Saturday, March 13, 1999

European veterans Liverpool are looking for a miracle to qualify for the UEFA Cup, but Derby are firmly on course for Continental competition next season.

England's temporary coach Kevin Keegan was at Pride Park to watch the Liverpool candidates for his squad for the European Championship qualifier against Poland on March 27.

Unfortunately for him Steve McManaman didn't start after being left behind on Merseyside and Michael Owen lasted only until retiring injured at half-time.

Keegan - and the 32,913 spectators, a new record for the stadium - instead saw Robbie Fowler enhance his claims with two goals.

But generally the crowd had to admire Jim Smith's foreign legion as they completed a hat-trick of victories over Liverpool - who had gone 22 years without losing to Derby until last May.

At half-time Liverpool were looking up to the head boys of Derby. After 12 minutes Jamaica's Deon Burton rose to head the opener from a Lars Bohinen corner.

Fowler should have equalised after 26 minutes but missed his kick from a few yards after Russell Hoult had beaten out an Owen drive.

Fowler did level the scores 10 minutes later from a penalty after Spencer Prior tripped Owen.

But a minute before half-time Costa Rica striker Paulo Wanchope regained the lead for Derby with a superb header from a Croatia skipper Igor Stimac's free-kick.

At that stage all five Derby goals in their run against Liverpool since last May had come from headers - three from Wanchope.

Four minutes into the second half Wanchope powered away from the hesitant Liverpool defence on to a Stimac free-kick and smashed the ball past David James.

Derby were then denied a fourth when Dominic Matteo blocked Lars Bohinen's effort after a Francesco Baiano shot hit the foot of a post.

But Derby had to sweat for the win after Fowler pounced in the 57th minute to smash in his 16th goal of the campaign.

Hello! Here comes trouble for Le Saux and Fowler

By Nigel Clarke
Saturday, March 13, 1999

Graeme Le Saux has blamed his confrontation with Robbie Fowler on the curse of Hello magazine.

The England left back, Argentinian wife Mariane and baby Georgina were extensively pictured in the glossy magazine which as a reputation for focusing on personalties whose relationships then make controversial headlines.

He said: 'We had the spread done before the Oxford FA Cup-tie, then I got involved with Robbie. So maybe that's why everything has happened. Perhaps the curse has struck again.'

Within months of Paul Gascoigne's marriage appearing in Hello, he was separated from his then wife Sheryl. The couple are now divorced.

The Duke and Duchess of York, Earl Spencer and his wife Victoria and Michael Jackson and Lisa Presley also split after featuring in the magazine.

The FA are anxious to deal with the Le Saux-Fowler confrontation before England caretaker manager Kevin Keegan meets up with his first squad a week tomorrow, prior to the European Championship qualifier against Poland on March 27.

Le Saux said: 'I don't know if Lancaster Gate will attempt to ask us to get together or anything like that before the England squad meets up.

'Personally I have no problem with the situation or with him. I have never had anything but a good relationship with him in the past. We are professionals. These things happen. Not everybody gets along with each other but you still have to go out and play a game.'

Chelsea manager Gianluca Vialli said: 'It has now gone far enough. I think the FA will lecture both of them and perhaps fine them. But we certainly don't want any more suspensions hanging over our heads at such an important part of the season.'

Vialli insisted last night that Alex Ferguson would not 'wind him up' as Chelsea strive to close the gap on Premiership leaders Manchester United. The Stamford Bridge outfit, dumped out of the FA Cup by United on Wednesday, are four points behind Ferguson's men in the League with a game in hand as they prepare to entertain West Ham United today.

But Vialli has no intention of rising to the Ferguson bait that is frequently offered in the final weeks of a season. Vialli said: 'I think he admires me. I certainly admire him. So there is no reason to get involved in any mind games.

'I hope I can't be wound up but even though I have been involved in football for 18 years, I am really not that experienced in these things.'

Chelsea have lost only two League games this season, compared to United and Arsenal's three, but their manager said: 'I still think United are the favourites to win the Premiership, but on paper we can win all our remaining games.'

Houllier draws on Anfield tradition

By John Edwards
Saturday, March 13, 1999

Gerard Houllier has backed his faltering Liverpool players to salvage an unlikely place in Europe.

The Frenchman's team, who travel to Derby today, lie adrift of the UEFA Cup places in ninth spot but Houllier said: 'We owe it to the club and ourselves and I am confident we can do it.

'I am aware of the tradition surrounding Liverpool qualifying for Europe and that will certainly be a motivation for us in the weeks ahead.

'We want to keep the tradition going and I have no doubt that the players at this club are good enough to do it. The fact that Derby beat Aston Villa in midweek and moved ahead of us stresses how important this match is. They are difficult to beat on their own ground and have a particularly impressive strike force, so it is going to be difficult.

'The fixture list has not done us any favours, with weeks of inactivity this month and a congested schedule after that. It does not help you maintain match sharpness but we are going to have to live with that and try and make the best of it.'

Houllier attempted to draw a veil over the protracted row regarding Robbie Fowler's feud with Chelsea defender Graeme Le Saux, saying:

'Both players have apologised and the matter belongs in the past now. There is always banter between players and I am happy that they have said sorry to each other. The incident went too far for both of them but it has ended now.

'Of course, I have spoken to Robbie and the rest of the players, because something like this is a concern to the whole team. But that is a private matter and will remain so.'

Houllier is likely to stick with the same formation he used at Chelsea and again leave Steve McManaman on the bench.

His opposite number, Jim Smith, increased his overseas contingent at Pride Park to 13 with the £1.5million signing of Greek international Vass Borbokis from Sheffield United.

Yet, the Derby boss has no qualms about the influx of foreign players and he hopes they can help him earn a place in Europe for the first time in his 30 years as a manager.

'The contribution our foreign players have made to this club has been immense,' said Smith. 'They have repaid the investment many times over.'

Harkness moves out

Wednesday, March 10, 1999

Steve Harkness last night signed a three-and-a-half-year contract with Benfica.

The 27-year-old Liverpool defender agreed to a £700,000 move to the Portuguese club managed by former Anfield boss Graeme Souness.

The deal went through when Liverpool got assurances over payment - Manchester United and Sheffield United had to fight to get fees from Benfica for Karel Poborsky and Brian Deane.

Harkness is the first to leave Anfield under boss Gerard Houllier's clear-out but goalkeeper Brad Friedel could soon be following him to Lisbon.

Last week news