Feburary 13 2010
Sports Bites

Last summer, coaches and players lobbied Brett Favre to join the Minnesota Vikings through text messages, phone calls and in-person visits. This year, the public has started the persuasion process for them. Driven to show their appreciation for Favre's storied first season with Minnesota, a group of Vikings fans has taken out advertising space on a digital billboard near the 40-year-old quarterback's home in Hattiesburg, Miss. "Hey No. 4, do Minnesota fans love you and want you back next year? You Brettcha!" the message reads.

Arsene Wenger reckons the Premier League title race remains "wide open" after Arsenal beat Liverpool to move within six points of Chelsea. The Gunners were 1-0 winners at the Emirates Stadium, with a second-half headed goal from Abou Diaby sealing the victory. But Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez was left fuming, claiming his side should have had an injury-time penalty when Cesc Fabregas appeared to handle the ball from a Steven Gerrard free-kick. Referee Howard Webb waved away Liverpool's appeals and Benitez said: "We are really disappointed with the decision of the hand ball. It was very, very clear. The players were on the line. It was a hand ball. It has to be a penalty if you see the replay. "During the game you do not realise how clear the hand ball was but watching the replay the referee was there." Television replays appeared to suggest the hand was outside the box, however, and Wenger denied Liverpool should have had a spot kick.

Martin Palermo and Ignacio Canuto scored late goals to give Argentina a 2-1 win over Jamaica in an international friendly Wednesday. Argentina's team featured few players expected be included in its World Cup squad later this year in South Africa. Jamaica opened the scoring with a header by Ryan Johnson early in the second half. The Caribbean club then concentrated on holding its lead, with most of its players settling back in defense. Palermo equalized seven minutes from time and Canuto, who came on as a substitute in the final minutes, scored the winner in injury time.

At the start of the series Chris Gayle tipped a 4-1 win for West Indies, but given their predicament he would probably settle for 1-4. Calling the tourists out-classed in the opening exchanges is being polite to guests and if they lose in Sydney on Friday the five-game contest will be decided with two matches spare. Australia have been outstanding throughout the limited-overs segment of the summer and are on a 10-match winning streak. With a 2-0 lead, the hosts have been able to rest key players in Shane Watson and Brad Haddin, but there won't be any relief for West Indies as the locals pursue an undefeated summer.

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