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Tottenham: Spurs Suffer Another Final Day Disappointment but Can Hold Heads High

Frank Wagner — Sun, 19 May 2013 14:46:34 -0400

As the dust settled on Tottenham's 1-0 victory over Sunderland, fans at White Hart Lane weren't much up for celebrating.

For the second straight season, a home win on the final day saw Spurs fall one point short of arch-rivals Arsenal in the race for Champions League bids.

So much of the final day's script was familiar for Tottenham.

In each of the last two seasons, Spurs have conceded a lead to the Gunners in the run-in.

In both seasons, they entered the final day trailing Arsenal by a point, needing both to win at home and for the Gunners to slip up on the road.

Last year, despite Spurs winning against Fulham, a 54th-minute goal for Laurent Koscielny allowed Arsenal to stay ahead of their north London rivals. This year, it was a Koscielny goal in the 52nd minute that kept the Gunners in the Champions League.

The similarities are eerie.

However, despite all these parallels, the feeling at White Hart Lane should be very different this time around.

Last season's fourth-place finish was the result of Tottenham, for lack of a better term, choking.

With a nice lead in the league heading into their run-in, Spurs hit a terrible spell of form, lost matches they should not have and ended up as outsiders to Europe's biggest club competition.

This time around, Tottenham's finish in the Europa League spots was not down to their inadequacy but rather their rival's fantastic play.

Through their final 16 Premier League matches this season, Arsenal lost just one match. That loss, no less, was to Tottenham.

Through their final 10 matches, the Gunners dropped just four points, those coming from draws to a plucky Everton and champions Manchester United.

Can Tottenham supporters look back on a few matches down the stretch and rue a few missed opportunities? Of course.

This was no collapse from Spurs, though. This was Arsenal earning fourth through some remarkable form.

As opposed to the end of last year, when Tottenham's disintegration made it clear that there were changes needed at the club, Spurs can hold their heads high after this disappointment.

Yes, Tottenham is stuck in another season of the Europa League, but they are slowly gaining ground on their adversaries.

If they can gain any semblance of stability this summer, that should give the north Londoners a leg up on their main Premier League rivals.

Thus, instead of dwelling on any "would've", "could've" or "should've", Tottenham supporters should instead focus on the summer transfer window.

If the club can offload some dead weight, add in a few key areas and make sure that Gareth Bale's stunning late strike today was not his last for the team, then Spurs' upward trajectory will be undeniable.

This is no doubt a gloomy day, but the future is bright at White Hart Lane.

Follow @Fw1812

Top 5 Tactical Geniuses in the Premier League This Season

Sam Tighe — Sun, 19 May 2013 14:41:01 -0400

The English Premier League season is over, and after 38 games, we've deduced who the tactical geniuses of 2012-13 are.

There are those who do things by the book of basics—Sam Allardyce, for example—and as effective as they are, the five managers we've selected have really stood out.

Who joins Sir Alex Ferguson in the list of tactical geniuses?

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Cold Hard Fact for Sunday, May 19, 2013

Daily Cold Hard Facts — Sun, 19 May 2013 14:34:30 -0400

Hall of Fame pitcher Jim "Catfish" Hunter garnered his nickname after Oakland Athletics owner Charles Finley made up a story that Hunter had caught a large catfish as a boy.

Bleacher Report will be bringing sports fans the most interesting and engaging Cold Hard Fact of the day, presented by Coors Light.

Rome Masters 2013 Final: Rafael Nadal Will Continue Dominance at French Open

John Rozum — Sun, 19 May 2013 14:31:33 -0400

Rafael Nadal ran through the Italian Open and that will hold true in the 2013 French Open.

Although he was minutely challenged by Ernests Gulbis of Latvia and fellow countryman David Ferrer, Nadal hit another level in the semifinals and finals.

Facing Tomas Berdych after Ferrer, Nadal won in straights sets 6-2 and 6-4, which set up a bout with Roger Federer. There, he continued to smash and swept Federer 6-1 and 6-3 for the win.

Despite Federer's age (31), along with his obviously declining play in recent years, this is still a remarkable victory for Nadal. The Swiss continues to be one of the best around. So, any time he gets rolled we can only appreciate the production of that particular opponent—in this case, Nadal.

Refusing to drop a set against Berdych and Federer is simply quite impressive, even for Nadal. For his sake, the guy also enters this season's Roland Garros with incredible momentum. As Kevin Mitchell of the Guardian writes, even Nadal sounded a bit struck by his performance:

Nadal said: "If anyone had told me [that] when I came back I would win six titles, I would have told them they were crazy. It has exceeded my wildest dreams." The No. 5 seed was diplomatic when asked if he was surprised at the ease of the win. "It was surprising. I cannot expect to win against Roger 6-1, 6-3."

Regarding the French Open, Nadal looks for his fourth consecutive title and eighth in nine years. Even better, his confidence leading in with consistent play has been much better than the top competition.

Novak Djokovic was upset in Round 2 of Madrid and then failed to put Berdych away in Italy's quarterfinals.

Andy Murray, on the other hand, may not even compete in the Roland Garros. According to Russell Fuller of BBC Sport, Murray has yet to make a decision after withdrawing from the Rome Masters:

The Briton will make a decision about his participation at Roland Garros on Wednesday after talking to specialists.

Murray endured a miserable 26th birthday as a lower-back problem forced him out of his second-round tie.

Now mesh all that with Nadal's three wins over Ferrer this year, as well as the convincing victories over Berdych and Federer. Only Djokovic appears to be the best of competition on clay, as evidenced by defeating Nadal in Monaco.

That said, the tides have since turned and Nadal is on the upswing. Include his win over Djokovic during last year's French Open in four sets, and this is Rafa's tournament to lose.

Tottenham vs. Sunderland: Gareth Bale's Heroics Highlight His Summer Value

Justin Onslow — Sun, 19 May 2013 14:29:59 -0400

With an Arsenal win on Sunday, Tottenham’s 1-0 victory over Sunderland was all for naught. Despite Gareth Bale’s late-match heroics that netted Spurs the victory, the writing may now be on the wall for the tremendous 23-year-old midfielder.

A Champions League berth may have been the only thing keeping the Spurs star at Tottenham, and that’s no longer in the cards. As it stands, it seems Bale could be open to other options.

Bale emphasized how important winning—specifically in the Champions League—is to him, as quoted by Shane Farrington of Goal.com:

It gets asked a lot at the moment, but it is something I am not thinking too much about at the moment. My mind is not wandering anywhere. Winning is a massive thing and playing against the best teams is what a footballer wants to do. Champions League is a massive thing. We have been there before, playing against the best teams in the biggest stadiums, testing ourselves.

“We” may no longer mean Bale and Spurs, however.

With so much potential interest on the transfer market this summer, Bale is going to have plenty of options finding a winning club in need of a young, dominant talent. Not that he needed it, but his performance against Sunderland was the perfect audition for those clubs.

In that match, Bale once again took his club on his shoulders—something he has been forced to do all too often. With the match on the line and in desperate need of a victory to have any chance of securing a top-four finish, Bale delivered as he always does.

The tremendous left-footed strike proved meaningless, but it highlighted why Bale will be a top target on the transfer market this summer. There are players who come close to matching his talent, but few come through in the clutch as often as the Welshman.

Several top-shelf clubs will be vying for Bale’s services this summer, including Spanish juggernauts Real Madrid, who, according to John Cross of the Daily Mirror, will be prepared to “make a big push” for the Spurs star:

Perez is prepared to offer a straight cash deal of £45m or a player-plus-cash deal, which will include either striker Gonzalo Higuain or winger Angel Di Maria.

Real are understood to have already made discreet enquiries - and have been sent packing by the north Londoners, who are determined to keep Bale.

Spurs may be determined to keep him, but those prospects are increasingly unlikely with the disappointing end to their season. Bale simply finds ways to win, and there’s a good chance he’ll be hoping to find a club that can help him do so next term.

The biggest question mark is how much potential suitors will be willing to pay for the star. Though Madrid is seemingly willing to give up a marginal sum for Bale, their rumored offer probably isn’t close to what some other top-tier clubs would be willing to part with.

According to Matt Law of the Daily Mirror, Premier League giants Manchester United could be willing to offer £60 million for Bale:

Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy values Bale at £60million and may well attempt to stop the Wales winger joining another English club.

A new £170,000-a-week contract offer is also being drawn up.

United are prepared to sweeten their bid by offering Spurs the likes of Anderson and Nani—two players Villas-Boas is known to admire.

None of the rumors are particularly surprising—in fact, it wouldn’t be a shock to see either club up the ante when the summer transfer period arrives. If his performance this season is any indication of future potential, no price should be too steep to acquire Bale.

The Best Coach in the History of Every College Football Team

Alex Callos — Sun, 19 May 2013 14:22:56 -0400

College football has been around for over 140 years, and there are now 125 FBS schools. While some programs are more storied than others, each program has had a coach that stood out from the rest.

Even though some schools have only had college football programs at the FBS level for a few years, while others have been around for far longer than a century, there is at least one excellent coach to choose from at each school.

With so much history and tradition at certain schools, there have also been dozens of coaches at certain programs.

Here is the best coach of all time at each college football program.

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Norwich City: What Win over Manchester City Tells Us About Next Season

Andy Ward — Sun, 19 May 2013 14:21:25 -0400

Norwich City managed to finish the season in the best possible fashion courtesy of an enthralling 3-2 victory over Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium.

The Canaries played with a refreshing freedom and bundles of ambition to secure a superb 11th-placed finish in the Premier League for this campaign.

It's the type of victory that should live long in the memory and give players and fans alike an extra skip in their steps as we head into the summer.

What's more, it's the type of eye-catching result that could act as a springboard to kick the club on again next season, with a top-10 assault certainly not out of their reach.

Here's what the win could mean for Norwich City's hopes in season 2013/14....

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Grizzlies vs. Spurs Game 1: Live Score, Highlights and Analysis

Ken Dorset — Sun, 19 May 2013 14:19:40 -0400

The last time the San Antonio Spurs and Memphis Grizzlies met in the NBA playoffs, it didn't end well for Tim Duncan and Co. To avoid a second disappointing conclusion, the Spurs will have to make sure they get things started in a different fashion Sunday in the Western Conference finals.

