Thursday 29 February 2024
BORDEAUX'S ELIS RECOVERING AFTER SERIOUS HEAD INJURY
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| USA TODAY Sports |
Bordeaux forward Alberth Elis is recovering after undergoing surgery and being placed in an induced coma following a serious head injury during a league match, his family said in a statement shared by the Ligue 2 club.
The 28-year-old Honduras international collided with Guingamp defender Donatien Gomis just 40 seconds into the game at Nouveau Stade de Bordeaux on Saturday, after which he was forced off on a stretcher.
On Sunday, Bordeaux said Elis was rushed to the hospital after the incident and underwent surgery during the night, adding that the forward had to be placed in a protective artificial coma.
"We are pleased to share with you the first encouraging signs, Alberth is waking up and seems to be gradually recovering," his family said on Wednesday.
"However, we would like to remain cautious about the progress of his condition, as the next few days will be crucial ... Alberth is a fighter and we will keep you updated on his condition shortly."
- Reuters
MANCHESTER UNITED AND CHELSEA GRAB LATE WINNERS IN FA CUP
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| AP Photo |
Manchester United and Chelsea kept alive their hopes of silverware this season by scoring late winners in the FA Cup on Wednesday.
Liverpool also advanced to the quarterfinals, with its youngsters coming through big again for Jurgen Klopp.
Casemiro stooped to head in an 89th-minute goal to seal United a 1-0 win at Nottingham Forest and a last-eight meeting with great rival Liverpool, whose youthful team beat second-tier Southampton 3-0 thanks to goals by 18-year-olds Lewis Koumas and Jayden Danns.
Chelsea — fresh off a loss to Liverpool in the English League Cup final — left it even later than United to secure its progress, with Conor Gallagher coming off the bench to score in the 90th minute for a 3-2 victory over Leeds. Chelsea will play another second-tier team, Leicester, in the last eight.
Wolverhampton beat Brighton 1-0 in an all-Premier League matchup and will be at home to Championship team Coventry in the quarterfinals.
REIGNING WMBA MVP BREANNA STEWART
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| AP Photo |
NEW YORK (AP) — Reigning WNBA MVP Breanna Stewart re-signed with the New York Liberty, the team announced Monday.
The Liberty now have their entire starting lineup back from last season's team that lost in the WNBA Finals to the Las Vegas Aces.
“It’s a monumental day in New York as we are thrilled to welcome back the MVP, Breanna Stewart,” general manager Jonathan Kolb said. “Stewie’s return marks our unwavering commitment to excellence and our collective drive to bring a championship to New York.”
Stewart came to the Liberty last season after spending her entire career with the Seattle Storm. She averaged 23 points, 9.3 rebounds and 3.8 assists and earned the league MVP honor for the second time in her career. The MVP award was one of the tightest races with Connecticut's Alyssa Thomas and Las Vegas' A'ja Wilson right behind Stewart.
CRISTIANO RONALDO SUSPENDED FOR ONE MATCH OVER ALLEGED OFFENSIVE GESTURE IN SAUDI
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| AP Photo |
Cristiano Ronaldo has been suspended for one match for making an alleged offensive gesture during a Saudi Arabia league game while playing for Al Nassr in the Saudi Pro League.
After Al-Nassr defeated Riyadh rival Al-Shabab 3-2 on Sunday, video footage appeared to show Ronaldo cupping his ear and repeatedly thrusting his hand forward near his pelvis, in a gesture that seemed to be aimed at Al-Shabab fans.
Background chants of “Messi,” referencing Ronaldo’s longstanding soccer rival Lionel Messi, could be heard.
The Disciplinary and Ethics Committee of the Saudi Arabia Football Federation (SAFF) committee announced the ban on social media early Thursday morning local time. Al-Nassr’s next league game is at home to Al-Hazm on Thursday.
CAITLIN CLARCK'S 33-POINTS GAME.MOVES HER PAST LYNETTE WOODARD FOR THE MAJOR COLLEGE SCORING RECORD
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| AP Photo |
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Caitlin Clark has another career record on her astounding resume: the most points by any major college women's player to ever take the court.
For Hawkeyes coach Lisa Bluder and her peers, this one matters the most.
Iowa's superstar guard scored 33 points to lead the sixth-ranked Hawkeyes to a 108-60 romp of Minnesota, pushing her past Lynette Woodard on the all-time list with 3,650 points.
“Tonight is the night of the real record,” said Bluder, who played for Northern Iowa from 1979-83. “For some reason the NCAA does not want to recognize the basketball that was played prior to 1982, and that’s wrong. We played basketball back then. They just don’t want to recognize it, and that hurts the rest of us who were playing at that time. There’s no reason why that should not be the true record.”
Earlier this month, Clark passed Kelsey Plum (3,527) as the all-time NCAA women’s scoring leader. Woodard totaled 3,649 points from 1977-81 for Kansas when the sport was under the purveyance of the Association for Intercollegiate Athletics for Women, before the NCAA began sanctioning women’s basketball with the 1981-82 season.
“Maybe the NCAA will realize that now. Maybe it will be brought to their attention, and they will start recognizing those women who played in the ’70s," Bluder said. "Remember, they played with a larger basketball and no 3-point line either."
Clark left little doubt she'd get the record by dribbling left off a screen and swishing a 3-pointer from the top of the key just 13 seconds into the game. She swished her first four 3-pointers, three of them from extra deep, and had 15 points in the first 3:18 of the game.
The heat check came midway through the first quarter, a flick from the top that bounced off the back rim and prompted a half-hearted “Overrated!” chant from a few wise guys in the Minnesota student section.
Clark had 21 points at halftime. She spent most of the second half flashing her passing skills to find open teammates, but finally with 4:17 left she buried her eighth 3-pointer of the game to pass Woodard. She also set the NCAA single-season record for 3-pointers in the process and finished with the 17th triple-double of her career.
Quite a night, even for her.
And Woodard was on her mind.
