A round-up of today's other stories in brief
Pardew pleased with Best's form
NEWCASTLE manager Alan Pardew has challenged striker Leon Best to prove he has a long-term future on Tyneside.
The 24-year-old’s career at St James’ looked to have stalled after an injury-hit first 12 months with the club following his arrival from Coventry at the end of last year’s January transfer window.
However, Andy Carroll’s thigh injury and subsequent departure to Liverpool handed him his chance, and he has not looked back since.
Best scored his sixth goal in 10 games in Saturday’s 2-1 Premier League defeat by Everton at St James’ Park and had a second ruled out for pushing.
Pardew said: “I am pleased for him because the feeling was that he was going to leave the club from a lot of people, including people within the club.
“He has answered a few critics in the short spell he has had. But of course, there are still another nine games to go and he needs to keep on where he is and make sure he is at the level at which he has been playing for the last few games, which has been terrific.”
Old Firm tackle old problems
CELTIC and Rangers believe the response to their plea for help to combat bigotry and violence surrounding the Old Firm derby has been positive after a summit was held in Edinburgh yesterday.
At the request of Chief Constable Stephen House of Strathclyde Police, Scotland’s First Minister Alex Salmond hosted a meeting where the fallout of last week’s Old Firm clash was discussed as government, police and football officials seek a resolution to the problem of sectarianism and bad behaviour both on and off the field.
An eight-point joint statement was issued by the attendees of the meeting, while Celtic and Rangers published their own six-point plan.
The proposals tackle everything from considerations over alcohol availability to the scheduling of fixtures and the on-field behaviour of players and club officials.
Celtic chief executive Peter Lawwell said: “We need help. The stigma always attaches itself to Celtic and Rangers. How much more can we physically do?”
Long can't stop scoring as Reading chase play-off spot
SHANE Long continued his marvellous form as Reading stepped up their late bid for a place in the English Championship play-offs with a 3-1 win at Ipswich.
Long has been unstoppable since the turn of the year and took his tally to 20 for the season with the opening goal as Brian McDermott’s side closed to within six points of the top six.
The Irishman has now scored 12 times in his last 15 games for Reading and will pose a threat for Manchester City when the sides meet in this weekend‘s FA Cup quarter-final.
The win was wrapped up in the last five minutes by veteran Ian Harte’s trademark free-kick and a Noel Hunt finish which added a touch of gloss to a fine performance, leaving Connor Wickham’s goal in stoppage time a mere consolation.
Meanwhile, Wes Hoolahan scored for Norwich – who are chasing an automatic promotion spot – last night, as they won 3-2 at Leicester.
And Millwall claimed a first win in six games to stun Championship leaders QPR 2-0 at The Den. The Hoops went into the game on the back of an 11-match unbeaten run and with an eight-point lead at the top of the table.
Danny Graham’s late leveller claimed a creditable 1-1 draw for Watford as second-placed Swansea missed out on the chance to make serious inroads on QPR’s lead. The recalled Stephen Dobbie had put Swansea ahead in the first half, finishing off a well-worked move.
Four Serbian 'fans' jailed for rioting
FOUR Serbian fans were sentenced to up to three years and three months in prison for their involvement in a riot that forced the abandonment of a Euro 2012 qualifier in Italy.
Ivan Bogdanov, who scaled a fence at the Genoa stadium and threw flares on to the pitch and into the stands at the Italy-Serbia game last October, was given the longest sentence. The four fans, banned from Italy for five years, can appeal the sentences that were handed out by an Italian court yesterday. Charges include aggravated assault.
Italy were awarded a 3-0 walkover win by Uefa following the abandonment of the game and Serbia were told they would have to play at least one home match behind closed doors.
