Jose Mourinho, left, celebrates with Inter Milan team manager Gabriele Oriali

By Sam Lyon

Jose Mourinho's Inter Milan produced a defensive masterclass to reach the Champions League final at the expense of holders Barcelona at the Nou Camp.

Protecting a first-leg 3-1 lead, Inter were forced to play more than an hour a man short after Thiago Motta saw red for a hand-off on Sergio Busquets.

But Barca failed to fire before Gerard Pique's shot set up a frantic finale.

Bojan Krkic then saw an injury-time strike ruled out, but Inter held on for a first European Cup final since 1972.

The Italian giants will now face Bayern Munich at the Bernabeu on 22 May as Mourinho attempts to lead them to European football's top prize for the first time in more than 40 years.

Barcelona's efforts to become the first team to retain the Champions League trophy, meanwhile, ended in frustration in the face of a sensationally stoic defensive show from the Italians.

Mourinho's reaction at the final whistle said it all as he sprinted around the Nou Camp pitch with his hands aloft, a pointed salute to the Barca supporters and media critics who had labelled him "The Translator" in mocking tribute to his time at the club in the 1990s.

This was further testimony to the Portuguese manager's claims to be "The Special One" as his side's tactics, belief and resolve withstood a home onslaught that saw Barca run out of ideas until Pique's goal.

Emotions and tensions were expected before kick-off to run high, but even for a Champions League semi-final this match surpassed expectations.

606: DEBATE Mourinho is the best tactician around, he showed to other teams how to stop this Barca machine keeaannoo

An extraordinarily vocal 98,000 Nou Camp played their part, while Mourinho - so often the pantomime villain - riled the Barcelona faithful and staff alike as a constant and vocal presence on the sidelines.

But, more than that, controversy stalked the match regularly, even before Bojan's late strike was ruled out.

The replacement of winger Goran Pandev - apparently injured - with defender Christian Chivu in the Inter line-up minutes before kick-off caught everyone by surprise, while the visitors' high-pressure tactics and gamesmanship continually frustrated the hosts.

And the decision of Belgian referee Frank de Bleeckere to dismiss Motta was even more contestable.

The Brazilian, already on a booking, did indeed raise a hand when defending the ball and he certainly made contact with Busquets' face as he did so, but a straight red card appeared a harsh decision.

Motta's reaction following the dismissal, man-handling Busquets in protest, only fanned the flames of a high-octane encounter.

Amid all of the drama, the football was enthralling, if a little light on goalscoring chances.

The pattern was set early on, with Inter happy to sit deep and flood their defensive areas in protection of their first-leg lead, while the hosts' passing game was typically fluent but all too often in front of the visitors rather than in behind them.

Twice Xavi had a sight of goal but the midfielder was crowded out on both occasions, Pedro flashed an instinctive volley wide from Dani Alves' cross, while Zlatan Ibrahimovic had a snap-shot well blocked by Walter Samuel.

Motta reacts to his sending-off by man-handling Busquets

The best effort of the first half by far, though, came from Messi, the Argentine's goalbound curler from 20 yards superbly tipped wide on the stretch by Inter keeper Julio Cesar.

This was a classic match-up of Inter's defence against Barca's attack, though Mourinho's side did have a brief glimpse of goal when Samuel Eto'o found himself in space in the box from Wesley Sneider's cross, only for his touch to allow Pedro to get back and clear.

The second period was even more one-sided in terms of possession, with almost the entire half played in Inter's defensive third.

But Inter looking increasingly comfortable as the likes of Messi, Pedro, Ibrahimovic and Xavi probed at their defence without success, though Bojan should have done better when he headed wide from close range.

Still, with six minutes of normal time remaining, Barcelona broke the Italians' backline for virtually the first time as Pique, arguably offside, collected Xavi's pass, turned inside defender Ivan Cordoba's challenge and slid home for a goal of which Messi himself would have been proud.

And for the first time in the match, Barcelona sensed victory.

They almost had it too when substitute Bojan broke free in the Inter box and lashed into the roof of the net in injury time.

The home supporters' unbridled joy at what would have proven a tie-winning goal was short-lived, though, as the referee had given a handball against Yaya Toure in the build-up long before.

It was a contentious decision, in keeping with some strange rulings from the officials throughout the night.

However, Inter will argue they deserved their slice of luck, and the match-up of Mourinho against Bayern boss Louis van Gaal, one of the men under whom he served his apprenticeship at Barca, provides a fascinating back-drop to what will be an hotly-contested final next month.

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Dong Fangxiao (right) was 14-years-old when she won the bronze medal

China have been been stripped of the Olympic bronze medal won by the women's gymnastic team at the 2000 Games in Sydney for using an underage gymnast.

The International Olympic Committee acted after investigations determined that gymnast Dong Fangxiao was only 14 years old at the 2000 Games.

Gymnasts must turn 16 during the Olympic year to be eligible.

