Derby County back to EPL for 2007/2008 season

Derby 1-0 West Brom

Stephen Pearson scored his first goal for Derby County to earn them a place back in the Premiership - and a £50million jackpot - for the first time in five years.
Diomansy Kamara out runs Seth Johsnon at Wembley
Pearson, signed from Celtic for £650,000 in January, scored the only goal of the game against West Brom after 61 minutes from a cross by substitute Giles Barnes who had only been on the pitch three minutes.
It continued a remarkable turn-around in fortunes for the Rams who 12 months ago finished 20th in the Coca-Cola Championship and flirted with relegation for much of the 2005-2006 campaign.
Manager Billy Davies has transformed the club since arriving from Preston last summer in place of Phil Brown.
And Davies had more reason than most to celebrate after losing out in a play-off semi-final and final in his last two seasons at Deepdale.
He has put the pride back into a club which won the league title twice in four years in the mid 1970s under Brian Clough and Dave Mackay respectively.
Albion were the better side in the opening 45 minutes but it was a different story in the second half with the Rams inspired by skipper Matt Oakley.
Now the Baggies must try and lift themselves for what is sure to be a rebuilding programme in the summer under Tony Mowbray with question marks hanging over the future of Premiership targets Curtis Davies, Diomansy Kamara and Jason Koumas.
Albion made a purposeful start and Rams keeper Stephen Bywater was called into meaningful action after only 40 seconds to parry away a left-footed drive from Kamara.
But Paul Peschisolido could have made a name for himself on his comeback after 10 minutes when he found himself with only Dean Kiely to beat after good play by Steve Howard only to curl a weak shot straight at the former Portsmouth keeper.
The Rams were indebted to a superbly timed tackle from Tyrone Mears to halt a mazy run into the area by Koumas after he had skipped past three challenges.
The Baggies appealed strongly for a penalty but television replays showed Mears had just nicked the ball away from the Welsh international before making contact and referee Graham Poll was spot on with his decision.
Derby defender Jay McEveley did well to block a far post volley from Zoltan Gera following a deep cross from Kamara but there was little to choose between the sides in the opening half hour.
Peschisolido became the first player to be yellow-carded after 31 minutes after a late lunge at West Brom stand-in skipper Paul Robinson.
Albion defenders Sam Sodje and Paul McShane quickly followed him into the book for similar challenges on Seth Johnson and Howard respectively.
Koumas began to see more of the ball and he carved out a shooting chance for himself but after cutting back inside but could not keep his effort down.
The nearest either side came to a goal in the opening half was when veteran Albion striker Kevin Phillips hit the bar from 15 yards out after Gera had laid the ball into his path two minutes before the interval.
The second half began at a frantic pace with Kiely doing well to save at the feet of Peschisolido while Bywater held onto Koumas' first-time drive.
Mears became the fourth player to be cautioned for fouling Koumas while a cross shot from Derby skipper Matt Oakley was not far off target.
Derby boss Davies brought on the less than fully fit but potential match-winner Barnes for Peschisolido after 58 minutes.
And seconds later it needed a superb reflex save from Kiely to turn over a powerful close range effort from Oakley.
But the Rams were not to be denied and Barnes set up the opener for Pearson after 61 minutes.
Barnes supplied an inviting low ball across the box after beating the offside trap - and Pearson got in front of McShane to slide the ball past Kiely.
Albion lost their composure for a while before rallying but Bywater was equal to anything thrown at him as he denied Jonathan Greening and Robinson.
The final whistle was the signal for scenes of great joy from Davies, his players and the 30,000 Derby fans.

Italian job after 2010 - Ancelotti

Milan boss Ancelotti targets Italy job after 2010

MILAN, May 28 (Reuters) - AC Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti said on Monday he would be interested in becoming Italy boss but only after 2010.
Ancelotti, who led his side to their seventh European Cup triumph against Liverpool last week, said he did not want to stay at the San Siro forever.
'I don't think I will coach Milan all my life,' he told Radio Anch'io. 'When this story is finished, I would like to train the national team. But after 2010.'
World champions Italy sit fourth in their qualifying group for Euro 2008 after a stuttering start. Coach Roberto Donadoni was set to announce his squad later on Monday for qualifiers in the Faroe Islands on Saturday and Lithuania four days later.

Former captain back to England squad

Beckham 'delighted' by England return

David Beckham was 'absolutely delighted' to be recalled by England manager Steve McClaren for the friendly against Brazil at Wembley next Friday and the World Cup qualifier against Estonia.
Former England skipper Beckham was dumped by McClaren when he took over as England coach after the World Cup exit last summer.
But today the Real Madrid midfielder was restored to the squad today as McClaren revealed: 'David was absolutely delighted as I knew he would be.
'He is coming into form and deserves to be here. We've got a very big game in Estonia coming up that we have to win and I've got to pick a squad capable of doing that. That's why I've picked David.
'Winning away at international level is very difficult anywhere and we need as much experience as we can get.'
McClaren attributed Beckham's recall to his form during the second half of the La Liga season.
'Since Christmas his form has been very good, I think he can help us win in Estonia and that's why I picked him,' he told Sky Sports News.
'I feel at this moment, that for the Estonia game, we need experience and David certainly provides that. He is in very, very good form. The team needs that.
'David comes back as David Beckham the player, that's what we want on the field, doing what we know he can do.'
McClaren added: 'There will be debate and opinion about it but at the end of the day it's my decision and a decision I think is best for England to produce a winning team that the fans can be proud of. I think David can be part of that.
'He's been picked in the squad and what the team is will be apparent nearer the time.'
Asked if Beckham, who joins Los Angeles Galaxy in the summer on a £125million five-year deal, had a long-term future with England despite his imminent move to the United States, McClaren replied: 'That's for the future. You have to plan for the long term but we have to win in the short term.'