MLB STAR SHOHEI OHTANI ANNOUNCES MARRIAGE TO JAPANESE WOMAN
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| USA TODAY Sports |
Major League Baseball star Shohei Ohtani said on his on Instagram social media post that he had gotten married to a Japanese woman.
The post was made shortly before midnight in Pacific Standard Time on Wednesday. No other details about Ohtani's spouse were given in the post, which said he would address the press the following day.
"To all my friends and fans throughout, I have an announcement to make: Not only have I begun a new chapter in my career with the Dodgers, but I also have begun a new life with someone from my native country of Japan who is very special to me and I wanted everyone to know I am now married," the post read.
"I am excited for what is come and thank you for your support," the post in English said.
The 29-year-old two-way phenom is a hero in his native Japan and signed a 10-year, $700 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers last year.
- Reuters
Wednesday 28 February 2024
MALLORCA BEATS REAL SOCIEDAD ON PENALTIES TO RETURN TO COPA DEL REY FINAL TWO DECADES LATER
MADRID (AP) — More than two decades later, Mallorca is back in the Copa del Rey final.
The Spanish club partly owned by Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr and former NBA great Steve Nash defeated Real Sociedad 5-4 in a penalty shootout on Tuesday to make it to the final 21 years after it won the competition for the only time.
Mallorca goalkeeper Dominik Greif saved the opening penalty by Mikel Oyarzabal, then Sergi Darder converted the decisive kick to put Mallorca in the final. The teams drew 1-1 in regulation and were scoreless in extra time at Sociedad's Reale Arena.
The teams had drawn 0-0 in the first leg in Mallorca on Feb. 6.
Mallorca will play the April 6 final in Seville against either Atletico Madrid or Athletic Bilbao, which will play the second leg of the other semifinal on Thursday in Bilbao. Athletic won the first leg 1-0 in Madrid.
It will be the fourth Copa final for Mallorca, which hadn't made it the title game since it won the tournament in 2003 against Recreativo Huelva. Its other final appearances were in 1991 and 1998. It hadn't made it to the semifinals since 2009.
Mallorca's Mexican coach Javier Aguirre had taken Osasuna to the 2005 final, when it lost to Real Betis.
Sociedad was trying to return to the Copa final for the first time since it beat rival Athletic to lift the trophy in the 2019-20 season.
JAPAN DEFEATS NORTH KOREA 2-1 TO REACH WOMEN'S SOCCER TOURNAMENT AT THE PARIS OLYMPICS
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| AP Photo |
TOKYO (AP) — Japan defeated North Korea 2-1 on Wednesday to reach the women’s soccer tournament at the upcoming Paris Olympics. But not without a tiny bit of VAR controversy.
The first match in the two-game series to determine one of Asia’s two qualifiers ended in a 0-0 draw on Saturday in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Japan had three clear standout players who helped book its tickets for Paris.
Japan won the silver medal in the 2012 Olympics but has never won gold in the women’s tournament. North Korea last competed in women’s soccer at the 2012 Olympics but has never won a medal.
“We want to move forward with the goal of winning a gold medal,” Japan coach Futoshi Ikeda said.
Ikeda coached the Japanese women in the 2023 World Cup and saw them lose in the quarterfinals to Sweden.
Hana Takahashi scored in the 26th, but it was Japanese goalkeeper Ayaka Yamashita who scrambled late in the first half to stop a shot that was millimeters from crossing over the line.
Aoba Fujino put the match away with a header in the 76th to give Japan its second.
- STEPHEN WADE
US MEN'S SOCCER TO PLAY BRAZIL ON JUNE 12 AT ORLANDO, FLORIDA
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| AP Photo |
CHICAGO (AP) — The United States will play Brazil in an exhibition at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida, on June 12 ahead of the Copa América.
The game, announced Tuesday, follows a June 8 friendly against Colombia at Landover, Maryland. The matches are in a FIFA international fixture window, which means top Europe-based players will be available.
The Americans open the Copa América against Bolivia at Arlington, Texas, on June 23, play Panama four days later at Atlanta and close group play July 1 against Uruguay at Kansas City, Missouri.
Brazil plays Costa Rica or Honduras at Inglewood, California, on June 24, Paraguay at Las Vegas four days later and Colombia at Santa Clara, California, on July 2.
CONCACAF CHAMPIONS CUP: 10-MAN UNION ADVANCE
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| Mikael Uhre. USA TODAY Sports |
Mikael Uhre knocked in a goal off a corner kick in the 94th minute, lifting the 10-man Philadelphia Union past Costa Rica's Saprissa on Tuesday in the conclusion of a CONCACAF Champions Cup first-round series at Chester, Pa.
Saprissa leveled the two-match, total-goals series at 5-5 by outscoring Philadelphia 3-2 in regulation on Tuesday.
Heading into extra time, the Union went down to 10 men when Jack Elliott was issued a straight red card for a tackle on Javon East that broke up a Saprissa counterattack.
Uhre got the winner off a Jack McGlynn corner kick that bounced through the goalmouth. Uhre was alone at the back post to tap in a shot.
Saprissa's Luis Paradela opened the scoring on a 14th-minute penalty kick. Goals from Julian Carranza (17th minute) and Quinn Sullivan (26th minute) put the Union up 5-3 on aggregate before the visitors rallied.
Warren Madrigal halved the deficit in the 28th minute. In the 62nd minute, Saprissa's Mariano Torres curled in a free kick to the far post from just outside the penalty area, leveling the aggregate score at 5-5.
The Union advance to oppose Pachuca, with matches on March 5 in Chester and March 12 in Mexico.
AMERICAN LOGAN SERGEANT HEADS INTO 2ND F1 SEASON STRONGER, HOPES TO DELIVER WILLIAMS
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| AP Photo |
Even before Logan Sargeant finished his rookie Formula 1 season, a set of expectations were given to the American on what he needed to do to keep his ride at Williams.
It still took until December for Williams to confirm Sargeant would get a second season. He was the last driver finalized for this year's 20-car grid.
