SPORTS 100923

We start with Football and in Carling Cup Third Round action – holders Manchester United easily cruised into the next round with a 5-2 away win at Scunthrope.

Despite going down to an early goal – Sir Alex Ferguson’s side scored through the likes of Darron Gibson, Chris Smalling, Park Ji-Sung and a brace from Michael Owen.

Elsewhere it was a shock results for a couple of Premiership teams – Cheslea ended up losing 4-3 at Stamford Bridge to Newcastle United; Liverpool were knocked out 4-2 on penalties by League 2 side Northapton Town; lowly West Bromwich Albion stunned Manchester City 2-1; Aston Villa beat Blackburn Rovers 3-1; and Wigan defeated Championship-side Preston North End 2-0.
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In the rest of the action in Europe – Barcelona climbed to third on the table when they beat Sporting Gijon 1-0; and Valencia were stopped in their tracks when they were held 1-all by Atletico Madrid.

In Italy’s Serie A – Inter Milan raced to the top of the league with a 4-0 thumping over Bari; Brescia continued AS Roma’s woes beating them 2-1; Lazio and AC Milan drew 1-all; and overnight leaders Cesena dropped to sixth when they were beatn 2-0 by Catania.
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Back home in the S-League – Etoile FC FC went straight back to the top of the pile with a crucial 1-0 win against Gombak United.

Playing at the Jalan Besar Stadium last night – a 51st minute Matthias Verschave goal was enough for the Stars of Etoile to claim all 3-points and lead the table by 2 – ahead of Home United.
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Finally in Formula One and with a day to go to the start of Practices here – McLaren team principal Martin Whitmarsh believes it will take a brave man to predict this season's F1 world title.

Mark Webber, Lewis Hamilton, Fernando Alonso, Jenson Button and Sebastian Vettel are separated by just 24 points with five races remaining.

Between them the quintet have claimed 14 race victories, and it is becoming more apparent the championship is destined to go down to the wire with the final grand prix in Abu Dhabi.

The Singapore Grand Prix will flag off at 8pm this Sunday at the Marina Bay Street Circuit.
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