The United States women's team, who finished in fourth place in Sydney, will now take the bronze medal.

The International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) carried out the investigation and subsequently recommended the IOC take the medal back.

The IOC executive board upheld the request and formally stripped the medal on the first day of a two-day meeting in Dubai.

Dong was also stripped of her sixth-place result in the individual floor exercises and seventh place in the vault.

The FIG had previously cleared five Chinese gymnasts suspected of being underage at the Beijing Olympics in 2008, after Chinese officials provided original passports, ID cards and family registers showing all of the gymnasts were old enough to compete.

But the FIG had said following that investigation it was not satisfied with "the explanations and evidence provided to date" for Dong and a second gymnast, Yang Yun from the 2000 Olympic team.

However, FIG investigators did not find sufficient evidence to prove Yang, who also won a bronze medal on uneven bars in 2000, was underage so she received only a warning.

Benitez will have to shuffle his side for the visit of Atletico

Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez could be without strike duo Dirk Kuyt and David Ngog for the Europa League semi-final second leg against Atletico Madrid.

Ngog has a hamstring strain as a result of a back problem which forced him off in the first leg 1-0 defeat in Madrid last week while Kuyt has a calf injury.

Ryan Babel, therefore, could start in attack, while Alberto Aquilani will play as Maxi Rodriguez is ineligible.

Key striker Sergio Aguero, meanwhile, returns from suspension for Atletico.

The young Argentine, who has been linked with a host of big-money summer moves, will pair up with first-leg match-winner Diego Forlan

And Benitez says his side will have to be wary of the front pair's threat, especially as an away goal for Atletico would leave the Reds having to score three to reach the final.

"We know they are very good on the counter-attack and Aguero and Forlan are dangerous because we know both can score goals," said the Spaniard.

606: DEBATE Can Liverpool reach the final of the Europa League?

"We have to work very hard. We had the experience of playing them in the Champions League [last season] and they also beat us in a pre-season friendly.

"But if we can't keep a clean sheet we are ready to score more goals."

Captain Steven Gerrard could occupy a wide right role, with Fernando Torres again missing out with the knee injury that will keep him on the sidelines for the rest of the season.

It means Liverpool have it all to do to overturn their first-leg deficit - but Benitez admits the match will be a welcome distraction following a host of rumours linking him with a summer move to Juventus.

"I don't like the rumours," said the Spaniard ahead of the clash at Anfield. "I would like to see news in the press about trophies, or goals or fantastic performances about players but you cannot control everything.

"My future is Atletico Madrid. We have to concentrate on this game and try to win because it is the best for the club."

And the Spaniard believes the improved form of midfielder Gerrard could be key to his side ending their so far disappointing campaign on a high.

Gerrard scored twice in Sunday's 4-0 defeat of Burnley, and Benitez said: "It was important for him to score and he was playing well.

"I think it has been very good for the team. Now we can concentrate on our game and try to do the best. We have a lot of belief and everyone is ready so we have to show this on the pitch.

"If he is a leader on the pitch the rest of the players will follow him.

"It is always easier when you have Torres on the pitch but we have Gerrard, Alberto Aquilani, Ryan Babel, Yossi Benayoun or maybe the defenders.

"If we attack and create chances we have people who can score."

Liverpool (from): Reina, Johnson, Carragher, Kyrgiakos, Agger, Lucas, Mascherano, Gerrard, Aquilani, Babel, Benayoun, Ngog, Kuyt, Cavalieri, Degen, El Zhar, Pacheco, Ayala, Plessis.

McLaren and Ferrari were aided by Kers systems in the 2009 season

Formula One's Kers power-boost systems could make a comeback next season in a cheaper and more powerful guise.

Ferrari and Renault have offered to supply the systems - scrapped by teams last year for cost reasons - at lower prices and with higher energy levels.

"Renault will supply anyone who asks for it on the grid," said Williams technical director Sam Michael after a meeting of the teams' association Fota.

"Ferrari will supply any anyone who is running a Ferrari engine."

Kers systems are similar to those that are becoming increasingly widespread in road cars, with Toyota, Honda and BMW among those already marketing so-called "hybrid" cars.

They work by storing energy that would otherwise be wasted as heat during braking and re-applying it to either boost power or cut fuel consumption during acceleration.

ANDREW BENSON BLOG Using powerful energy-recovery systems opens up all sorts of possibilities

But Kers, the subject of controversy in 2009, was eventually abandoned on cost grounds. The teams using Kers - McLaren-Mercedes, Ferrari, Renault and BMW - are estimated to have spent a total of £40m on developing the system.

And it is widely believed that the 2009-spec Kers did not provide a big enough boost of power - they were limited by the rules to dispensing 400 kilojoules of energy a lap.

Now, according to Michael, Ferrari and Renault are offering a less expensive and more powerful version.

"Ferrari and Renault put forward proposals that they could do Kers for less than 1m euros (£869,000)," said the Australian.

