Chelsea beat Newcastle

LONDON – Chelsea’s magnetic attraction for controversy was in evidence once more after skipper John Terry’s goal sent the Premiership champions into the last four of the FA Cup at the expense of Newcastle.

An uninspiring contest was settled by the England centre-back’s fourth-minute strike, allowing the runaway Premiership leaders to join West Ham, Liverpool and either Charlton or Middlesbrough in the last four. But the immediate aftermath of the encounter was shrouded in debate over the late sending-off of Newcastle left-back Robbie Elliot, who earned a second yellow card for blocking Shaun Wright-Phillips.The defeat ended Newcastle captain Alan Shearer’s last chance of securing a winner’s medal with his hometown club and, while he had no complaints about the result, the former England striker was critical of Wright-Phillips.Ole to stay MANCHESTER – Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, the hero of Manchester United’s 1999 European Cup win, has been assured he will be kept on by the club after his current contract expires at the end of the season.”We want to keep Ole at the club,” United chief executive David Gill said on Thursday.”We are going to sort that out.He has been a great player for us and a fantastic individual.”I know he wants to stay and I am sure something will be sorted out.We have to make sure any deal reflects the situation and that it is appropriate.”Gill, speaking to the Manchester Evening News, added: “Both parties want to make it work and I am sure we will.”- Nampa-AFPBut the immediate aftermath of the encounter was shrouded in debate over the late sending-off of Newcastle left-back Robbie Elliot, who earned a second yellow card for blocking Shaun Wright-Phillips.The defeat ended Newcastle captain Alan Shearer’s last chance of securing a winner’s medal with his hometown club and, while he had no complaints about the result, the former England striker was critical of Wright-Phillips.Ole to stay MANCHESTER – Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, the hero of Manchester United’s 1999 European Cup win, has been assured he will be kept on by the club after his current contract expires at the end of the season.”We want to keep Ole at the club,” United chief executive David Gill said on Thursday.”We are going to sort that out.He has been a great player for us and a fantastic individual.”I know he wants to stay and I am sure something will be sorted out.We have to make sure any deal reflects the situation and that it is appropriate.”Gill, speaking to the Manchester Evening News, added: “Both parties want to make it work and I am sure we will.”- Nampa-AFP