Cristiano Ronaldo wins Ballon D’Or

Manchester United Cristiano Ronaldo has won the 2008 Ballon D’Or award, according to an announcement made by French magazine France Football at 0200 GMT. Ronaldo picked up a massive 446 votes out of a possible 480, and was the only player on the lists of all the 96 journalists. Barcelona’s Lionel Messi came second with 267 votes, while Liverpool striker Fernando Torres was third with 165 votes. Ronaldo is the fourth Manchester United player to win the award, after Dennis Law, Sir Bobby Charlton and George Best. He is only the third Portuguese player to bag the coveted award after Eusebio in 1965 and Luis Figo in 2000.

Ronaldo was instrumental in Manchester United winning the double in the 2007-08 season
Ronaldo was instrumental in Manchester United winning the double in the 2007-08 season

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FA Cup 2008/09 Third Round Draw

The draw for the third round of the FA Cup has been made. Defending champions Portsmouth are up against Bristol City. Three all Premiership ties- Sunderland against Bolton, Hull vs Newcastle and Spurs vs Wigan. Histon, who shocked Leeds United in the second round, have drawn Swansea.

Here are the ties ( Bold indicates all Premiership ties)

    Portsmouth v Bristol City

    Sheffield Wed v Fulham

    Preston v Liverpool

    Birmingham v Wolves

    West Ham v Barnsley

    Middlesbrough v Barrow

    Hull v Newcastle

    Hartlepool v Stoke

    Chelsea v Southend

    Man City v Nottm Forest

    Cardiff v Reading

    Ipswich v Chesterfield/ Droylsden

    Charlton v Norwich

    West Brom v Peterborough United / Tranmere Rovers

    Torquay v Blackpool

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Stuttgart 2-0 Schalke- Win on German debut for Markus Babbel

Former Liverpool defender Markus Babbel enjoyed a winning start to his Bundesliga managerial career as VFB Stuttgart beat Schalke 04 2-0 at home on Sunday. This was Babbel’s second game in charge of Stuttgart, having earlier overseen the midweek draw against Sampdoria in the UEFA Cup. Substitute Jan Simak and striker Mario Gomez scored in the 79th and 83rd minutes respectively to give Stuttgart their first win in six games.

Mario Gomez scored on Babbel's Bundesliga managerial debut
Mario Gomez scored on Babbel's Bundesliga managerial debut

Stuttgart keeper Jens Lehmann also saved a 16th minute penalty from Jefferson Farfan which was awarded after Artur Boka had brought Kevin Kuranyi down. Farfan had also been guilty of squandering a chance three minutes later, with his weak shot being cleared off the line after Jermaine Jones had hit the post.

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