But he enters the new season — it starts this weekend in Bahrain — already ahead of schedule.
“First and foremost, I’ve asked him to surprise the world in terms of his physical fitness, his approach and his performance,” Williams team principal James Vowles said. “We’ve changed quite a bit with him across the winter period, his trainer is different, his training programs are completely different. You should see he’s a much more confident person and he carries that well."
Sargeant delivered on Vowles' ask by adding a little more than 11 pounds to his frame during the offseason — muscle that should help the Floridian with car handling a year after he was consistently outperformed by teammate Alex Albon.
Sargeant scored just one point all of last year and it didn't come until the U.S. Grand Prix, five races before the end of the season. Albon, meanwhile, scored 27 points across the season and was ranked 13th in the final driver standings.
DAVID BECKHAM WITH HARRY KANE | DOWN MEMORY LANE
In 2005, 11-year-old Harry Kane posed with England captain David Beckham and a teammate at the launch of the Beckham Academy.
18 years later, Harry Kane is the England captain and the girl has become his wife.
ATP ROUNDUP: DANIIL MEDVEDEV WINS TO BEGIN DUBAI TITLE DEFENSE
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| Reuters |
Reigning champion Daniil Medvedev recorded a 6-3, 7-5 win over Alexander Shevchenko of Kazakhstan on Tuesday in the first round of the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships.
Medvedev had withdrawn from two recent tournaments due to fatigue and a right foot injury, making this the top-seeded Russian's first on-court appearance since losing to Jannik Sinner in the Australian Open final.
Medvedev advances to face Italian Lorenzo Sonego, who posted a 6-4, 5-7, 6-1 win over Sumit Nagal of India. The latter saved two break points at 5-5 in the second before running out of steam in the third set of the 2-hour, 19-minute match.
Fourth-seeded Karen Khachanov breezed to a 6-2, 6-3 win over Frenchman Luca Van Assche.
France's Ugo Humbert, the fifth seed, posted a 4-6, 6-3, 6-3 win over countryman Gael Monfils and eighth-seeded Alejandro Davidovich Fokina of Spain seized a 6-3, 4-6, 6-1 victory over Fabian Marozsan of Hungary.
Tuesday 27 February 2024
CHRISTIAN HORNER 'FIGHTING' WITH RED BULL CHIEF KEEN TO KEEP RELATIONSHIP WITH THE BECKHAMS AMID PROBE
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| Getty |
Christian Horner doesn't want to lose his relationship with the Beckhams after being accused of inappropriate behaviour, it has been claimed.
Horner is currently the subject of a Red Bull investigation and categorically denies the allegations."
The 50-year-old has been cracking on with business as normal, with the F1 side currently preparing for the start of the new season.
Horner is convinced he'll be able to clear his name and has made it clear he's eager to continue with Red Bull, having previously been appointed back in 2005.
According to the Daily Mail, the Red Bull supremo is 'fighting' on while looking to keep his relationship with the Beckhams intact.
It's claimed he enjoys being around A-listers, with wife Geri Halliwell previously part of the Spice Girls along with Victoria Beckham.
Horner and Geri have become one of the biggest power couples in the sporting world ever since they wed back in 2015.
The report says Horner is supporting his wife, allaying her concerns that the investigation could smear their name.
Some believe the Briton is a pawn in a wider power struggle at Red Bull. He was previously close to founder Dietrich Mateschitz, who died in 2022.
The publication says some within the company feel control of the company's racing arm should return to the home of the soft drinks company in Salzburg.
Horner is currently unable to answer many questions on the investigation for legal reasons.
Earlier this week, when quizzed, he responded by saying: “As you are well aware there is a process going on which I form part of, and as I form part of that process, I am afraid I cannot comment on it."
He then added: “I am dreadfully sorry but I really can’t comment on the process or the timescale.
Everybody would like a conclusion as soon as possible.
"But I am really not at liberty to comment about the process.”
A source has told OK! Magazine that Victoria is supporting Geri throughout the ordeal.
“They always got on well and have been there for each other through the difficult times," a source is quoted as saying.
“When Geri was having a bit of a stormy relationship with some of the other Spice Girls, Victoria supported her and helped her through.
"It’s the same now – Victoria wants to support Geri any way she can.”
ARSENAL FANS LEFT FURIOUS WITH RIO FERDINAND OVER CONTROVERSIAL BUKAYO SAKA ANALYSIS
Arsenal fans have been left furious with Rio Ferdinand after he claimed that Bukayo Saka is not yet world-class.
Ferdinand was speaking on TNT Sports after Manchester City's 3-1 win over Danish side FC Copenhagen in the Champions League.
Kevin De Bruyne, Bernardo Silva and Phil Foden all got on the scoresheet as Pep Guardiola's side put themselves in an almost ideal position ahead of the return leg at the Etihad Stadium later this month.
It was Foden's fourth goal in three games, after the 23-year-old scored a hat-trick in a 3-1 win over Brentford last Monday.
And on TNT Sports, Ferdinand angered Arsenal fans with his comparisons between Foden and Saka, who recently brought up 50 goals in a Gunners shirt.
He said: "I think you've got to be looking at him [Foden] like that [world-class]. For what he does for the team, his importance to the team, with goals, assists and the rhythm of the game, especially this season.
"He's got to be in the conversation, and nearing that at least.
"I don't think [Saka] has done it at the top level, winning trophies at a team like this.
"He's not [in as good a team as City's]. You've got to respect and appreciate that Foden's done this, where the medals are handed out, he's performed. Against the best teams as well, consistently.
"You have to look at Phil Foden as world-class for what he does for his team" 🌟
"Bukayo Saka needs the opportunity to perform on that platform" 🙏@rioferdy5 assess two of England's brightest talents 🏴
"I think Saka is more about, he needs the opportunity to perform at that platform, that level, consistently, and you can consider him then [as world-class]."
