The Guardian from London, Greater London, England • 16

THE GUARDIAN Thursday May 17 1980 Thepiay-ofra Second Division! Newcastle 0, Sunderland 2 David Lacey looks for a showdown without a shoot-out in today's FA Cup final replay United to counter the Wright move 16 SPORTS NEWS Stephen Btortoy hitting a post in the ninth minute. Yet Sunderland's first serious attack produced a goal, Gabbiadini flicked on a throw-in to Owers. He was past Sttm-son in a trice and with the New the bench until the opportune moment has presented the Palace manager with a dilemma: should he start the match with the striker, whose two superbly taken goals brought his side to within touching distance of the trophy? On Saturday Coppell had to give up Barber in midfleld to gain Wright in attack, and this eventually enabled Webb to gain sufficient command to instigate the move that led to Hughes's late equaliser. "The one thing that worries me is the possibility of their having an extra man in midfleld," Coppell admitted yesterday. "We could leave ourselves open.

"I will probably leave my decision until the last minute again. United won't know what Is going oh if I keep quiet At this stage it is all about what is left uncovered, what is being kept hidden and what can be reproduced on the day." He is unlikely to risk surrendering the initiative at the start and, as he is still not sure about Wright's ability to explode near goal over 90 minutes, let alone two he may begin the game as he did on Saturday, with only to entertain and I don't think anyone could say we didn't do that," Steve Coppell, the Crystal Palace manager, said yesterday, irked by criticisms about the quality of the game. "I can understand people saying it was not the finest technical contest but there were six goals and lots ofchances." Having come so close to glory In their first Wembley final Palace will be more confident of winning this evening, although the success of Coppell's strategy in keeping Wright, newly recovered from a twice-broken leg and short of match practice, on CRYSTAL PALACE and Manchester United will be hard-pressed to come up with a new twist to the plot of the 1990 FA Cup final when they return to Wembley for tonight's replay. The teams could produce a more fluent match than they did on Saturday but will do well to recreate the two-hour drama in which they shared half-a-dozen goals, with Hughes's second one saving the game for United seven minutes from the end of extra-time. "The purpose of football is Bright and nine men denying United space in' the Palace third of the field.

Alex Ferguson's problems are more physical than theoretical. The ankle injury that forced Pallister off on Saturday has been slow to heal and Donaghy is standing by to join Bruce at centre-back. The United manager also has to decide if Leighton, whose goalkeepfajg was not without blemish, should give way to the 32-year-old Sealey, on loan front Luton. A comforting thought for United and their supporters is that, while Palace are unlikely to improve on Satur day's performance, United can only get better. Robson, Webb and Ince will be trying to get an earlier grip in mid-field and if they succeed there will be a greater likelihood of Hughes taking the Cup to Old Trafford for the seventh time.

If the scores are level after another two hours the final will be decided by penalties, but nobody wants that Crystal Palace have renewed their sponsorship with Virgin Atlantic in a deal worth 350,000 over the next year up from about 60,000 last year with an option for two subsequent seasons. World Cup warm-up: Scotland 1, Egypt 3 McLeisDii injunf adds to misenf INGUSH football, inev- I itably in front of televi sion cameras, was Idraeeed into the mire once again last night following the recent events at Bourne mouth. A section of the Gallow-gate-end crowd could not contain their bitterness at Marco Gabbiadini's decisive goal and invaded the pitch. Play was held up for 20 minutes while police restored a measure of control. European soccer chiefs will no doubt see these pictures, shake their heads again, and wonder at the Government's platitudes.

Sunderland thoroughly deserved to win, for they created more chances and in Gabbia-dini had a player who never allowed Newcastle to feel in the least comfortable going forward, such was his ability to hit them on the counter. But in truth Newcastle rarely had the wit, width or imagination to trouble a Sunderland defence in which Bennett and MacPhail were outstanding. Eric Gates, so often the little big man of Ipswich, scored in the 13th minute and exchanged passes with Gabbiadini, a menace to Newcastle all night, to set up the second four minutes from time. Newcastle began the night stoutly enough with McGhee 'Night of A if ORE than SO people 11 were arrested in the VI pitch invasion at St James' Park last night. Twelve policemen were injured, mostly by objects thrown from the crowd.