"Those have been accepted but what Ferrari and Renault are both saying is that unless we increase the energy level from the current 400 kilojoules up to 600 or 800, to make Kers more beneficial, they are not prepared at this stage to commit that they will actually do Kers."

Although Kers remains in the regulations, with governing body the FIA backing the systems as relevant to ordinary road users and important for the sport's environmental credentials, teams have agreed not to use them this season.

Brundle and McLaren explain Kers

"I think that by Barcelona (next week's Spanish Grand Prix), the Fota executive is due to try and make a decision on Kers for 2011. It's all pretty split at the moment on that," said Michael.

Williams, who own 78% of a hybrid power company developing flywheel technology, would expect to use their own systems.

Meanwhile, the Fota meeting also discussed the 2011 tyre supply, with Bridgestone pulling out at the end of this season.

"The conversations really, at this point, are between Michelin and Avon," said Michael. "Avon's a lot cheaper (than Michelin) but it's a less proven product although they've done plenty of highly competitive tyres.

"They are a bigger unknown than Michelin because Michelin did it (in F1) very recently. But there is a significant difference in cost and you are probably talking over three times the difference in cost to the teams."

Ferrari boss Stefano Domenicali suggested after the Chinese Grand Prix that a tyre deal could be announced before Barcelona, but Michael said that looked unlikely.

"I think the discussion in Fota is just acknowledgement that you've got to take into account a lot of different factors: it's not a straight financial decision and it's not a straight technical decision," he added.

"All this needs to be discussed with (F1 commercial supremo) Bernie (Ecclestone) as he's traditionally looked after tyre supply."

Zamora has scored 17 goals for Fulham this season

Fulham striker Bobby Zamora is rated as a "major doubt" for Thursday's Europa League semi-final second leg against Hamburg because of an Achilles injury.

The 29-year-old will undergo a late fitness test on the problem, sustained in the first leg goalless draw.

But boss Roy Hodgson is preparing for the worst after Zamora, who missed the weekend Premier League defeat at Everton, sat out training on Wednesday.

Clint Dempsey, himself just back from injury, could deputise.

The American forward replaced Zamora in the first-leg draw in Germany, though he resorted to midfield at Goodison Park on Sunday behind Erik Nevland and Stefano Okaka who were paired in attack.

"Bobby is having treatment and I'm hoping he'll be ready for Thursday, but I'm not confident," Hodgson told the club's website.

The better news for Hodgson is that his decision to rest a number of first-teamers against Everton should ensure his side is fresh for the visit of Hamburg.

Paul Konchesky, Aaron Hughes, Danny Murphy, Brede Hangeland, Dickson Etuhu, Damien Duff, Zoltan Gera and Simon Davies were all fit but left out of the matchday squad and should return on Thursday.

Chris Baird, however, is suspended, so John Pantsil is set to come into the side after a knee problem, while Okaka and Nicky Shorey are ineligible.

Fulham are on the brink of reaching their first European final, and face a Hamburg side that fired coach Bruno Labbadia on Monday after a 5-1 Bundesliga loss at Hoffenheim the day before.

That defeat came on the back of a run that had seen Hamburg secure just four wins in 14 matches and, as a result, assistant coach Ricardo Moniz has been put in temporary charge.

Moniz himself has injury worries of his own with striker Tunay Torun ruled out of the match with a ligament injury.

606: DEBATE Some have suggested Nevland but for me he's never played well on his own, he lacks the pace and strength to do so demon_diop

However, Hodgson is steeling his team for a tough task, saying: "When you reach a game of this level, with the experience and quality of the Hamburg players, they will be capable of producing a very good performance, whomever the manager may be.

"They have played many, many games together, the assistant has stepped in, so there will not be any vast change of philosophy.

"I am expecting the same type of Hamburg we faced a week ago."

And the 62-year-old has described his team's run in the competition and as "an outstanding achievement".

The Cottagers' European adventure has taken them from a third qualifying-round tie against FK Vetra of Lithuania, through the group stages against Roma to superb performances against favourites Shakhtar Donetsk and Italian giants Juventus.

We are all determined not to fail at this stage and to take the ultimate step to the final, rather than go out as gallant losers Fulham boss Roy Hodgson

Hodgson has also managed to keep Fulham on track in the Premier League, currently safe in 12th place, and the manager admitted: "For a club like ours, in terms of squad size, there was concern we would not be able to compete on both fronts.

"I am really delighted we have been able to prove people wrong and in the bargain have beaten some very good teams along the way to this semi-final.

"It is an outstanding achievement, and I take a lot of pride in that.

"But we are all determined not to fail at this stage and to take the ultimate step to the final, rather than go out as gallant losers."

Fulham (from): Schwarzer, Konchesky, Hangeland, Pantsil, Hughes, Etuhu, Duff, Murphy, Gera, Davies, Zamora, Dempsey, Zuberbuhler, Nevland, Greening, Dikgacoi, Smalling, Kelly, Elm.

