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Monday, 24 February 2025

PREMIER LEAGUE CONFIRM ANDY MADLEY AND MATT DONOHUE DECISION AFTER MAN UNITED VAR CONTROVERSY

Manchester United news as Premier League referee appointments for the mid-week fixtures are confirmed after weekend controversy

Andy Madley will referee in the Premier League this week(Image: Getty Images)

Premier League referee Andy Madley has been confirmed to officiate Nottingham Forest vs Arsenal on Wednesday night following the VAR controversy in Manchester United's draw with Everton.

The Red Devils came from 2-0 down to 2-2 on Saturday thanks to second-half goals from Bruno Fernandes and Manuel Ugarte. However, Everton were denied a late penalty with Ashley Young going down inside the box.

After Andre Onana parried a shot, the ex-United star fell to the floor after minimal contact from Harry Maguire and Matthijs de Ligt. Madley initially awarded a penalty to the home side but VAR intervened to change the decision.

Matt Donohue, who was the VAR, suggested that Madley watched the incident on the on-field screen before the referee overturned the decision and no penalty was awarded. After the game, Everton boss David Moyes slammed the decision, claiming De Ligt pulled Young's shirt.

"I can’t understand. He (De Ligt) pulled his jersey," said Moyes. "I just thought the referee made the correct decision at the time and he should stick with it. I think everybody who watches football we're all looking forward to seeing a referee saying 'no, no I'm sticking with it'.

"If it's absolutely clear and obvious that’s what we’ve got VAR for, but I didn't think it needed to get involved. It’s frustrating. It looked to me like the shirt pull needed to be given. You shouldn't be getting away with pulling jerseys."

With Premier League action returning in mid-week, both Madley and Donohue have been handed games. Madley will referee the huge game at the City Ground between Forest and Arsenal on Wednesday while Donohue will oversee VAR on Tuesday for Brighton vs Bournemouth.

Derek Eaton, who was assistant VAR at Goodison Park, will join Paul Tierney in the VAR booth at Stockley Park for Wolves vs Fulham at Molineux. Darren England will referee United's clash with Ipswich Town on Wednesday.

- Josh Holland

LIVERPOOL RISK BECOMING A 'LAUGHING STOCK' AS ROY KEANE HEAPES MAJOR PRESSURE ON

Liverpool moved 11 points clear at the top of the Premier League table with a 2-1 win over Manchester City on Sunday.

Roy Keane has sent Liverpool a warning over the title race (Image: Sky Sports)

Roy Keane has issued a stark warning to Liverpool, suggesting they could become the butt of jokes if they fail to clinch the Premier League title this season.

The Reds surged 11 points clear at the summit after a resounding victory over Manchester City on Sunday, while their nearest rivals ArseDnal stumbled against West Ham the previous day, leaving their title aspirations in disarray.

Despite having a game in hand, Arsenal are now trailing markedly behind Arne Slot's team, who have just 11 fixtures remaining. Liverpool are close to securing their first championship in five years, which would also mark a triumphant inaugural season for manager Slot.

However, Keane, speaking to Sky Sports, has cautioned Liverpool not to lose their edge: "It's more exciting for the neutral when it's a bit tight but when you're in the dressing room and you're that much clear it's fantastic. You go 11 (clear) and a little bit later you want to be further ahead.

"You have to have that bit of tension in the dressing room saying if you slip up now, you'll be a laughing stock. You look at the players getting interviewed afterwards and they are probably lowkey about it but in the dressing room you know what a big result this is.

"The manager knows, the opposition will know, but you still have to kick on. You are reminding people about being complacent and being on your toes.

"You'd have good squad members and obviously the manager would do it, the senior players would do it to make sure you don't slack off in training.

"You look at some of the fixtures and you're playing Southampton at home, but you treat Southampton like you're playing Real Madrid; you treat teams with respect. If they keep carrying on doing what they're doing.

"Liverpool don't have to do anything extraordinary, just do what you're doing, be efficient. Two goals a game is a big one, it's a simple message saying if you get them, which you have been doing all season anyway, you are guaranteed to win the league."

Slot is aware that his team must maintain their focus and acknowledges the potential pitfalls in Liverpool's pursuit of the title. He remarked: "In every other league, I think a lead like this would be very comfortable.

"Except for this one because in this league every single game gives you a lot of challenges, even Plymouth Argyle gave us a lot of challenges. If you play away at the Etihad, if you win there it is always a big win, no matter what the league table looks like.

"The fans can sing whatever they want, I think they've sung it for quite long already, but we know as a team how hard we have to work for every single win.

"It was only three days ago, somebody asked me if we'd had a dip on Wednesday. I don't believe that as well as I am calm now about this win."