Newcastle's chairman Gordon McKeag, of the Football League management committee, said his club suffered a "night of Newcastle's perimeter fences were removed after Hillsborough. "The decision was not ours," said McKeag. "It is a condition of our safety certificate." McKeag added that more than 540 police were drafted in for the match. "I cannot think of any further precautions we could have taken." 1 Patrick OrMMi In AbemkNtn AS AN exercise in simulating the opening World Cup match against Costa Rica, this warm-up last night hinted that Scotland's interest in the finals may last no longer than 90 minutes. Long before Ally McCoist's superb goal in the 75th minute a low, left-foot drive as he came in from wide on the right Egypt had exposed the Scots' dreadful flaws, and ten minutes later they scored a third goal with a brilliant run and curling shot from Yousef.

Not that England should lose sleep. The result was a monument not Co the Egyptians' talents but to the home side's incompetence. To complete their miserable night, Scotland's captain Alex McLeish is in danger of missing the World Cup. He broke his nose in the final moments of the game on his home ground. Scotland's manager Andy Roxburgh has been forced to rule out the defender from the next two World Cup warm-up matches.

Roxburgh is also con cerned about another Aberdeen defender, Stewart McKimmie, who failed to reappear for the second half after injuring knee ligaments. Roxbrouzh has called in John Collins of Hibernian and Murdo MacLeod from Borussia Dort mund for the next friendly on Saturday against Poland at Hampden Park. Mo Johnston may also return. At a time when the prospect of Italy should be lending lightness to theif step, the Scots appear to be developing an alarming leadenness. This may be partly explained by the demands made by the Scottish 1 SwBDudloini surge into the finals castle defence thrown completely off balance he crossed low for Gates, rushing in as fast as his little legs would carry him, to drive the ball past Burndge directly under tne noses of the Gallowgate.

The silence was awful and not a little menacing. During the first half one or two lads had found their way on to the pitch, a foretaste of worse to fol low. An invasion, sad to say, had always seemed likely. Gabbiadini's goal, again always likely, was the catalyst George Courtney, who refereed the match excellently, quickly took the players off. At the final whistle some sup- Dorters ran on to the pitch, making for the Sunderland fans at the Leazes end, but again the police quelled the trouble promptly.

During both invasions the Sunderland fans, who numbered some 4,000, did not respond to the tauntines and remained where they were on the opposite terracine. After wards they were complimented by the police. Nawcaatle United! Burrldoe: Scott, Stimson, Aitken, Anderson, Bradshaw (Dillon, h-t), Brock. Askew (O'Brien, 77), Quinn, McGhee, Krlstensen. Sunderlandi Norman; Kaye.

Agboola, Bennett, Macpnaii, owers, eracewen Armstrong, Gates, Gabbiadini, Hawke. Courtney (Spennymoor). shame' It is not the first time New castle fans have tried to af fect the course of a match that was going against them, In the FA Cup sixth-round tie with Nottingham Forest in 1974, the pitch was invaded, the game was adjourned and. on the resumption, Newcastle won. The FA ordered a replay and after a draw New castle went through.

There will be no replay this time but there may well be disciplinary action. Jim Smith. United's manager. think what happened tonight is going to cost us dearly. I only hope that it is not going to affect teams with European opportunities.

It would be wrong to punish the wrong teams." as thousands of fans invaded the pitch at the end. Notts County, the oldest League club, are also on their way to Wembley, and for the first time in their history. County, who finished 18 points ahead of Bolton in the Third Division, beat them 2-0 at Meadow Lane last night with goals from Johnson and Bart-lett and will play Tranmere on Bank Holiday Sunday. Tranmere, already at Wembley on Sunday in the Leyland DAF final, made sure of their return the following week with a convincing 2-0 win over Bury. After a 0-0 draw in the first leg at Gigg Lane, Tranmere, six points ahead of Bury in the Third Division, went ahead through Malkin's low shot four minutes before the interval.