Arsenal fans were not happy with Ferdinand's comments, with one writing: "Ruling out Saka cos his team never played the Champions League before is like ruling out Haaland cos Norway never made it to the World Cup."
A second said: "He has performed on that platform. Consistently."
And a third added: "By this logic, Harry Kane isn't world class."
Others though, agreed with Ferdinand: "Saka is a very good player but Foden is the world class bracket now. Saka isn't yet in my opinion."
Another said: "Difference between Saka and Foden is that one has trophies to show for it and the other doesn't."
- Ryan Smart
RIO FERDINAND HAS NAMED 12 PLAYERS HE CONSIDERS AS WORLD-CLASS AS A CONTROVERSIAL JUDE BELLINGHAM CLAIM WAS MADE
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| PA Wire |
Since retiring from professional football, former Manchester United defender Ferdinand has been working as a pundit, often appearing on TNT Sports’ coverage.
On Wednesday night, Ferdinand was tasked with naming a list of world-class players.
The 12 players were - Ederson, Kyle Walker, Rodri, Jude Bellingham, Vinicius Jr, Harry Kane, Alisson, Virgil van Dijk, Kevin De Bruyne, Mohamed Salah, Kylian Mbappe, and Erling Haaland.
However, fellow pundit and former Arsenal man Martin Keown questioned whether Bellingham can be considered as world-class.
He said: “I think Bellingham is one I question. He’s in amazing form, what he’s doing at Real Madrid right now, but we look at Saka.
“Saka’s been the England Player of the Year. Bellingham hasn’t got a look in. Maybe Rio is being a bit mischievous with Arsenal fans.”
Ferdinand then explained: “They’ve actually got that list a little bit wrong, because Bellingham was on the list just below that on his own, edging into there. I think the thing that lets him not be on that list, for me right now, is just time. He will be there – he’s in world-class form. You just need that time – and that’s where I see Saka.
“Saka’s got that world-class potential, he just hasn’t been exposed to the knockout stages of the Champions League – the longevity is the difference. If you look at that list, you can see they’ve played in the top, most prestigious games and they’ve produced in those moments. And they’ve all done ridiculous things over a long period of time.”
Ferdinand received criticism from Arsenal fans after claiming Saka is not world-class, he said: “Not yet. Listen, I think Saka’s been unreal. I actually think he needs a bit of a rest, so many games for a young kid.
“But I think, it’s almost like what is world-class? He hasn’t done it in the Champions League, has he? I’m talking in the nitty-gritty stages. Saka’s top, don’t get me wrong. He’s not world-class yet.”
Marcus Chan
GIRONA BEATS RAYO VALLECANO TO LEAPFROG BARCELONA INTO SECOND IN LA LIGA
MADRID (AP) — Girona stepped back into the Spanish title race by defeating Rayo Vallecano 3-0 and moving above Barcelona into second place on Monday.
Girona started the day a point behind its Catalan neighbor but a goal after 52 minutes from Viktor Tsygankov and an injury time double from Sávio took it to within six points of leader Real Madrid.
The result in difficult, rainy conditions ended a run of three games without a win for Girona.
After leading the table for much of the season, Girona faltered in February when it took just one point in nine and was beaten by Real Madrid and Athletic Bilbao.
However, it slipped back into contention on a miserable night, aided by the sending off of Rayo substitute Pep Chavarría.
Girona led from seven minutes into the second half when David López’s clever pass beat the Rayo offside trap. Miguel Gutiérrez’s cut back was dispatched by Tsygankov.
Chavarría replaced Jorge de Frutos after 64 minutes but he was on his way off again 12 minutes later after committing two bad fouls in two minutes.
Sávio then wrapped up the win with two late goals. The 19-year-old Brazilian cut in from the right wing on both occasions and finished with aplomb.
Rayo is winless in its last seven league games.
ALEX SONG ON JOINING ARSENAL
Alex Seong: “When I arrived at Arsenal at 17, I signed my first professional contract and I received €15,000, I was so euphoric.
You can imagine, a young teenager who goes from €4,000 to €15,000 and so I wanted to do like the great players at Arsenal.
One day I arrived at training and I saw Thierry Henry arrive with a magnificent car, but damn the car was a jewel, a Lincoln Navigator and so I thought I had to get the same car no matter what.
And you know, when you're a footballer, you just have to sign some papers and they will give you the car and then we take deductions from your salary.
But I swear to you that after two months, I returned the car because it was an American car that used a lot of petrol, I had nothing left in my fridge, all my money was going to the fuel and I said to them 'give me a Toyota, your thing is too expensive In my opinion'.
When I arrived at training, Henry then asked me: 'But son, where is your car?'. I said to him: 'This car is not at my level'."
Monday 26 February 2024
ARSENAL STAR BUKAYO SAKA RESPONDS TO RIO FERDINAND'S CLAIMS THAT HE ISN'T WORLD-CLASS
Bukayo Saka appeared to respond to Rio Ferdinand’s claim that the Arsenal star isn’t a world-class player.
Recently, former Manchester United and England defender Ferdinand received criticism from Arsenal fans after claiming Saka is not world-class, saying: “Not yet. Listen, I think Saka’s been unreal. I actually think he needs a bit of a rest, so many games for a young kid.
“But I think, it’s almost like what is world-class? He hasn’t done it in the Champions League, has he? I’m talking in the nitty-gritty stages. Saka’s top, don’t get me wrong. He’s not world-class yet.”
On Saturday evening, Saka scored a brilliant solo goal as Arsenal made Premier League history during their emphatic 4-1 win over Newcastle United.
After the match, Saka was interviewed by TNT Sports reporter Jules Breach.
ARSENAL MADE PREMIER LEAGUE HISTORY DURING THEIR COMFORTABLE WIN OVER NEWCASTLE UNITED
After Liverpool won in midweek and Manchester City beat Bournemouth on Saturday afternoon, the Gunners headed into their evening clash against Newcastle five points off the leaders.
