Udinese tops Napoli with Di Natale's late heroics
Soccer Betting Lines
02/07/2010 -
Udine, Italy (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Antonio di Natale scored two goals in stoppage
time to complete a hat trick as Udinese beat Napoli, 3-1, on Sunday at the
Stadio Friuli.
Di Natale put Udinese in front after seven minutes when he followed up his own
penalty miss to fire past Napoli goalkeeper Morgan De Sanctis, but Cristian
Maggio equalized in the 21st minute for the visitors before he picked up a
second yellow card for diving right before halftime.
However, Udinese was unable to take advantage of the sending off until
stoppage time, when Di Natale scored twice in a two-minute span to help his
side snap a seven-game winless skid.
The win moves Udinese two points clear of the bottom three, while Napoli
suffered its first defeat in Serie A in 15 games.
Udinese started well and their pressure was rewarded after seven minutes when
Kwadwo Asamoah drew a penalty kick after he was held inside the area by
Maggio.
Di Natale had his spot kick saved by De Sanctis, but he pounced on the rebound
and put his team in front.
Napoli was level in the 21st minute when Marek Hamsik's through-ball picked
out German Denis, whose shot was saved by goalkeeper Samir Handanovic, but it
followed up by Maggio to even the match at 1-1.
The visitors then came within inches of taking the lead in the 44th minute
when Fabio Quagliarella headed a cross from Denis off the crossbar, but less
than one minute later, Napoli was reduced to 10 men when Maggio received a
second booking for diving.
Neither side really gained an advantage throughout the second half, but the
game came to life again in the 89th minute when Napoli's Michele Pazienza had
his shot hit the post.
However, Pazienza was responsible for giving away a goal in the first minute
of stoppage time when his poor clearance allowed Di Natale to beat De Sanctis.
The Udinese striker then completed his hat trick minutes later when he found
the net once again on the counter attack.
Leaders Inter Milan had no trouble beating Cagliari, 3-0, while Roma moved
into second place as they downed Fiorentina, 1-0, with Mirko Vucinic scoring
the lone goal in the 82nd minute.
AC Milan dropped to third after being held to a 0-0 draw by Bologna, Sampdoria
knocked off Siena, 2-1, Catania got the better of Lazio, 1-0, Marco Rossi's
second-half goal helped Genoa beat Chievo, 1-0 and Atalanta took care of Bari,
1-0, with Simone Tiribocchi scoring eight minutes from time.
<< St Etienne eases relegation worries
Saint Etienne, France (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - St Etienne moved seven points clear
of the bottom three on Sunday with a comfortable 3-0 win over Monaco at the
Geoffroy Guichard Stadium.
Blaise Matuidi had the home side in front after 14 m
<< Mallorca moves into top four
Mallorca, Spain (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Mallorca took over fourth place in the La
Liga table on Sunday as Jose Carlos Nunes scored in the 81st minute of a 1-0
win over Villarreal at the Son Moix Stadium.
Mallorca entered the match having wo
<< Syracuse thumps Cincinnati on the road
Cincinnati, OH (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Andy Rautins had 20 points, as third-ranked
Syracuse downed Cincinnati, 71-54, at Fifth Third Arena.
Kris Joseph had 17 points, while Scoop Jardine and Arinze Onuaku each chipped
in with 11 points for t
<< Ohio State rallies in second half to clip Lady Lions
University Park, PA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Samantha Prahalis hit five three-
pointers and scored 26 points to pair with 12 assists, as No. 8 Ohio State
rallied from down 14 in the second half to secure an 86-73 win over Penn
State.
<< Ovechkin's hat trick keys Caps' OT comeback over Pens
Washington, DC (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Mike Knuble scored on the power-play with
2:11 remaining in overtime, and Alex Ovechkin recorded a hat trick, as the
Washington Capitals fought back from a three-goal deficit to edge Pittsburgh,
5-4, an
NFL Inactives (Sunday, February 7, 2010) >>
Philadelphia, PA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The following is a list of inactive players
for Super Bowl XLIV in Miami.
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS VS. INDIANAPOLIS COLTS, 6:25 P.M. (ET)
Saints - 3rd QB Chase Daniel, TE Darnell Dinkins, RB Lynell Hamilton, T
Freeney active for Super Bowl >>
Miami, FL (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Indianapolis Colts defensive end Dwight Freeney
is listed as active for the Super Bowl despite a right ankle injury.