Woods is again the centre of attention after returning to action at Quail Hollow

Tiger Woods insisted he can handle any abuse he might receive from the crowd at the Quail Hollow Championship.

Woods received a warm reception at the Masters on his return to action after revelations about his private life.

The North Carolina tournament is open to the paying public, and Woods could get a rougher ride than at the tightly controlled Masters in Augusta.

"It's (abuse) happened before, before any of this. I have dealt with that before," said the world number one.

"But as far as the fans here over the years, they have been great and there is no reason why that shouldn't continue."

606: DEBATE It will be interesting to see what reaction he'll get when the crowds aren't on their best behaviour, worried barracking will result in them not being invited back MarcusWasInKensingtonButIsNowInNYC

Woods stepped away from the sport last November after a series of revelations about his private life but returned at the Masters after a 144-day absence.

And the 14-time major winner admitted after the Masters that he had been spurred on by the crowd's reaction as he made his return to golf, eventually finishing fourth.

Meanwhile, Woods claimed the fun has returned to his game as a result of taking a self-imposed break.

"It's been more fun, no doubt. I have had a lot of struggles internally for a while now and that's one of the reasons why it wasn't that much fun," said Woods.

"The game is now where it used to be and where it should be. It should be fun. It is a game.

"Even though I do it for a living, it's still a game and it wasn't that for a while."

As well as Quail Hollow in North Carolina, Woods has also entered The Players Championship which takes place at Sawgrass in Florida between 6 and 9 May.

Masters winner Phil Mickelson is also set to return to action at Quail Hollow, although the world number two withdrew from his pro-am group on Wednesday, complaining of illness.

Mickelson, who still expects to make his first-round on Thursday, was sick at his hotel on Tuesday night and called for assistance after the fifth hole needing treatment for dehydration.

The popular left-hander admitted his success at Augusta in April was the most special of his career with his wife, Amy, who is undergoing treatment for breast cancer, watching on.

"Amy and I were talking this last couple of weeks about how glad we were that she was there, that the kids were there, that we could look back on it," said Mickelson.

"To have that together given what the past year has brought, it has just made it probably the most special tournament win that I have had."

However, the victory has also increased Mickelson's desire for success, and he is now targeting the US Open at Pebble Beach in June as his main priority.

He said: "I have finished second in the US Open five times, it's a tournament that's my national open and growing up here, that's a special event for me."

Ribery was sent off in the first leg for a dangerous challenge on Lyon's Lisandro

Bayern Munich will appeal against a three-match ban imposed on Franck Ribery, which has ruled him out of the Champions League final on 22 May.

The midfielder missed Tuesday's 3-0 win in the second leg of their semi-final against Lyon after he was sent off in the first tie in Germany.

Ribery, 27, was shown a straight red for a tackle on Lyon's Lisandro Lopez.

Bayern had hoped Uefa would restrict the Frenchman's ban to one game but are now pinning their hopes on an appeal.

But Bayern believe Uefa's control and disciplinary body's punishment is too severe.

606: DEBATE I think Ribery has underperformed massively in the Champions League this season Chrispaz

"Uefa informed us of the decision, arguing that Franck Ribery was guilty of 'serious foul play'," read a Bayern statement.

"We do not understand this decision in any way and consider it absolutely wrong.

"Franck Ribery can certainly not be accused of violating his opponent intentionally. The player Lisandro Lopez was able to continue the game.

"Bayern and Franck Ribery will not accept the decision, but appeal and exhaust all possibilities."

The ban also covers Ribery for the first European match of next season.

The German side will play either Barcelona or Inter Milan in Madrid in the final in Madrid.

David Beckham is targeting a November return from the Achilles injury that ended his dream of playing in the World Cup in South Africa.

In March, Beckham was ruled out for up to six months but the recovery appears to be taking longer than expected.

That means Beckham will not feature in Major League Soccer this season, unless Los Angeles Galaxy reach the play-offs.

"I won't be running for another three months, so I will be playing again in, probably, November," Beckham told ABC.

The next England game he is likely to be fit for is the 2012 European Championship qualifier against Wales on 29 March 2011.

Beckham underwent surgery in March after rupturing a tendon while on loan at AC Milan. He had previously said he expected to be back in action by September.

The former Manchester United star was still on crutches when he went to the studios of US TV network ABC on Monday.

"My mentality is to kind of push it and get moving and running as soon as possible. But it's an injury that has to take time to heal," he said.

"It's frustrating. It's obviously disappointing because I've been working for the last two years to get into the English squad for the World Cup."

Despite the injury, Beckham is still set to travel with England to the World Cup in South Africa.

England begin their campaign against United States on 12 June.

Beckham, who turns 35 on 2 May, joined Milan from the Galaxy to stay in shape during the MLS off-season and boost his chances of becoming England's first player to appear at four World Cups.

