Rio Ferdinand has laughed off the incident in which he was struck in the face by a coin as he celebrated Manchester United’s winning goal in their 3-2 success at Manchester City.

The English centre-back was left with blood pouring from his face after being hit by an object apparently thrown from the crowd in the aftermath of Robin van Persie’s injury-time winner for United.

Writing on Twitter, he said on Sunday: “what a result,3points! Sweet! Whoever threw that coin,what a shot! Can’t believe it was a copper 2p….could have at least been a 1 pound coin!”

A City spokeswoman said the club were reviewing CCTV footage of the incident with police and that they would pursue the matter “vigorously”.

A fan wearing City colours also had to be restrained by home goalkeeper Joe Hart after walking onto the pitch and making his way towards Ferdinand after the incident.

City had not lost a home game in the Premier League for two years and their defeat meant United have established a six-point lead at the top of the table.

David Warner failed to deliver any fireworks, but it mattered little as his Sydney Sixers strolled to a seven-wicket win over the Thunder in Saturday night’s Big Bash League Twenty20 derby at the SCG.

Former Thunder captain Warner, who made a cross-city shift to the defending BBL champions during the off-season, was dismissed for a second-ball duck when he chased a wide delivery and was caught behind as the Sixers set their sights on a victory target of 144.

Captain Brad Haddin came to the crease and clubbed 59 from 48 balls to set the Sixers on track for their 12th straight T20 win.

Haddin fell with the scores tied, but Moises Henriques struck a boundary off his first delivery to bring up the winning runs with eight balls to spare.

Haddin paid tribute to Nic Maddinson (39) and Steve Smith (41no), who he formed key partnerships with after Warner’s exit.

“I get a bit of a licence when those guys do their thing at the top, so I’m a pretty lucky guy,” said Haddin, who sent the Thunder in.

“You get nervous first day of the tournament because you want to start well.

“There’s a few things to work on, but we’ve started with a win.”

Haddin said Warner’s downfall was never going to leave any of his teammates flustered.

“That’s the beauty of having someone like Dave in your team. If he gets a duck he gets it quick, and if he gets runs he gets them quick,” Haddin said of Warner’s one-off appearance for the Sixers.

“We’ve spoken a lot about not relying on one player.”

The fixture was played in front of a crowd of just 15,279 – a far cry from the 25,000 that organisers had hoped for during the week.

Cricket Australia can only wonder what star attractions Michael Clarke, denied his one chance to play in the BBL due to a back issue, and Chris Gayle, who was wrapping up his West Indies commitments on their tour of Bangladesh, might have done to that figure.

The Thunder certainly dearly needed their captain and most fluent batsman on the park as they were restricted to 5-143 off their 20 overs.

The western Sydney franchise crashed only four sixes, struggled to rotate the strike regularly and failed to form a partnership of note until No.6 Ryan Carters (33no) and No.7 Sean Abbott (24no) put on an unbeaten 55-run stand off 28 balls.

Paceman Luke Feldman was the best of the Sixers’ bowlers with figures of 2-19, but Mitchell Starc (2-27) sent a timely reminder to Australia’s national selectors.

Fresh from snaring eight wickets in the WACA Test, left-armer Starc swung the ball with venom to snare the scalps of Usman Khawaja (19) and Cameron Borgas (11).

The 22-year-old, who is set to battle it out with Mitchell Johnson and Ben Hilfenhaus for two positions in the Australian side for next week’s first Test against Sri Lanka in Hobart, reduced the Thunder to 4-77 when he rattled the stumps of Borgas.

Anthony Cummings’ gamble to run Fiveandahalfstar in the Victoria Derby has paid the highest dividend with victory in a race he has dreamed of winning most of his daily life.

Cummings was unusually conservative early in the week about operating the gelding who won his second restricted race in Sydney seven days ago.

While he was wavering, Damien Oliver rode Fiveandahalfstar in trackwork and persuaded the trainer he must run.

“You observe all this stuff when you are a kid in Adelaide and dream of it,” Cummings said.

“I watched Dad (Bart) win this race and it really is superb to win my initial.”