However, Mikel Arteta’s men were in fine form as they raced to a 2-0 halftime lead thanks to a goal from Kai Havertz plus an own goal by Sven Botman.
In the second half, Arsenal remained on top and a stunning solo goal from Bukayo Saka plus a header from Jakub Kiwior made it 4-0.
During their win against the Magpies, the Gunners made their own Premier League history.
According to TNT Sports, Arsenal have scored 17 goals since they last conceded one, which is their longest run of unanswered goals in Premier League history. The run was eventually ended when ex-Gunners midfielder Joe Willock made it 4-1 in the closing stages.
Prior to their match against the Magpies, they last conceded a Premier League goal during their 3-1 win over Liverpool at the start of February.
Since then, they scored six against West Ham United, five against Burnley and four against Newcastle.
According to TNT Sports commentator Darren Fletcher, Arsenal are also the first team in Premier League history to score two goals in seven successive halves of football.
Arteta's men have also been good at the back, having kept 10 Premier League cleansheets this season, which is more than any other team in the competition.
On the back of their win against Eddie Howe’s team, the Gunners moved to within one point of champions City and are two points adrift of leaders Liverpool.
Arsenal will look to continue their fine form in front of goal when they take on Sheffield United next time out.
The Blades, who are bottom of the Premier League have the worst defensive record in the top flight, having conceded 65 goals so far this season.
- Marcus Chan
THIS WEEK IN THE PREMIER LEAGUE
Here's what to look out for over the next seven days, with clubs in midweek FA Cup fifth-round action and another big weekend of Premier League action ahead, including a mouthwatering Manchester derby between Manchester City and Manchester United on Sunday.
Monday
Matchweek 26 finishes on Monday night with a London derby between West Ham United and Brentford at London Stadium, which kicks off at 20:00 GMT.
Brentford have won all five of their previous Premier League matches against West Ham, who will be hoping to avoid a fourth successive defeat without scoring for the first time since 2006.
Tuesday
There are four Premier League sides in FA Cup fifth-round action. First, AFC Bournemouth host Leicester City (19:30 GMT), while Newcastle United travel to Blackburn Rovers (19:45 GMT) and Luton Town welcome holders Man City to Kenilworth Road (20:00 GMT).
19:30 Blackburn v Newcastle
19:45 Bournemouth v Leicester
20:00 Luton v Man City
Wednesday
The FA Cup fifth-round action continues as Chelsea face Leeds United (19:30 GMT), before two all-Premier League ties as Nottingham Forest face Man Utd and Wolverhampton Wanderers take on Brighton & Hove Albion, both at 19:45 GMT. EFL Cup winners Liverpool are at home to Southampton (20:00 GMT).
19:30 Chelsea v Leeds
19:45 Nott'm Forest v Man Utd
19:45 Wolves v Brighton
20:00 Liverpool v Southampton
HORNETS NOTCH FIRST WIN OVER BLAZERS SINCE 2008
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| Nick Richards. USA TODAY Sports |
Nick Richards recorded 21 points, 10 rebounds and three blocks and the Charlotte Hornets broke a 15-game skid in Portland with a 93-80 victory over the Trail Blazers on Sunday night.
Miles Bridges added 18 points and 10 rebounds and Brandon Miller scored 17 points as Charlotte defeated the Trail Blazers in Portland for the first time since March 29, 2008. The franchise was known as the Bobcats when it last won in the Rose City.
Cody Martin had 11 points and 10 assists and Vasilije Micic also scored 11 points as the Hornets won for the fifth time in their past six games.
Deandre Ayton recorded 26 points and 19 rebounds for Portland, which lost its eighth consecutive game. Jerami Grant added 15 points and Anfernee Simons had 10 but was just 4 of 21 from the field.
Charlotte shot 49.3 percent from the field, including 7 of 24 from 3-point range.
The Trail Blazers connected on just 34.7 percent of their attempts and were a measly 3 of 32 (9.4 percent) from behind the arc. Simons missed all eight of his 3-point attempts.
Portland trailed most of the game but crept within 73-68 on a basket by Simons with 8:40 left.
But the Trail Blazers went more than five minutes without scoreless while the Hornets rattled off 16 straight points. Bridges had six points during the run, including the basket to cap it and make it 89-68 with 3:47 remaining en route to sealing the long-awaited victory.
Charlotte led 62-46 after a basket by Bridges with 4:46 left in the third quarter.
Portland responded with a 13-5 run and moved within eight on Jabari Walker's top-in with 1:16 left in the period. The Hornets led 70-59 entering the final stanza.
Miller scored 11 first-half points and Bridges had 10 as Charlotte led 47-34 at the break.
Ayton tallied 12 in the half and Grant added 11 for Portland, which shot just 26 percent from the field. Simons made just 1 of 13 shots while scoring four first-half points.
The Hornets scored the final seven points of the opening quarter to hold a 24-18 lead. Charlotte scored 16 of the first 22 points in the second quarter to open up a 40-24 lead on Martin's layup with 3:58 left in the half.
FUROR ERUPTS OVER RONALDO'S APPARENT OBSCENE TAUNT IN SAUDI LEAGUE MATCH
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| AP Photo |
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (AP) — Cristiano Ronaldo has come under heavy criticism after seemingly making an offensive gesture following Al Nassr’s 3-2 victory over Al Shabab in a Saudi Pro League match on Sunday.
The Portuguese star scored a first half penalty, before Brazilian Talisca’s late brace, including a goal four minutes from time, secured the win for Al Nassr.
After the final whistle, videos posted on social media showed the five-time Ballon d’Or winner cupping his ear and repeatedly thrusting his hand forward near his pelvis, seemingly aimed at rival Al Shabab supporters.
In the background, chants of “Messi” could be heard, referring to Ronaldo’s longstanding football rival from Argentina.
JAKE KNAPP HOLDS ON TO WIN MEXICO OPEN AND EARN MASTERS SPOT
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| AP Photo |
VALLARTA, Mexico (AP) — PGA Tour rookie Jake Knapp lost a four-shot lead in seven holes and then held it together with a remarkable short game Sunday, closing with an even-par 71 to win the Mexico Open at Vidanta and earn a trip to the Masters.