He has played 115 internationals - the most for an England outfield player and only second in the country's history behind goalkeeper Peter Shilton's 125 matches from 1970-90.

England's World Cup base in South Africa is "the best facility any of the nations have got", according to former England manager Glenn Hoddle.

The Spurs legend visited the Bafokeng Sports Campus earlier this month and was hugely impressed with the venue.

"It's great. It really is a top quality training camp," he told BBC Sport.

Hoddle's view will come as a relief to current England boss Fabio Capello as there were concerns building work would not been finished on time.

But Hoddle said the site, near Rustenburg in South Africa's North West Province, will definitely be ready, with only the venue's medical unit still to be finished.

The 52-year-old, whose England side lost on penalties to Argentina in the last 16 of the 1998 World Cup, reserved special praise for Bafokeng's six flood-lit pitches and described the complex's Royal Marang Hotel as "excellent".

If anything drastic happens to key players now there's no time to recover - it really is nerve-wracking for an England manager Glenn Hoddle

The former Chelsea, Southampton and Spurs manager was also optimistic about England's chances in the tournament, which starts on 11 June.

"Brazil and Spain are clearly the favourites but things can go wrong for them - Spain have never been in this position going into tournament so it will be interesting to see how they cope," he said.

"But outside those two there are probably six or seven nations who could win it and England are one of those.

"When I say we could win it, it's about playing seven matches, getting the rub of the green and keeping your key players fit, that's important. Italy proved that [in 2006].

"So it will be a test for us but yes we can win it. We've got a good team, it remains to be seen if we have we a great team. They've got a chance to prove that and make history."

Hoddle and Paul Ince after England's 1998 exit against Argentina

Hoddle, who also went to the 1982 and 1986 World Cups during a 53-cap career as an England player, believes the current team should have few difficulties against their Group C rivals Algeria, Slovenia and the US, England's first opponents in Rustenburg on 12 June.

As recent tournament history would suggest, the real challenge will be getting past the quarter-finals. To do that Capello will need all his best players available, which is why Hoddle described the last few weeks of the domestic season as torture for an international manager.

"I know how Fabio is feeling because this is a nightmare time," said Hoddle, who infamously left out a half-fit Paul Gascoigne from his World Cup squad.

"If anything drastic happens to key players now there's no time to recover. It really is nerve-wracking. Every time the phone goes on a Saturday evening you're thinking 'who is it this time?'"

With uncertainty still surrounding the fitness of key players such as Wayne Rooney and Rio Ferdinand, he sympathised with Capello but remained confident in the Italian manager's ability to deal with all eventualities.

Hoddle, whose most recent managerial job was at Wolves in 2006, was in South Africa looking for potential locations for a second Glenn Hoddle Academy, the finishing school he runs for young footballers rejected by their clubs at 18.

The first batch of players have just been through the Jerez-based programme and a dozen of them have been placed with new clubs, most of them in Spain's second flight.

Hoddle, who raised £4m to fund the academy in 2008, is currently in England holding trials for a second intake of prospects and has high hopes his business model of development fees, cuts of future transfer fees and sponsorship revenue will become self-sustaining in the near future.

Schumacher is struggling to recapture his form of old

Mercedes will give Michael Schumacher an upgraded car for the next grand prix in a bid to save his season.

Schumacher, 41, has been out-qualified and beaten by team-mate Nico Rosberg in all four races of his comeback season to date, collecting only 10 points.

But Mercedes have changed the wheelbase to improve weight distribution, while also introducing aerodynamic upgrades.

"It's foolish to say Michael is where he wants to be but he's very determined to succeed," said team boss Ross Brawn.

"I think these frustrations are just going to make him try even harder.

"We've not had a fantastic start but we are still in there because no-one else is really dominating either - there is still plenty of opportunity.

Maybe, with the car and the tyres, it's not towards the way he likes to have a car which is very responsive and very sharp Mercedes team principal Ross Brawn

"Nico's very close to winning a race, just needs things to fall into place, but that will come. I'm sure he will definitely do it and I think Michael will when we get the car sorted.

"He is so determined and you can see that in his driving. The bits where it's not quite working are not because of (lack of) skill or bravery, it's because the technique needs tuning and the car needs tuning.

"It's odd places where he's losing time and that's why we think he'll sort it out and we'll sort it out and get to where we need to."

Schumacher will also have a different chassis in Barcelona.

"The one (chassis) he had got damaged during the first few races and we repaired it as best we could at the races," said Brawn ahead of the 2010 calendar's first European race.

"Now we are back at base we are going to re-introduce the test chassis and he will be using that in Barcelona.

"We want to eliminate any doubt because obviously Michael has come back, he's trying to find his references and is trying to work out how to approach things."

ANDREW BENSON BLOG Schumacher may well get it together but it is taking far longer than expected

Schumacher, a winner at Benetton and Ferrari with Brawn as technical director, has endured a disappointing start to the season and looks some way off the form that helped him win a record 91 races before retiring in 2006.

