MAN CITY,MADRID WIN MAN U OYE

Wigan 1 Manchester United 0: Maloney gives Latics a lift and keeps title race alive

Shaun Maloney made a giant-sized impact at the top and bottom of the Barclays Premier League by scoring the only goal as Wigan leapt out of the relegation zone for the first time since October, whilst cutting Manchester United's lead in the title race to five points.

In yet another game littered with controversial refereeing decisions, Maloney curled home in magnificent style from a corner that should never have been.

That balanced out a disallowed goal for Victor Moses, with a clear handball against Maynor Figueroa thrown in for good measure.

Screamer: Shaun Maloney lets fly to hit the opening goal of the game

The result was the first time Wigan had ever avoided defeat in 15 meetings with their north-west neighbours, and condemned United to their first reverse since January.

After the debacle of Stamford Bridge, where they conceded two goals that were clearly offside and a red-card punch by Branislav Ivanovic on Maloney, Wigan must have thought they had endured as much misery as possible at the hands of officials.

But the mystifying events on the half hour merely provided more ire in the Latics camp.

When Dowd initially signalled a goal as Moses powered home his header, the reaction of United's players was telling.

No-one headed towards the referee to complain. Ryan Giggs and Rio Ferdinand merely turned in frustration and took their first strides towards the halfway line.

Sure shot: Maloney's effort beats Rio Ferdinand and Jonny Evans

Dowd, on the edge of the area, had a clear view. Assistant Dave Richardson, 45 yards away, spotted something the referee had missed, namely Gary Caldwell blocking David de Gea.

The decision might have had more merit if the Spain Under-21 international had actually tried to reach Maloney's corner.

That he meekly accepted his fate just made the outcome even worse.

Beaten hands down: David De Gea had no chance with Maloney's wonderful hit

Stood on the touchline, Martinez was incredulous. And when he was informed by the fourth official why the goal had not been given, the Spaniard was even more furious.

The goal would have been the least Wigan deserved too far an outstanding first-half performance, in which they denied the champions-elect the time and space to display their obvious talents.

Sir Alex Ferguson's presence on the touchline for long periods was evidence all was not well in the United camp.

Down in the dumps: United ponder a first defeat in nine games

James McCarthy had a shot tipped over by De Gea before the row and Wigan wasted a number of free-kick opportunities, most of which were earned by Franco di Santo's industry.

However, the recurring inability to find the net - in legal fashion - which has undermined Wigan's stylish approach all season was causing concern.

A Giggs flick that almost released Javier Hernandez and a blocked Wayne Rooney shot in the final minutes of the half were obvious reasons for the hosts to worry.

Chalked off: Victor Moses thought he had scored for Wigan... only to see his header disallowed

When questioned a couple of weeks ago about whether big clubs are favoured by referees - after Fulham's Danny Murphy was denied a last-minute penalty at Old Trafford - Ferguson stuck his colours firmly to the mast of such decisions evening themselves out.

And the evidence came four minutes after the restart.

As soon as Dowd awarded a corner following Phil Jones' tangle with Jean Beausejour, the United man indicated the referee had got it wrong.

Holding his hands up: Gary Caldwell

Those pesky TV cameras proved it too. Jones never got near to the ball as it rolled out of play.

No-one from the Wigan camp was apologising though as Maloney exchanged passes with Beausejour, skipped round Rooney and curled a delightful shot past De Gea.

Protest: David De Gea appeals after being blocked by Gary Caldwell

Having already introduced Tom Cleverley at half-time, Ferguson took decisive action, first by bringing on Danny Welbeck, then introducing Nani - back after five weeks out with an ankle injury - with Rooney the man replaced, without a hint of protest.

Then came the second vital call on Wigan's behalf as Maynor Figueroa clearly blocked Jones' cross with his arm, but unbelievably, there was no penalty.

Doubling up: James McCarthy and James McArthur tussle with Wayne Rooney

For the second time as far as Wigan were concerned, it was a case of two wrongs making a right.

United attempted to shrug off the disappointment by forcing their way through the Wigan defences.

No quarter given: Antonio Valencia goes in hard on Maloney

There was no way through though, with Nani and Michael Carrick wasting the best chances to spoil a famous night for the Latics, whose full significance will only become known in five games' time.

The way I look makes it hard to meet men': UK's biggest female bodybuilder reveals why she's still single after nine years 

She's spent years bulking up in a bid to be a world champion bodybuilder.

But now Rene Campbell, 35, claims that her muscular physique has stopped her from finding love, and for the past nine years she has remained single.

The self-confessed 'Bigorexic' from Brighton, who has two children from a previous marriage, says that most men are turned off by her stacked 13.st 5lb appearance and find it difficult to cope with her regimented lifestyle.

Looking for love: Rene Campbell has spent years perfecting her body in a bid to be a top bodybuilder

Ms Campbell, who boasts 26 inch thighs and size 18 shoulders, works out intensively for two hours a day and sticks to a strict meal plan, which sees her eating seven chicken breasts and consuming 4,200 calories in the space of little more than 12 hours.

 

While she is proud of the way she looks, the divorcee says her appearance also has its downfalls.

'I’m single at the moment after splitting with my ex-husband – dad to my two sons – nine years ago. 

