Las Vegas Sands hotel and casino company, has gone into the red as a US economic slowdown sees punters stay away from the world's gambling capital.

It has lost $11.2mn in the first quarter of 2008, compared with a $90.9m profit for the same period in 2007.

The casino company says it has been hit by higher construction costs, a weak US economy and tough competition in the Chinese gambling centre of Macau.

Hotel occupancy was lower as fewer tourists came to Las Vegas, it said.

"Our first-quarter operating results reflect both an intensely competitive operating environment in Macau as well as a weaker environment here in the US," said William Weidner, Las Vegas Sands' president and chief operating officer.

The casino sector in Macau has boomed since a 2001 law stripped casino tycoon Stanley Ho's SJM group of its monopoly.

But competition is getting tough and when MGM Mirage opened in Grand Macau in December, some of the island's big spenders went there instead.

Las Vegas Sands' now plans to increase the credit it offers the high rollers in a bid to win them back.

It is also investing between $12bn and $14bn to build 20,000 hotel rooms by 2010 in Macau.

The Las Vegas-based company owns the Venetian Resort & Casino and the Palazzo resort on the Las Vegas Strip.

In Macau, it owns the Sands Macau and Venetian Macau.

Chelsea go through to the final of the Champions League in Moscow with a 3-2 (4-3 aggregate) win over Liverpool at Stamford Bridge.

Didier Drogba scored twice and Frank Lampard netted from the penalty spot in a surprisingly open game that had everybody on the edge of their seats until the very end of extra time.

Lampard was outstanding in midfield after an emotional week that saw the death of his mother from pneumonia.

Fernando Torres had first leveled the score before Lampard's penalty put the blues ahead again and when Nicholas Anelka ghosted past Jon Riise to feed a world class pass into the path of Drogba who powered his way in front of two Liverpool defenders to slot the ball past Pepe Rena.

Ryan Babel thundered a 35 yard shot past Petr Cech with only 3 minutes left of extra time to silence the faithful Chelsea crowd, but it was too late and Chelsea held on to book their place in the final against Manchester United on the 21st May in Moscow.

Danica Patrick became the first female winner in IndyCar history after claiming the Indy Japan 300 race at the Twin Ring Motegi racetrack on Sunday.

The 26-year-old, in her 50th IndyCar race, finished 5.85 seconds ahead of Helio Castroneves in Japan.

"It's been a long time coming - this is fabulous," said Patrick.

Danica made her name in American motorsport by finishing fourth in the Indy500 in 2005, and came seventh in the overall standings last season.

"It was a fuel strategy race, but my team called it perfectly for me," added Patrick, who drives for the Andretti Green Racing team.

"I knew I was on the same strategy as Helio and when I passed him for the lead, I couldn't believe it.

"I knew there was a good reason for coming to Japan. I want to thank my team, the fans and everyone who has supported me.

"I've been asked so many times when and if I could win my first race and finally, no more of those questions."

Patrick took the lead from Castroneves on the 198th lap of the 200-lap race after starting in the third row.

"I think Danica is such a fantastic person and I'm thrilled for her that the monkey is finally off of her back," said Michael Andretti, co-owner of Andretti Green Racing.

"We have all believed in her and she proved today that she is a winner. Frankly, I think this is the first of many."

Sven-Goran Eriksson is confident he will still be Manchester City manager next season despite reports he could be replaced in the summer.

Eriksson told BBC Radio 5 Live he would meet owner Thaksin Shinawatra, who has promised a review of structures and personnel at the club, next weekend.

"I am not worried at all, absolutely not," he said after Sunday's 3-1 victory over Portsmouth at Eastlands.

"I believe I will be sitting in this chair next season."

Shinawatra brought in former England boss Eriksson when he took control of the club last summer.

City made an encouraging start to the Premier League season, winning their first three games, including a victory over neighbours Manchester United, and their first nine league matches at Eastlands.

But they have slipped to eighth with an indifferent record since the turn of the year, Sunday's win only their second at home since December.

"I can understand people not being happy with the second half of the season," added Eriksson. "My opinion, over the whole season, is that we have done very well.

"I don't think, from a young and new team, many of whom have not played in the Premier League before, that you can expect to play brilliantly all the time.

"I don't think you can compete with the four big clubs. If you are among eight, nine, 10, it is a good result; if you can reach Europe, it is brilliant.

"We still have a chance and as long as that exists we will carry on going for it."

City are six points behind fifth-placed Everton with three games left.

City's form has not been helped by a glut of late-season injuries, and skipper Richard Dunne was added to the list on Sunday after he limped off with a hamstring injury.

Winning jockey Timmy Murphy said his Grand National victory on board Comply Or Die was the best result of his 15-year professional career.

The 33-year-old's win in the sport's most famous race caps a superb comeback in what has been a turbulent career.

"This would be the highlight of anyone's career," said Murphy, who has battled alcoholism and been to prison.

"You only have to think of the people who have not even got round, never mind those who have won."

Murphy gave his mount a masterful ride, waiting until the final fence to make the decisive move.

"My main worry was the first fence as he can jump big, but he has been much better with the blinkers on," said Murphy, who also rode Our Vic to victory over Kauto Star in the Totesport Bowl earlier in the week at Aintree.

He did come up a bit at the first but he settled down after that. The plan was to ride him handy, get him into a rhythm and settle him. I hung on for as long as possible as I didn't want to get there too soon.

He came out of my hands at the last and when I got to the Elbow I thought I would let him go.

"I could feel Paul Carberry (jockey on second-placed King Johns Castle) behind me but when I got to the Elbow my fellow picked up again and went away."

Murphy took over from Tony McCoy as owner David Johnson's number one jockey - in association with the Pipe stable in 2004 - and the move has ultimately proved a huge success for all concerned.

His Grand National win is the crowning achievement in a life and career that have seen more than their fair share of ups and downs.

Murphy served three months in prison in 2002 for an indecent assault on an airline hostess while under the influence of alcohol, and he also spent five weeks in the Priory Clinic battling alcoholism.

And despite wins in the Irish Grand National and the Hennessey Gold Cup, Murphy's life in the saddle has also suffered several setbacks.

He was sacked from Kim Bailey's yard for persistently bad time-keeping and lost his job as Paul Nicholls's stable jockey twice, while two drink-driving convictions did little to improve his image.

But his talent has never been in doubt, and his Grand National triumph confirms his place among the elite jockeys plying their trade on the National Hunt circuit.

"He is a very good jockey and on his day he is up there with the best of them," Comply or Die's trainer David Pipe, who won the race in just his second season as a trainer, told BBC Radio 5 Live's Sportsweek.

"He is a real horseman, and you couldn't ask for anyone better on your horse in the Grand National.

"He has done amazingly well to come back and all credit to him. It has been a hard road, and he probably never dreamed this was going to be at the end of it for him."

Murphy will not be resting on his laurels, however. He was due to travel to Southwell for two rides on Sunday.

But Pipe confirmed that Comply or Die will not run again this season.

"He will have a nice long holiday, out to grass, before he comes back in next season," he added. "Obviously the long-term objective is the Grand National again."