While the chassis may help his cause, it is the improved weight distribution which Mercedes hope will make the real difference.

According to BBC pit-lane reporter Ted Kravitz, Schumacher's problem in China - where he finished 10th to Rosberg's third - was an inability to accelerate effectively out of slow-speed corners.

Poor traction accounted for most of the lost time, but it was the car's balance in those slow-speed corners that also slowed Schumacher down.

Brawn hopes that by bringing weight forward and working the front tyres harder, the car will be more to Schumacher's liking.

But as a result the rear is light so traction is poor, which means the rear slides and wears out the tyres.

"Undoubtedly these tyres are a bit different to what he's used to," said Brawn.

"Maybe, with the car and the tyres, it's not towards the way he likes to have a car which is very responsive and very sharp.

"We haven't been able to provide him with that yet."

The modified car for Barcelona will feature a significantly longer wheelbase, allowing the front wheels to be sited further forward in relation to the cockpit.

This is intended to speed airflow along the car and increased the downwards thrust upon the front tyres.

Ronnie O'Sullivan surged into the World Championship quarter-finals with a majestic 13-10 win over Mark Williams.

Resuming at 8-8, the pair shared the opening two frames before "the Rocket" stepped up a gear and took the next two, helped by a stunning break of 104.

Two-time champion Williams hit back with a 122, but O'Sullivan, eyeing a fourth title, hit 111 and 106 to win.

O'Sullivan will face Mark Selby, who beat Stephen Hendry 13-5, while Shaun Murphy and Ali Carter also progressed.

But when asked after the match about his form, O'Sullivan did not take kindly to the suggestion that he is his own harshest critic.

"If someone says that to me again I'm going to stop the interview, because I'm fed up of hearing that," he told BBC Sport's Rob Walker.

"When you play poor snooker, you play poor snooker, so I'm not my own harshest critic - it's just when you play pathetic shots you don't want to play.

"I don't listen to what everyone keeps saying that I'm my harshest critic because you don't know what you're talking about."

Selby and Hendry resumed at 4-4 on Monday, and after building up a 11-5 lead, world number seven Selby wasted little time in the evening session to secure a comfortable victory over the seven-time world champion.

The 2005 world champion Murphy won five of the evening's seven frames to beat China's great hope Ding Junhui 13-10, while Carter came through a nervy battle to see off Joe Perry 13-11.

After O'Sullivan and Williams shared 16 enthralling frames on Sunday, the packed Crucible arena looked set for a repeat of the last-frame drama of their Masters semi-final three months ago.

O'Sullivan came out on top 6-5 in January, but apart from brief glimpses of magic from Williams, the world number one rarely looked in danger on Monday afternoon.

Having failed to make a century in the first two sessions, O'Sullivan, who last won the title in 2008, fired in three breaks over 100 in seven frames to leave the Welshman largely rooted to his chair.

There are times where I am awful in practice. I don't think my game is suited to winning this title Ronnie O'Sullivan

"I managed to put a few decent frames together for a change," O'Sullivan said.

"I knew I needed to find form but out of panic and desperation I got the cue through to pot a few balls and find a bit of form.

"It was nice to come through a tough match against a quality player."

A 53 break was enough for O'Sullivan to take the day's opener and the pair continued to exchange blows as Williams knocked in a 53 to level the match once again.

O'Sullivan, so inconsistent in his first-round win against Liang Wenbo, was slowly beginning to fire and he soon rattled in a 104 to sneak ahead.

The lead was soon up to two frames as he cleared up after Williams missed a cut on the red, but the Welshman sniffed an unlikely comeback as he produced his own fireworks that included an audacious double on the black to conclude a 122 break.

O'Sullivan looked in no mood to relinquish his lead, though, and rattled in two centuries to bring the crowd to their feet, leaving Williams to wave goodbye to the Crucible arena for another year.

Murphy strikes back to beat Ding

Despite being the favourite, O'Sullivan played down his chances of another crown and said: "There are times where I am awful in practice, I can't pot a ball but out of desperation on the match table, I am pulling it off.

"I don't think my game is suited to winning this title."

Williams, who was the world champion in 2000 and 2003, believes O'Sullivan is more than capable of picking up a fourth world title.

"What can you do? You have to sit there and say, 'Well done'," Williams added. "Everything about his game is spot on.

"The only person who can beat him in this World Championship is himself. You've got to take your hat off to him. Some of the clearances and shots he was pulling off was outstanding."

Ding, UK champion at the start of the season, started the day leading 5-3 but breaks of 76 and 100 got Murphy back on level terms and a 64 and 55 set up the evening on 8-8.

The Chinese number one struggled for consistency and despite a 137 to edge ahead 10-9, Murphy stormed back with four consecutive frames and completed the victory with a brilliant 128.