While she is proud of the way she looks, the divorced mother says her appearance also has its downfalls

Manchester City 4 West Brom 0: Mancini's men refuse to give up ghost on title bid

Just when we thought it was all over, somebody decided to turn back time. Just when they appeared to have thrown away the Barclays Premier League, Manchester City woke up and remembered they are a pretty decent side. 

It may still be too late, of course. City's great foes from Old Trafford remain favourites to win this championship. But after the horrors of Stoke, Sunderland and Arsenal, Roberto Mancini's team reverted to type and brushed West Bromwich aside without breaking sweat. 

As City ambled to victory, there was even a goal for Carlos Tevez to mark his first start since  September. That came on the hour after Sergio Aguero - a rather more reliable South American striker - had scored in either half to put them two goals up.

Power Sergio: Manchester City striker Aguero (left) celebrates after scoring the opening goal of the game

With Mario Balotelli suspended after his afternoon of madness at the Emirates, it was clear that Mancini would have to change things up front. Tevez's contribution since returning from his self-imposed exile had been restricted to cameos from the bench. Here, at last, was his first real chance to show City what they have been missing. West Brom were quite wretched but credit City for taking advantage. They showed no mercy, David Silva scoring the fourth with 25 minutes to go. 

City, perhaps feeling less pressure after United had opened what seemed like a title-winning lead, played much better football during the first half-hour. West Bromwich have been no mugs this season but couldn't get near the ball for much of the first half. 

Aguero, who didn't look himself after returning from injury on Sunday, seemed to find the rhythm of this game much more quickly and worried the West Brom defence with a direct run in the second minute.

No stopping that: Aguero (left) blasts home his first goal after just six minutes at the Etihad Stadium

Cool finish: Aguero tucks in the second goal shortly into the second half

On that occasion his shot was blocked but within four more minutes he had scored the game's first goal and the 25th of his debut City season. 

Once again Aguero drove from deep but this time he advanced from a more central position. Sensing that West Brom had backed off a little, he let fly with a low right-foot shot that zipped across goalkeeper Ben Foster and into his right-hand corner.

Made in Argentina: Carlos Tevez puts City out of sight with the third goal on the night

All is forgiven: Former outcast Tevez (left) salutes the crowd after grabbing another goal in City colours

 

Almost immediately, it was  possible to sense the tension lift a little at the Etihad. City began to play some enterprising football and the only surprise was that it didn't immediately yield more goals. 

Tevez shot wildly over from 18 yards in the 12th minute when a little more composure was required before Silva - back after a one-game rest - drilled a shot into Foster's midriff from an angle, with the former England goalkeeper doing well to hang on. 

West Bromwich were not a threat in the first half at all. One low cross from the right fizzed across the front of Joe Hart's goal but that was about it. At the other end, Roy Hodgson's team had captain Jonas Olsson to thank for being only one goal down at the break.

We have lift off: David Silva lifts a delightful finish over Ben Foster's head for City's fourth goal

Wing wizard: Spain midfielder Silva celebrates his superb goal against West Brom

Tevez produced the pass of the night in the 30th minute to play full-back Micah Richards clear on goal. The 23-year-old managed to take the ball past Foster but his goalbound shot was cleared from the line by Olsson with the help of his chest. 

With United drawing at Wigan at half-time, City began the second period sensing they may be about to see a chink of light in the title race. Within a couple of minutes they came close to adding a  second goal as Silva crossed from the right and Samir Nasri, who had been quiet until then, volleyed into the side netting from an angle. 

Over the top: Micah Richards (top) challenges West Bromwich's Nicky Shorey in the air

Crowded out: Argentina striker Tevez runs at the beleaguered West Brom defence

Silva then played a ball through the middle towards the breaking Gareth Barry only for it to ricochet up and strike West Brom's Billy Jones. The City fans appealed for a penalty but referee Kevin Friend was unmoved. 

Then news of a goal for Wigan filtered through and that was soon followed by City's second of the night. Once again Aguero was the scorer, moving on to a pass from Nasri to score across Foster with his right instep. 

Job well done: City manager Roberto Mancini (right) shakes hands with Tevez

As the Poznan goal celebration briefly returned to the Etihad - the supporters here haven't done it for a while - City moved through the gears, Nasri breaking down the left to shoot across goal and inches wide. 

By now West Brom had fallen apart and Aguero set up Tevez to shoot into the top left-hand corner for the third before releasing Silva, who darted down the left and chipped Foster sublimely to add the fourth goal

Messi, better than me? No chance, he's not even as good as Neymar, says Pele

Legend Pele has dismissed claims that Lionel Messi has usurped him as the greatest player of all time, and disputed that he is even the best of those currently playing.

The Brazilian World Cup winner, who is widely regarded as the finest footballer to have ever lived, believes instead his fellow countryman Neymar is superior to the current world player of the year.

Simply the best: Pele claims Neymar is a superior talent to Lionel Messi

Pele has throughout his career been forced to defend his own position in the face of those who back Diego Maradona in the battle for supremacy, and now is fighting the corner of the latest 'Next Pele' to come out of Brazil.

Speaking at an event celebrating the centennial of Neymar's club Santos, Pele said: 'There's always this Maradona comparison, saying that he's better than Pele. Now some are saying that Messi is better than Pele. 

'Well, he has to be better than Neymar first, which he isn't yet. He has more experience.'

Neymar, who has already scored 100 goals for his club despite being just 20-years-old, is widely expected to move to Barcelona or Real Madrid before the 2014 World Cup in his homeland.