New Zealander It’s A Dundeel was the dominant $ two.70 favourite for the Flemington function with Fiveandahalfstar sent out at $ 41.

Oliver tucked Fiveandahalfstar in behind early leader Jimando and took over coming round the property turn.

With lots of energy conserved mid-race, Fiveandahalfstar denied all comers as they attempted to catch him.

Super Awesome ($ six) received inside one-one/4 lengths with Rawnaq ($ 101) working on for third one more three-quarters of a length away.

“When It truly is a Dundeel got beaten final week it opened the door. He had been the dominant horse going to the race,” Cummings said.

“Our horse won actually properly final week but then I could not get the float I wanted to get him right here and there’s a dilemma with that.

“I could not be positive he’d settle in but he did.

“He turned up on Wednesday and worked truly well.

“It really is most likely the 1st time I have had to be talked into operating a horse in a Group One particular.

“The aim of the steady is to be there and be part of every Group A single race you can.

“You take aim. You will not often get there and at times you are and occasionally you only just must be.

“The reality is if you never have a go you will never know.”

Oliver explained he had a perfect run and had no considerations about the 2500 metres even when the challengers came in the straight.

“Jimando was a bit keen from the 2000 (metres) to the mile but then he switched off and my horse relaxed truly effectively,” Oliver explained.

“The horse is extremely fit. He’s had a busy schedule but has stood up to it well.

“He was so loose and relaxed. He conserves a good deal of power.”

Like Cummings, Oliver believed It’s A Dundeel’s defeat in the Vase at Moonee Valley was a boost to his rivals.

“When he got beaten and they completed in a bunch at Caulfield (Norman Robinson) I imagined there was no standout and it really is really worth a crack.”

Fiveandahalfstar is raced by a syndicate which includes Hal Dyball and Julia Ritchie who also raced his father Hotel Grand, a Group 1 winner of the Spring Champion Stakes (2000m) and the Randwick Guineas (1600m).

“I knew he (Fiveandahalfstar) would run the trip,” Cummings stated.

“His father was 2000-metre winner and we almost certainly never ever observed the finest of him.

“He is associated to a 3200-metre winner so there have been no concerns there.”

New Zealand trainer Murray Baker mentioned the distance was not the concern for It really is A Dundeel, who kept coming from back in the area to finish seventh.

“He had each chance and he whacked away,” Baker explained.

“I’ll take him residence and bring him back in the autumn.

“It really is not so a lot that he did not keep. He’s had a challenging campaign and I believe it might have caught up with him.”

Victoria Derby favourite It is A Dundeel remains on track for following Saturday’s $ 1 million traditional regardless of a worrying sequel to his shock defeat at Moonee Valley.

It truly is A Dundeel started at $ 1.30 and raced without his normal zip when second to Super Awesome, but of more concern was the slow recovery he made from the run.

But trainer Murray Baker has declared the colt a certain starter in the 2500m Flemington classic.

“He’s as very good as gold this morning and has bounced proper back after yesterday,” Baker mentioned.

“He hadn’t raced for three weeks heading into yesterday so that race must best him off nicely for the Derby.”

The trainer was also consoled by the sectional instances that showed the leaders operating their final 600m in 35.45 seconds in It really is A Dundeel’s race against 36.86 seconds in the Cox Plate.

“I have previously accepted for the Derby and I am very pleased with him heading in direction of Saturday,” Baker mentioned.

Derby third favourite Hvasstan stays on track for the most significant race his trainer Peter Gelagotis has tackled in his occupation.

“He’s perfect, genuinely excellent,” Gelagotis stated.

“Anything he’s carried out has been spot on, he’s carried out everything appropriate.”

Electrical Fusion one of the runners who went to the line in the bunch with Hvasstan in the Norman Robinson Stakes at Caulfield last week, remains unconfirmed for Saturday’s race.

Trainer Robert Smerdon explained the horse would gallop on Tuesday at Caulfield and a selection would be manufactured right after he worked.