Knapp said he still sends a text after each round to his grandfather, who died last year, and this message might require a lot of detail.
He didn't hit a fairway until the eighth hole and found only two the entire round. He never lost the lead, but twice allowed Sami Valimaki of Finland to catch him. They were tied with six holes to play until Knapp took over, getting up-and-down on four of the next five holes, one of them for birdie.
“I woke up in the middle of the night and I could fee my heart racing,” he said. “I was more excited to get things going. I wasn't worried about performing — maybe I should have been.”
Tee-to-green, Knapp had his worst performance. But he spent extra time Saturday night on his short game, and it won the day for him.
“We talked about it last night ... if the ball-striking is off, we're going to have to trust our hands. And we did that, grinding out some pretty tough pars,” he said.
It wasn't easy until the end.
FORMER NFL MVP CAM NEWTON INVOLVED IN SCUFFLE AT 7-ON-7 YOUTH FOOTBALL TOURNAMENT IN ATLANTA
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| AP Photo |
A video surfaced Sunday that appeared to show 2015 NFL Most Valuable Player Cam Newton being involved in a scuffle at a 7-on-7 youth football tournament in Atlanta.
The video shows Newton, wearing one of his custom-made hats, being shoved by three people near the top of a set of steps before the pushing, shoving and grabbing moves toward a fence line. The video lasts less than 30 seconds before the altercation is broken up by a policeman and event security at the WeBall Sports x DynastyU 7v7 tournament at B.E.S.T. Academy.
Newton, the No. 1 overall pick in 2011 out of Auburn, does not appear to throw any punches in the video and appears to be fending off three other men. There is one punch thrown in Newton's direction, but it is unclear if the punch landed on the former quarterback.
It's also uncertain what prompted the altercation.
CANADIANS TEENAGER MORALES WILLIAMS RACES TO WORLD 🌎 INDOOR 400 RECORD
Canada's Christopher Morales Williams raced to a world indoor record in the 400 metres at the NCAA's Southeastern Conference championships on Saturday in Fayetteville, Arkansas.
The 19-year-old University of Georgia sophomore flew to a time of 44.49 seconds to break the previous mark of 44.57 set by American Kerron Clement in 2005 on the same track.
Morales Williams shaved nearly a second off his previous best time set earlier in the month.
The Canadian from Vaughan, just north of Toronto, missed two years of high school track when schools were shut during the pandemic. He did daily solo long distance runs during that time for training, working up to 12 kilometres.
Morales Williams chose Georgia largely because of coach Caryl Smith Gilbert, who trained fellow Canadian sprinter and Olympic champion Andre De Grasse at USC.
His record is subject to World Athletics' ratification process.
-;Lori Ewing
Sunday 25 February 2024
JAVIER 'CHICHARITO' HERNÁNDEZ MAKES 2ND CHIVAS DEBUT IN LIGA MX
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Fourteen years after he bid farewell for Europe and Manchester United, Javier "Chicharito" Hernández made a joyous second debut for Mexican giants Chivas on Saturday, appearing as a substitute for his boyhood club against Pumas UNAM in Liga MX.
Hernández, who rejoined the Guadalajara club last month after his contract expired with the MLS' LA Galaxy, came off the bench in the 88th minute of Chivas' 3-1 win to a rapturous ovation from the home supporters at Estadio Akron.
It was the first action for the 35-year-old since he suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament injury last June, effectively ending his four-season stay at the Galaxy. He scored 39 goals in 82 appearances in MLS for the Galaxy, earning an All-Star appearance in 2022.
Prior to moving to the U.S., Hernández played across Europe for Manchester United, Real Madrid, Sevilla, West Ham United and Bayer Leverkusen, winning two Premier League titles. He began his professional career with Chivas in 2006.
Hernández is the all-time leading goalscorer for Mexico's men's national team, scoring 52 goals in 109 appearances, but has not played for El Tri since 2019.
By the time made his entrance on Saturday, Chivas had effectively sealed victory thanks to goals from U.S. men's national team winger Cade Cowell, Antonio Briseño and Víctor Guzmán
After nine rounds of this season's Clausura, Chivas lie in seventh place with 15 points.
- ESPN
WHAT'S IN A NAME? NO SHORTCUTS FOR VISA CASH APP RB"S RICCIARDO
Daniel Ricciardo will not be cutting any corners in saying his Red Bull-owned Formula One team's new name, even if Visa Cash App RB hardly trips off the tongue.
The Italy-based team formerly known as AlphaTauri, and before that Scuderia Toro Rosso and Minardi, start the season in Bahrain next week with new management, closer ties to champions Red Bull and a mouthful of fresh identity.
"I know commentators are like 'That's too long' and whatever, but the truth is they are helping us go racing so I am very happy to call it the full name," the Australian told Reuters on Saturday.
"I know people are going to shorten it and I've already heard RB and whatever. I will say 'Do as you wish', but you’ll hear me say 'Visa Cash App RB'.
"I know for sure people are saying VCARB (the chassis name is VCARB01) but that sounds like a (energy drink) competitor to Red Bull. It doesn’t sound quite right."
The name is a talking point for the lack of a clear identity without the title sponsors and also because the team look likely to be getting more mentions than last year when they finished eighth overall.
Ricciardo was fourth fastest on the first day of testing last Wednesday and fifth on Thursday.
Some have already suggested RB -- an abbreviation of Racing Bulls -- could emerge as dark horses but the Australian played that down.
"We believe we can do better than eighth," he said, speaking during a break in filming for the team's Austrian Vodka sponsor NEFT and dressed in black tie and tuxedo.
"If people are expecting an Aston (Martin) and (Fernando) Alonso (situation) from last year, and fighting for a podium from race one, we're obviously not there yet.