Muir's penalty's his 32nd goal of the season wrapped up the win. In the preceding day's Fourth Division- play-off Cambridge United will face Chesterfield, who made light work of reaching Wembley for the first time, cruising to a 6-0 aggregate win over Stockport. Calvin Plummer, who scored a hat-trick in the first leg at Chesterfield, scored again and John Chiedozie added a second, also from a Ryan cross. Cambridge had to wait until the second period of extra-time at Maidstone to clinch their place. Dion Dublin finally broke the deadlock, netting the rebound after Nicky Johns had blocked his first shot, and five minutes later Michael Cheet-ham scored a penalty after Dublin had been brought down.

Leeds, where Howard Wilkinson is understood to have made him one of his prime targets in the close season. Seaman understudied Lukic at Leeds before leaving on a free transfer for Peterborough where he made his League debut in 1982. He moved on to Birmingham and then to QPR for 300,000 in 1386. The latest deal comes just six months after Nigel Martyn became Britain's first 1 million goalkeeper with his move from Bristol Rovers to Crystal Palace. Oldham's Andy Holden has pulled out of the Wales squad for Sunday's match against Costa Rica at Ninian Park.

He is still troubled by a hamstring injury suffered during the FA Cup semi-final replay against Manchester United. The last farewell Iiam Brady takes his leave of the 30,000 World Cup warm-up: Lineker worldly among the worthy Latie Sneedty goal spares Cup final on four of those who started the match. But surely that does not cover the twitchiness shown by many of the Scots, a condition which was most evident in the number of nervously stabbed short passes which were, consequently, either dangerously short or woefully inaccurate; this at a time when Roxburgh's assurance the day before that they would go to Italy should have freed them from anxiety and imbued them with a sense of security. It was, in the circumstances, hardly a surprise when the Egyptians held a 2-0 lead after just 27 minutes, the result of some appalling Gunn, whose debut was supposed to have been marked by a minimum of calls to arms, made an awful job of trying to push out a header from Abdel-hamid after the forward had met Ahmed Ramzy's cross from the right. He managed only the most feeble of slaps and the ball simply fell off his hand and over the line.

It was an astonishing aberration by Durie which incurred, the second. The Chelsea striker, some 40 yards from his own goal, tried to send the ball back to Gunn; instead it dropped on the head of Hossam Hassan and bounced away into the net. At half-time McCall came on for McKimmie as Roxburgh increased his options up front It was that kind of bewildering, what-do-we-do-now night SCOTLAND! Ounn (Norwich); MeKhnmle (Aberdeen; MeCaB. Everton. h-l), Matcai (Dundee United).

OIHesple (Liverpool), Moleleli (Aberdeen, cap); Uvokt, Hearts 89), Oouoh (Rangers). Durte (Chelsea). Batt (Aberdeen), McCofst (Rangers), Moltay (Celtic), Cooper (Motherwell). EOVPTi Shobelri I Haeeen, Vakan, Vaaain, Haaean, El Kaaa (H Betas, 46), Ramiy, Aboefehanl (Maim, SSh A Ramxy, Vouaaf, Ahdelhamld. Refenei Peeleraan (Norway).

"We're now getting results without Bryan Robson. We're learning to play without Bobby Robson observed after Tuesday's match, adding that McMahon had passed the ball well and brought cohesion to the midfleld. There is room in the squad for only one Captain Marvel. If Robson's players avoid defeat against Uruguay at Wembley on Tuesday and Tunisia in Tunis a fortnight on Saturday they will have equalled the all-time unbeaten record of 19 matches set by Alf Ramsey's team between October 1965 and April 1967. But Ramsey's run included the 1966 World Cup triumph.

