Updated Feb 3, 2011 4:03 AM ET Wolves handed Bolton a first victory in six Premier League games as Daniel Sturridge's injury-time debut strike gave the hosts a 1-0 win. It looked like visiting goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey would leave Bolton frustrated again on Wednesday night with a series of a fine saves but a disastrous back pass from Ronald Zubar presented on-loan Chelsea striker Sturridge with a chance he could not miss. Moments earlier in the Premier League clash at the Reebok Stadium, Kevin Doyle had seen his shot deflected onto a post while Matt Jarvis also missed a glorious chance for Wolves, who dropped below West Ham to the foot of the table after their win at Blackpool.
Bolton boss Owen Coyle threw Lee Chung-yong straight back into the action on his return from the Asian Cup but Sturridge had to settle for a place on the bench, as did Wolves new boy Jamie O'Hara. After a predictably scrappy start, the first chance came in the seventh minute when Stuart Holden swung in an inviting cross for Johan Elmander but the Swede did not get nearly enough on his header and Lee blazed over the bar at the far post. The hosts, though, should definitely have been behind shortly afterwards when they got their offside trap all wrong, leaving Jarvis in acres of space. The winger has been talked about as a potential England player this season but he will want to forget the weak shot he rolled past the post when it looked far easier to score. Next it was Bolton's turn to threaten, and this time Elmander did much better, reacting quickly to poke a low shot towards the far corner that Wayne Hennessey pushed round the post. The Wales keeper was at it again in the 21st minute, saving a Matt Taylor effort with his feet after Lee had done brilliantly to win a tackle in midfield then curl a lovely pass into the path of his team-mate. The hosts had posed the greater threat but a decent spell of Wolves possession ended with Adam Hammill having a shot blocked - the former Barnsley man then appealing strongly for a penalty as he was prevented from reaching the rebound. After a lively spell, the first half became something of a stalemate, although Sam Ricketts was unlucky to see his sweetly-struck 25-yarder fly just past the post with Hennessey stranded. Wolves began the second half the brighter and Hammill embarked on a mazy run that ended with the midfielder seeing his shot blocked by Zat Knight.
Bolton responded and, after Kevin Davies had stabbed a corner towards the net, Lee's flick from almost on the goalline was well kept out by Hennessey. The game had been generally good-natured but there was an ugly spat in the 56th minute as Richard Stearman caught Paul Robinson late and the Bolton full-back reacted by pushing his opponent to the floor. Referee Peter Walton showed yellow cards to both, for which Robinson in particular could consider himself somewhat fortunate. Hennessey was then called upon to make another fine save, this time from his own player as Christophe Berra got his bearings wrong and volleyed Lee's cross powerfully towards his net. With 23 minutes remaining, Coyle gave Sturridge his debut, but it was Elmander who should have scored moments later only for the striker to connect poorly with Mark Davies' fine pull-back. O'Hara became the game's second debutant 15 minutes from the end, the Tottenham man hoping to have a similar impact for Wolves as he did on a loan move to Portsmouth last season. Wolves' problems were highlighted with three minutes left as Doyle picked up the ball on the right and looked up to find not a single team-mate even in the Bolton half. The striker did not let that stop him, though, and he exploited hesitant defending from Knight to drive into the area from where he hit a shot that crashed off the post via a deflection with Jaaskelainen beaten. But, with only seconds remaining, the visitors shot themselves in the foot, leaving Zubar hanging his head and the Bolton fans saluting a new hero.
Updated Feb 2, 2011 6:46 PM ET Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish was delighted new signing Luis Suarez was able to mark his debut with a goal in front of the Kop in the 2-0 victory over Stoke. Leading through Raul Meireles' strike early in the second half, Suarez came off the bench just past the hour and opened his account 17 minutes later.
