Tottenham are creating 'a storm in a teacup', blasts Stoke chairman over Manchester City clash

Chairman Peter Coates has dismissed talk that Stoke might under-perform in their rearranged Barclays Premier League game with Manchester City three days after they meet in the FA Cup final on May 14.

There could be a combination of factors that would mean a defeat for Tony Pulis' side at Eastlands would boost their chances of qualifying for next season's Europa League.

If Stoke were to lose the final, they could still qualify for next season's Europa League if City were to finish in the top four in the league.

That would see City go into the Champions League and mean they would not need the FA Cup's Europa League place, which would go to the Potters.

Tottenham, who are scrapping with Manchester City for a top-four place, want the date changed.

'The whole issue is a storm in a teacup,' Coates told Stoke Sentinal. 'Anybody who knows football and knows Stoke City will know we would never go into a game not trying to win - not least because there is a lot of money riding on where a club finishes in the Premier League.'

Redknapp had said: 'I think they should look at it. The chairman spoke to me last night about it. We feel it should be changed - but it's a bit out of my hands.'

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Lewis Hamilton blasts Red Bull claims they face a tight fight for pole in Malaysia

LEWIS HAMILTON has blasted Red Bull claims they face a tight fight for pole in Malaysia.

He slated the world champions for talking “a load of rubbish” ahead of qualifying for the second round of the world championship.

The Australian was quickest in Friday’s final practice with Button just five thousandths of a second slower, Hamilton third and Vettel fourth.

“They are blowing smoke up other people’s … – it’s a load of rubbish,” said Hamilton.

“Really, I am sure they have another half a second to pull out tomorrow at least.

“I hope that we’re a lot closer but we’ll wait and see.”

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“Today’s been interesting. We found some things but I am sure the Red Bull’s will pull something out in qualifying.

“There’s still time to find but it’s been a productive day – onwards and upwards.”

The winner’s trophy of the toughest race of the year has yet to make it into Hamilton’s packed cabinet.

But the circuit has a special place in his heart because he set his first fastest lap here in only his second Grand Prix as he roared from fourth to finish second as a rookie in 2007.

Four years on he is still waiting to return to the podium in Sepang.

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Get more motorsport news and opinion, including driver diaries, on Mirror.co.uk's motorsport blog.

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Asafa Powell blasts 'bottler' tag

ASAFA POWELL has blasted claims he is a big race bottler and insisted he can beat Usain Bolt this year.

The Jamaican was the world’s fastest man for three years before Bolt burst onto the scene and turned 100metre running into a one-horse race.

Yet when it comes to the World Championships and Olympics he has the sum total of two bronze medals in individual competition to show for his efforts.

Powell, 28, chose the day he confirmed he will compete twice in England this summer against American record holder Tyson Gay to fight back.

While admitting he had yet to fulfil his potential, he blamed injuries rather than any mental weakness for coming up short.

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“People say when I get to the championships I don’t produce my best form,” he said. “It might look that way but the issue has always been a physical one.

“Providing I am fit I see no reason why I shouldn’t be on the top of the podium come the World Championships. I know I can run very fast.”

That much is clear as he boasts a lifetime best of 9.72 seconds. Whether he has the all-round game to topple Bolt is another matter.

British fans can judge for themselves when Powell and Gay clash at the Aviva Birmingham Grand Prix on July 10 and the Aviva London Grand Prix on August 5-6.

? FOR tickets or information go to uka.org.uk/aviva-series or phone 08000 556 056.

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