Trailing 6-10 overnight, Perry won the first five frames, but world number five Carter dug deep with breaks of 104 and 82 before taking a scrappy 24th frame to set up a quarter-final with Murphy.

Carter said: "At 11-10, I was looking adversity in the face but I pulled it out of the bag."

Hendry was unable to match his feats from the first round when he fought back against Zhang Anda as Selby quickly grabbed the two frames needed to make the last eight.

On facing O'Sullivan three months after coming back to win 10-9 in the Masters final, Selby told BBC Sport: "To play him again is a great challenge. It's a great feeling. He is someone I have looked up since I was a kid."

Hendry lost the day's opening four frames to trail 4-8, with Selby knocking in breaks of 96 and 62, and the misery continued as the Scotsman won just one of the morning's last four frames against the Masters champion.

When asked if retirement was on his mind, the 41-year-old said: "Right now it is. But I'm sure I'll be back next year."

Lyon striker Lisandro Lopez has called on his team to take more risks ahead of the Champions League semi-final second leg against Bayern Munich on Tuesday.

Lyon lost the first tie in Germany 1-0 and Lisandro said: "The team must change its attitude, its mentality.

"We played too defensively and now must have a more positive mind-set. We must change tactics if we are to progress."

Lyon midfielder Jeremy Toulalan and Bayern winger Franck Ribery are suspended after first-leg sendings off.

Danijel Pranjic is banned too and Bayern are also certain to be without midfielder Anatoliy Tymoshchuk, who came off the bench in the first leg, as the Ukrainian has a stomach virus.

We played with the handbrake on in Munich... but we have every chance to qualify Lyon coach Claude Puel

Coach Louis van Gaal also has concerns over central defensive pair Martin Demichelis and Daniel van Buyten as well after they picked up knocks in the 1-1 league draw against Borussia Moenchengladbach on Saturday.

Even though a draw will take Bayern into the final, the Dutch coach says he will instruct his players to take the game to their French hosts.

"We are not the kind of team whose aim is just to avoid conceding goals when we enter the field," said Van Gaal. "I've never told my players to play like that since the beginning of the season and I won't start on Tuesday.

"We have many injuries and many problems. We have brought 17 players and if they cannot play, then we will still have 14 players. We will still be able to field 11 players.

"When I was a coach in the Netherlands and we had to play against a German team, I used to tell my players that they had to be ready to play until the very end of the game.

606: DEBATE Injury plagued Lyon will be beaten at home by Bayern 1-2 Thanks A lot BBC7

"Our team is made up of German players and of foreign players who have been playing in Germany for quite a long time and are now immersed in this special German mentality."

Lyon have a big doubt over defender Cris, who picked up a knock in the first leg, and winger Michel Bastos, who limped out of training on Friday clutching the back of his right leg.

But former Rangers and Newcastle defender Jean-Alain Boumsong has resumed training following a calf injury and should at least be on the bench.

The French club's manager Claude Puel is confident his side can turn the tie around and reach the final in the Bernabeu on 22 May despite a lacklustre first-leg display.

"We played with the handbrake on in Munich," he said. "But we still have our chances for the return leg.

"We went to [Real] Madrid and qualified and now we will go and do it at Stade Gerland. I prefer this kind of scenario, because you play your best football when you need to get a result.

"Without being overly optimistic, I think we have every chance to qualify simply by playing to our ability."

Shaun Derry and his Palace team-mates were dejected at the final whistle

By Phil Dawkes

West Brom denied Crystal Palace the chance of securing their Championship status, handing relegation rivals Sheffield Wednesday a reprieve.

Palace, who need a buyer by the end of the season, went ahead when Steven Reid sliced a free-kick into his own net.

But the Baggies drew level inside four minutes when Gabriel Tamas headed home a Chris Brunt left-wing free-kick.

Palace, who had Neil Danns sent off for a headbutt, now face a relegation showdown at Wednesday on Sunday.

With the Owls having lost 3-2 at Cardiff on Saturday, Palace knew three points against West Brom on Monday would have been enough for them to avoid relegation to League One.

But the south Londoners failed to take their chance, meaning that a season to forget - during which they have been docked 10 points as a result of falling into administration and lost manager Neil Warnock to Queens Park Rangers - will be decided by a visit to Hillsborough.

Bon Jovi's Living on a Prayer echoed round Selhurst Park before kick-off but during an engrossing game the home side's players fought tooth and nail to be the masters of their own fate.

They gave themselves the perfect start when Darren Ambrose's well-placed right-wing free-kick was sliced past his own keeper by Reid from six yards.

But Paul Hart's men were pegged back four minutes later when Tamas headed the visitors level.

606: DEBATE If Palace play like that against Sheffield Wednesday, Wednesday are down! aries22

However, in the last 10 minutes the Eagles twice had chances to make sure of the points only for substitute Stern John to head wide at the back post before, six minutes into injury time, Marek Cech cleared an Ambrose effort off the line.