Freeney hasn't practiced all week due to a third-degree sprain and torn
ligament in h
Sharks get D Wallin from Carolina >>
San Jose, CA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The San Jose Sharks made a trade on Sunday,
acquiring defenseman Niclas Wallin and a fifth-round pick in the 2010 draft
from the Carolina Hurricanes for a second-round pick in the 2010 draft.
Wallin, a
Carter leads Magic over Boston >>
Boston, MA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Vince Carter led a balanced attack with 20
points and Dwight Howard logged 16 points and 13 rebounds despite battling
foul trouble, as Orlando rallied back from an 11-point halftime deficit to
beat Bo
Bruins snap 10-game skid, blank Canadiens >>
Montreal, QC (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Tuukka Rask posted 36 saves for his third
shutout of the season and Boston broke a 10-game losing streak, one game short
of the franchise record, with a 3-0 win over Montreal at the Bell Centre.
Boston,
Problem with Bears?
Chicago, IL - New Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler and star linebacker Brian Urlacher shot down reports of a rift, saying they're simply not true.
"There's nothing between us," Cutler said Thursday, when he reported to training camp. "I just want to put that to rest. There never has been anything between us."
Bet on NFL
Urlacher added: "I never said what I was quoted as saying and that's it. I have a lot of respect for Jay. I think Jay knows that."
Former Bears receiver Bobby Wade caused a stir when he told Minneapolis radio station KFAN-AM that Urlacher used a profanity while questioning Cutler's manhood during a conversation in Las Vegas last weekend. Wade, who now plays for the Vikings, said Urlacher used a profane version of the word "wimp" during the interview that had to be edited out.
go radio station WSCR-AM also reported that Urlacher had to be restrained from confronting Cutler during organized team activities.
"I wouldn't go face-to-face with Brian, anyway," Cutler said. "No, that's never happened. I've hung out with Brian away from the facility numerous times and we've always gotten along."
Urlacher, noting he was limited by a groin injury, denied the reports in an interview with the Chicago Tribune and did it again when he reported to camp.
"I didn't practice this summer, so I don't know how I would fight the guy if I didn't practice," Urlacher said. "We have no problems. I'm excited about football starting. I'm excited to have him as our quarterback."
Why would Wade say that?
"I don't know," Urlacher said. "Maybe he's jealous because we have a good quarterback now."
Cutler said the first he heard of any friction was when he got a call from Urlacher to clear the air. Urlacher, however, said he had already taken several calls from teammates wondering if the reports were true when Cutler phoned.
"He called me and I said, What's up (expletive), what are you doing?'" a grinning Urlacher said, uttering the same word he allegedly used with Wade. "It's so dumb to me that this even got to this point, but it did and then here we are."
better place after going 9-7 and missing the playoffs for the second straight year. They have a franchise quarterback for the first time in decades after acquiring Cutler in an offseason trade with Denver. But there are questions about his attitude following a fallout with Broncos management and new coach Josh McDaniels.
His critics include former Bears coach Mike Ditka and former Indianapolis and Tampa Bay coach Tony Dungy, one of Smith's mentors. Smith, however, said Cutler has been a model teammate so far while denying any animosity with Urlacher.
"There's no issue with Jay and Brian, except Brian and Jay are both excited about being teammates for our club this year," coach Lovie Smith said. "No more than that. We can't spend a whole lot of time on something that isn't true. I have talked to the players. Whenever something comes out, you have to address it, but it's a non-issue."
In some ways, Cutler is getting a second chance in Chicago, an opportunity to repair his reputation.
Smith said another quarterback - Michael Vick - deserves one, although he doesn't see it happening with the Bears, who lack an experienced backup. The former Atlanta Falcons star, who served a 23-month sentence for running a dogfighting ring, said Thursday he is getting close to signing with a pro football team.
"A second chance, like everyone in society who has paid their debt to society," Smith said. "He deserves a second chance. As far as we're concerned, we like this team that we have right now."
Particularly the new quarterback.
"Me and Brian have been on a good relationship since I've been here, and I expect it to continue that way," Cutler said.
Bet on NFL
Mysportsbook.com online online sportsbook accepts Visa & Mastercard
|