"I've got an idea of who's quick and maybe who's struggling but...it's not even that I'm scared to comment on it, the truth is that I'm just still relatively unsure.
"Even if some teams are within a couple of tenths, a couple of tenths could be five positions on the grid. It can swing pretty quickly."
SPURS' STAR VICTOR WEMBANYAMA PAYS FIRST VISIT TO JAZZ
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| USA TODAY Sports |
Utah Jazz fans will get their first opportunity to see French rookie phenom Victor Wembanyama on Sunday night when the San Antonio Spurs visit Salt Lake City.
No less an authority than LeBron James could tell them they're about to be super impressed.
After James led the Los Angeles Lakers past the visiting Spurs 123-118 on Friday night, the 20-time All-Star gushed about the 20-year-old Wembanyama. James had good reason.
Wembanyama compiled a historic performance in the 123-118 loss, totaling a rare 5x5 (minimum five in each category): 27 points, 10 rebounds, eight assists, five blocked shots and five steals.
In doing so, he became the youngest player in NBA history to achieve a 5x5 and only the 15th player overall.
"He doesn't have a ceiling," James said. "He can do whatever he wants to do in his career. It seems like he enjoys the game. It seems like he puts the work in, just from the outside looking in. ... I said a long time ago how special he was, and it's really that simple."
Wembanyama nearly recorded the feat one game earlier, coming up one assist short on Thursday in Sacramento. Remarkably, he hit the mark quicker than any NBA player ever, needing only 30 minutes and 55 seconds.
Wembanyama also became only the second player ever -- after Michael Jordan -- to notch five steals and five blocks in consecutive games, but he made clear that he's more interested in another statistic: wins.
"I wonder if (Jordan) did it in wins, not losses," he said. "To me, it's secondary. Hopefully, in the future we can look back and see this as a good performance, but as of today, I can't be satisfied in a loss."
The Jazz and Spurs come into this matchup on losing streaks. Utah has lost five straight, and San Antonio three.
Utah has also lost four consecutive at home, all since starting a five-game homestand. The most recent of those defeats was a rough 115-107 setback to the Charlotte Hornets on Thursday night. Lauri Markkanen led the team with 21 points, while Collin Sexton scored 17 and Keyonte George 16. The Jazz hit only 9 of 39 from 3-point range.
"When you have a night of 19 turnovers and you compound that with it being a night that we really struggled shooting the ball from 3, it's a hard game to win," Jazz coach Will Hardy said.
One bright spot for the Jazz in that loss: rookie Taylor Hendricks. In his first career start, Hendricks matched a career high in points (12) and set a high in rebounds (nine) despite not playing the fourth quarter.
It was another sign that the Jazz are moving forward with their young players, although they've yet to win since trading away rotation regulars Kelly Olynyk, Simone Fontecchio and Ochai Agbaji before the trade deadline a couple of weeks ago.
Utah won the first game between these two teams in San Antonio on Dec. 26, 130-118. Wembanyama had 15 points on 6-of-15 shooting with seven rebounds, five blocks and four assists.
The Spurs and Jazz play one more time in Utah on March 27.
- Reuters
Saturday 24 February 2024
ATP ROUNDUP
No. 2 seed Karen Khachanov of Russia won a marathon first-set tiebreaker and advanced past Australia's Alexei Popyrin 7-6 (12), 6-2 in the semifinals of the Qatar ExxonMobil Open on Friday in Doha.
Khachanov will face Jakub Mensik in the final after the Czech native beat Frenchman Gael Monfils 6-4, 1-6, 6-3.
Khachanov won the first four points of his first-set tiebreaker but let Popyrin right back in it, leading to a 6-5 deficit. The Russian saved the first of three set points he faced in the tiebreaker, but he did not finish the job until his fifth set point at 13-12.
Despite Popyrin having a 35-23 advantage in winners, Khachanov had just four unforced errors to Popyrin's 14 and won 55.6 percent of the total points (79 of 142).
Mensik, who upset top-seeded Andrey Rublev of Russia in the previous round, saved nine of 12 break points against Monfils. Mensik is ranked No. 116 in the world.
Mifel Tennis Open
Eighth-seeded Jordan Thompson of Australia is one win away from his first career ATP Tour title after upsetting top-seeded Alexander Zverev of Germany 7-5, 4-6, 7-6 (2) in the semifinals at Los Cabos, Mexico.
Thompson has been to two previous tournament finals, both at 's-Hertogenbosch, Netherlands, in 2019 and 2023. He needed seven match points to get past Zverev, five on the German's serve at 5-6 in the third set and the other two in the decisive tiebreaker.
Thompson's title-match opponent will be fourth-seeded Casper Ruud of Norway, with ousted second-seeded Stefanos Tsitsipas of Greece 6-4, 7-6 (4) in the first semifinal. Ruud is chasing his 11th championship on tour, most recently having prevailed at Estoril, Portugal, last year.
Rio Open
Two Argentine players beat Brazilian opponents and a third Argentine player joined them in earning quarterfinal wins in Rio de Janeiro.
Fifth-seeded Sebastian Baez got past Thiago Monteiro 6-4, 1-6, 6-2 and qualifier Mariano Navone got past Joao Fonseca in the two Argentina-Brazil matchups. Fonseca, 17, had never won a match on the ATP Tour before winning twice in Rio this week.
Baez's semifinal opponent will be countryman Francisco Cerundolo, the fourth seed, who rallied past Serbia's Dusan Lajovic 3-6, 6-4, 6-4. Navone's semifinal foe will be second-seeded Cameron Norrie of Great Britain, who moved on with a 6-1, 3-6, 6-2 victory over Brazil's Thiago Seyboth Wild.
- Reuters
CHELSEA BOSS POCHETTINO URGES REFS NOT TO BOW TO KLOPP FANFARE
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| Mauricio Pochettino has urged officials to treat both teams fairly in the Carabao Cup final on Sunday. Photo by Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images |
Chelsea head coach Mauricio Pochettino has urged the match officials in Sunday's Carabao Cup final not to feel any pressure to help Jurgen Klopp go out on a high at Liverpool.