That Palace were even in a position to potentially snatch a winner late on was a testimony to both the wastefulness of the dominant visitors and the superb performance from home keeper Julian Speroni.

The Argentine stopper produced a string of saves to deny the Baggies, most notably to keep out Chris Brunt from close range, tip over a dipping 35-yard effort from Graham Dorrans in the first half and block well-struck efforts from Cech and Youssouf Mulumbu in the second.

In addition, West Brom striker Roman Bednar missed a number of good opportunities, heading a Dorrans cross against the bar and then shooting harmlessly wide after being released by the same player.

After Danns was shown a straight red by referee Dean Whitestone for headbutting Dorrans it seemed certain that West Brom would make their numerical advantage count.

But they were unable to do so, and Palace's own late profilgacy in front of goal means they face a long, nervous final game of the season in Sheffield.

As long as Hart's men, who have a two-point advantage over Wednesday, avoid defeat they will beat the drop, sending the Owls down.

Zola has so far refused to discuss his future at the club

West Ham joint-chairman David Gold hopes manager Gianfranco Zola will remain at Upton Park next season.

The Hammers have endured a difficult season but effectively secured their Premier League survival on Saturday courtesy of a 3-2 win over Wigan.

"I am desperately hoping he will stay but there is work to do," Gold told BBC Radio 5 live.

"He has been to hell and back these last 12 months. There is a possibility he might want to take a sabbatical."

After guiding West Ham to ninth in the Premier League in his debut season as manager last year, Zola has found his second season tougher going.

The 43-year-old Italian has a contract until 2013, but his position has come under even greater scrutiny since the arrival in January of new owners Gold and David Sullivan.

Several managers, including Martin Jol, Steve McClaren and Mark Hughes, have been linked with Zola's job.

Whilst Portsmouth boss Avram Grant, Leicester's Nigel Pearson and Peter Reid have also been touted as possible contenders to replace him.

However, after the victory over Wigan, and defeats for both Hull and Burnley at the weekend which effectively secured West Ham's survival, Gold revealed that Zola had fulfilled the demands placed upon him.

"When we arrived the remit we gave Franco was to keep us up and he's done that," said Gold.

"We went through a difficult period when we lost six straight games but the draw at Everton turned this round and he has achieved what he was asked to do."

West Ham's considerable goal difference advantage over Hull means their place in the top-flight next season is essentially assured and former Birmingham owner Gold added he now hopes the club will be able to hold on to its prized playing assets.

"We desperately need to keep our best players," admitted Gold.

"There has been disarray for the last few years and it has been a difficult season for the players and the managers.

606: DEBATE My take is that the media circus has made the job unattractive. The better known names like McClaren, Hoddle, and Jol have all shown little interest brooking_was_great

"We would like to think there will be no sales in the close season but you can never tell with thee things. Some may want to leave.

"What I can assure our fans is that we will do everything to retain our best players."

In an email sent out to West Ham fans on Monday, Zola reflected on a difficult season for West Ham, but made no mention of his own future.

"There is a saying in England that what doesn't kill you, makes you stronger," said Zola. "I'm certain the club will be a different proposition next season, especially with the stability off the pitch and the experience everyone has gained.

"We still have work to do and two more games to play but it will be a big deal for me to keep us up. I have put so much into it, as have the players - physically and emotionally."

One of those players, midfielder Scott Parker, who scored the London club's winner against Wigan, paid a glowing tribute to Zola in the aftermath of Saturday's crucial victory.

Parker, who along with team-mates showed support for the manager by running to the touchline to celebrate with the Italian after his goal, told West Ham's website: "A lot of people say he is a nice man but he is not just a nice man, he is an extremely talented and good manager.

"People will say I would support him but, from the bottom of my heart, he is a good man and he is a very good manager, along with the staff he has got here. Hopefully we can go and push on next year.

"The manager has helped me throughout the season. I don't think I would have had the season like I have had personally without him behind me.

"He has given me massive belief and confidence and, from my reaction, you can see that I respect him."

Parker celebrated his winner on Saturday with Zola

Zola refused to discuss his future at the weekend, saying: "It is important but I'm not going to spend time right now speaking about things because I don't know how things will turn out."

Even if he leaves the club - whether or not by his own volition - Zola said he was proud of the fight his players have shown of late.

"Staying up would be a big big deal because we've had to deal with so many problems this season," said the former Chelsea player. "You only know half of them.

"It's been difficult, but despite that we've stuck together. Players have put a lot into this season, not just physically but mentally. It's been an emotional year.

"But what doesn't kill you makes you stronger and everyone will be stronger for this experience."

Gold added that whoever is manager at Upton Park next season will be able to enjoy operating under an efficient regime, working towards financial stability.

"We have good governance," he said. "Sullivan brings great stability to the club and Karren Brady is one of the best chief executives in the business.

"It's not brain surgery. You have to cut outgoing and increase income."