Lille leave it late to stun Reds

Lille winger Eden Hazard's late goal inflicted Liverpool's first defeat on French soil in six visits and left Rafael Benitez's side with an uphill battle to make the quarter-finals of the Europa League following a 1-0 loss.

The visitors appeared to have survived a testing examination by Les Dogues only for Hazard - who had been a threat all night - to curl in an 85th-minute free-kick.

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Juve show class to beat Cottagers

Fulham's hopes of a fairytale place in the quarter-finals of the Europa League were left hanging by a thread as European heavyweights Juventus outclassed Roy Hodgson's side 3-1 at the Stadio Olimpico di Turin.

The Cottagers struggled for possession in the first half and went 2-0 down thanks to goals from Nicola Legrottaglie and Jonathan Zebina.

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Broad to lead attack as Onions flies home

England captain Alastair Cook saw one of his first-choice seamers ruled out of the Bangladesh series on Thursday but is hopeful Stuart Broad is fit to lead the attack in tomorrow's first Test.

With James Anderson not fit enough to travel, England had pencilled Broad and Graham Onions in as a reliable new-ball pairing in spin-friendly conditions. Those plans were rocked last week when both men were laid low by back injuries.

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Pietersen calls on Fletcher for advice

Former England coach Duncan Fletcher has revealed Kevin Pietersen contacted him after the recently-completed one-day international series in Bangladesh as he attempts to find a way out of his batting slump.

Pietersen has endured a torrid time with bat in hand since arriving on the sub-continent, managing just just 69 runs in seven innings.

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Pompey receive administration boost

Portsmouth's hopes of survival were given a major boost when Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs accepted the club's move into administration.

Pompey escaped being wound up after HMRC abandoned their claim that Pompey owner Balram Chainrai did not have the legal right to put the club into administration.

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Beckham backs United to win CL

David Beckham is backing Manchester United for Champions League glory following their four-goal demolition of AC Milan at Old Trafford on Wednesday night.

It was not the way Beckham hoped his first appearance as an opposition player against United would end up. However, with his own interest at an end, the former England skipper wants the Red Devils to reclaim a trophy he helped them win in 1999.

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Care confident ahead of Calcutta Cup

Danny Care is convinced England are ready to produce "something special" in Saturday's Calcutta Cup showdown with Scotland.

Martin Johnson has shown faith in his misfiring backs for the trip to Murrayfield, despite concerns over their lack of cutting edge and inability to score tries. But Care believes there is a performance brewing - and he is determined to repay that loyalty by unleashing the as-yet-unseen potential in England's back division.

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Woods may be closer to a return

The chances of Tiger Woods making his comeback in two weeks' time improved on Thursday with a report claiming that he has been talking with a former presidential advisor.

Contact between the world number one and Ari Fleisher, who since working for George W Bush has set up a sports communications firm, would presumably be to discuss an imminent return to golf.

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Thomas taken to hospital following fall

Sam Thomas was airlifted to hospital after suffering a bad fall on the gallops at Paul Nicholls' yard.

Thomas is reported to have escaped serious injury, but is still doubtful to appear at next week's Cheltenham Festival, having sustained back and neck injuries and was taken to Royal United Hospital in Bath following a schooling accident at first lot.

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Higgins to open defence against Hawkins

John Higgins will begin the defence of his Betfred.com World Championship title against Barry Hawkins.

Higgins, who beat Shaun Murphy in last year's Crucible final, will get the tournament under way on April 17 in Sheffield. Hawkins will be making his fifth consecutive appearance at the World Championship.

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