When the Grizzlies ousted the Spurs from the 2011 postseason, they did it by stealing Game 1 on the road in the River City. So if San Antonio would like to advance to its first NBA Finals since 2007, it'll have to take great care to retain its precious home-court advantage by winning Game 1.

These teams split four games during the regular season, but three of those contests came before Memphis shipped Rudy Gay to the Toronto Raptors, and Kawhi Leonard didn't play the fourth. So although there's plenty of recent history between the two squads, that familiarity won't be especially helpful in forming either team's game plan.

Memphis will look to ride its interior duo of Zach Randolph and Marc Gasol, both of whom present challenges for the Spurs' frontcourt, particularly Duncan or Tiago Splitter. The Spurs don't have the depth up front to handle any sort of foul trouble.

San Antonio will rely on Tony Parker to initiate the offense, working in the pick-and-roll and setting up Leonard and Danny Green for their beloved corner threes. Memphis will likely sic Tony Allen, an elite perimeter defender, on Parker in hopes of slowing him down.

Finally, pace will be key. The Grizzlies hope to slow the game down to a crawl, where their patented "grit 'n grind" style is most effective. Conversely, the Spurs need to try to speed things up to create scattered scoring opportunities before Memphis' defense can establish itself.

Tipoff is set for 3:30 p.m. ET today on ABC.

Texas Rangers: Injured Pitcher Alexi Ogando Angers Team

Andrew Martin — Sun, 19 May 2013 14:06:51 -0400

Texas Rangers pitcher Alexi Ogando is not having a good week. First he was placed on the disabled list, and then came the news that the injured hurler had angered the team by not divulging his injury earlier.

The Rangers announced via Twitter that the 29-year-old right-hander was placed on the 15-day disabled list on May 16 because of biceps tendinitis:

BREAKING NEWS: @ogandoalexi was placed on the 15 day DL with right bicep tendinitis. @joshlindblom52 will start on Monday.
— Texas Rangers (@Rangers) May 16, 2013

Ogando had been pitching well as a starter this season, going 4-2 with a 3.08 ERA in nine starts before the injury.

ESPN Dallas’ Todd Willis reported that Ogando took a no-hitter into the sixth inning of his last start against the Oakland A’s before leaving after complaining of soreness in his arm.

Although the pitcher had an MRI, Rangers manager Ron Washington told Willis, “It’s nothing. This could be workload.”

Ogando spent all of 2012 as a reliever with Texas and, with 49.2 frames under his belt so far this season, has already nearly matched last year’s total of 66 innings.

What has made Texas unhappy is that they recently discovered Ogando had been hurting prior to that last start but had not told the team’s coaches or medical staff.

The Dallas Morning News’ Evan Grant is reporting that during a meeting on Saturday, Ogando revealed to Washington that his arm had been bothering him leading up to the Oakland game. It was a revelation that angered his skipper.

Washington described his reaction to Grant:

He finally told me that when we were talking and I said ‘You can’t do that.’ He’s got a different workload this year. When you are a reliever and you only have to pitch an inning or so, you can pitch through some soreness, but when you are a starter, it’s a different situation. You can make it worse. It’s something that comes with experience. Now that he has the experience of going through this and knowing the situation, hopefully it won’t happen again. Thank God it wasn’t more serious.

Before the season started, Ogando was identified as a potential injury risk by FanGraphs.com’s Jeff Zimmerman because of his inconstant velocity and delivery.

Despite the solid numbers, Ogando had looked like a different pitcher before his trip to the disabled list. FanGraphs.com shows his average velocity has dipped more than four mph to a career-low 92.8 mph since last season. Additionally, he’s thrown his fastball a career-low 42.4 percent of the time, while mixing in his changeup a career-high 18.5 percent of his pitches.

Fortunately for Ogando and the Rangers, according to a separate article by Willis, the pitcher’s MRI showed no structural damage, and he could return sooner rather than later.

Washington told MLB.com’s T.R. Sullivan that deactivating Ogando was a necessary step to preserve him for the remainder of the season. “He's a starting pitcher and he's taken on a big work load. Rather than letting this drag on, we're going to nip it in the bud and get it right. Otherwise, he'll take the ball and go back out there."

It appears that other than needing a little rest, Ogando has dodged the injury bullet for now. However, since he has proven to be less than forthcoming about his health, it’s a safe bet that the Rangers will be monitoring him closer than they ever have before.

Statistics via Baseball-Reference

Follow @historianandrew

Extreme Rules: Burning Questions and Final Projections

Andy Soucek — Sun, 19 May 2013 14:05:33 -0400

Extreme Rules is finally upon us!

ECW! ECW! ECW!

Oh wait, Extreme Rules no longer has anything to do with Extreme Championship Wrestling, and instead, it is only as extreme as a PG television show will allow.

But that doesn't mean we couldn't still have a good show!

Traditionally, the pay-per-view after WrestleMania (which used to be Backlash), is often full of rematches from WrestleMania. But with The Rock, Undertaker and CM Punk gone, WWE had to get a little creative (except for a rematch of HHH vs. Lesnar that no one seemed to be begging for).

There's nothing to overly fear on the show, but perhaps nothing that is all that exciting either. If everyone has their working boots on though, this could be a good night of wrestling.

I'm putting my lifetime 26-9 pay-per-view guessing record on the line (after skipping out the past two shows), as we take one last look at Extreme Rules and take our best guesses as to who will be declared the winners.

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Gareth Bale Should Leave Tottenham After Spurs Miss Champions League

Pete Schauer — Sun, 19 May 2013 14:01:31 -0400

Despite leading Tottenham Hotspur to a 1-0 victory over Sunderland with a beautiful goal on Saturday, it likely won't be enough to keep star midfielder Gareth Bale on White Hart Lane.

The Spurs' disappointing fifth-place finish in the English Premier League standings will likely—and should—result in Bale's departure, as Joe Bernstein of the UK's Daily Mail reports.

Gale has grown tired of playing for a club not participating in Champions League football and won't be playing in next year's World Cup (via Bernstein), which could open up the doors for Bale to leave the Spurs and join a contender in the Premier League.

According to Bernstein, Real Madrid, Manchester City and Manchester United are all interested in the scorer. A move to the Red Devils would undoubtedly make Manchester United the consensus favorite next season—David Moyes surely wouldn't mind bringing in a talent like Bale in his first season at the helm in Old Trafford.

Either way, it's safe to say the Spurs wouldn't have been competing for fourth place and a spot in the Champions League without the play of Bale this season. The 23-year-old netted 21 goals for Tottenham and was arguably the single-most important player to any Premier League squad this season.

With not much help alongside him—the next closest goalscorer was Jermaine Defoe with 11 goals. It's hard to imagine Bale sticking around for another disappointing season with the Spurs when powerhouses like Manchester City and Manchester United are knocking.

Bernstein notes that Bale made no commitment to his current club when he accepted the Footballer of the Year award, only adding to the speculation that Bale's days with the club are numbered.

Lastly, Bernstein makes it sound like Tottenham wouldn't be on par with keeping an unhappy Bale. Combine that with the fact that Andre Villas-Boas could potentially be targeting players like Leandro, Joao Moutinho and Christian Benteke as transfers, and the odds of Bale remaining with the Spurs don't seem to be in Tottenham's favor.

Follow me on Twitter: Follow @Pete_Schauer

Robert Griffin III Receives Wedding Gifts from Fans

Matt Fitzgerald — Sun, 19 May 2013 13:59:49 -0400

Washington Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III has a lot on his plate between rehabbing his injured knee and preparing for his wedding.

In a kind gesture, many of his fans have given back to the dynamic signal-caller, who almost single-handedly changed the fortunes of the struggling franchise in the nation's capital.

Griffin tweeted an appreciative shoutout to many of his fans, who have pitched in to help buy all the items from his wedding registry at Bed Bath & Beyond. Unfortunately, some responded to the situation with disapproval, which Griffin also addressed:

Clearly, the generosity of his fans caught Griffin off guard, and he expressed his genuine gratefulness toward those who graciously assisted him.

However, some construed it as a problem. Several who replied to Griffin's initial tweet suggested it wasn't proper for less fortunate fans to give gifts to a man drafted No. 2 overall in the 2012 NFL draft and signed to a four-year, $21 million contract.

Either way, Griffin is only 23 years old, and undertaking marriage, especially at such a young age, is not easy.

He handled the circumstances the best he could on his own, but fans thrilled by his electric play and gutsy leadership on the field this past season felt compelled to give back to him. There seems to be nothing wrong with that.

Notions that this is bad for Griffin from a public relations standpoint seem ludicrous, and his response to one thread summarized why:

Griffin, the Offensive Rookie of the Year this past season, tore his ACL and LCL in the divisional playoffs against the Seattle Seahawks. Thankfully for many football fans, his recovery is well ahead of schedule. According to his father (h/t Jim Corbett of USA Today), he's been throwing since late April.

As a rookie keying the league's No. 1 rushing attack, Griffin threw for 3,200 yards, 20 touchdowns and just five interceptions while scampering for 815 yards and seven more scores.

Premier League Final Day: See Gareth Bale, Laurent Koscielny Goals in Top-4 Race

Karl Matchett — Sun, 19 May 2013 13:55:43 -0400

The Premier League 2012-13 season came to a close on Sunday, and with relegation and the title already sewn up, the big drama came in the race for the top four positions, with North London rivals Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal fighting it out for the last spot.

Chelsea had already all-but-confirmed their own place, and a 2-1 final day win over Everton sealed third place, so it was down to the Gunners to pick up the win they needed to fend off the challenge from Spurs, who would instead take fourth if they won and Arsenal failed to.

Two tight matches were goalless at the break and into the second half, before the Gunners grabbed the all-important opening goal on 52 minutes with centre-back Laurent Koscielny hooking in from close range after a free kick was headed on in his direction.

Spurs fans shortly afterward apparently thought Newcastle had found an equaliser (via BBC)—but it was misinformation if they did:

False alarm! A false alarm at White Hart Lane. I love it when this happens on the last day of the season. Spurs fans erupt as 'news' comes through to them but I can assure you that Newcastle have not scored. They soon pipe down again.

