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'Phenomenal' Man Utd's Solskjaer earns first European start of season
MANCHESTER, England (AP) -- Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is getting his reward. The Norwegian international, who scored a late goal for Manchester United over the weekend to salvage a draw against Leeds, will start Wednesday's Champions League match against Lille. United has already clinched a berth in the second stage of the Champions League, allowing manager Alex Ferguson to rest Ruud van Nistelrooy and start Solskjaer. It will be Solskjaer's first start in Europe this season. Last week, the Norwegian came off the bench to score the first goal in Manchester United's 3-0 win against Olympiakos, a result which ensured the Reds qualified for the next phase. "He's a fantastic footballer and he will play," Ferguson said. "In that kind of goalscoring form, he is phenomenal." Many of United's first team players stayed behind, including Van Nistelrooy, Gary Neville, Wes Brown, Ryan Giggs, Fabien Barthez, Roy Keane and Juan Sebastian Veron. Premier League head referee criticizes officiatingLONDON (AP) -- Philip Don, the head of referees in the Premier League, admits officiating is less than perfect. Referee Steve Bennett is facing criticism for failing to send off Derby's Fabrizio Ravanelli in Sunday's match against Chelsea. Referee Dermot Gallagher has already been dropped from Premier League games for failing to send off Robbie Keane in Saturday's Man United vs. Leeds game. Another referee, Paul Durkin, was demoted for failing to send off Chelsea's Graeme Le Saux after a two-footed tackle on Leeds' Danny Mills. "I will not defend the indefensible and I've told the referees that on numerous occasions," Don said. "Paul Durkin had no excuses for not sending off Graeme Le Saux against Leeds, and the incident with Dermot Gallagher was another example." Leeds' Bowyer to undergo nose surgeryLEEDS, England (AP) -- Leeds midfielder Lee Bowyer will undergo surgery for a broken nose. Bowyer picked up the injury in an aerial challenge against Man United's Nicky Butt in Saturday's game at Old Trafford. Bowyer was expected to play in Sunday's Premier League game against Tottenham. He will miss Thursday's UEFA Cup match against Troyes to be in court in Hull, England. Bowyer, teammate Jonathan Woodgate and two other men are on trial, accused of beating a student outside a Leeds nightclub. Middlesbrough's Ince receives three-game banMIDDLESBROUGH, England (AP) - Middlesbrough's Paul Ince has lost his appeal against a red card and now faces a three-game ban. Ince was sent off by referee Mark Halsey after clashing with Sunderland's Niall Quinn in a Premier League game. The decision was supported by the Football Association. "The appeal has been reviewed by the independent video advisory panel," FA spokesman Andrian Bevington said. "The panel have taken the decision to fully support Mark Halsey's decision to send Paul Ince off unanimously -- and therefore the decision stands." Ince's three-match suspension begins Nov. 17 at Aston Villa. He will also miss games against Ipswich and Blackburn. Newcastle teammates Robert, Griffin apologizeNEWCASTLE, England (AP) -- Frenchman Laurent Robert and Newcastle teammate Andy Griffin exchanged blows in a training ground incident. Manager Bobby Robson said he called the two in after the incident Friday, with captain Alan Shearer taking the lead in reprimanding them. "It took no more than five minutes to deal with the incident, following which the players shook hands, and the matter is now closed," Robson said Tuesday. "I am taking no disciplinary action other than accepting an apology from both players as this was a slight flare-up similar to ones which occur occasionally at most training grounds." German striker Rosler joins West Brom on loanBIRMINGHAM, England (AP) -- First-division side West Bromwich Albion signed German striker Uwe Rosler on loan from Southampton on Tuesday. The 32-year-old German has made just five appearances for the Saints this season and was expected to play for West Brom on Wednesday against Crystal Palace. Rosler will fill in for injured West Brom striker Scott Dobie, who was hurt last week in a match against Wolves.
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