Madrid  - Real Madrid stumbled out of their crisis with a streaky 1-0 home win Saturday over spirited but naive Recreativo Huelva.

Real won with a 39th-minute goal from Wesley Sneijder, whose powerful left-foot drive took a wicked deflection off Huelva defender Beto and spun over hapless keeper Asier Riesgo.

The whites did not play well but could have scored more goals in the second half. Huelva showed some neat approach play but lacked power and decision in attack.

The latest defeat leaves Huelva, Spain's oldest club, second from bottom with just seven points. They left the Bernabeu complaining about a Pepe handball that was not given as a penalty.

London  - Chelsea, Liverpool and champions Manchester United were all left to rue missed opportunities on Saturday after they were each held to goalless draws.

Chelsea, top on goal difference, could not find a way past Newcastle United while second-placed Liverpool were frustrated by a stubborn Fulham side at Anfield and United drew 0-0 at Aston Villa.

Chelsea and Liverpool remain tied on points at the top, eight points clear of United, who have a game in hand. Villa climbed into fourth above Arsenal, who were humbled
3-0 at Manchester City.

Chelsea manager Luiz Felipe Scolari looked frustrated on the sidelines at Stamford Bridge as his side failed to break through a stout Newcastle defence.

Rome  - Fiorentina came from behind Saturday to beat visiting Udinese 4-2 thanks to a brace from Riccardo Montolivo.

The young midfielder drilled home two smashing shots in the second half inflaming the Florence crowd at the Artemio Franchi while reversing Udinese's lead.

Both goalkeepers had work to do after 15 minutes of largely tactical game that flared up when Udinese striker Antonio Floro Flores called Sebastien Frey to block a header before Montolivo's feeble shot was blocked by Samir Handanovic.

Udinese gradually took the upper hand pressing the Florence hosts in their midfield and went one up on 29 minutes as Floro Flores stunned the French custodian with a precise shot from outside the box.

London - Joe Kinnear is to stay on as Newcastle United manager until the end of the year.

The former Wimbledon manager was due to end his term as interim manager after Saturday's match with Chelsea.

But with owner Mike Ashley yet to find a buyer, the 61-year-old will now stay on for an extra month.

"The deal was to be in charge until the club was sold and nothing has changed since then to be honest," Kinnear said.

London  - Chelsea and Liverpool were both held to goalless draws at home on Saturday to remain locked together at the top of the English Premier League table.

Johannesburg  - There were smiles all around on Saturday as South Africa took another step towards hosting the 2010 football World Cup.

A short, but colourful, draw ceremony for the 2009 Confederations Cup at the Sandton Convention Centre went off without a hitch, the hosts were given a very favourable draw and coaches and officials of the other seven competing teams were also satisfied.

Bafana Bafana will play Iraq in the opening game in Ellis Park on June 14, 2009, while New Zealand face Euro 2008 champions Spain in the other Group A game on the same day.