Arsenal held firm, and as the matches moved toward the closing stages, Spurs were still lacking the goal they needed themselves to have even a chance of reaching fourth spot.

Enter Gareth Bale.

Another wonderful effort from the Tottenham man found the back of the net from range, giving Spurs fans hope in the 89th minute that their team could achieve the hugely unlikely.

They'd done what they needed against Sunderland, but there was no late comeback from Newcastle as Arsenal held onto their own 1-0 victory, to seal fourth spot at the end of the season and a place in the Champions League qualifying round for 2013-14 season. Arsenal end the season on 73 points, one ahead of Spurs, having taken an impressive eight wins from their final 10 games of the season.

Spurs, once more, have to settle for fifth place, the Europa League and the continuation of St Totteringham's Day.

Follow @karlmatchett

Bleacher Report's Premier League coverage has been nominated in the 2012-13 EPLTalk awards. Cast your vote here.

WWE Extreme Rules 2013: What Match Are You Looking Forward to the Most?

Chris Featherstone — Sun, 19 May 2013 13:49:56 -0400

This year, Extreme Rules had a six week build-up after WrestleMania XXIX to create a heavily anticipated pay-per-view. Although there were some wrenches thrown in, Extreme Rules still should be in line to exhibit a solid show.

With the card now locked and ready to go, let's discuss the match (or matches) that we are looking forward to the most.

Although the cage match between Triple H and Brock Lesnar, as well as the match between John Cena and Ryback (to see if Ryback loses yet another PPV) are worthy to look forward to, there are two matches that peak of my personal interest.

Since last year's Survivor Series, The Shield have ran roughshod over the entire WWE. Defeating eight world champions in the process, they have garnered an impressive win-loss record. Despite their DQ loss on Raw that ended their undefeated streak, causing a blemish, The Shield has the opportunity for redemption by capturing both the US title and the tag team titles.

Kofi Kingston vs. Dean Ambrose

It was quite a surprise when Kofi Kingston defeated Antonio Cesaro to become the US champion. Especially since his career at the time was quite embarrassing, becoming the resident jobber to the stars. Although Kingston does hold the title now, it may be a short-lived.

Dean Ambrose has been an indy sensation for a number of years now. Showing characteristics of both Jake Roberts and Brian Pillman, his persona has captured the attention of the wrestling world. WWE Creative have given Ambrose an opportunity to showcase his singles wrestling abilities by competing against both The Undertaker and Kane on SmackDown.

Perhaps Extreme Rules will be the first opportunity to really get Ambrose acclimated to a singles push, while still being affiliated with Rollins and Reigns.

Team Hell No vs. The Shield (Rollins/Reigns)

The Shield could very well leave Extreme Rules with every member carrying a title around their waist over their shoulder. They apparently have Kane and Daniel Bryan's number, and it doesn't seem like the PPV match will be any different.

This would only bring more depth in The Shield if Rollins and Reigns win. They have been dominant for six months, and it is about time for some gold to be acquired.

Hopefully, Rollins and Reigns winning the tag team titles will revive the lackluster division as a whole. There are other teams that could greatly benefit from the two becoming the new tag team champions.

Sound off with your thoughts of your most anticipated match below.

Chris Featherstone is a writer for WrestlingInc.com. You can continue to show your support on Facebook and Twitter, as well as tuning in to the Pancakes and Powerslams wrestling talk show Tuesday nights at 11pm E.T.

Bold Predictions for 2013 NBA Playoffs Eastern and Western Conference Finals

Dan Favale — Sun, 19 May 2013 13:43:58 -0400

And then there were four.

The Miami Heat, Indiana Pacers, San Antonio Spurs and Memphis Grizzlies are the only NBA teams left standing as we head into the conference finals.

Miami and San Antonio feature some of the most seasoned (and dominant) veterans in the Association, while Indiana and Memphis' components are relatively new to the bright lights of being four victories away from a finals berth.

But will that matter?

We know so much about how the Grizzlies match up against the Spurs, and how the Pacers stack up against the Heat, but it's what we don't know or don't see coming that could determine the outcome of these series.

What is it that we might not see coming?

The conference finals are a time to be bold, so let's be bold.

*All stats in this article were compiled from Basketball-Reference and NBA.com unless otherwise noted.

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Luke Rockhold's Most Likely Opponents Following Brutal UFC on FX 8 Knockout Loss

Steven Cook — Sun, 19 May 2013 13:43:48 -0400

A Round 1 knockout via a spinning kick from Vitor Belfort wasn't quite what Luke Rockhold had hoped for heading into UFC on FX 8 on Saturday night, but he'll be able to bounce back with a respectable next fight, so long as he wins.

Losing to Belfort was a huge blow to Rockhold's legacy, as he would've made a strong case to face Anderson Silva or his challenger, Chris Weidman, for the middleweight title. A chance to even have at Silva is the only proof you need to show you're in elite company in UFC, even if you lose to The Spider.

Although Rockhold should've been ready for Belfort's kick, it's unknown what would have happened if that kick hadn't landed. Rockhold may have been able to regain momentum, and things could have been very different.

Now, Rockhold will have to explore some other options to get some quality wins under his belt. While he won't draw the attention of a Silva or Jon Jones, he'll be able to pick up a great fight against a contender who has faced the likes of those fighters before.

Let's take a look at some possible opponents for the Strikeforce star to get back in the win column against.

Ronaldo "Jacare" Souza

I see a rematch with Ronaldo "Jacare" Souza as the most likely fight for Rockhold as he looks to face a familiar foe.

The two faced off in an epic Strikeforce bout back in 2011, a fight that went all five rounds but ended in a unanimous decision for Rockhold. That loss snapped a four-match win streak for the Brazilian and he's won the same amount in a row since then.

The latest win from Souza actually came Saturday on the same fight card as Rockhold, as he submitted Chris Camozzi in the first round with an arm triangle choke.

Jacare boasts a 18-3-1 record throughout his career, and the 33-year-old seems to be quality competition despite Rockhold's previous victory.

While defeating Souza for the second time wouldn't be the biggest statement, it would allow Rockhold to get back on his feet and land the quick win he's looking for .

Chris Weidman

This American has a much different fighting background than Rockhold, coming up strictly in UFC with a 9-0 record compared to Rockhold, who has primarily fought in Strikeforce.

However, this would be a big matchup for Rockhold to land and would be a huge statement win.

Assuming Weidman loses to Silva—which isn't exactly an off prediction, given Silva's nature—he'll be looking to claim a quality victory on his way back up. With just one loss at that time, he'll likely be willing to go at Rockhold.

If Rockhold is up for the challenge against the American, this could be an exciting fight that goes the distance and serves as a huge stepping stone for whoever prevails.

Michael Bisping

Michael Bisping has produced elite results in his career and has fought hard and well against both Jon Jones and Chael Sonnen in defeats. Jones and Sonnen are two of the best in middleweight, mind you.

Bisping is also coming off an April 27 victory over Alan Belcher, where he finished his opponent off in Round 3. He's constantly been heralded as one of the best fighters just outside the top tier.

This is the type of matchup that would bode well for Rockhold, who has had experience fighting against great fighters and needs to prove he can beat the guys who lose to Silva and Jones before he's worthy of facing them.

At this point, Rockhold should only be focused on getting the best fight possible and not wasting his time pursuing fights he can't get. Fortunately for him, this is a great fight and he's worthy of it.

Follow me on Twitter

Follow @steventerrycook

Player Ratings for Manchester United in Crazy 5-5 Draw with West Brom

Max Towle — Sun, 19 May 2013 13:37:57 -0400

Football eh? Bloody hell!

Sir Alex Ferguson's final game at the helm of Manchester United could not have been more dramatic as he saw his side squander a 5-2 lead with 10 minutes to play.

West Brom's defiant comeback was inspired by substitute Romelu Lukaku, who scored an incredible second-half hat trick.

Shinji Kagawa, Alex Buttner, Robin van Persie and Javier Hernandez were on target for the Red Devils.

Here are the player ratings for United:

Anders Lindegaard: 4

Any time a keeper concedes five goals in a game, you know he is going to come in for some stick afterwards.

United's No. 2 shot-stopper looked shaky for much of Sunday's game, and should have done better for at least a couple of the Baggies' goals.

Antonio Valencia: 7

Much better from the Ecuadorian winger, who contributed more going forward than he has in any previous game this term.

He looked to have that extra burst of acceleration back, even if his final delivery was not always perfect.

Phil Jones: 5

A shaky display in defence by Phil Jones, perhaps suggesting that his future lies in defensive midfield.

He threw himself around, but his positioning was poor, not helped by his unfamiliar partner Jonny Evans.

Jonny Evans: 5

Per Football365, Sir Alex said before the game, "I want to play Jonny Evans and Phil Jones at centre-half because they are the future."

This may be the case, but the two did not function properly against West Brom. Evans looked out of sorts trying to handle the physical Romelu Lukaku.

Alex Buttner: 6

A mixed outing for the Dutchman, who was promising going forward, but caught out of position countless times in defence.

His goal was excellent—a driven shot past Ben Foster that nestled in the bottom corner.

Michael Carrick: 6

Handed the captain's armband, Michael Carrick had an underwhelming game in central midfield.

He offered little protection for the back line, but his distribution from the back was typically assured.

Anderson: 6

It was somewhat surprising to see Anderson play the full 90 minutes at the Hawthorns.

The Brazilian started brightly as one of the midfield runners, but faded in the second period. This was possibly his final game for United.

Tom Cleverley: 7

A decent game for the England youngster in front of the watching Roy Hodgson.

His passing and movement was excellent. He was subbed before the crazy finale, so could not be blamed for that.

Shinji Kagawa: 8

Playing in a central playmaking role, Shinji Kagawa was one of Manchester United's standout players.

He scored his side's opener and was very influential before being subbed with 20 minutes to play.

Javier Hernandez: 7

The Mexican forward got a deserved goal in the second half—his industry and link-up play was exemplary until that point.

He will almost certainly remain at Old Trafford next season, but his future role under David Moyes unknown.

