WINNERS & LOSERS
A WEEKEND is a long time in sport, as this lot will attest. But while for some it was a few days to remember, others may wish they had never set foot out of the house.
MANCHESTER UTD
Could it have gone any better? Paul Scholes’ injury-time goal gave Sir Alex Ferguson’s men victory in the Manchester derby with City on Saturday lunchtime, then, hours later, Tottenham stunned title rivals Chelsea. And to complete the perfect weekend, third-placed Arsenal crashed 3-2 at Wigan toleave the title race wide open.
JENSON BUTTON
A second win of the season at the China GP puts the reigning world champion back on top of the drivers’ standings. It also gives him early bragging rights in the battle with fellow Brit and McLaren team-mate Lewis Hamilton.
RAFAEL NADAL
Without a title win since May, critics were beginning to doubt whether Rafa would ever be the same again. But the Spaniard hit back in style to claim another Monte Carlo Masters title with a convincing 6-0, 6-1 win over Fernando Verdasco.
LONDON IRISH
Despite their injury worries, the Exiles would have still fancied their chances of securing a bonus point victory over lowly Leeds Carnegie to boost their play-off chances. But yesterday’s shock 23-13 defeat at the Madejski Stadium allows Wasps to move above them into the top four.
ARUNA DINDANE
The Ivory Coast striker has played 21 games for Portsmouth this season on a loan deal from Lens, but a 22nd game would mean cash-strapped Pompey making a £3.5m payment to the French club. Unfortunately for the 29-year-old, that 22nd game happens to be the FA Cup final with Chelsea on 15 May and Lens simply aren’t budging.