SPORTSPORT 24 METROSPORT Thursday, December 17, 2009 D Certified Distribution October 5 to November 1, 2009: 60,200 Published by Fortunegreen Ltd, Embassy House, Herbert Park Lane, Dublin 4 Printed by The Irish Times at Citywest in Dublin Editorial: (01) 637 5900 Advertising: (01) 637 5989 Classified: (01) 637 5979 Distribution: (01) 637 5901 WOLVES boss Mick McCarthys team selection at Manchester United on Tuesday night appears to have back-fired massively after he was asked by the Premier League to explain his decision to field a reserve side. McCarthy made ten changes to the team that defeated Tottenham on Saturday and subsequently saw his team beaten 3-0. McCarthy now faces having to defend his team selection to the league after retaining just keeper Marcus Hahnemann from the team which won 1-0 at White Hart Lane last weekend. Although the leagues powers are wide-ranging, and include a points deduction in the worst-case scenario, it seems highly unlikely Wolves will be punished severely. Wolves chief executive Moxey said: We have a squad system at the club and Mick picked what he thought was the best side for that match. Its an old saying but the season is a marathon, not a sprint and Micks job is to keep us in the Premier League. Irelands Grand slam defence received a major boost yesterday when it was revealed that Munster hooker Jerry Flannery should be fit to return ahead of the opening game against Italy. Flannery had exploratory surgery earlier this week on an achilles injury that was expected to rule him out for three months. But it is now thought the player will be able to return some time in January with the provinces final Heineken Cup games against Treviso and northampton now a realistic target. Munster coach Tony McGahan said he was delighted for Flannery and Munster rugby to have such a good player back in action by then. Munster travel to Perpignan this weekend after scraping by the French side in limerick last Friday, and captain Paul OConnell knows they face a daunting challenge at stade aime Giral. He said: Theyve an incredible home record there and its one of the few places Munster have been badly beaten in the Heineken Cup in recent years. Theyll be playing for pride in front of their home crowd, just like us in Thomond Park. Six Nations boost as Flannery is given January date for return McCarthy ordered to explain weak Wolves Positive news: Flannery Kearney happy under high ball Page 22 Burnley 1 Arsenal 1 Chelsea 2 Portsmouth 1 Liverpool 2 Wigan 1 Tottenham 3 Man City 0 Basle 2 Fulham 3 Last nights soccer Page 23 24 Franks spot on as Blues go clearFRANK LAMPARD was back on target from the penalty spot last night as Chelsea once again moved clear of Manchester United at the top of the Premier League. The midfielder, who missed his last spot- kick in a costly defeat by Manchester City, fired home late on to seal a 2-1 win over Port- smouth at Stamford Bridge. Thevictoryoverformer manager Avram Grants team, which included a goal for Nicolas Anelka in his 100th game for the club, leaves Chelsea three points ahead of United. Arsenal reclaimed third from Aston Villa but it was a frustrating night for the Gunners who were held to a 1-1 draw at Burnley. Cesc Fabregas, who went off injured in the first half, put the visitors ahead after just seven minutes but a Graham Alexander penalty meant Arsenal had to settle for a point. At White Hart Lane, two goals for Niko Kranjcar and one for Jermain Defoe earned Tottenham a 3-0 win over Manchester City. And Fernando Torres (pictured), who has recently returned from injury, matched Anel- ka by getting on the scoresheet in his 100th game for Liverpool after coming off the bench in a 2-1 victory against Wigan. David Ngog had provided the opener as Rafael Benitezs side climbed to sixth in the table. In European action, Fulham reached the knockout stages of the Europa League as a Bobby Zamora brace helped the Cottagers to a 3-2 win over Swiss side Basle Back in the old routine: Frank Lampard celebrates his winner from the spot Picture: EPA By DaviD gurNey index.html2.html3.html4.html5.html6.html7.html8.html9.html10.html11.html12.html13.html14.html15.html16.html17.html18.html19.html20.html21.html22.html23.html24.html25.html26.html27.html