It secured a third successive victory and kept the Reds in the hunt for fifth place, although a win over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Sunday will have them thinking about making a late run for the Champions League. Suarez's dream debut obviously grabbed the headlines and Dalglish had nothing but praise for the £22.8million signing. "I am delighted for him - and for Raul for getting the first goal," said the Scot. "He had not even had the opportunity to train with us because of administrative stuff which had to be sorted out. "When he starts training with the lads I think we might see an improvement. "He has a big smile on his face every day. He's a happy guy and a good guy. "We've got a press conference tomorrow so we can extol his virtues then." Suarez's shot after rounding goalkeeper Asmir Begovic finished in the back of the net courtesy of an attempted clearance from Andy Wilkinson which rebounded off the post. However, Dalglish said there was no doubt in his mind who the goalscorer was. "I gave him it. It was going in," he added. "It is a great start to score on your debut and he worked hard and him and Dirk Kuyt linked up well a couple of times." The week began with the £50million departure of striker Fernando Torres to Chelsea and the arrival of Suarez and £35million club record signing Andy Carroll, who is still injured. Dalglish praised his squad for not letting the transfer comings and goings, and also singled out his defence for keeping another clean sheet.
"It has been a busy week and we've been in the newspapers more than we would have liked to have been," he said. "It is great credit to the players that they have not let it get to them and they've gone out and been magnificent. "The supporters realise that there is a great group here who want to compete for everything and get as much as we can from every game." On the three-man defence he employed to specifically combat Stoke he added: "They are a difficult team to play against - you have to compete against them first and then you have to get our own game going. "Soto (Kyrgiakos) was brilliant for us. His presence and the way he commanded nearly everything which came in the box was great and when we were under pressure he was there as well. "Three clean sheets is always a bonus and a help." Stoke manager Tony Pulis was more than happy for Suarez to claim the goal. "If I was Kenny, if he (Suarez) was half-a-yard anywhere near the ball I'd be saying it was his goal," he said. "We are quite happy for the lad to have it. "I watched him in the World Cup and in games for Ajax and he's a wonderful player - but give him a bit of time." On the game itself he added: "We did okay for the first half but to concede just after half-time knocked us. "But up until the second goal I thought we were in the game."
Updated Feb 2, 2011 2:04 PM ET MANCHESTER, England (AP)
Gary Neville has announced his retirement from the game with immediate effect. The veteran Manchester United full-back has not played since the New Year's Day victory over West Brom at the Hawthorns, when he was fortunate not to be dismissed for a professional foul on Graham Dorrans. It was his 602nd appearance for the Red Devils. He also won 85 England caps.
"I have been a Manchester United fan all my life and fulfilled every dream I've ever had," he said. "Obviously I am disappointed that my playing days are at an end, however it comes to us all, and it's knowing when that time is and for me that time is now. "I have played in the most incredible football teams, playing with some of the best players in the world as well as against them and I have been lucky to be a part of the team's achievements and the club's great success. "There are so many people I want to thank and of course top of that list is Sir Alex Ferguson. "He has given me so many opportunities and countless support over the last 20 years, he is truly one of the greatest managers and I have to thank him for that. "There have also been so many great players that I have had the privilege to train and play along side. The experiences we've shared will be with me for the rest of my life. "Also all the coaches I have played under from youth level right through to now, who have guided me through my playing days. And finally, the fans, who have always shown me unbelievable support, they know how special they are to me and this club. "I am looking forward to new experiences and the club will always be a part of my life going forward however the most important thing now is for the club to continue with the success that is synonymous with Manchester United and I will be supporting them all the way, as a fan." It will be interesting to see what direction Neville's life now takes. He has long been touted as a potential coach at United and was mentioned as a possible successor to reserve team boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who has returned to Norway to take charge at Molde. However, in the aftermath of Andy Gray's abrupt departure from Sky, the 35-year-old has also been linked with the main pundit's job, even though his obvious allegiance to United would appear to present a problem to supporters of Liverpool and Manchester City in particular.