It truly is A Dundeel stays the $ 2.80 Derby favourite with Super Amazing and Geelong Classic winner Solemn sharing the second line of betting at $ six with Hvasstan at $ seven.50.

A capability field of 16 is anticipated to line up in the race which is shaping as a single of the greater good quality Derbys of latest many years.

Victoria Derby aspirations for Our Desert Warrior took a hit at Warwick Farm on Wednesday when he missed a place as a quick-priced favourite.

The Gai Waterhouse-trained colt, a brother to her several Group 1 winner Desert War, was sent out at $ 1.45 in the Super Saver Handicap (1600m) right after a maiden win at the provincials.

But right after racing on the speed he could only handle fourth to the Paul Messara-skilled Rowie who was dropping back from stakes organization.

Our Desert Warrior was at $ 11 with TAB fixed odds for the Victoria Derby (2500m) prior to Wednesday’s race but drifted to $ 26 right after the defeat with plans seemingly up in the air.

“He’s just very green. We know he’s got loads of talent but he makes as well several errors at the minute,” Waterhouse’s steady representative Mark Newnham explained.

“Gai will weigh that up now (a trip to Melbourne). We have got to get him racing in a straight line 1st.”

Jockey Nash Rawiller mentioned Our Desert Warrior was reluctant to travel in the run and raced effectively under expectations, but he reported listening to a gurgling sound from the colt on pulling up right after the race.

Racing NSW’s veterinarian Dr Craig Suann also reported an intermittent gurgling sound when the a few-yr-outdated was returning to the mounting yard.

Stewards ordered Our Desert Warrior be scoped.

Rowie had raced in the Ming Dynasty Top quality and Gloaming Stakes at his previous two outings and took benefit of the good tempo up front to sprint through along the within and score a half-length win above the John O’Shea-qualified Twisted Feelings.

“I was a little bit worried that Rowie had lost touch with them a little bit but they had been obtaining a few battles up front,” Messara’s foreman Barry Wintle explained.

“It was a very good effort.”

Twisted Emotions was also in line for a trip to Melbourne for the Derby but O’Shea said people ideas had now been shelved.

“James (McDonald) just felt that mentally he wasn’t ready for it however and I feel that’s a fair assessment,” O’Shea mentioned.

“We’ll possibly give him one far more run in Sydney and hopefully he can go out a winner and then seem to assault the autumn.”

The Craig Carmody-educated Green Tracer, a brother to final Saturday’s Premiere Stakes winner Red Tracer, also impressed at the meeting with a narrow but determined very first-up victory.

A track gallop at Moonee Valley on Tuesday is expected to go a extended way toward determining the spring program of Australian Derby winner Ethiopia.

Trainer Pat Carey and jockey Rhys McLeod came away from the work out in the belief that Ethiopia would make his spring debut in the Group Two Dato Tan Chin Nam Stakes (1600m) with a final selection to be produced in consultation with the gelding’s owners.

The lightly-raced galloper looked forward in condition before his work with stablemate Ulundi and Carey expects him to have been brought up to the mark with his 1000m spin.

“He’s been in operate for really a even though and he’s been brought along slow and gradual,” Carey said.

Ethiopia went house to Western Australia following winning the Randwick autumn function, returning to Carey’s Victorian stable 6 weeks ago.

Even though Carey has the horse a number of notches below peak fitness, he would be prepared to run a respectable race on Saturday.

“You’d think there’d be a good deal of improvement to come … and a great deal much more subsequent season,” he said.

“But he’s going effectively adequate to handle a mile initial-up.”

Preliminary ideas are to steer Ethiopia towards the Cox Plate, but connections have taken the precaution of nominating for the Melbourne Cup.

Carey has also entered Ulundi for the Dato Tan and the 1600m open handicap with a even more alternative of operating in the Theo Marks Stakes in Sydney must the vagaries of the entry technique stop him from gaining a begin in Melbourne.

Already Ulundi has missed a run simply because he was rated too lowly below the official system, regardless of getting a Listed winner two starts back, and Carey is concerned that it shouldn’t happen yet again.

Like Ethiopia, Ulundi is by the VRC Derby winner Helenus and is owned in the identical interests.

