Wenger: Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said yesterday he regretted his spat with West Ham coach Alan Pardew but he had been provoked by a lack of respect. Both men have been charged with improper conduct by the FA after the touchline flare-up at the end of West Ham's 1-0 victory at Upton Park last week. Pardew has apologised for his exuberant celebrations while Wenger, who will not seek a personal hearing from the FA, finally broke his silence. "I think Alan Pardew apologised because he was conscious that I felt provoked in a disrespectful way in my area," Wenger said. "I reacted and I regret it, because you should never react. For the rest, I accept his apologies and life goes on."
Ruud Poker: Dutch striker Ruud van Nistelrooy struck four times as Real Madrid swamped Osasuna 4-1 away to move to third place in the Primera Liga last night. The former Manchester United frontman scored three before half-time and rounded off a superb display with a fourth near the end as he became the league's joint top scorer with eight goals. It was his second hat-trick of the season, the other was against Levante in a 4-1 away win in September.
Mutu: Romania coach Victor Piturca has omitted Adrian Mutu for Wednesday's friendly against Spain because he believes the Fiorentina striker will not be able to concentrate fully after his daughter's christening. "I decided to drop Mutu after we had a discussion today," Piturca told reporters last night. "He is christening his daughter and I believe he would fail to concentrate well for the match in Cadiz."
Al Ahli: With their third continental title in six years, Al Ahli's status as Africa's top club side cannot be disputed. The Cairo giants reinforced their aura of invincibility last weekend when they plucked the Champions League crown away from Tunisian hosts CS Sfaxien with a last-gasp goal, securing back-to-back titles - only the third team in 42 years to do so. Mohamed Aboutrika scored a stunning volley two minutes into stoppage time to hand Al Ahli a 1-0 victory in the away leg for a 2-1 aggregate triumph.
Cahill: Everton's Australia midfielder Tim Cahill faces a spell on the sidelines after suffering a knee injury in Saturday's 1-0 defeat by Aston Villa. Cahill, a vital player for the Merseyside club and scorer of seven goals this season, was carried off on a stretcher after a 20th minute collision with team-mate Lee Carsley. Everton said the injury "appeared serious" and that the medical staff would give details in the days ahead.