Nevertheless, the England manager is entitled to feel pleased about the way he has revived the squad after the disasters of 1988 before which, incidentally, England had lost only one game in 16. "Nobody's ripped us apart during this run," he said, "and we haven't won a game that wo did not deserve to win. I think the team is better now than it was before we went to Mexico four years ago. The nucleus of. the side is more mature, more experienced, and those who have come in since have proved their worth." Worthiness is probably the right word to describe England.

Lineker, looking sharper than he did before the last European Championship, is still a world- class finisher and the close attention that he will receive from defenders in Italy will reflect this. Bryan Robson at his best comes into a similar category. The rest is worthy but lacks worldly wisdom. Gascoigne, for instance, nearly gave the game away five minutes from the end through posing with the ball on the edge of his own penalty area. "That's what he has to cut out," said Robson.

"All the clever stuff should be done outside their box. not ours." For all that, Gascoigne is firmly established in the final squad of 22 Robson intends to announce on Monday. GOAL apiece by Duncan 0 Shearer and Steve aVlAWhite, who have both scored 27 times this season, booked Swindon a place against Sunderland in the Second Division play-off final at Wembley on Bank Holiday Monday. A consolation goal by Gayle could not stop Swindon beating Blackburn 4-2 on aggregate to reach Wembley where on their last visit, 21 years ago, they won the League Cup. Both Swindon goals, in the space of three minutes before half-time, were the result of errors by Blackburn's defender David Mail.

In the 35th minute Mail was too short with a back pass to his goalkeeper Terry Gennoe and Shearer darted in to score from the edge of the area despite a despairing effort from Gennoe. Blackburn were condemned to another season in the Second Division when Shearer burst clear down the left and White reacted quicker than Mail to force the ball over the line from close range. Earlier Gennoe did weU to turn over a White volley and the Swindon goalkeeper Fraser Digby did likewise to keep out a Mark Atkins header. Blackburn's expected second-half onslaught began in the 50th minute when Andy Kennedy hit a post. Blackburn forced seven corners in quick succession before Gayle scored in the 67th minute with a 30-yard shot that Ross MacLaren deflected over the stranded Digby.

Blackburn continued to push forward but Swindon held on and the players were swamped after 27 minutes and 72 caps Finland 1 punished by a remarkable goal after 75 minutes when Vesa Tauriainen, who had been on the field for only five minutes, seized on a weak clearance by McCarthy and volleyed past Bonner from 20 yards. But four minutes from time the Republic restored some dignity in their last home match before the World Cup finals Charlton's provisional 22 is announced tonight with an equaliser fittingly fashioned by the effervescent Houghton, whose chip found Aldridge at the far post; Huttunen touched the shot on to the bar and Sheedy stooped to head home. Thus was the Republic's un son (Swe); Namba (Japan) bt Peponnet (Fr); Hekter (Nelh) bt BlacMord (GB); Bandaloweki (Den) bt Bedford (GB); Bouet (Fr) bt Macdonald (Can). Second! Peponnet bt Blachford: Hekior bt Macdonald bt Bandalowski; Namba bt Jo-hannson; Warden Owen bt Bouet. TNrdi Macdonald bt Heiner; Namba bt Blachford; Miannson bt Bouet; Warden Owen bt Bandalowski; Bedford bt Peponnet.

Fourth! Bouet bt Namba; Bandaloweki bt Johann-son; Warden Owen bt Heiner; Peponnet bt Macdonald: Bedford bt Blachford. nfthi Jo-hannaon bt Heiner; Warden Owen bt Peponnet; Maodonatd bt Blachford: Bedford bt Namba; Bouet bt Bandalowski. Chess PILKINOTON WORLD ZONAL (Blackpool): tenth roundi King (Eng) 1, Motwani (Sco) Hodgson (Eng) 1, Rayner (Wales) Suba (Eng) 1, Hynes (Ire) Davles (Wales) '3. Adams (Eng) i2; Chandler (Eng) 1, Carton (lre)0. Evening racing KRMPTON e.15tm)i Holland (15-2): 8, Olbbot (9-1); Lota Of Luck (20-1); 4, Badharn (10-1).