"Gary was the best English right-back of his generation," said Ferguson. "He is an example to any young professional; hard-working, loyal and intelligent. As a United fan born and bred, his fantastic career at Old Trafford has cemented his place in the affection of the club's supporters everywhere. "His impact on the club in general has been huge; his presence in the dressing room and leadership qualities have been an asset to me as a manager. "All the young players who have sought his advice on many matters, particularly on contract issues owe him a great debt. "As a young boy he had the will and determination to succeed as a footballer and that character remained with him throughout his career which is the legacy he leaves every young player at Manchester United." Neville becomes the second member of United's famed 'Class of 92' to call it a day following Nicky Butt's retirement from the game last season, though the latter made a surprise return to action with South China late last year. The oldest member, Ryan Giggs, is still going strong and recently confirmed he had agreed another one-year contract extension. But Neville's career has been blighted by injury over the last few years and it was obvious at the West Brom game, or the visit to Stoke in October when the full-back was equally fortunate to escape a red card, that his time at the top level was almost over. "Gary has been a great servant to the club and we thank him for his loyalty and his contribution to the tremendous success we have enjoyed in his playing time here," said chief executive David Gill. "I know from my many dealings with him over the years he always had the club's best interests at heart. "So whilst this illustrious chapter in his career has finished, his experience, commitment and energy will ensure he will continue to play a part in the life of the club, whether on the coaching or the commercial side."
Updated Feb 2, 2011 5:57 PM ET GLASGOW, Scotland (AP)
Kyle Lafferty scored in the fourth minute Wednesday to give Rangers a 1-0 win over Hearts and close the gap on Scottish Premier League leader Celtic to five points. Steven Whittaker floated a cross into the box where Lafferty was waiting to volley past goalkeeper Marian Kello from 15 (meters) yards. The win avenged last month's loss against the Edinburgh side and put the defending champions in a strong position. Celtic has played two games more than Rangers. Also Wednesday, Kilmarnock won 1-0 at Motherwell and Hibernian beat visiting St. Mirren 2-0.
Real Madrid will play fierce rival Barcelona in the Copa del Rey final for the first time in 21 years after Spain's biggest teams both recorded comfortable two-legged wins Wednesday. Madrid beat Sevilla 2-0 for a 3-0 overall win, while Barcelona earlier defeated Almeria 3-0 to complete an 8-0 aggregate victory.
Mesut Oezil scored in the 82nd minute for Madrid with a cool finish before Emmanuel Adebayor hit his first goal for the 17-time Copa champions, who are through to a record 37th final and first since 2004. Adriano, Thiago and Ibrahim Affelay scored for Barcelona, which will look to add to its record 25 wins and pick up a second domestic cup in three seasons on April 20 against Madrid, four days after the pair meet in a Spanish league "clasico." Madrid coach Jose Mourinho can bring the club its first piece of silverware since the 2007-08 league title. Madrid currently trails Barcelona by seven points in the league, with the two-time defending league champions on a record 15-game winning streak. "We knew it was going to be difficult and not easy but here we are," said Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas, who has never won the Copa, the only competition he's entered that he hasn't. Oezil raced in alone on Javi Varas and evaded the Sevilla goalkeeper with a dribble to the right before firing into the empty goal. Adebayor, who came on soon after the Germany playmaker's goal, scored in the game's final play, the on-loan striker chesting a cross down before firing into the roof of goal. Madrid created better opportunities than Sevilla, with Karim Benzema and Cristiano Ronaldo guilty of failing to convert clear chances in the first half. Sevilla striker Alvaro Negredo had a goal disallowed for a dubious offside call before halftime. Benzema shot wide of an empty goal after Angel Di Maria's attempt had come off the post in the fifth minute, while Varas denied Ronaldo point-blank in the 31st.
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Madrid midfielders Fernando Gago and Pedro Leon were left out of the squad after a reported bust-up in the changing room. Varas made a save from Di Maria from the edge of the box in the 68th, and Brazil striker Luis Fabiano was then brought on as Sevilla went forward in search of an equalizer. But Madrid exploited the open space, Xabi Alonso and Benzema coming close before Oezil provided the breakthrough. At Juegos Mediterraneos stadium, Adriano skirted past two defenders into the area to beat goalkeeper Esteban Suarez with a low shot for Barcelona's 35th-minute opener. "We achieved what we wanted after two great games by the team," the Brazilian fullback said after scoring his first goal for the club. A diving Suarez barely got his fingertips to Thiago's header in the 56th as the Barcelona reserve-team player exquisitely turned Daniel Alves' short cross home to double the lead. Ibrahim Affelay unleashed a fierce shot past Suarez in the 76th for his first goal for the Spanish champions, who have outscored Almeria 16-0 in three games played this season. Barcelona won the 1990 final 2-0.