The Malaysian Insider

LOS ANGELES, March 22 — Pau Gasol flourished in the role of starting centre to lead the Los Angeles Lakers to their sixth straight win, a 99-92 triumph over the Washington Wizards yesterday.

Gasol scored 28 points and had 12 rebounds after switching from his normal forward role following the loss of Andrew Bynum, who suffered an injury to his left Achilles’ tendon on Friday.

“We lose a little size and gain a little speed,” Gasol told reporters of playing without Bynum. “He’s a big body who has really been effective for us in rebounding and shot-blocking.”

RIO DE JANEIRO, March 22 — Santos, without Robinho and his teenaged striker partner Neymar, crushed tiny Ituano 9-1 in the Paulista championship yesterday taking their tally to 60 goals in 18 matches this year.

Neymar, who was suspended for the domestic match had played for a Santos reserve team in their friendly against Major League Soccer’s NY Red Bulls in New Jersey on Saturday, while Robinho watched from the stands with a minor thigh problem.

Ituano, whose president and captain is former Middlesbrough, Atletico Madrid and Brazil midfielder Juninho, stung Santos by taking the lead through Joao Leonardo after two minutes.

MIAMI, March 22 — Looking jaded and despondent, Tiger Woods finally faced questions yesterday about the sex scandal that turned him from the biggest brand in sport to the disgraced target of hundreds of jokes.

“It was hurtful, but then again you know what, I did it,” he said. “I’m the one who did those things and looking back on it now with a more clear head, I get it.

“I can understand why people will say these things because you know what, it was disgusting behaviour. As a person, it’s hard to believe that was me, looking back on it now.”

LONDON, March 22 — Chelsea blinked first in the race for the Premier League title yesterday, letting slip two points in a 1-1 draw at Blackburn as champions Manchester United enjoyed a two-point cushion at the top of the table.

United’s tense 2-1 victory over Liverpool earlier on Sunday moved them on to 69 points with seven matches remaining, two points clear of Arsenal, the overnight leaders.

Chelsea are third on 65 points, but have a match in hand over the leading pair.

LONDON, March 22 — The return of Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic at the heart of Manchester United’s defence is the key to their challenge for a fourth successive Premier League title, manager Alex Ferguson said yesterday.

Ferguson praised the pair after United shook off an early Fernando Torres goal to beat Liverpool 2-1 at Old Trafford and return to the top of the table.

Ferguson told Sky Sports he was hugely impressed with the duo when United survived a fierce onslaught to beat Wolverhampton Wanderers 1-0 two weeks ago and they confirmed his opinion yesterday.