6-1 it-lavs Hard Sell. Lovely Flower. 19 ran. Sh hd, 3. (B Hills) Tote: 8.10; 2.50, 2.10, 5.20, 3.70.

Dual 40.90. CSF: 72.19. Tricast: 1,200.60. 0.45 (f)t 1, AUSHBRRA, Quinn (6-5 fav); Akkaxao (94); Unvoted (10-1). 10 ran.

2'3, 4. (P Cole) Tote: 2.30; 1.30. 1.30. 1.90. Dual 2.60.

CSF: 3.77. T.1S (1m 4t 1, CHAROEN, Asmussen (7-2); Omen Bmperor (3-1 fav); 3, La Ballerina (100-30). 8 ran. 2, 2. (D Elsworth) Tote: E3.80; 1.20, 1.50, 1.40.

Dual 5.50. CSF: C13.88. Tricast: 33.77. 7.4S (Sfk 1, AMENTUM, Refd (7-4 fav); Darning Muelo (10-1): 9, Croft Imperial (11-2). 6 ran.

3, 3. (L Holt) Tote: 2.20; 1.40, 3.00. Dual 10.50. CSF: 15.18. 8.1B (Tfh 1, YOU MISSBD MB, Asmussen (7-1); Weatem Wolf (11-2 co-lav); 9, Atmaghrlb (20-1).

11-2co-favs Cape Pigeon, Gllderdale. 12 ran. 3, sh hd. (D Arbuthnot) Tote: 8.20; 3.80. 2.00, 3.80.

Oual 20.30. CSF: 41.86. Tricast: 670.84. NR: Polykratis. 8.45 (tm Ifh 1, BOOKCASE, Asmussen (10-1 1 fav); Sharp Salute (5-2); 3, Traful (11-2).

9 ran. Hd, sh hd. (O Elsworth) Tote: 1.90; 1.10, 1.10, 1.40. Dual F. 2.50.

CSF: 3.36.NR:Reoneo. NEWTON ABBOT fctO (tMlSOfSSHMl 1, PHOTOGRAPH: BILLY STICKLAND blushes beaten run stretched to 20 in Dublin, 11 overall. Their discomfort against a sweeper and when invited to attack opponents for whom a draw represented success was obvious, however, and does not augur well for their match against Egypt next month. RtTUHJC OF IRIUNDt Bonner (Celtic); Huohton (Tottenham), Staunton (Liverpool; Monte, Celtic. 67min).

McCarthy (Mlllwall), O'Laary (Arsenal). Brady (West Ham; Towneend, Norwich, 27), McOtaHi (Aston Villa), Houghton (Liverpool), Slaven (Middlesbrough; AldrMge. Real Sociedad, 55), CaaearkM (Aston Villa), Byrne (Le Havro: Sheedy, Everton, 63). FINLAND Himunera Vuoreta. Sutonan.

Helkklnen, Janlll (Turunen, 87), Kanerva, jurymen, Tauriainen, LHmanan (V Tauriainen, TO), Myyry (aKonenMh "aatetalnen. aurora (waie3). Powell (evens fav): 2. Beniaa Ryder (7-4); 3, Toad Along (7-2). 4 ran.

10, 3. (Mrs Better) Tnm: 1.90. Oual 2.00. CSF: 3.21. 6.50 (am ISOyde Hdlo)i 1, MR AVBNOBR, Irvine (5-2): Thata Nice (134 fav); 3)KO laiana (tf-rj.

3 ran. to, a. (G Ham) Tote: 3.80; 2.10. 1.50. Dual CS 1 CSt: 8 59.

7.80 (2m 5f Ch)i 1, WALK OP UFt, PeireK (8-11 fav); (9-1); Tongsunum (40-1). 30, 25. 6 ran. (M Pipe) Tote: 1.50; 1.10, 2.00. Dual 4.00.