Robin van Persie: 6

Not the Dutchman's finest display, but it did produce a goal—his 30th of a landmark campaign.

He will finish the Premier League's top scorer for the season, and perhaps a little unlucky to finish third in Player of the Year voting.

Substitutes

Ryan Giggs: 7

He and fellow veteran Paul Scholes enjoyed their cameos, but it was Giggs who really impressed. His assist for Javier Hernandez's goal was pinpoint.

Paul Scholes: 6

Manchester United bade farewell to one of the club's greatest heroes, who was lucky not to see red during the game.

Rio Ferdinand: N/A

Rio was brought on just in time to witness Romelu Lukaku's late equaliser.

Bleacher Report's Premier League coverage has been nominated in the 2012-13 EPLTalk awards. Cast your vote here.

Follow @MaxBentleyTowle

Chelsea Transfer Rumours: Blues Ensuring They Are Top Candidate for Wayne Rooney

Ethan Grant — Sun, 19 May 2013 13:32:27 -0400

Manchester United legend and star striker Wayne Rooney's future with the club is up in the air. He's fallen out of favor with exiting manager Sir Alex Ferguson, and rumours abroad have him as a prime candidate to move to another Premier League club—or a league in another country entirely—next season.

One of those such clubs is Chelsea, who are doing everything they can to make sure that Rooney will be wearing the Blues' uniform with the Samsung lettering across his chest when the 2013-14 season begins.

According to a report from Matt Law of the Daily Mirror, Chelsea boss Roman Abramovich is prepared to pay £30 million in a transfer fee for the 27-year-old forward, and is even willing to give him a weekly salary of £250,000 to ensure United don't sell him to another club.

The report also claims Chelsea is not buying United's firm stance (so far) that selling Rooney is not on the table.

Here's an excerpt from the piece:

A source told Sunday Mirror Sport: “Chelsea want to make sure that if Wayne leaves United, there is only one place he will go...They are prepared to spend, big, big money on Rooney and they have told United that....Mourinho would love to manage Rooney. He thinks he can get him back to his best and use him in a similar way to how Didier Drogba operated for Chelsea.”

Mourinho, of course, is Real Madrid manager Jose, who is nearing a return to the Blues, if you listen to media sources worldwide. Marca.com reported on Sunday that Mourinho has told his inner circle of his intentions to leave Madrid and take over for interim manager Rafa Benitez, and a move to get Mourinho could coincide with a move to get Rooney.

Chelsea are clearly banking on the fact that Rooney, who also has interest from Paris Saint-Germain, Arsenal and Bayern Munich, will be sold to the highest bidder.

Abramovich has made it clear that he's willing to give Rooney the same treatment that United did during the first part of their marriage if he came to Stamford Bridge, giving him the reins to an already potent lineup that includes Frank Lampard, Eden Hazard and Demba Ba and is fresh off the Europa League title.

Adding Rooney to that list, with "The Special One" back in the fold too, would make for an interesting season of expectations and performances at Stamford Bridge next year.

There's no guarantee that Rooney goes anywhere, or that United is willing to sell off a vital part of the winning ways at Old Trafford. Rooney's current contract runs through the end of 2015, but another snag in a potential stay is a report from The Daily Mail that claims Rooney is looking for a new deal.

If United is looking to sell, however, Chelsea will be the first team knocking down the door.

Rooney had 22 goals in 37 appearances across the different soccer spectrums this year, including 12 in 22 games with the club in EPL play. He's considered a valuable player just hitting the "mature" part of his career, but there are some (including Pete Hall of TEAMtalk.com) who feel the stats side with United letting him go while interest is high.

Chelsea has vowed to be active and ready to open up their pocketbooks this summer to chase a league title and other international awards next season, and that could start with breaking the bank for Rooney to arrive at Stamford Bridge.

One thing is for sure: New manager David Moyes' end-of-the-year meeting with Rooney later this week should tell us everything we need to know about his future at Old Trafford.

After that, the speculation can really begin.

Tim Tebow Would Still Make a Positive Impact for These NFL Teams

John Rozum — Sun, 19 May 2013 13:31:25 -0400

Tim Tebow's skill set remains quite marketable regardless of his passing mechanics.

And despite not receiving a legitimate opportunity with the New York Jets, that simply prevented him a chance to showcase any talent. His run in the 2011 season with the Denver Broncos was only a glimpse, though, because there were still flawed mechanics and ill-advised decision-making.

That said, his dynamics possessed a positive impact. NFL fans were just denied it last season. As for this season not every team is set at quarterback and Tebow's talent fits better than given credit for.

Oakland Raiders

Oakland doesn't have a lock for the long-term future at quarterback.

Matt Flynn saw hardly any time with the Green Bay Packers and his best game was against the Detroit Lions in Week 17 of 2011. It didn't impact regular-season standings and was against a suspect pass defense.

Terrelle Pryor also has minimal game experience; additionally, Tyler Wilson and Matt McGloin are rookies. Compare all their combined established ability and Tebow outweighs everyone for the Raiders.

At the same time, he would be provided with explosive receivers to target downfield. With his mobility to extend plays, Tebow does have the arm strength to give playmaking opportunities at each field dimension.

Minnesota Vikings

No matter the developmental strides from Christian Ponder, Minnesota can utilize Tebow a variety of ways. Also, Joe Webb just moved to receiver from under center according to Sid Hartman of the Star Tribune:

Those who thought Joe Webb had no future as a quarterback should be happy, because the former Alabama-Birmingham standout has become a full-time wide receiver for the Vikings.

In addition, Matt Cassel is not a reliable solution after having inconsistent campaigns with the Kansas City Chiefs. Ponder is undoubtedly the best option, but bringing in Tebow would add an intriguing dynamic.

Whether it's occasionally at quarterback, fullback or tight end in a four-wide set opposite Kyle Rudolph, Tebow's athleticism is an advantage for Minnesota. He'd also work nicely in simply deriving attention from Adrian Peterson, which, in turn, prevents a defense from constantly stacking the box.

Philadelphia Eagles

The Eagles reportedly had no interest in Tim Tebow, as tweeted by Reuben Frank of CSN Philadelphia on April 29:

But the offensive philosophy of coach Chip Kelly is still perfect for Tebow's style of play.

Even if only restricted to a limited quarterback role, Tebow's scrambling ability expands Philadelphia's playbook. He's also surrounded by incredibly athletic players in Lane Johnson, LeSean McCoy and DeSean Jackson.

Similar to Minnesota, the Eagles have an explosive running back to help set up the pass. By the same token, Tebow becomes a short-yard situation advantage regardless of where he lines up.

With plenty of time until the 2013 season kicks off, don't be surprised if someone makes a move for Tebow as the real games close in.

Arsenal Clinch Champions League Place with 1-0 Win vs. Newcastle

Timothy Rapp — Sun, 19 May 2013 13:27:31 -0400

At times, it was a long and rocky season for Arsenal, but the Gunners handled their business in the end, defeating Newcastle 1-0 on Sunday and assuring a spot in the Champions League next season.

Laurent Koscielny struck the vital blow early in the second half off a free kick to give the Gunners a crucial lead. After that, it was a nervy passage of play where the Gunners desperately tried to cling to three points.

The win had the added bonus of keeping hated rival Tottenham out of the Champions League again this season. The Gunners will still have to qualify for the group stages with a play-in, but their destiny is firmly in their hands, and they will have the ability to strengthen the roster before then.

Arsenal's year did not begin on a positive note. Star striker Robin van Persie refused to sign a contract extension with the club over the summer and was eventually sold to Manchester United. One of the team's top players from a year ago, Alex Song, was then sold to Barcelona.

And the team opened the season with just two wins in their first six games, drawing three and losing to London rivals Chelsea.

But while the team would struggle against top competition all season (1-5-2 against Manchester United, Manchester City, Chelsea and Tottenham) and would once again go without a trophy, Arsenal managed to earn a coveted top-four place on the table by going unbeaten in their last 10 games, winning eight of those contests.

Theo Walcott's contract dispute was a major storyline at the beginning of the season, but he eventually signed an extension and made himself one of the Premier League's most dangerous weapons this year (21 goals and 14 assists in all competitions).

Santi Cazorla proved to be one of the top signings in Europe this summer (12 goals and 13 assists). Olivier Giroud and Lukas Podolski didn't exactly replace van Persie, but the duo did combine to score 28 goals. Jack Wilshere returned from injury and played well, while Mikel Arteta was a rock in the midfield.

Even the defense was solid, overcoming injuries and turnover at the keeper position, allowing just 37 goals on the season, second-fewest in the Premier League behind Manchester City (31).

While a top-four finish is nice, Arsenal fans will be clamoring to win trophies next season and will hope management opens up the wallet and signs several big names to bolster the squad. The team could use a clinical striker to lead the line, while a holding midfielder, right-back and even an upgrade at keeper should be on the shopping list as well.

Arsenal will be playing for the Champions League again next season. Now, Gooners will be hoping the team can play for a trophy in the 2013-14 campaign as well.

English Premier League Final Day Wrap

Michael Cummings — Sun, 19 May 2013 13:26:50 -0400

Chelsea took third, Arsenal finished fourth and Tottenham missed out once again. The title was long since decided and the relegation race complete, but the final day of the English Premier League season brought the drama as expected.

With their victories over Everton and Newcastle, respectively, Chelsea and Arsenal clinched Champions League qualification for next season. Arsenal will have to negotiate a qualifying tie, but that won't matter to happy Gooners after Sunday's tension.

Keep reading for a rundown of the day's action.

Begin Slideshow

West Brom vs. Manchester United: Score, Grades and Post-Match Reaction

Pete Schauer — Sun, 19 May 2013 13:17:53 -0400

Sir Alex Ferguson's final match at the helm of Manchester United didn't exactly go as planned, as the Red Devils took a 5-5 draw with West Bromwich on Saturday.

An own-goal blunder by the Baggies' Jonas Olsson could have ultimately been the difference between a win and a draw for West Brom, but regardless, the Baggies should be satisfied with the match's outcome.

The Red Devils dominated the possession 65 to 35 percent, but were out-shot 19-16 and saw Romelu Lukaku come off the bench and spark his club with a hat-trick.