The steady will also start off the talented staying mare Dame Claire at the Valley on the back of a 20-length barrier trial win at Cranbourne on Monday.

Carey cautiously described the trial as “a great one”, saying he expects Dame Claire to increase on two disappointing runs this time in.

Dame Claire runs in the Group Two W H Stocks Stakes (1600m).

Heavyweight Victorian jockey Brad Rawiller emerged from his brother Nash’s shadow to turn out to be the toast of racing when he developed a brilliant ride to win the Queensland Derby on Brambles.

Rawiller created the most of a uncommon chance to ride for champion trainer Peter Moody in a huge race and the lanky hoop turned in one particular of the fantastic Derby rides to lead all through on Brambles.

Rawiller’s elder brother Nash is the foremost Group 1 rider this season but these days in front of the big Eagle Farm crowd it was his minor brother’s time to shine.

Brambles commenced the well-supported $ 3.40 favourite on the back of his final-start off all-the-way-win win in the Grand Prix Stakes and Rawiller delivered a mirror performance when he allowed the gelding to stride to the front and left adequate in reserve for the run to the line.

“Geez he’s a tough horse,” Rawiller stated.

“That was a terrific energy, I was worried about the 300 metres when the other folks came at him but he lifted and was so robust to the line.

“That was a tough Derby, it was a robust field and he came up trumps – he’s a very good stayer with a great deal of class.”

Brambles looked as though he could be overhauled when Queensland Oaks winner Quintessential ($ 8) loomed at the 200m but he packed too several guns and held the filly at bay by 1-1/four lengths.

Victorian Westsouthwest ($ 7.50) made a tip-top overall performance when he ran on late to finish a extended head back 3rd with the Gai-Waterhouse-trained Tohunga ($ 16), ridden by Nash Rawiller, fourth and Moody’s other runner Vatuvei ($ six) fifth.

It was Moody’s 2nd win in the Group One particular Classic right after he ready Riva San to win in 2008 and the former Brisbane boy handed all the plaudits to Rawiller.

“What a great ride by Brad it was,” Moody mentioned.

“I left it up to him and didn’t tie him down with guidelines and he rode him a treat.

“Brad learned a while back that he gets much more out of the horse when he doesn’t fight him.

“This horse is a hard, no-frills stayer. He’s climbed yet another mountain by winning this race.

“He was getting tired near the line but he was entitled to and the other people had been all off the bit chasing him.

“I will let the dust settle and get pleasure from the minute and we’ll fear about the spring when the spring arrives.”

Worldwide jockey Jeff Lloyd will seek a release from Patinack Farm’s Isopach in the Group A single Queensland Derby on Saturday week following the dominant victory from Kiwi stayer Largo Da Barra at Doomben.

Lloyd landed his initial winner given that arriving in Queensland recently to commence a new chapter in his riding profession when Largo Da Barra scored an easy 1-one/four-length win in Wednesday’s Coca-Cola Amatil Handicap (2200m).

The John Sargent-trained colt had to win to qualify for the 2400-metre Queensland Derby at Eagle Farm.

Lloyd rode the John Thompson-skilled Isopach who completed only eighth to Brambles in the Group Three Grand Prix Stakes at Doomben on Could 26.

“I am booked for Isopach in the Derby but I was disappointed with his final run so I’ll ring John (Thompson) very first to see if I can get off so I can ride this 1 (Largo Da Barra),” Lloyd mentioned.

“He’s a great stayer and I think blinkers have switched him on.

“He can sustain a prolonged run which he showed these days. It really is a large jump from this to the Queensland Derby but at least he can stay.”

Sargent was in New Zealand but stable representative Marina Compton was delighted with the son of Encosta De Lago’s victory.

Sargent is hoping to win the Group A single Queensland Oaks (2400m) at Eagle Farm on Saturday with his filly Quintessential.

“I am rapt with this win and he ought to have adequate funds now to get into the Queensland Derby,” Compton mentioned.

“You can’t run to the line like he did immediately after taking off so far from residence if you can’t stay.”