This article originally appeared on the Mirror

- JACOB LEEKS, CHARLIE PARKER-TURNER

MILF | LEWIS HAMILTON | FERRARI

SIR LEWIS HAMILTON WITH IDRIS ELBA | F175 EVENT

LONGEST SERVING MANAGERS | TOP 5 LEAGUES

LIONEL MESSI | INTER MIAMI STATS 🔥

GABRIEL MARTINELLI WITH GABRIEL MAGALHÃE' DAUGHTER MAYA

Gabriel Martinelli with Gabriel Magalhães’ daughter Maya at the Emirates ❤️

MOST GOALS & ASSISTS | IN A SINGLE PL SEASON

KOHLI SLAMS 100, INDIA BREEZE PAST PAKISTAN BY SIX WICKETS

Having lost the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 opener against New Zealand in Karachi, Mohammad Rizwan and co are in search of a win in their last group-stage game to keep their semi-finals hopes alive.

Pakistan v India, Champions Trophy 2025 scorecard

India's batting talisman, Virat Kohli produced yet another ODI classic as India aced a 242-run chase against Pakistan with six-wickets in hand in a high-stakes Champions Trophy encounter.

Coming in to bat after India went one down in the powerplay, Kohli knitted an unbeaten 100 off 111 deliveries to keep the momentum in his side's favor, bringing up his 51st ODI ton - most by anyone in the format.

The 36-year-old also crossed the 14,000 run-mark to become only the third batter to do so after Sachin Tendulkar and Kumar Sangakkara.

Kohli-Iyer put on a batting masterclass | PAK v IND | Champions Trophy 2025

Earlier, the defending champions were handed an early advantage when Shaheen Afridi rammed one onto Rohit Sharma's stumps to give Pakistan their opening breakthrough.

Having started off the chase on a positive note - bashing three fours and a six - Indian skipper Rohit Sharma was deceived by late movement from the left-armer before getting his stumps rattled in the poweplay.

Shaheen cleans up Rohit:

Shaheen cleans up Rohit | PAK v IND | Champions Trophy 2025

In-form batter Shubman Gill went on to pile 46 off 52 deliveries. India's centurion in the opener against Bangladesh took to counter-attacking, lacing seven boundaries during his stay.

Abrar Ahmed eventually got rid of the Indian opener as he snuck in an absolute ripper to produce a much-needed breakthrough. With Gill closing in on a half-century, Abrar deceived the right-hander with a leg-breaker that crashed into his off-stump.

Abrar beats Gill with an absolute seed:

Abrar beats Gill with an absolute seed | PAK v IND | Champions Trophy 2025

Kohli then, partnered alongside Shreyas Iyer after the loss of the two wickets, with the duo stitching together a 114-run stand. Iyer also brought up his half-century as India crossed the 200-run mark in the 37th over.

But just as Iyer was cruising to comfortably close out the game, Pakistan grabbed two wickets in quick succession.

Imam-ul-Haq latched onto a fine catch off Khushdil Shah to get rid of Shreyas Iyer (56). Incoming batter Hardik Pandya lasted only six deliveries before he nicked one behind to Mohammad Rizwan off Shaheen Afridi. Eventually, Kohli would see through the chase alongside Axar Patel with 45 deliveries in hand.

Kohli brings up 51st ODI ton to take India across the line:

Kohli brings up 51st ODI ton to take India across the line | PAK v IND | Champions Trophy 2025

Earlier, Kuldeep Yadav turned up the ante with the ball to lead India's push with the ball in the Champions Trophy heavyweight clash against Pakistan in Dubai.

The left-arm spinner snared Salman Ali Agha and Shaheen Shah Afridi off successive deliveries before claiming Naseem Shah as India managed to dismiss Pakistan for 241.

Indian spinners run through Pakistan:

Requiring a win to keep their hopes of a semifinals spot alive, Pakistan captain Mohammad Rizwan won the toss and opted to bat first in Dubai.

Pakistan talisman Babar Azam displayed positive intent early on in his innings after Mohammad Rizwan won the toss and opted to bat first. The regal opener dispatched a couple of glorious boundaries to get Pakistan off to a good start.

With Harshit Rana steaming in during his opening burst, Babar flicked the Indian pacer through mid-wicket for his first boundary and followed it up with a textbook cover drive in the same over.

Babar up and running in style:

Babar up and running in style | PAK v IND | Champions Trophy 2025

Not too later though, Hardik Pandya provided India with their opening breakthrough to remove the former Pakistan captain. Chasing a delivery outside the off stump, Babar edged one behind to wicketkeeper KL Rahul, who safely pouched the catch.

The dismissal was quickly followed by another as Imam-ul-Haq (10) was run-out by a brilliant direct hit from Axar Patel in Kuldeep Yadav's first over.

Two wickets down in the powerplay, Pakistan skipper Mohammad Rizwan joined Saud Shakeel in the middle. Together, the duo forged a 104-run stand for the third wicket as Shakeel went on to notch his fourth ODI fifty.