Shinji Kagawa got the scoring going for the Red Devils in the sixth minute to give Manchester United the early 1-0 edge (via Premier League on Twitter):

Roughly three minutes later, West Brom defenseman Jonas Olsson gave the Red Devils the significant upper-hand when he scored an own goal on an Antonio Valencia cross that put United up by two goals (via Manchester United Action):

After an Alexander Buttner goal put United ahead 3-0, the Baggies came storming back with two goals of their own by James Morrison (40') and Romelu Lukaku (50') to cut the Red Devils' lead to just one goal. Lukaku's goal not only put West Brom one goal closer, but it was also a personal feat for the forward as well (via Infostrada Sports):

Again, it looked as if Manchester United would pull away, as stars Robin van Persie and Javier Hernandez each found the back of the net in the second half to extend the Red Devils' lead in a 5-2 match, but again, the Baggies fought back.

Lukaku netted another goal while Youssuf Mulumbu scored as well to put West Brom within one goal of the EPL champs. Then, in the 86th minute, Lukaku completed a hat-trick to tie the match at five and complete an improbable comeback for the Baggies (h/t Oliver Holt of the Daily Mirror):

Lukaku and West Brom certainly played spoiler on Saturday in Ferguson's final day as manager of Manchester United. Although United didn't come up with the victory, BBC Sport showed its respect for the historic manager via Twitter:

Grades (Subs denoted in bold)

West Bromwich

Position	Player	Grade
G	Ben Foster	C
D	Jonas Olsson	C-
D	Liam Ridgewell	C+
D	Gareth McAuley	C+
D	Billy Jones	B+
M	Claudio Yacob	B-
M	James Morrison	B+
M	Chris Brunt	B
M	Graham Dorrans	B+
M	Youssuf Mulumbu	A
F	Shane Long	C+
F	Romelu Lukaku	A+
F	Markus Rosenberg	B+
F	Marc-Antoine Fortune	B-

Manchester United

Position	Player	Grade
G	Anders Lindegaard	C
D	Phil Jones	B
D	Jonathan Evans	B-
D	Antonio Valencia	B
D	Alexander Buttner	B+
M	Anderson	C+
M	Javier Hernandez	A
M	Michael Carrick	B
M	Tom Cleverley	B
M	Shinji Kagawa	B+
F	Robin Van Persie	B+
M	Ryan Giggs	B
M	Paul Scholes	C

Javier Hernandez (A)

Midfielder Javier Hernandez was brilliant for Manchester United on Saturday, helping the club get the scoring going and aiding in helping the Red Devils draw a tie with West Brom.

Hernandez recorded the assist on Kagawa's sixth-minute goal that gave the Red Devils a 1-0 lead and capped off an excellent match by scoring in the 63rd minute that made it 5-2 in favor of United.

While the Red Devils couldn't hold the large lead, Hernandez isn't to blame.

Romelu Lukaku (A+)

As West Brom's leading scorer, Romelu Lukaku had to be a factor in this match for the Baggies if they were going to have any shot at taking down powerhouse Manchester United.

Lukaku's 50th-minute goal off the bench put the Baggies within one goal of the Red Devils after falling down early 3-0.

From there, he took over the second half and led the charge for West Bromwich, scoring in the 80th and 86th minutes to knot the match at five apiece. The Baggies couldn't have asked for a better performance as a sub from their star scorer.

Alexander Buttner (B+)

Alexander Buttner came through with what turned out to be an important goal for the Red Devils.

Although Buttner's 30th-minute goal seemed to potentially put the match out of reach, the Baggies would go on to score the next two goals, which would have tied this match had Buttner not found the back of the net.

Without that goal, the Baggies' continued momentum could have resulted in a loss for Sir Alex Ferguson in his final match as manager.

What's Next?

As the season came to a close, these two clubs both have some work to do in the offseason.

For Manchester United, it'll look to establish a new era and identity with Sir Alex Ferguson departing after more than two decades at the head of the Red Devils.

Under Ferguson's guidance, United captured 13 league titles and established United as the powerhouse of soccer. It's safe to say David Moyes has enormous shoes to fill.

For West Brom, it'll look to add pieces to its club after finishing eighth in the EPL table, with 48 points. The good news for the Baggies is that star Shane Long plans on staying with West Brom, according to the Express & Star.

Follow me on Twitter: Follow @Pete_Schauer

Liverpool vs. QPR: Score, Grades and Post-Match Reaction

Justin Onslow — Sun, 19 May 2013 13:16:04 -0400

Queens Park Rangers have been relegated for next season, and they certainly looked the part against Liverpool on Sunday. The Reds—already assured of the No. 7 spot in the Premier League tables—dismantled their counterparts 1-0, boosted by strong outings from Philippe Coutinho and Jordan Ibe.

Liverpool jumped out to a hot start with constant pressure on QPR keeper Robert Green. Coutinho was the architect of the aggression, and he would see to it that Liverpool’s effort wouldn’t go unrewarded.

In the 22nd minute, the midfielder took a pass from Ibe and scorched a shot from 25 yards into the bottom corner past Green for a 1-0 Reds lead.

The Reds had very little to play for in this match, but that didn’t stop them from enjoying the moment (via Liverpool FC):

Coutinho and Lucas celebrate our first goal in the new home kit: #RiseUpLFC @lfcbrasil @warrior_ftbl twitter.com/LFC/status/336…
— Liverpool FC(@LFC) May 19, 2013

The following minutes would be all Liverpool as the home side continued turning the screws on QPR’s back line. The Reds tallied 11 shots and held possession for 65 percent of the first 37 minutes of action.

As John Bradley pointed out, Liverpool looked impressive, and QPR looked much like a relegated squad:

Even defender Jamie Carragher got in on the action in the 34th minute, peppering a shot that was eventually blocked. He spent his final time on the pitch at Anfield with ringing cheers and generous support from Liverpool supporters, and even his blocked shots were reason for fans to celebrate their club’s vice-captain (via Steven Gerrard):

Guard of honour for Jamie Carragher prior to kick off in his last game for the club #thankscarra twitter.com/Gerrard8FanPag…
— Steven Gerrard(@Gerrard8FanPage) May 19, 2013

QPR did manage to get a little momentum going in the final minutes of the first half, but their attack looked mostly disoriented and out of sorts. Pepe Reina did his job to stave off the attack, though, and Liverpool carried a 1-0 lead into halftime with little reason to worry.

In the first 45 minutes of play, Liverpool attempted 13 shots (three on target), while QPR flailed their way to just three shots and none on net. It was a dominant first-half performance from a superior club, who controlled possession for 62 percent of the opening half.

Liverpool could have easily been ahead by two or three goals at the half, however. The Reds were far more aggressive than their counterparts in the opening half, but a sloppy attack limited their scoring chances in the first 45 minutes. They would have to tighten things up in the final third in order to build on their lead in the second half.

QPR were the only side to make any halftime adjustments in their starting XI, bringing on Esteban Granero in place of Stephane Mbia. For Liverpool, there wasn’t much need to shake things up.

The Reds would again open the half with a couple scoring opportunities in the initial minutes, keeping the pressure on QPR’s back line. Ibe saw a tremendous scoring opportunity in the 48th minute, but his effort missed the mark by a few feet.

As Michael Fitzgerald noted on Twitter, the 17-year-old looked impressive in the start. He certainly wasn’t fazed by the Premier League’s big stage:

The Reds would get another huge opportunity in the 50th minute when Glen Johnson attacked down the right side with a strike to the net, forcing Green to make yet another strong save. Liverpool attacked from the right side early and often in the contest, and Ibe did a tremendous job of locking down the left side opposite Johnson and Stewart Downing.

While Liverpool still retained possession for much of the second half, QPR did seem to stabilize their attack and find some confidence in holding at midfield. QPR appeared to be building a small amount of momentum, and it seemed Liverpool would have to find a way to score again to put the match out of reach.

Carragher did his part in attempting to build his club’s lead with a 40-yard strike that just missed the mark. Everyone at Anfield seemed to want to see him net a goal in his final contest before retirement, and he certainly appeared content on pleasing his fans (via Liverpool FC):

Oh my word - Carra blasts one from 40 yards and hits the post. Anfield stunned #LFC 1-0 #QPR
— Liverpool FC(@LFC) May 19, 2013

Ibe’s debut ended in the 64th minute as he was relieved in favor of Fabio Borini, but he did well to preview his future with the club. It was a strong outing, highlighted by an assist on Coutinho’s 22nd-minute goal, though his overall play eclipsed any tallies on the stat sheet (via LiverpoolScout):

The final minutes of the match were more a show in honor of Carragher than a competitive contest. QPR were completely outmatched all day, and Liverpool were able to keep the pressure in QPR’s half and have a little fun with their veteran defender in his final minutes on the pitch.

Carragher came off in the 86th minute to enjoy his final time on the sidelines with his teammates, and his final match couldn't have gone more perfectly. He didn't manage to find the net (much to the dismay of his generous supporters), but a victory in his final contest is all the veteran leader could have asked for from his club.

The Reds were unable to tack on another goal in the final minutes, but the writing was on the wall from the onset. It was an impressive win from the home side in their final match.

Liverpool

Player	Grade
Pepe Reina	A
Glen Johnson	B
Jamie Carragher	A
Martin Skrtel	C
Jose Enrique	C
Jordan Henderson	C+
Lucas Leiva	C+
Stewart Downing	B
Philippe Coutinho	A
Jordan Ibe	B+
Daniel Sturridge	B-
Substitutes
Fabio Borini	B
Suso	C
Sebastian Coates	N/A

QPR

Player	Grade
Robert Green	B+
Michael Harriman	B
Clint Hill	B-
Nedum Onuoha	B
Armand Traore	A
Andros Townsend	C
Stephane Mbia	D
Shaun Derry	C
Park Ji-Sung	C+
Loic Remy	C-
Bobby Zamora	D
Substitutes
Esteban Granero	C
Jamie Mackie	C
Junio Hoilett	N/A

Philippe Coutinho (A)

Coutinho's impressive strike in the 22nd minute took all the pressure off Liverpool. With a 1-0 lead, the Reds were able to coast through much of the contest, turning the screws on QPR's defense in the final third.