CSF: 7.33. 7.80 (Sm ISOyde Ch)i 1, MOU-DAPA, CArron I4-5 fav): a. Oroy Tornado (7-2): 3, jipedrtioua (7-2). 5 ran. 10.

hd. (M Pipe) TOle: tl.SU; tl.W, tl.ou. uubi wjr; roan 8.20 (3m at lOOyda Ch)i 1, BILOXI BLUES, fl Dunwoody (54 fav); 2, A Boy Named Sloux (5-2); 3, Rahtth (1 1-2). 5 ran. 25, I3.

(K Bailey) Tole: 2.00; 1.20. 1.90. Dual 3.30. CSF: 4.44. 8.60 (Em ISOyde HdkOi 1, TALATON FLYER, Peter Hobbs (9-2); WW James (4- 7 fav): 3, MomlnB Coffee (16-1).

5 ran. Nk, 15. (Philip Hobbs) Tole: 4.20; 1.60, 1.20. Dual 2.40. CSF: 7.23.

PERTH 0,30 (2m HdkOi 1, PAR OUT Lodder (20- 1); smoke (5-1); 3, run momy 1 1 J- ravj. 13 ran. 1. 5. IT Bailey) Tote: 18.90; 4.50, 2.40, 1.40.

Dual 106.50. CSF: 116.13. NR: Comma CI Comme Ca. 7.00 (3mCh)i 1, MYSTIC MUSIC Anderson (4-9 fav); Secret Bra (10-1); 3, Bronza Head (10-1). 8 ran.

15. 2la. (Miss Wilson) Tole: 2.00; 1.30, 2.40, 1.60. Dual 7.80. CSF: 6.27.

NR: Nelsons Beach. T.aa (2m 4f Chk 1. RAVEN VENTURE, Hsrker (5-1); 8, Pyjamas (4-1 it-lav); 3, Un scrupulous oem p-lj. 4-1 Jl-iav apescn (4th). 11 ran.

10, 8. (O Lee) Tote: 8.10; 2.40, 1.50, 2.20. Dual 11.60. CSF: 24.02. Tricast: 95.11.

NR: Ryecroft. UOO (SmHdlelt 1, OBOROIAN BAY, McCourt (6-1): 2, Ha'penny Nap (7-2): 3, HMi Stay (8-1). 3-1 fav Home To Roost (4th). 13 ran. 12, 4.

(B Stevens) Tole: 14.70; 2.00. 2.30, 2.30. Oual 14.70. CSF: 28.57. Tricast: 163.58.

S.30 (SmChX 1, FULL STRENOTH, Doughty (4-9 fav); 2, AHetalra OH (2-1); 3, The Pride Of Pokey (50-1). 4 ran. 10. 20. (G Richards) Tote: 1.40.

Dual 1.40. CSF: (2m HcM) 1, CANOLEBflrOHT, Moloney (5-2 it-fav); 2, Panajoto (7-1); 3, VaHant Oaah(8-1). 5-2 jt-favSonsle Mo (4th). a ran. d.

1. IB Rtehsrda) Tote: 3.70: 1.40. 1.60. 2.00. Oual 3070 CSF: 19.40.

Tri- eaacsiizao. Republic of Ireland 1 and for a full minute dwelt in mutual admiration with the crowd at the end of his 16-year international career, embracing 72 caps. He had given them glimpses of his touch and technique but the legs, at 34, can no longer sustain for 90 minutes the muscle expected of an Irish player. The Finns had two early chances, while in the period of Irish ascendency Byrne saw his volley deflected off Huttunen's legs, Townsend had a header well saved and Slaven, six yards out, failed to connect with Cascarino's knockdown. Amid tedium and a flurry of substitutions the Republic were cosclido (II) 6-4, 6-7, 6-2; A Cheenekov (USSR) bt Cane (It) 4-6, 6-3, 6-0; Cam-poreao (It) bt Berger (US) 6-4, 6-4.

