early rounds competitive.

Klitschko, who was six inches bigger, began having success with the right over the top but it did not discourage Chisora from walking on to the champion.

Klitschko refused to let his hands go, no matter how provoked he had been, and preferred to build up a comfortable points lead by the halfway mark.

Chisora kept pressing and in the sixth landed a good right on the counter attack before making a furious start to the seventh with another big right.

But Klitschko was in command again by the ninth and his jarring jab ensured he continued to rack up the points before avoiding any big shots in a furious finish from Chisora.

Klitschko, who spends more time on his political career in the Ukraine than boxing, declared that after fighting Chisora he would have one more fight before considering hanging up the gloves.

Another Briton, David Haye, would be Klitschko's choice but the former WBA champion, who lost his belt to Vitali's younger brother Wladimir in the summer, has not agreed to the terms being offered for a summer showdown.

- AFP/de

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LONDON: Arsenal's season of woe took another miserable turn on Saturday as the Premier League giants crashed out of the FA Cup in a 2-0 defeat at Sunderland.

Arsenal - all but eliminated from the Champions League in midweek following a 4-0 rout by AC Milan - saw their last realistic chance of ending a seven-year trophy drought snuffed out at the Stadium of Light.

Kieran Richardson took advantage of a poor clearance to lash in Sunderland's opener in the 40th minute before more shoddy Arsenal play culminated in a 77th-minute own goal from Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.

The defeat means Arsene Wenger's side are left with only qualification for next season's Champions League to play for this term, and provides further ammunition for Arsene Wenger's growing legion of critics.

Wenger had uncharacteristically criticised his players in public following the Milan defeat and demanded a response against Sunderland.

However Wenger's men were always struggling to impose themselves as Martin O'Neill's advanced to the quarter-finals with an energetic display.

"I felt we were a bit unlucky. It was a 100 per cent performance from us and their first shot was a goal. Then we had to chase the game, take a gamble and they caught us on the break for the second goal," said Wenger.

"We had a lot of possession, but didn't create a lot of because of some fantastic defending by Sunderland."

Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas' problems mounted after his side laboured to a 1-1 draw with lower league Birmingham.

Daniel Sturridge headed home a second-half equaliser to save Chelsea's blushes at a restive Stamford Bridge after David Murphy had fired Birmingham into a shock lead on 20 minutes.

Villas-Boas' position has come under scrutiny following reports of a training ground mutiny by his senior players after last weekend's Premier League defeat against Everton at Goodison Park.

His team have now won just one game in their last six games across all competitions and Villas-Boas was forced to watch as his side were booed off the field following another unconvincing display.

"It is a poor result of course. We had a better performance in the second half compared to the first half," Villas-Boas said afterwards.

"1-1 is not what we expected, but it gives us another chance at Birmingham as we try to win a trophy," added Villas-Boas, who insisted he enjoyed "unconditional" support from Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich.

Elsewhere in the last 16, Championship side Leicester claimed a Premier League scalp as David Nugent's second half winner clinched a 2-1 victory at Norwich.

Nigel Pearson's team made the perfect start through Irish defender Sean St Ledger, who headed in Ben Marshall's corner in the fifth minute.

Norwich equalised in the 23rd minute when Leicester goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel gave away a penalty with a foul on Elliott Bennett.

Schmeichel saved Wes Hoolahan's spot-kick, but couldn't prevent the midfielder scoring from the rebound.

However, Nugent gave Leicester victory when the former England striker latched onto Jermaine Beckford's flick and fired home in the 71st minute.

Japanese teenager Ryo Miyaichi inspired Bolton as the struggling Premier League side brushed aside Championship outfit Millwall 2-0 at The Den.

Owen Coyle's team, beaten semi-finalists last season, are second bottom of England's top flight, but they quickly took control in south London as on loan Arsenal midfielder Miyaichi marked his first Wanderers start by sweeping a high finish past Steve Mildenhall in the fourth minute.

Former Liverpool striker David Ngog ended Millwall's hopes of a replay when he claimed his third goal of the season with a powerful strike from just outside the penalty area in the 59th minute.

Everton took the express route into the last eight with a 2-0 win over Championship club Blackpool at Goodison Park.

It took only 49 seconds for David Moyes' side to take the lead through Dutch forward Royston Drenthe's emphatic finish and Argentine striker Denis Stracqualursi increased their advantage just five minutes later with a close-range finish.

Blackpool wasted a chance to reduce the deficit in the final minutes when veteran striker Kevin Phillips blasted a penalty over the bar.

English FA Cup fifth round results:

Chelsea 1 Birmingham 1
Everton 2 Blackpool 0
Millwall 0 Bolton 2
Norwich 1 Leicester 2
Sunderland 2 Arsenal 0

- AFP/de

Champions League last 16, 1st-leg results: Leverkusen 1-3 Barcelona; Lyon 1-0 APOEL/ Europa League last 32, 1st leg results: Braga 0-2 Besiktas; Rubin Kazan 0-1 Olympiakos 

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