22 METROSPORT Monday, November 30, 2009 D Keane delight at win on the road IpswIch boss Roy Keane hailed his sides performance after seeing them secure their first away league victory of the season at cardiff. A peter whittingham volley had given the hosts a deserved lead at the interval before Jon walters levelled on 73 minutes. Jonathan stead then sealed the win for the suffolk side, coming off the bench to score the winner five minutes from time. Keane (pictured) said with the chances we had I think we deserved to win. I told my players it would be a test of character and they have come through it well. Nou points for Ron CRISTIANO RONAldO had a night to forget as Real Madrid crashed to a 1-0 defeat by bitter rivals Barcelona at the Nou Camp. The former Manchester United forward missed a good chance in the first half and was hauled off after 66 minutes. By that time Zlatan Ibrahimovich had scored the goal which took the Catalans back above Madrid at the top of la liga. Meanwhile, Ibrahimovic and Ronaldo, plus Barcas lionel Messi, Xavi, and Andres Iniesta, are among the ten finalists for the Ballon dOr award. didier drogba, Wayne Rooney and Steven Gerrard also make the shortlist. Hoops save Aiden Tony MowbRAy is hoping in-form Aiden McGeady can help breathe life into celtics ailing Europa League hopes when hapoel Tel Aviv visit parkhead on wednesday night. The Ireland winger was a stand-out in saturdays 3-1 home win over st Mirren which took the hoops two points clear of old Firm rivals Rangers in the clydesdale bank premier League. McGeady (pictured) set up two of the hoops goals and with celtic needing to beat the Israeli side to have any hope of qualifying from Group c, Mowbray admitted that game was in his mind when he took off McGeady late on. Aiden McGeady is an extremely talented individual, as we can all see, and a very important player for our team and our club, he said. I thought the game was finished and we needed him for the next game. Novos cheeky act RANGeRS striker Nacho Novo is at the centre of a police investigation after he bared his backside at the end of his sides 1-0 Scottish Premier league defeat at Aberdeen. Novo was photographed with his shorts lowered beneath his buttocks as he walked off at Pittodrie and could now face police action or disciplinary procedures from his club or the Scottish Football Association. long spell out: Van Persie Dutch hit out at Wenger claims The Dutch football association claim they kept Arsenal informed about Robin van Persies ankle injury after Arsene Wenger accused them of underplaying the seriousness of the problem. Van Persie suffered ruptured ankle ligaments during hollands friendly in Italy earlier this month and, after a treatment at a Serbian clinic involving placenta failed to improve the problem, it has now emerged he requires surgery and faces up to five months on the sidelines. Arsenal boss Wenger claimed the injury was much worse than the Dutch football association (KNVB) had initially told them and accused them of being disrespectful in not sending Van Persie straight back to London for treatment. But the KNVB last night said: Robin went for a scan the day after the game in Italy. The medical staff of the KNVB contacted Arsenal the same day to inform them of the injury and to transfer the medical record. The scan was also handed over to the medical staff of Arsenal. Henry backed by Fifa chief FIFA president Sepp Blatter says it was not Thierry Henrys responsibility to tell the referee he handled the ball in the build-up to the goal which secured France a place at the World Cup. The second leg of Les Bleus 2-1 aggregate win against Ireland earlier this month saw a row develop over the strikers handball. But Blatter denied Henry (pictured) had a responsibility to tell the referee [Martin Hansson] and that the referee should have taken time to reflect rather than immediately awarding the goal. Deadly Didiers Blues tighten grip on tablearsenal 0 chelsea 3 CHELSEA restored their five-point lead over Man- chester United at the top of the Premier League with a win at the Emirates which dented Arsenals own title ambitions. The Blues, then under Guus Hiddink, were the last team to beat the Gunners on their own ground, rip- ping them apart 4-1 in May. And while this was not a one-sided affair, it still highlighted the gulf in the two sides ability to pro- duce a big performance when needed. Arsenal enjoyed plenty of early possession but were unable to trouble Petr Cech and found them- selves 2-0 down at half-time. Arsene Wengers men were made to pay when Di- dier Drogba converted Ashley Coles low centre be- fore Thomas Vermaelens own goal effectively killed off the contest before the interval, with Drogba drill- ing in a late free-kick from 25-yards to seal matters. Arsneal thought they had scored early in the second half but Andrey Arshavins effort was ruled out for Eduardos high boot as he kicked the ball out of Cechs grasp. Arsenal lacked sparkle in attack and seemed to badly miss Robin van Persie, who is sidelined until April with ankle ligament damage. Chelsea were dangerous on the break and were physically stronger than the Gunners. There is, of course, plenty more football to be played before they crown the 2010 champions, but even with a match in hand, it is difficult to see Arse- nal clawing back an 11-point deficit on the leaders. And they could still face a battle to secure a top- four finish as they are a point behind third-placed Tottenham with Aston Villa, Liverpool and Man- chester City on their tails.Finishing touch: drogba connects with Ashley Coles cross to put Chelsea ahead Picture: Getty FOOTBALLDigest sOccer PReMIeR leAGUe By MARk CURTIS RyAN GIGGS has vowed to continue scoring after hitting his 100th Premier League goal in Manchester Uniteds 4-1 win at Portsmouth on Saturday. Giggs celebrated his 36th birthday yesterday but boss Sir Alex Ferguson believes the Welshman still has at least two years left in his legs, with his performance against Avram Grants men at Fratton Park illustrating his importance to United. Pompey were on top during a first half which ended 1-1, but Giggs set up Wayne Rooney to grab the lead back early in the second half, earned a penalty for his team-mate to net his hat-trick, then added the fourth goal himself to join the leagues centurions. It is about time I got 100 Premier League goals, said Giggs. I am obviously proud of the achievement. There are not many players who have done it. hopefully there will be many more. Giggs maturity appears to be rubbing off on Rooney, who has recently become a father for the first time and on the pitch has captained england. Giggs is amazing, Rooney said. he never surprises you. his energy and work rate, passing, and movement is unbelievable. he is a privilege to play with. you wouldnt think he was 36, he plays more like a 26-year-old. he is up and down and everywhere. No plans to stop at 100 Giggs Arsenal: Almunia, Sagna, Gallas, Vermaelen, Traore, Fabregas, Song Billong (Walcott 46), Denilson, Nasri (Rosicky 65), Eduardo (Vela 57), Arshavin. Booked: Traore, Fabregas. Chelsea: Cech, Ivanovic, Carvalho, Terry, Ashley Cole (Paulo Ferreira 72), Mikel, Essien, Lampard, Joe Cole (Deco 68), Anelka, Drogba (Malouda 87). Booked: Drogba, Mikel. 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