There was never much question Liverpool would dominate in this contest, but Coutinho certainly put it out of reach. Ibe's debut and Carragher's finale stole the show, but it was Coutinho who did most of the damage before coming off in the 75th minute.

Jordan Ibe (B+)

Ibe got the start with the intention of seeing what he could do on the big stage with the first team. By the time the match ended, there was little doubt he has a bright future with the Reds.

While he got the credit for the assist on Coutinho's opening goal, it wasn't anything spectacular from the youngster. But that wasn't why everyone seemed so impressed with him.

With tremendous pace and poise, Ibe put his potential on display, constantly finding himself in the mix in the final third. Even against a relegated club like QPR, Ibe's impressive play shouldn't go unnoticed.

Robert Green (B+)

Liverpool had plenty of chances to tack on more scoring in their final contest of the term. If not for Green, the Reds may have come away with a much more lopsided victory.

There's really not much bad to say about the keeper's performance on the day. Coutinho's strike was nearly unstoppable, and Green did plenty to keep his club in the contest. Unfortunately for QPR, the rest of their squad couldn't say the same.

Jamie Carragher (A)

After 737 appearances, Carragher walked off the pitch for the last time in a Liverpool uniform. The contest was as much a tribute to him as it was a competitive match, and Liverpool fans did well in honoring their veteran vice-captain in his final appearance.

And while Carragher deserves an A for his career at Anfield, he also played pretty well in the 1-0 victory. It's not often we've seen him peppering shots from 40 yards, especially shots that miss the mark by mere inches.

What's Next?

All attention now turns to the summer for both clubs. Liverpool may be headed for a bit of a rebuild on the defensive end with Carragher's retirement and the possibility of Reina departing. Time will tell what is to come of that situation, but for now, Liverpool can hold their heads high after a dominating win in their final match.

For QPR, the future is even more uncertain. They finished last in the Premier League with just 25 points, facing relegation for next season. It was a disappointing (albeit fitting) end to the season for a club in desperate need of direction going forward.

Newcastle vs. Arsenal: Score, Grades and Post-Match Reaction

Timothy Rapp — Sun, 19 May 2013 13:11:49 -0400

For a 16th consecutive season, Arsenal has qualified for the Champions League.

It wasn't a pretty win for the club, but Laurent Koscielny's goal in the 52nd minute was enough for the Gunners to secure a 1-0 win and fourth-place finish on the season.

Theo Walcott had the game's first chance after a free kick was headed in his direction in the fifth minute, but his effort from inside of the box sailed far above the bar.

A minute later, Papiss Cisse would have a brilliant opportunity to give Newcastle an early lead, turning on goal after corralling a Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa cross and firing on net. However, his shot went high, and the game remained scoreless.

Mikel Arteta, who tried to play through an injury, was subbed out in the 28th minute, clearly laboring. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain was added to the squad in his place.

Arsenal created a nice chance in the 31st minute. Kieran Gibbs found himself with acres of space down the left side and eventually cut back into the box on his run. He found Santiago Cazorla at the top of the box, but the crafty Spaniard curled his effort high.

Hatem Ben Arfa had an excellent opportunity in the 40th minute, somehow eluding two Arsenal players and freeing himself on the right side of the box, but his blast sailed well over the bar.

The half would end scoreless in a game that was played pretty evenly throughout but was surely a disappointment for Arsenal, who looked a bit toothless in the attack. FOX Soccer Trax summed up the first 45 minutes rather succinctly:

Not to be confused with being off Alex Song, of course.

Meanwhile, John Cross of the Daily Mirror pointed out that Newcastle was playing like a team with an incentive to win:

Yes, Mike Ashley offered a £1 million bonus to be shared amongst the non-playing staff if the team won on Sunday. I'm sure there were quite a few pep talks in the pregame festivities.

And noted Arsenal fan Piers Morgan was just plain old despondent about his favorite team's first-half performance:

Perhaps Arsenal could feel Morgan's displeasure, as the team did create an early chance in the opening minute of the second half after a poor clearance from Steve Harper. However, Walcott's shot across the face of goal was saved by the keeper.

And it would be Arsenal who earned the game's only goal in the 52nd minute. After Bacary Sagna earned a free kick to the right of the box, Walcott sent out a curling effort that was flicked on toward Laurent Koscielny. The defender handled his moment brilliantly, hooking home a volley to give the Gunners the lead.

The rest of the half was far more cagey from Arsenal and pretty disappointing from Newcastle. Theo Walcott nearly ended things in the 91st minute, running into the clear. But the forward wrong-footed an attempt at goal after circling the keeper, and the shot tragically hit the right bar.

But the Gunners would nonetheless hold on through four minutes of stoppage time, winning the game and assuring a fourth-place finish and spot in next season's Champions League.

Grades

Laurent Koscielny, Arsenal: A

Even if you took away his goal, I think Koscielny would be the man of the match. He was a force defensively all game long and was the primary reason the Gunners kept a clean sheet in the first half. He's certainly come a long way for Arsenal this season and has become an absolute rock defensively.

Hatem Ben Arfa, Newcastle: B+

On a day when Newcastle mostly threatened rather than pose a true danger in front of Arsenal's goal, Ben Arfa was the one player who consistently offered a positive presence in the attack. He didn't manage to score, but he did put himself in good positions throughout.

Santi Cazorla, Arsenal: B+

Arsenal's most consistent player was solid again today, working out wide, setting up his teammates, impressing with his work rate and even ripping a few shots toward goal. This wasn't vintage Cazorla, but on a day when his teammates also weren't at their best, his performance impressed.

Papiss Cisse, Newcastle: C+

A pretty disappointing game for Cisse, who had a few chances but couldn't capitalize. And Cisse spent far too much of the game drifting around the edge of the box rather than making himself a target closer to the goal. After impressing so much last season, this year will surely be remembered as a disappointment for the striker.

Arsenal Grades
Player	Position	Grade
Wojciech Szczesny	GK	B
Bacary Sagna	RB	B+
Per Mertesacker	CB	B+
Laurent Koscielny	CB	A
Kieran Gibbs	LB	B+
Mikel Arteta (Out 27')	CM	C
Aaron Ramsey	CM	B-
Theo Walcott	RW	B
Tomas Rosicky	CAM	B-
Santi Cazorla (Off 89')	LW	B+
Lukas Podolski (Off 77')	ST	C+
Substitutes
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (In 27')	LW	B
Olivier Giroud (In 77')	ST	B+
Jack Wilshere (In 89')	CM	C

Newcastle Grades
Player	Position	Grade
Steve Harper	GK	C
Mathieu Debuchy	RB	B+
Steven Taylor	CB	C
Fabricio Coloccini	CB	C
Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa (Off 81')	LB	B-
Cheick Tiote	CM	C+
Yohan Cabaye (Off 57')	CM	B-
Hatem Ben Arfa	RW	B+
Yoan Gouffran (Off 65')	CF	C-
Jonas Gutierrez	LW	B-
Papiss Cisse	ST	C+
Substitutes
Vurnon Anita (On 57')	CM	C
Sylvain Marveaux (On 65')	CAM	C
Adam Campbell (On 81')	ST	C

What's Next?

For Arsenal, just reaching the Champions League was pretty impressive, as the team finished the Premier League season with eight wins and two draws in the last 10 games. And this was certainly far from Arsene Wenger's best roster of players.

Now, the team will hit the summer with a Champions League spot intact and the need to add a few key players in order to compete for a league title. Expect Arsenal to be very busy this summer.

For Newcastle, this season was a huge disappointment, and the team will have to find a way to bolster the squad and return to the form that saw them finish fifth last season. That seems like an awful long time ago, especially after this year's 16th-place finish.

Premier League End-of-Season Awards: Player, Manager of the Year and More

Ian Rodgers — Sun, 19 May 2013 13:10:29 -0400

The Premier League has reached its conclusion with Arsenal securing the final Champions League slot ahead of Tottenham after another gruelling season.

The final day might not have matched the thrills of last year, when Manchester City won the title with virtually the last kick of the season, but it has not been without its highs and lows.

Manchester United had their 20th league title wrapped up long before the end of the campaign as City's defence of the championship failed to ignite.

Chelsea took third spot despite another managerial change in November when Rafael Benitez replaced Roberto Di Matteo.

Reading and Queens Park Rangers departed the top flight after short stays, while Wigan Athletic finally paid the price for flirting with relegation on several occasions during their eight-year spell in the Premier League, as they lost at Arsenal three days after winning the FA Cup.

If there was a defining characteristic of the 2012-13 Premier League season, it is the retirements at the end of the season of managers and players alike.

Anybody doubting Swansea City could hold their own following the departure of manager Brendan Rodgers to Liverpool last summer were soon proved wrong, as Michael Laudrup guided the team to the Capital One Cup in February and ensured a top-half finish.

Everton were the surprise package in the race for Champions League qualification for much of the season but fell away towards the end of the campaign. But Manchester United-bound David Moyes can consider his final season at Goodison Park a successful one.

Southampton controversially ditched manager Nigel Adkins in January before bringing in Mauricio Pochettino. The move did little harm to their chances of staying in the top flight.

Adkins replaced Brian McDermott at Reading in another controversial management move, but he could do little to prevent the club going down.

QPR also dispensed with the services of Mark Hughes in favour of Harry Redknapp, but the damage was already done to their hopes of staying up, and the Loftus Road side dropped into the Championship after a two-year stay in the Premier League.

Cardiff City will make their first appearance in the Premier League next season to join fierce rivals Swansea, while Hull City will also return under the guidance of Steve Bruce.

So who were the winners in this season's Premier League campaign?

Team of the season

The obvious choice here would be Manchester United. The team won the Premier League at a canter and saw off the challenge of Manchester City with little effort.

United were helped in their quest by City's meek defence of the championship, while Chelsea imploded earlier in the campaign, and Arsenal were never really in the race.

However, for sheer surprise, the award this year goes to Swansea City.

After Brendan Rodgers left for Anfield, there was a sense of pessimism that the Liberty Stadium side would suffer second-season syndrome and struggle to stay up.

