Manchester United FC progressed to the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals after headed goals from Nemanja Vidić and Cristiano Ronaldo earned them a 2-0 victory over FC Internazionale Milano.

Nervy night
The champions of England, Europe and the world remain on course for an unprecendented quintuple of trophies this term after surviving an uncomfortable encounter with the Serie A leaders, who could easily have scored at least one goal. Inter's coach José Mourinho arrived here with a reputation for getting results against United – most famously with FC Porto five years ago – but while he left with a chorus of "You're not special any more" ringing in his ears, his side certainly ensured a nervy night for their hosts.

Urgent start
Rather than energise United, Vidić's fourth-minute opening goal seemed to send Sir Alex Ferguson's men into their shells in a stuttering first-half display. Vidić had rewarded an urgent start when he got clear of Patrick Vieira and met Ryan Giggs's corner with a powerful header which flew inside an unguarded far post. Yet United, apparently unsure whether to defend their advantage or push on, did neither.

Carelessness




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Manchester United FC progressed to the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals after headed goals from Nemanja Vidić and Cristiano Ronaldo earned them a 2-0 victory over FC Internazionale Milano.

Nervy night
The champions of England, Europe and the world remain on course for an unprecendented quintuple of trophies this term after surviving an uncomfortable encounter with the Serie A leaders, who could easily have scored at least one goal. Inter's coach José Mourinho arrived here with a reputation for getting results against United – most famously with FC Porto five years ago – but while he left with a chorus of "You're not special any more" ringing in his ears, his side certainly ensured a nervy night for their hosts.

Urgent start
Rather than energise United, Vidić's fourth-minute opening goal seemed to send Sir Alex Ferguson's men into their shells in a stuttering first-half display. Vidić had rewarded an urgent start when he got clear of Patrick Vieira and met Ryan Giggs's corner with a powerful header which flew inside an unguarded far post. Yet United, apparently unsure whether to defend their advantage or push on, did neither.

Carelessness
Inter's attempts to find a way back into the tie initially foundered on Zlatan Ibrahimović's isolated status up front, but United's uncharacteristic carelessness soon encouraged the five-man Nerazzurri midfield to venture forward in support, and chances came. After Giggs had surrendered possession – not the first United player to do so – Inter won a free-kick 35 metres from goal and from Maicon's delivery, Ibrahimović directed a header down into the ground and up on to the crossbar.

Inter on offensive
Stanković then tried his luck with a long-range strike that Edwin van der Sar touched wide and the Serbian missed a better opening soon after when Ibrahimović's superb curling pass left him clear at the far post. As the ball bounced in front of him, however, he failed to keep his effort down and it flew over. Although Giggs and Wayne Rooney combined to put John O'Shea clear, Júlio César saving at his feet, the half ended with Inter on the offensive as Ibrahimović broke on to Mario Balotelli's through ball and drove a low shot past the far post.

Switch rewarded
Sulley Muntari, scorer of an FA Cup winner here for Portsmouth FC, replaced Vieira at the break but more telling was Sir Alex's decision to switch Giggs to a central attacking role with Rooney moving out left. The dividend was immediate, Rooney crossing for Ronaldo to head his first UEFA Champions League goal since last year's final in Moscow. Dimitar Berbatov then brought a close-range stop from Júlio César but Inter had one last throw of the dice.

Winning machine
Adriano came on in the 58th minute and within 60 seconds the Brazilian had volleyed an Esteban Cambiasso cross against the inside of the far post, the ball running back across the line with Van der Sar beaten. Inter's chance of a fightback was gone and their quest for a first European crown since 1965 is over for another year. No such worries for Sir Alex as his winning machine rolls on to the last eight – and a tenth UEFA Champions League quarter-final in 13 seasons.

Yar’Adua plots 2nd term
•It’s immoral – Musa, David-West, Ikedife, Adebayo
•Atiku, Kalu as alternatives
By Funke Egbemode, Willy Eya & Olusola Balogun
Sunday, February 15, 2009


While most Nigerians are wrapped up in their confusing bottom lines and balance sheets that simply won’t add up, political speculators and juggernauts are already holding nocturnal meetings to facilitate the return of President Umar Yar’Adua to Aso Rock in 2011. High-tech permutations and manipulations are in top gear to ensure the sitting President sails smoothly back into the saddle.

The NPA, Anenih angle
According to highly placed sources, one of such smart moves is the appointment of Chief Tony Anenih as the Chairman of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA). NPA is arguably the richest government agency in Nigeria. It is believed to be an octopus money machine, with intractable accounting system.

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Former Eagles Chief Coach, Chief Adegboye Onigbinde, has said that football fans and other stakeholders should celebrate with Arsenal and Togo international striker, Emmanuel Sheyi Adebayor on the 2008 African Footballer of the Year award bestowed on him on Tuesday in Lagos by the Confederation of African Football (CAF).According to Onigbinde, the call had become imperative since nothing could be done by anybody to alter the award. "We have different interpretations on issues like this," Onigbinde began. "There are criteria that had already been laid down for recipients to fulfill before one wins the award."Apart from the performance on the pitch, behaviour both on and off the pitch, consistency, remaining a good ambassador of the game etc. are all part of the considerations. And if Adebayor was found worthy having fulfilled those criteria, the only thing we should do is to congratulate him instead of insinuating that another player ought to have won the award."Chief Onigbinde bared his mind on the recent Glo/CAF Awards because of the snide remarks by many that Egypt and Al Ahly playmaker, Aboutrika, who won the BBC African Player of the Year was robbed, as it seems he met most of the criteria the Modakeke chief highlighted.Speaking further, Chief Onigbinde said that one of the problems we have in this part of the world has been people reaching conclusions out of ignorance. He said that even those who were supposed to know better still make the same mistake of reaching conclusion without 

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