Beckham got England recall

Lalas warning over Beckham England recall

David Beckham's England recall could put him on a collision course with Los Angeles Galaxy if he remains part of Steve McClaren's set-up this year.
England have four crucial Euro 2008 qualifiers during September and October and that would put Beckham out of domestic action for the Major League Soccer outfit, for whom he has signed a five-year £125million deal.
McClaren axed the Real Madrid midfielder after replacing Sven-Goran Eriksson as England coach but he has made a dramatic U-turn and recalled Beckham for the friendly against Brazil on June 1 and the Euro 2008 qualifier against Estonia.
Galaxy have sold thousands of season tickets on the back of his arrival, but Beckham's surprise recall could mean he could be on duty for England against Israel, Russia twice and Estonia instead of playing in the MLS.
Galaxy general manager Alexei Lalas admits they are concerned over Beckham's international situation from a business point of view, and hinted he may not be released for any non-competitive games.
Lalas, speaking on BBC Radio Five's Sportsweek programme, said: 'From a business perspective it is not the greatest news because we are selling the team with David Beckham and a lot of people are excited to see him play with the Galaxy.
'We will deal with it from a business perspective, but for us to say one of our players is representing England internationally is a great thing.
'There are business challenges but there is an educated public here when it comes to this international game we play. We recognise that when we are going out and getting these stars, they have responsibilities domestically and internationally.
'It is no different than when our American players are called up to play in different tournaments. We lose them at different times and we deal with it on the field and off it.
'I don't want to stand in the way of a player representing his country but we have to be prudent and understand they have to be the appropriate games. I would think they would have to be competitive matches.
'If it works out scheduling wise, we would be happy to let him go. But he has a responsibility on and off the field to our organisation and to our support. I think he is excited about pursuing that responsibility.'
The Galaxy chief added: 'He recognises that responsibility to the Galaxy and to the sport in the United States. I represented my country and I know what it means. It is something above money, it is something you take with you forever.
'I would never stand in the way of a player doing that as long as it is reasonable and they understand they have responsibilities to the club.
'But we have a responsibility to make sure David's health is looked after. This is a hell of a trip he is going to be taking by coming to the United States and it can take its toll.
'We know when we have players playing in England and they have to come back here for games, it is a very difficult proposition. I think he is up to it to a certain extent, but we will sit down and talk to him.
'Having said that there is a bigger picture and I would never stand in the way of any of our players representing their country.
'When you sit down and talk to David, his time representing England and his time as captain was something he holds dear.'
Lalas also believes Beckham's decision to quit Madrid when his contract ends on June 30 and move to the MLS should not have a bearing on future call-ups as he insists the player's fitness levels will remain high.
But he is realistic enough to understand that the 32-year-old Beckham is probably in a no-win situation by playing in a league that many others regard as being inferior to the rest of the world.
Lalas added: 'I don't think fitness is a problem. I would argue it is much more physically taxing than other leagues. We understand we are still a developing league but I refuse to think a player cannot come to Major League Soccer and develop as well, if not better, than in other leagues in the world.
'If he is lucky enough to be called up while he is playing with the Galaxy, I believe England will be getting a player who is physically and mentally fit and going through a unique experience that is ultimately going to make him a better player.
'But he probably can't win either way. If misses a cross or doesn't score a goal people will say it's because he is playing in America for the Galaxy. If he does do well people will say it is because he is a brilliant player and it doesn't matter where he is playing.'
Galaxy coach Frank Yallop has insisted Beckham will not return to a European club on loan later this year.
Reports have suggested Beckham could return to the Premiership in November following the conclusion of the MLS season.
Everton, Tottenham and Blackburn have been linked with a move, while Newcastle boss Sam Allardyce has already expressed an interest.
Yallop told Sky Sports News: 'He won't be going on loan anywhere. He'll be taking a break at that point and getting ready for our pre-season.
'He's shown he's a world-class player, he doesn't need to go back and go on loan anywhere.'
Yallop believes Beckham`s performances will make it difficult for McClaren to drop him again.
'I think David is going to have such an impact when he joins the squad again it will be difficult to leave him out to be honest,' he said.
'We realise David wants to get to the 100-cap plateau and we will never stop him doing that.'
Madrid coach Fabio Capello again praised Beckham's recent form after he helped keep the Spanish giants on course for their 30th Primera Liga title.
Beckham played a pivotal role as Madrid beat Deportivo La Coruna 3-1 at the Bernabeu on Saturday.
Capello said: 'I said (on Friday) that David Beckham was playing better than he has over the last two years.
'He is in extraordinary physical condition. When he puts the ball into the centre he does it with much precision, speed and quality. He is in great shape.'