But the arrival of Michael Laudrup in South Wales signalled a new era and even an improvement in the team's performances on the field.

True, there were some disappointing results this season too, with Everton and Liverpool both enjoying big wins over the Welsh club. And the Premier League season ended in a disappointing run of seven matches without a win before the victory at Wigan on May 7.

But Swansea's run in the Capital One Cup included wins over Chelsea and Liverpool, and Laudrup's team produced an excellent display at Wembley in the 5-0 win over Bradford City.

Swansea and Laudrup will now compete in Europe next season after winning the trophy and finishing ninth in the table, two places above last season.

Player of the season

There were a number of contenders, but one name stood head and shoulders above others.

Manchester United striker Robin van Persie was the marquee signing at Old Trafford last summer, and his haul of 25 goals before the final game of the season helped United win the title.

However, the Netherlands international misses out on the award after a barren spell of seven matches without a goal came at exactly the wrong time for the Champions League campaign.

So the award this season goes to Gareth Bale.

The Tottenham talisman enjoyed his best season at the club, scoring 21 Premier League goals to keep the White Hart Lane side within touching distance of Champions League qualification.

The Wales international scored as Spurs defeated Manchester United 3-2 at Old Trafford in September and consistently proved to be the difference for Andre Villas-Boas' team during the season.

It is no coincidence that Tottenham's Europa League campaign almost foundered at Inter Milan with Bale out of the side and then did fall with the winger injured for the semifinal second leg at Basel.

Bale has collected the Players' Player of the Year, the Young Player of the Year and the Football Writers' Player of the Year awards this season. But there really has been no other competition for the haul of awards.

Manager of the Year

There can only be one, really. Sir Alex Ferguson has called it a day at the age of 71 and signed off as Manchester United manager at West Bromwich Albion in his 1,500th match in charge.

His trophy haul at Old Trafford comfortably ensures him as the greatest manager of the Premier League era, if not the history of football.

The Scot has built and rebuilt his team over the last 26 years, rarely interrupting the seemingly seamless flow of silverware into the club.

Missing out on the Premier League title last season to Manchester City in such dramatic circumstances was a major blow, but Ferguson delivered a knockout blow to City's defence with the capture of Van Persie from Arsenal for £24 million days before the start of the season (BBC Sport).

Ferguson and United comfortably won the Premier League title four weeks before the end of the season.

Retirement of the Season

No, not Sir Alex this time, despite his phenomenal achievements.

The list for this award has grown exponentially in recent weeks with any number of high-profile players and managers calling it a day.

David Beckham, admittedly not a Premier League player since 2003, called time on his career after playing for Manchester United, Real Madrid, LA Galaxy and Paris Saint-Germain and two loan spells with AC Milan.

Former England international Michael Owen announced his retirement from the game in March at the age of 33 following an injury-ravaged career.

Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes would have been our choice for this award following his decision to end his playing career this season, but the former England international has already retired once, and who's going to rule out another comeback?

So the award goes to Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher.

Carragher announced his decision in February and bid farewell to the Kop after the final game of the season against QPR at Anfield.

The 35-year-old, who made 737 appearances for the Reds, has been a mainstay in the Liverpool team alongside midfielder Steven Gerrard over the last 15 years.

Carragher, who will take up an analyst role with Sky Sports next season, will leave a huge hole in the team after his retirement.

Liverpool might not have been the force they once were during Carragher's time at the club, but the 2005 Champions League final comeback against AC Milan remains a highlight of a career many players would love to replicate.

There is little wonder why Liverpool supporters chant, "All we want is a team of Carraghers." Unfortunately for Brendan Rodgers and the fans, they are about to find out what it's like without one.

Signing of the season

Robin van Persie started the season like a steam train following his £24 million move from Arsenal, but a relatively barren spell in front of goal helped to cost United in the Champions League tie against Real Madrid.

Liverpool snapped up Daniel Sturridge in January for a fee believed to be £12 million, as the Daily Telegraph reported, and has responded well with 11 goals since leaving Chelsea. But the England international's big test will come next season with a full campaign at Anfield.

But there is only one winner in this category: Swansea striker Michu.

Michael Laudrup signed the Spanish striker for just £2 million from Rayo Vallecano, as BBC Sport reported, and has rewarded the manager's faith in him with a haul of 18 Premier League goals for the Welsh club.

Michu, 27, opened the season with two goals in a 5-0 win at Queens Park Rangers as part of a record of seven goals from his opening nine matches with the Swans.

He was also on target as Swansea claimed a five-goal drubbing of Bradford City in the Capital One Cup final at Wembley in February.

The "Point Proved" special award

Tottenham manager Andre Villas-Boas was high up in our thinking all season for this one.

The Portuguese coach had been sacked by Chelsea in March 2012 after just months in charge. It was debatable whether the Portuguese coach would manage in the top flight again after such a disappointment.

But when Tottenham sacked Harry Redknapp at White Hart Lane, chairman Daniel Levy turned to Villas-Boas and has not been let down with the manager continuing the work done by his predecessor.

Meanwhile, Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich is poised to make his ninth managerial change in nine years since taking over the Stamford Bridge club.

Which brings us neatly to the winner...Rafael Benitez.

The appointment of the former Liverpool boss as interim manager to replace Roberto Di Matteo was greeted with disdain by a sizeable number of Chelsea supporters.

Benitez was jeered from the Stamford Bridge stands when he appeared in the dugout for his first game in charge against Manchester City in November, as CNN reported. It didn't stop there either.

But the interim manager maintained his dignity and refused to be cowed by the boos ringing in his ears, until the FA Cup quarterfinal at Middlesbrough, when he told the supporters who were barracking him that they were not doing the club any favours, as the Daily Mail highlighted.

Benitez has since guided the Blues into Champions League qualification and the Europa League trophy, which is a pretty good way of responding to his critics in the Chelsea crowd.

Most bizarre moment of the season

There were a number of candidates for this award through the 2012-13 Premier League campaign.

Southampton midfielder Jason Puncheon being caught short by a call of nature during a televised match against Everton prompted a very funny chant from the home supporters. We can't repeat ourselves, but fortunately YouTube can help.

Manchester United defender Phil Jones made headlines after somehow contorting his facial expression into something more fitting for a Saw film during the derby against City, as The Mirror recounted.

However, the winner of the most bizarre moment of the season has to be....Luis Suarez.

The Liverpool striker and Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic had taken a few nibbles at each other during the mouth-watering clash at Anfield in April.

But the Uruguay international took the bait in the second half when he bit the Blues' player on the arm, as this YouTube video illustrates.

Suarez apologised for his actions after the match, as BBC Sport reported, but was still banned for 10 matches over the offence.

The incident did little harm to Ivanovic, who went on to score the winning goal for Chelsea in the Europa League final against Benfica on Wednesday.

Kings of Wembley

Bradford City are not a Premier League team, but their giant-killing acts against Wigan, Arsenal and Aston Villa propelled the team toward a Capital One Cup final date with Swansea City at Wembley in February.

The Bantams were well beaten in that final, as Phil Parkinson's side were torn apart in a 5-0 victory for Michael Laudrup's side.

However, Bradford made their return to Wembley on Saturday and ensured there was no repeat of that defeat with a comfortable 3-0 win over Northampton Town to earn promotion to League One next season.

Bleacher Report's Premier League coverage has been nominated in the 2012-13 EPLTalk awards. Cast your vote here.

New York Rangers vs. Boston Bruins Game 2: Live Score, Updates and Analysis

Franklin Steele — Sun, 19 May 2013 13:10:19 -0400

Game 2 between the Boston Bruins and New York Rangers is set to begin at 3 p.m. ET, and Boston will be looking to grab a 2-0 lead in its 2013 NHL playoff series.

The Bruins received an unlikely boost in the first game. After their power play had been ineffective through much of the regular season as well as the first round, it broke through in a big way as the game-tying goal came on a late power-play marker.

The Rangers are no strangers to struggling with the extra man, as they've gone 2-for-31 in the playoffs so far. The power-play struggles are likely linked to the scoring issues of Rick Nash (goalless in the playoffs so far) and Brad Richards (one point in the playoffs).

The Bruins' second line of Brad Marchand, Patrice Bergeron and Tyler Seguin is starting to heat up after a slow start. That's a bad sign for a Rangers team that isn't getting any scoring from their top players.

It will be interesting to see if they open things up a bit to try and create some offense to help out Henrik Lundqvist, who made a whopping 45 saves in Game 1.

Giro d'Italia 2013 Standings: Stage 15 Results, Leaderboard and Updates

Steven Cook — Sun, 19 May 2013 13:06:52 -0400

After the field experienced a major stage route tweak due to inclement weather, Giovanni Visconti took Stage 15 of the 2013 Giro d'Italia in runaway fashion to end another exciting day of cycling in the mountains of Italy.

The official Giro d'Italia Twitter account posted the winner as well as the top three finishers for Sunday's action.

Despite ending Stage 15 outside the top finishers, overall leader Vincenzo Nibali of the Astana team maintained his lead over the field. Australian star Cadel Evans remains in second behind him, but he's now one minute and 26 seconds behind the leader.

But Sunday belonged to the stage winner, Visconti. The Movistar team cyclist maintained a tight lead that was threatened late by Nibali and Evans, who both made late pushes. It didn't matter, though, as Visconti beat the field by 42 seconds.

Weather nearly forced the tour crew to scrap dozens of kilometers of the race, but they were able to clean off enough of the roads to make for a minimal detour. It was previously announced (h/t Gregor Brown of Cycling Weekly) that the course would be cut by 18.1 kilometers, but that was eventually retracted to 4.25km.

With non-ideal conditions surrounding the cyclists, it's fortunate that all of the riders remained safe and the top cyclists were still able to post strong performances.