WOMEN'S TOURNAMENT' (West Berlin): Second roundi Malaava (Bui) bt Kelesi (Can) 6-0. ret; Fernandez (US) bt Hack (WQ) 6-3, 6-3: Sabatfcil (Arg) bt Burgin (US) 6-2. 6-1: Seles (Vug) bt Jagerman (Nelh) 6-1, 6-0: CacohM (It) bt Thompson (Aus) 3-6, 6-3, 7-5; 1 Say-ohenko (USSR) bt Mandlikova (Aus) 6-3. 6-0. Third roundi MaekM (USSR) bt Mateeva (Bui) 4-6, 6-2.

6-0: Oral (WG) bt Piccollnl (It) 6-0, 6-1; TauxM (Fr) bt Novotna (Cz) 2-6, 7-5, 7-5; Zvereva (USSR) bt Zrubakova (Cz) 7-5, 6-1. HI-TIC TOURNAMENT (Bournemouth): Meni Second roundi Fucha (Aut) bt Schaap (Nelh) 6-2, 6-1; BeWued (It) bt Leclercq (Fr) 6-0. 6-2; Outtaeb (Mor) bt Sprlngari (Arg) 6-4, 6-4; Chouaa (Arg) bt Guerrero (Arg) 7-6, 6-4: Deua-Plana (It) btMDamm(Cz) bt Gilbert (Fr) 1-6, Haawl (WG) bt Petckov (Hun) 6-7, 6-3, 7-6. Womem Flrat roundi Da Unart (Swltz) bt S-A Slddall (Dorsal) 6-2, 4-6, 6-4; Had (Dorset) bt Miranda (Chile) 4-6, 6-4, 7-6. Second roundi tWatakala (USSR) bt Moreno (HQ) 3-6.

6-2. 6-2; Soarenaen (Den) bt A Scott (Aus) 6-2, 6-2; entley (Lines) bt Ptaszek (Oen) 6-4. 6-1: A Benwn (It) bt Hall 6-0, 6-3; Kruejer (SA) bt Lenart 6-2, 7-5: Pratt (Aus) bt Housset (Fr) 6-4, 5-3. Baseball AMERICAN LEAOUEi NY Yankees 7. Minnesota Seattle 4, Toronto 3: Cleveland 5.

Oakland Chicago 3, Baltimore California 8, Milwaukee Detroit 3, Texas 2. NATIONAL LEAOUEi Chicago Cubs 12. Atlanta St Louis 4, Houston Cincinnati 5, Pittsburgh Philadelphia 2, San Oiego San Francisco 6, NY Mets 5: LA Dodgers 3, Montreal 2. Basketball NBAi Second-round play-offet Detroit 95. NY Knicks 64 (Detroit win series 4-1); Phoenix 106, LA Lakers 103 (Phoenix win 4-1); Portland 138, San Antonio 132 (ot; agg: 3-2).

Snooker LONDON MASTSRSi Plnali Hendry (Scot) bt Parrott (Eng) 4-2. HOTHMANS CHAUENOE (Aylesbury): Hendry (Scot) bt Davis (Eng) 6-4. Sailing ROYAL LYMINOTON CUP (Solent): drat (uujotujonann- Ian RIdtey In Dublin HE 30,000 at Lansdowne Road chorused "leave him on" and perhaps Jack Charlton should have listened. Liam Brady was summoned from the pitch after 26 minutes of his testimonial against Finland yesterday just as the Republic of Ireland were finding a rhythm. What followed, against mod est opposition, was dismal.