Klopp last month announced he will leave the club at the end of the season and this weekend's showpiece at Wembley offers a chance to sign off with at least one trophy as they continue to challenge in four competitions.
Pochettino bemoaned several decisions in Chelsea's 4-1 Premier League defeat at Anfield on Jan. 31, including a penalty appeal at 0-0 when Virgil van Dijk tackled Conor Gallagher but nothing was given.
Van Dijk also escaped censure for a second-half challenge in the box on Christopher Nkunku as Liverpool swept to victory in what was only their second match since Klopp stunned the footballl world by confirming he would step down.
Asked whether Liverpool or Klopp would feel any extra responsibility to perform given his impending departure, Pochettino told a news conference on Friday: "It is no pressure for him. Maybe it is people who want to celebrate with Liverpool that he is leaving.
"I think what we need to be sure is we are going to compete and be fair in every single decision. I think when we play against Liverpool in Liverpool, I think too many decisions that ... not one key decision was for us.
"Two penalties were not given. Duels, 50-50, always for another colour. Always red. I want to be treated in a fair way. Of course, we are going to celebrate -- I am the first, I am going to say Liverpool is amazing, Klopp is one of the best coaches in the world.
"But I think after my last experience playing there, I think what I want in Wembley is to go there and no one feels the pressure. To play a game at the same level and the best will win, not to feel the pressure, people around or, you know? You understand what I mean.
"It is nice. Liverpool is an amazing club. I love Klopp and the way that he is, is amazing. But of course, it is his last season here, you go to compete in the same way, both teams and to give or see the things for both clubs in the same way."
Asked if there was a sense the wider football community wanted Liverpool to win because of Klopp, Pochettino continued: "No, no. I don't say people want that, it is not to be part of the celebration. I would never say that, another part involved in the game, they want Liverpool to win.
"But the most important is to go and compete with the same view from different parts because we need to talk.
"They were better than us of course but the first decision after five minutes, that was a clear penalty. In the second half, that was penalty on Nkunku. After you see the VAR that interfered in many situations and it is different or maybe similar and gives a penalty, why not?
"We are Chelsea, we need to go there, we need to compete with the same tools and of course, if they are better, well done, congratulate them. But, being fair in every single decision.
"The pressure is not about delivering the job for Klopp, no. The pressure is not to be part of the ... you know? I cannot talk more."
Pochettino added that Thiago Silva "has a chance" to be fit for Sunday's game as he battles to overcome a groin injury.
FERRARI TOP OF TESTING BUT RED BULL TEAM TO BEAT
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| Reuters |
Charles Leclerc kept Ferrari top of the timesheets for the second day running, even if champions Red Bull still looked the team to beat, as Formula One wrapped up pre-season testing in Bahrain on Friday.
Leclerc set the final day's best lap of one minute and 30.322 seconds on the fastest C5 tyres with Mercedes' George Russell a mere 0.046 slower on the C4 tyres.
Sauber's Guanyu Zhou was third fastest, also on the C4s, with Red Bull's triple champion Max Verstappen fourth and 0.433 off the pace.
The Dutch driver, who won a record 19 races last year, was using the slower C3 tyres that will be used in next week's season-opener at Sakhir, however.
"Overall it was very good today. We focused on the long running to get more of an understanding of the car and it was good to see the performance of the car was very strong," said Verstappen.
"We made the plan to not focus on pure lap time and tried different compounds, so I am happy with the laps that we did today."
HEAT'S JIMMY BUTLER, 3 OTHERS, EJECTED AFTER SCUFFLE WITH PELICANS
NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Miami's Jimmy Butler was among four players ejected after a scuffle early in the fourth quarter in the Heat's game against the New Orleans Pelicans on Friday night.
Heat reserve Thomas Bryant and two Pelicans — Jose Alvarado and Naji Marshall, also were ejected after fisticuffs erupted with 11:19 left and Miami leading 84-81.
The scuffle began after Pelicans star forward Zion Williamson stole the ball from Butler, and Kevin Love grabbed Williamson to prevent an uncontested layup.
As Love was whistled for a foul, Williamson fell to the court and Marshall rushed in to object to the way Williamson was fouled.
Butler engaged Marshall and they briefly grabbed each other by the neck as teammates and coaches animatedly swarmed around them.
JUDGE HANDS NCAA ANOTHER LOSS, SAYS COMPETITION RULES LIKELY VIOLATE ANTITRUST LAW, HARM ATHLETES
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| AP Photo |
The NCAA lost another legal battle Friday as a federal judge barred the organization from enforcing its rules prohibiting name, image and likeness compensation for recruits by granting a preliminary injunction demanded by the states of Tennessee and Virginia.
It was another blow to the NCAA's ability to govern college sports and more than 500,000 athletes.
Gabe Feldman, a sports law professor at Tulane, said an act of Congress might save the NCAA even as he noted this was just a preliminary injunction in one district court with the NCAA expected to appeal. That would go to the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals overseeing Tennessee, Kentucky, Ohio and Michigan.
“There’s no question the NCAA has never faced more attacks from different areas at one time," Feldman said. “And things are snowballing. And I think that’s why there are so many serious discussions about how college sports needs to change and what those changes will look like.”
U.S. District Judge Clifton Corker in the Eastern District of Tennessee issued the injunction that undercuts what has been a fundamental principle of the NCAA's model of amateurism for decades: Third parties cannot pay recruits to attend a particular school.
The judge wrote the NCAA's stance likely violates antitrust law with Congress so far unwilling to give the association an exemption. The judge said athletes with a limited window are hurt by not being able to know their true value before committing to a school.
The decision led to questions about whether boosters will suddenly open the floodgates with offers to potential recruits. Oklahoma State athletic director Chad Weinberg said the Cowboys had anticipated the decision but “we are awaiting further guidance from the Big 12 Conference and NCAA.”
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