Shakeel-Rizwan pull Pakistan back:

Shakeel-Rizwan help Pakistan fight back | PAK v IND | Champions Trophy 2025

But just as the Pakistan duo seemed on their way to a big first innings total, Axar Patel removed Pakistan skipper Rizwan with a flighted delivery that deceived the right-handed batter from round the wicket to hit the stumps.

Shortly afterwards, Hardik Pandya removed Saud Shakeel to nab his second wicket of the day.

Just as Pakistan were reeling off the twin blows, Ravindra Jadeja made it three wickets for India in four overs, cleaning up Tayyab Tahir to leave Pakistan trailing at 165/5.

Kuldeep Yadav then came into his own, snapping three wickets in his final spell. For Pakistan, Khushdil Shah (38) powered a final push in the lower order but was eventually dismissed by Harshit Rana as India managed to keep Pakistan just under 250 in Dubai.

Kuldeep spins a web around Pakistan:

Kuldeep spins a trap around Pakistan | PAK v IND | Champions Trophy 2025

COLD-BLOODED ASSASSIN | BLACK MAMBA | KOBE BRYANT

"Maybe the closest to Michael Jordan, who I think is the best ever."

- Tony Parker

Bruce Bowen's All-Time Top 5

1. Michael Jordan

2. Kobe Bryant

3. Bill Russell

4. Magic Johnson

5. Tim Duncan

"To build a team around? Me personally, I would go with Kobe. I wouldn’t go with Tim Duncan.”

- Stephen Jackson

"Man, how did Kobe learn everything this dude [MJ] did to a T? And then he made it a little better in some areas.”

- Robert Horry

"[Bryant] could arguably be 1. In some polls, he’ll be 2,” the Nets coach said yesterday about the players he has seen since he entered the NBA in 1988. “He could be 1-A and Jordan can be 1-B or Jordan, some polls they’ll be flipped."

“Fortunately I had a chance to play against both of them and now played and coached against Kobe. And boy, sometimes they’re looking like the same player.”

- Avery Johnson via NY Post

HIGHLIGHTS | ROUND 4 MEXICO OPEN 2025

HIGHLIGHTS | ROUND 3 | MEXICO OPEN 2025

BIVOL TAKES BETERBIEV"S UNDISPUTED LIGHT-HEAVYWEIGHT WORLD TITLE

Dmitry Bivol defeats Artur Beterbiev in a split-points decision to claim light-heavyweight world title in Saudi Arabia.

Dmitry Bivol celebrates victory with the title belts and his team after the Undisputed IBF, IBO, WBC and WBO World Light Heavyweight Titles' fight with Artur Beterbiev [Richard Pelham/Getty Images]

Russian Dmitry Bivol avenged a previous defeat to take the undisputed light-heavyweight world title from Artur Beterbiev on a majority points decision in an epic rematch in Saudi Arabia.

The judges scored Sunday’s fight in Riyadh 114-114, 116-112 and 115-113.

The previous encounter last October, when both went toe-to-toe as unbeaten champions, ended with exactly the same score but to Russian-born Canadian Beterbiev who added the WBA belt to his WBC, WBO and IBF ones.

This time, Bivol, 34, was better on the night, moving up a gear and taking the fight to his bearded older opponent, now 40, with determination and classy combinations.

The 1-1 outcome opens the way to an inevitable third clash between the two.

“Actually, I didn’t want the second fight, it wasn’t my choice, but no problem. We’re going to do a third fight,” Beterbiev, who did not shake Bivol’s hand, said in the ring after the scores were announced.

Dmitry Bivol in action during his fight with Artur Beterbiev [Hamad I Mohammed/Reuters]

Bivol said he was up for any challenge but needed a rest after his exertions.

"I want to heal myself a little bit and come back,” said the Russian, who ended the fight with blood streaming from the top of his left eye.

“I didn’t have as much pressure like last time. I just wanted to work from the first round until the end of the 12th. I did enough and I won this.

“I was better, I was pushing myself more, I was more confident, I was lighter and I just wanted to win so much today.”

Bivol had the better of his opponent over the first three rounds, but the champion found his rhythm in the fourth in a livelier fight than the first one but still with little to separate the two.

Artur Beterbiev sustained a cut above his eye early in the fight [Hamad I Mohammed/Reuters]

At the final bell, neither boxer could be sure of the outcome, both waiting for the scores to be read without celebrating in advance.

“I don’t want to talk about the decision – it’s tough. Congratulations to Bivol’s team,” said Beterbiev, who could claim the final round.

“I thought this fight was better than the first fight, but we’ll see. Now is my time to come back.”

Earlier, three-times world champion Shakur Stevenson retained his WBC lightweight title after stopping stand-in Josh Padley, a British electrician who had three days to prepare for the fight, at the end of nine rounds.

Former WBO world heavyweight champion Joseph Parker stopped another late replacement Martin Bakole in two rounds in their WBO Interim bout.