Stage 15 Results

Finish	Cyclist	Team	Country	Time
1	Giovanni Visconti	Movistar	Italy	4:40:48
2	Carlos A. Betancur Gomez	Ag2r-La Mondiale	Colombia	+:42
3	Niemiec Przemyslaw	Lampre-Merida	Poland	+:42
4	Majka Rafal	Saxo-Tinkoff	Poland	+:42
5	Fabio Andres Duarte Arevalo	UCI Colombia	Colombia	+:47
6	Michele Scarponi	Lampre-Merida	Italy	+:54
7	Vincenzo Nibali	Astana	Italy	+:54
8	Cadel Evans	BMC	Australia	+:54
9	Mauro Santambrogio	Vini Fantini/SelleItalia	Italy	+:54
10	Rigoberto Uran Uran	Sky	Colombia	+:54

For a complete list of Stage 15 results, visit the race's official site.

Stage 15 Route

*Route modified 4.25 kilometers for weather (via Cycling Weekly)

Overall Leaderboard

Place	Cyclist	Team	Country	Time
1	Vincenzo Nibali	Astana	Italy	62:02:34
2	Cadel Evans	BMC Racing	Australia	+1:26
3	Rigoberto Uran Uran	Sky Procycling	Colombia	+2:46
4	Mauro Santambrogio	Vini Fantini/SelleItalia	Italy	+2:47
5	Michele Scarponi	Lampre-Merida	Italy	+3:53
6	Przemyslaw Niemiec	Lampre-Merida	Italy	+4:35
7	Carlos A. Betancur Gomez	AG2R La Mondiale	Colombia	+5:15
8	Rafal Majka	Saxo-Tinkoff	Poland	+5:20
9	Domenico Pozzovivo	AG2R La Mondiale	Italy	+5:57
10	Benat Intxausti Elorriaga	Saxo-Tinkoff	Poland	+6:21

To see where every cyclist stands after 14 stages, visit the race's official site.

Recap and Updates

Stage 15 was supposed to bring with it a major shakeup, as massive amounts of snow poured down and the conditions were expected to be detrimental.

However, we saw the overall leaderboard hardly change at all, with some of the top finishers not gaining any ground on the leader.

Nibali seems to be running away with the Giro d'Italia, as he's able to stave off a late run from Cadel Evans every time he attempts to do so. He's not continuing to add to his lead, but he's racing just steady enough to hold off the field and maintain a lead of more than one minute.

However, it only takes one poor stage for Nibali's lead to be at risk, and there's no doubt that Evans has what it takes to come back and claim victory for Australia.

Unfortunately for stage-winner Visconti, his epic performance Sunday will be overshadowed by Nibali and Evans as they continue to distance themselves from the pack as the two lone contenders for the title.

Visconti's ability to beat out second place by 42 seconds is nothing short of miraculous, as most of the stages so far have either been tied or won by just a few seconds.

Chelsea vs. Everton: Score, Grades and Post-Match Reaction

Rob Goldberg — Sun, 19 May 2013 13:04:28 -0400

In the last match of the 2012-13 season for both squads, Chelsea finished on top with a 2-1 victory over Everton.

There was a lot of scoreboard watching during Sunday's action, as Chelsea was in a battle with Tottenham and Arsenal for the third and fourth spot in the English Premier League. However, the three points give the Blues enough to finish in third and clinch a spot the Champions League next season.

The match itself got off to a frenetic pace with so much on the line. While players usually like to ease into the action, it only took seven minutes for the first goal to take place.

On a counter attack, Demba Ba got a nice pass from Oscar and put the ball right at the goalkeeper, which was saved. Fortunately, Juan Mata was in place for the rebound and put it in the back of the net to give Chelsea a 1-0 advantage. Watch the video courtesy of Fox Sports:

This lead did not last long, however, as Everton was quickly able to get the equalizer.

Steven Naismith received the ball on a deflection off David Luiz and then worked a give-and-go with Victor Anichebe to get an open shot inside the box. He pushed it beyond Petr Cech's reach and tied up the match 1-1 in the 14th minute.

While the rest of the first half featured plenty more attempts from both sides, no one was able to break the tie heading into intermission.

The second half featured much more defense, along with missed opportunities on offense. One major mistake was a missed shot by Branislav Ivanovic in the 73rd minute, which led fans like the popular Frank Lampard parody account to question his motives:

Fortunately, things turned out alright when Fernando Torres scored the go-ahead goal for Chelsea three minutes later. He received a good pass in the air from Victor Moses and was able to get to the ball and finish nicely on the right side of the goal.

Despite a number of great opportunities for the visiting club late, Everton was unable to get that second goal thanks to some good saves by Petr Cech, and the match ended 2-1.

Chelsea's season certainly had some ups and downs, although the past few weeks have featured some very strong play. Not only will the team finish in third place in the EPL, but it also recently won the Europa League title after winning the Champions League a year ago.

Although interim manager Rafael Benitez is unlikely to stay aboard, some fans appreciate the effort (via Telegraph Sport):

Regardless of who is in charge of the program next season, you can be certain that the talented club will be a top contender for the EPL title.

For Everton, this match closes a solid year-long effort to finish in sixth place in the league. While the club battled for one of the top four spots for a long time, it simply could not compete in the final couple of months.

Still, the squad should be proud of a great effort as it looks to improve even more heading into the offseason.

Grades

Juan Mata, Chelsea: A

All season long, Juan Mata was simply always around the action. Whenever Chelsea needed a play, the midfielder either scored an important goal or was somehow responsible for it.

Against Everton, he was the one celebrating after tapping in a rebound in the seventh minute. He was clearly the best player on the club all season, and this final match proved it more than ever.

Fernando Torres, Chelsea: A-

There might not be a more divisive player on Chelsea than Fernando Torres. Some fans believe he is a huge part of the club's success, while others feel that he was a waste of money.

In Sunday's match, the forward scored his 23rd goal of the season, although it was only his eighth in league play. Still, he proved his importance in this one and should stick around for at least a little longer at Stamford Bridge.

Steven Naismith, Everton: A

In his first year in the EPL, Steven Naismith spent most of his time as a substitute coming in for offense when needed. Although he has not had much success, Sunday's match should earn him more playing time next season.

The Scottish player showed a great deal of skill in getting an early goal, which helped Everton remain in contention for most of the match. When he came off in the second half, the club lost a great deal of offense.

Tim Howard, Everton: C+

The American goalkeeper has had plenty of great days for Everton. In the last six matches, he has only allowed one goal total. Unfortunately, he was not as sharp in this one, as he allowed an easy shot by Demba Ba to get away from him, leading to a goal.

While the second goal was tougher to defend, this is clearly a match to forget for the talented player.

Chelsea

Pos.	Player	Grade
G	Petr Cech	A+
D	Branislav Ivanovic	B-
D	Ashley Cole	B
D	David Luiz	C+
D	Gary Cahill	A-
M	Frank Lampard	B
M	Fernando Torres	A-
M	Juan Mata (Off 83')	A
M	Oscar (Off 89')	B+
M	Nathan Ake	B
F	Demba Ba (Off 66')	C-
Substitutes
M	Victor Moses (On 66')	A
D	César Azpilicueta (On 83')	B
D	Paulo Ferreira (On 89')	B+

Everton

Pos.	Player	Grade
G	Tim Howard	C+
D	Leighton Baines	A-
D	Phil Jagielka	B
D	Sylvain Distin	B+
D	Seamus Coleman	B-
M	Darron Gibson	B-
M	Steven Naismith (Off 67')	A
M	Steven Pienaar	B+
M	Marouane Fellaini	C+
M	Kevin Mirallas	B-
F	Victor Anichebe (Off 67')	B+
Substitutes
D	John Heitinga (On 67')	C-
M	Nikica Jelavic (On 67')	A-

What's Next?

Both clubs head into the summer looking to see what they can do to improve their standing for the 2013-14 season. With plenty of transfer opportunities for each side, expect a lot of movement from top players over the next few months.

Follow @TheRobGoldberg

Mack Brown's 6 Biggest Challenges for Texas in 2013

Jonathan Woo — Sun, 19 May 2013 13:04:20 -0400

Mack Brown and his Texas Longhorns program have been climbing ever since the collapse in 2010.

It is an old tale by now—the 5-7 pitfall to the positive 8-5 campaign to the two-sided 9-4 season a year ago. But in a 2013 season where Texas returns 19 starters, the Longhorns have high hopes for a down year in the Big 12.

At the forefront of all of that is Brown, who has executed change after change to bring his program to the brink of a true resurgence. Entering spring ball, his team was coming off a momentous Alamo Bowl victory, and there was some light at the end of a tunnel that has been dark for a while now.

Atop the list of challenges for Brown this season are beating Oklahoma, winning the Big 12 and finalizing his 2014 recruiting class with a bang. What else stands in Brown's way this year?

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Bay to Breakers 2013: Highlighting Top Runners from Sunday's Race

Jesse Reed — Sun, 19 May 2013 12:46:36 -0400

The 2013 Bay of Breakers was a phenomenal hit. Thousands of people participated in the race, which began at Howard and Main streets, wound its way through Golden Gate Park and finished at Ocean Beach.

On the men's side, Ethiopian Tolossa Gedefa Fufi was the first to cross the finish line with a time of 35 minutes and one second. American runner Ryan Hall finished the race in second place with a time of 35:40.

According to SFGate.com's Will Cane and Peter Hartlaub, Fufi's first-place time was the slowest winning time since 2003 and only the second time in the race's history that the winning time was over 35 minutes.

Racers blamed a new course design that featured more turns at Golden State Park than in previous years, per the report.

On the woman's side, Diane Nukuri-Johnson of Burundi finished in first place with a time of 40:12, while Adrienne Herzog of the Netherlands came in right behind her in second place with a time of 40:14.

Unlike most races that feature world-class athletes, the Bay of Breakers features a massive contingency of amateur runners who famously come to the race wearing zany costumes of all shapes, sizes and make.

The pristine, fog-free weather in the bay area on Sunday morning made for a perfect setting for these amateurs to show off their costumes and have a roaring good time.

As usual, many of the costumed "participants" weren't even registered. Traditionally, many of the locals hop into the fray for a few blocks and then hop back out when they tire out.

Even though this is a serious event for the small percentage of elite runners who participate, there's no doubt the Bay to Breakers is more of a party than anything else. This year's party went off without a hitch, and you can be sure next year's big event will be just as glorious.

Follow me on Twitter @JesseReed78