Only a goal by Kevin Sheedy four minutes from time saved the Republic from an embarrassing defeat. Brady was reluctant to leave Results Soccer WORLD CUP WARM-UPS SeeUand(O) 1 aypt2)3 McColst Abdlhamld. Hassan, Yousel (Absrdeen) 23,000 RepubHo of Ireland (0) 1 nrtland (0) 1 Sheedy Tauriainen (Lansdowne Rd) 31,556 JUsoi Israel 3. USSR 2 (Tel Aviv). BARCLAYS LEAGUE: Dlav- offs, scmMinals, second leg Second Division Newoastle (0) Sunderland (0) a 32,799 uaies, uaooiaaiiii (ago: 0-2) Kwlxrfnn a Blackburn (0) 1 Shearer, White Gayle 12,416 (agg: 4-zj Third Division Matt Co (I) 3 Betlon(0)O 15,200 Bury (0)O 10,343 Johnson, Bartlett (agg: 3-1) Tranmere (1) a Malkln, Mulr (pen) (agg: z-U) Fourth Division Maidstone (0)O Cambrtdte (0) a 5,538 Dublin, Cheatham (pen) (Bet; 0-0 sOmin; agg: 1-3) Stockport 0)O CheatorffeM2)2 7,339 Plummer.

Chiedozie (agg: 0-6) UIM CUP (Avelllno It): Final, eaeend leer Fiorentlna 0, Juventus 0 (agg: 1-3). Tennis ITALIAN OPSM (Rome): Second round) A Krkkateln (US) bt Novacek (Cz) 6-2, 6-2; lister (AUi) di jarryo (awe) a-i, ret; A etnl (Aral bt Leconle (Fr) 6-4. 6-4: Sanchez (So) bt Fllloolnl (Ur) 4-6. 6-1. 6-3; Sveneaon (Swe) bt Carbonell (Spj 6-3, 6-1; Perei-RoMan (Arg) bt J-P Fleur- lan (Fr) e-a.

0-4; i ounnarsaon (swe) or 5 Bruguera (Sp) 6-4, 6-2; A Domes (Ec) bt Narolso (It) 7-6, 6-4; Haarhula (Nelh) bt Clerro (II) 6-4, 6-4; JaKe (Arg) bt Furlan (II) 64, 6-4; OHbart (US) bt Matter 8r) 7-6. 6-4; Courier (US) bt Yzaga (Peru) 6-4. 6-4: 0 Parent (Fr) bt A VMkov (USSR) David Lacey on the impact of England's Wembley victory ENGLAND'S World Cup preparations have now reached the thumbs-up phase, that period of slightly forced optimism which sends the lads on with a smile in spite of misgivings about their ability to make any lasting impact on the tournament The departure of the BEF (Bobby's Expeditionary Force) to Sardinia a week tomorrow is too close to the 50th anniversary of Dunkirk for comfort. Tuesday's 1-0 defeat of Denmark at Wembley extended England's unbeaten run to 17 games since losing to the Soviet Union in the 1988 European Championship but there was a moment in the first half when tlie Danes suggested that this record may turn out to be nothing more than a statisti cal quirk once the World Cup begins. It came when McMahon launched art England attack through a juick exchange of passes with Barnes and took the ball over the halfway line.

He then played a predictable midfleld pass which was easily intercepted by Olsen, who strode back into the English half through a wide and empty corridor. An exchange of passes with Michael Laudrup and the Danish sweeper was clean through, orenaring to beat Shilton trom close range. But he hesitated, and Walker was able to get in England's most important tackle of the night The nainius of walker with Butcher at centre-back has been the most significant change in the England team since West Germany, and only one goal has been conceded in the ten matches that Shilton, Stevens, Walker, Butcher and Pearce have played together. But in seven of these, Bryan Robson's presence in midfleld has helped ease the pressure on the flat back four. Seaman's move to Arsenal breaks goalkeeper record RusmII Thomas GEORGE GRAHAM yesterday spent the first seven-figure sum of his Arsenal managership when he bought David Seaman from QPR for 1.3 million and made him the most expensive British goalkeeper.

Seaman, 26, moved without any of the hullabaloo of his projected transfer to Arsenal on deadline day in March, when the deal collapsed as John Lu-kic refused to go the other way. This time Lukic was not involved and Graham was delighted finally to have got his man. "Many think Seaman will be the next England goalkeeper when Peter Shilton retires." Lukic has for months been linked with his former club 61.3-&6-HOafaeea()M8Fe-.