Lloyd was relieved to ultimately get his breakthrough win in Queensland.

“I’ve only had about seven or so rides and it will take time. All tracks are various,” he said.

Lloyd, the winner of six South African jockeys’ premierships, now lives on the Gold Coast right after deciding to quit his highly-distinguished profession in Hong Kong.

He has ridden in nine countries, winning more than 4500 races and 90 Group Ones in the course of his stellar profession.

Meanwhile, Thompson is hoping Michael Cahill will be match to ride Pretty Pins in the Queensland Oaks immediately after the jockey was dislodged from Wee Bit Snobby soon following the start of Wednesday’s Sky Racing World Maiden Plate (1350m).

Cahill, who has a number of other essential engagements at Eagle Farm, was taken to hospital for precautionary X-rays immediately after complaining of a sore right shoulder.

West Coast coach John Worsfold does not care if folks take into account his team premiership favourites right now, but hopes they nevertheless hold that opinion at the end of the AFL season.

The Eagles shot to favouritism with some bookmakers on Sunday night following their extraordinary 48-point triumph above Fremantle at Patersons Stadium.

West Coast trailed by eight factors midway by way of the second quarter but piled on 63 of the up coming 64 points to secure the 11.18 (84) to five.6 (36) win.

Eagles midfielder Matt Rosa (43 possessions, one objective, nine within 50s) won the Ross Glendinning medal as ideal afield.

West Coast and Essendon the two share eight-one records, while Adelaide (7-2) and Collingwood (7-two) round out the top rated 4.

Premiership favouritism has been somewhat of a curse this season, specifically to eighth-positioned Hawthorn, who are precariously positioned with a 5-4 record.

Collingwood and Carlton have also struggled with the tag at various factors but the Eagles have never ever been outright favourites.

Worsfold commonly does not pay any interest to the betting markets.

But the premiership coach agreed it was a great sign if people were rating his team so very.

“If that accolade comes on us, we would like it to still be there in 15 or so weeks time,” Worsfold mentioned.

“It adjustments, it moves. We have previously noticed this year that the title of the premiership fancies has shifted 3 or four occasions in nine weeks or so.

“There is each and every opportunity it will shift once again. If we do our work effectively sufficient, then folks will keep speaking about us in that light. That’s all it boils down to.”

The extensive win more than Fremantle was the best way for Worsfold to surpass Mick Malthouse as the club’s longest serving coach with his 244th game.

Nevertheless, Worsfold was not all too keen on the fuss.

“I am glad it is out the way. It was a small bit as well mushy for me,” Worsfold mentioned.

“It is completed and dusted now and I can get back to just becoming an typical knockabout bloke yet again.”

But while it really is pleased times at the Eagles, Fremantle have some soul-searching to do following back-to-back thrashings.

Dockers coach Ross Lyon stated his team’s on-ballers had been “obliterated” by West Coast, and conceded he essential to reconstruct his midfield group, with Chris Mayne and Matt de Boer probable to be tried there.

Kentucky Derby winner I will Have Another will jump from barrier 9 in Saturday’s 137th Preakness, two spots outdoors Derby runner-up Bodemeister.

I’ll Have An additional charged from behind to beat Bodemeister by 1-one/two lengths two weeks ago at Churchill Downs to give himself a likelihood at getting to be the 1st horse considering that 1978 to sweep US horse racing’s Triple Crown.

Not since Affirmed did so 34 many years ago has a horse completed the treble by sweeping the Derby, the Preakness and following month’s Belmont Stakes in New York.

Bodemeister was produced the early favored, in element since the Preakness is the shortest of the Triple Crown races.

I will Have Yet another ran only 3 occasions final year before suffering a shin injury final September.

He did not run again right up until February this year at Santa Anita and then earned a trip to Kentucky by winning April’s Santa Anita Derby.

The beginning order for the Preakness has Tiger Walk commencing from the within rail following outward in order by Teeth Of The Dog, Pretension, Zetterholm, Went The Day Nicely, Innovative Cause, Bodemeister, Daddy Nose Best, I’ll Have Another, Optimizer and Cozzetti.