Jan 18 (Reuters) – Southampton sacked manager Nigel Adkins on Friday and replaced him with Argentine Mauricio Pochettino in a surprise move that came just as their Premier League results were starting to improve.

The dismissal comes two days after Saints fought back from two goals down to draw 2-2 with European champions Chelsea as part of a turnaround in fortunes in a run where they have lost just twice in their last 12 Premier League games.

MANCHESTER, England (Reuters) – Robin van Persie’s stoppage-time free kick swung the Premier League title race firmly in Manchester United’s favour as they beat champions Manchester City 3-2 on Sunday in a pulsating derby fuelled by a heavy dose of sweet revenge.

Victory in their neighbours’ backyard, at an Etihad Stadium where City had not lost in the league for almost two years, sent Alex Ferguson’s side six points clear of their opponents at the top of the table in what already looks like a two-horse race.

MANCHESTER, England (Reuters) – Robin van Persie provided Manchester City with a big ‘what-if’ moment on Sunday when he netted the winner for Manchester United against the club who wanted to sign him.

The Dutchman’s stoppage-time free kick gave United a 3-2 victory in the Manchester derby that sent them six points clear at the top of the Premier League and was the 11th league goal of the season for a man who has transformed their attacking threat.

MANCHESTER, England, Dec 9 (Reuters) – Robin van Persie provided Manchester City with a big ‘what-if’ moment on Sunday when he netted the winner for Manchester United against the club who wanted to sign him.

The Dutchman’s stoppage-time free kick gave United a 3-2 victory in the Manchester derby that sent them six points clear at the top of the Premier League and was the 11th league goal of the season for a man who has transformed their attacking threat.

MANCHESTER, England, Dec 9 (Reuters) – Robin van Persie’s stoppage-time free kick snatched a 3-2 victory for Manchester United in a pulsating derby at champions Manchester City to send them six points clear at the top of the Premier League on Sunday.

Wayne Rooney put the visitors ahead in the 16th minute against the run of play with a softly struck effort into the bottom left corner before doubling his tally just before the half-hour mark.

MANCHESTER, England (Reuters) – Constant shoulder pain has led Stephanie Rice to play down her chances of a repeat of her swimming gold medal haul of four years ago when she takes to the pool at the London Olympics.

The 24-year-old Australian won three golds in Beijing, two individual and one relay, but has since been dogged by an injury that has needed surgery and which requires a long list of daily treatments.

MANCHESTER, England (Reuters) – Two years ago Libby Trickett’s depression was so bad she could barely drag herself out of bed before she rediscovered her love of swimming and a desire for more Olympic medals.

Standing below a big countdown board showing seven days to go before London 2012, the 27-year-old Australian could not have entertained the possibility of adding to her six Olympic medals in the dark days following her retirement in late 2009.

MANCHESTER (Reuters) – Constant shoulder pain has led Stephanie Rice to play down her chances of a repeat of her swimming gold medal haul of four years ago when she takes to the pool at the London Olympics.

The 24-year-old Australian won three golds in Beijing, two individual and one relay, but has since been dogged by an injury that has needed surgery and which requires a long list of daily treatments.

MANCHESTER, England, July 20 (Reuters) – Constant shoulder
pain has led Stephanie Rice to play down her chances of a repeat
of her swimming gold medal haul of four years ago when she takes
to the pool at the London Olympics.

The 24-year-old Australian won three golds in Beijing, two
individual and one relay, but has since been dogged by an injury
that has needed surgery and which requires a long list of daily
treatments.

MANCHESTER, England, July 20 (Reuters) – Two years ago Libby
Trickett’s depression was so bad she could barely drag herself
out of bed before she rediscovered her love of swimming and a
desire for more Olympic medals.

Standing below a big countdown board showing seven days to
go before London 2012, the 27-year-old Australian could not have
entertained the possibility of adding to her six Olympic medals
in the dark days following her retirement in late 2009.