AFP - English clubs had a bitter-sweet night in UEFA Cup action on Thursday as Aston Villa won in Iceland but Manchester City face a tough task to qualify for the first round after a shock loss to FC Midtjyllandat.

AP - Brad Ziegler's storybook start to his career came to an end against the Tampa Bay Rays, a team in the middle of a fairy tale season of their own.

Reuters - Controversial forward Ron Artest officially joined the Houston Rockets in a multi-player trade with the Sacramento Kings, the team said on Thursday.

AP - Jake Delhomme fired a pass over the middle for a touchdown that was overturned. The result didn't matter so much. Delhomme's surgically repaired right elbow passed the test.

AP - Rebecca Soni of the United States has won a gold medal in the women's 200-meter breaststroke at the Beijing Olympics, beating world record-holder Leisel Jones and erasing the Aussie's world-best time.

AP - Michael Phelps has qualified second-fastest for the 100-meter butterfly semifinals, minutes after winning his sixth gold medal of the Beijing Olympics.

AP - Jake Peavy outpitched Ben Sheets with seven strong innings Thursday and the San Diego Padres snapped the Milwaukee Brewers' eight-game winning streak with a 3-2 victory.

AP - No runner-up finish to her friend and rival this time. Nastia Liukin won the biggest prize of all.

AP - Michael Phelps collected the sixth gold medal and stuffed it in his warmup jacket. No time to even savor that one as he rushed off to swim again.

AFP - Aston Villa striker John Carew signed a one-year contract extension on Thursday.

AP - The Milwaukee Brewers and CC Sabathia cruised to another easy win Wednesday night, the team capturing its eighth in a row and the big left-hander his 10th straight decision.