Newcastle manager Rafael Benitez defended Florian Lejeune after the French centre-back conceded a second-half penalty that allowed Southampton to snatch a 2-2 draw. Lejeune was making just his second Premier League appearance for the club after signing from Spanish side Eibar in the summer, but was guilty of needlessly bringing down Shane Long in the box to concede a late penalty kick. Manolo Gabbiadini smashed home from the spot to deny Newcastle what would have been an incredibly impressive victory at St Mary’s. After the match, Benitez accepted that Lejeune had made an error to concede the penalty but defended the 26-year-old, who was unlucky not to score a last-gasp winner when his header from inside the box was heroically cleared off the line by Southampton substitute Steven Davis. “I have not yet seen the replay but from the bench it looks as though it was a penalty,” Benitez conceded. “Obviously he conceded the penalty that but then afterwards he was … [Read more...] about Rafa Benitez has defended Florian Lejeune after the defender’s performance against Southampton
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Manolo Gabbiandini double earns Southampton point in frantic draw with Newcastle
Before this unexpectedly entertaining mid-table clash, Mauricio Pellegrino conceded he was looking forward to inviting his old mentor Rafa Benitez “for a coke after the game”. But after watching the defensive horror show that ensued, both men could be forgiven for reaching for something a little stronger. Southampton twice fell behind before Manolo Gabbiadini twice bailed them out of trouble, both defences stumbling around like drunks at the end of this haphazard 2-2 draw. Defensive errors were to blame for all four of the goals. Southampton goalkeeper Fraser Forster had a game to forget in goal for the home side and should have stopped both Isaac Hayden and Ayoze Perez’s successful attempts, while Gabbiadini was criminally allowed to dribble the ball around Newcastle’s entire defence for his first before Shane Long won the soft penalty that lead to his second. Hayden's effort gave Newcastle the lead (Getty) That both sides looked dangerous in attack but so … [Read more...] about Manolo Gabbiandini double earns Southampton point in frantic draw with Newcastle
Conor McGregor’s agent has outlined his return to the UFC
Conor McGregor’s manager has insisted that there is “no question” the Irishman will return to the UFC, although has admitted there is a chance he will make a money-spinning appearance in WWE. McGregor is currently enjoying a break away from combat sports following his 10th-round stoppage defeat to Floyd Mayweather, in August. McGregor made over $100m from the fight, which became the highest-grossing pay-per-view event of all time in the UK. The Irishman now has a number of different opportunities in front of him, with potential match-ups in the UFC, boxing and even WWE. But Audie Attar has said that defending his lightweight crown remains his first priority. “There are all these different things that pop up in the media - some true, some not true,” Attar said during an appearance on Sky Sports News, when asked about reports McGregor was now focused on crossing over into professional wrestling. “As it relates to mixed martial arts, I think Conor … [Read more...] about Conor McGregor’s agent has outlined his return to the UFC
Pochettino backs Dele to rediscover his best form for Tottenham
Tottenham Hotspur manager Mauricio Pochettino has insisted that he is “not concerned” with Dele Alli’s poor start to the season, backing the 21-year-old forward to replicate his outstanding performances from the previous campaign sooner rather than later. Alli was in fine form throughout last season, scoring 22 goals in all competitions as Spurs finished second in the league and made it to the semi-finals of the FA Cup. But this season he has failed to hit the ground running and landed himself in controversy when he was handed a retrospective ban by Fifa for raising his middle finger during England’s 2-1 World Cup qualifying win for Slovakia. He was also criticised for diving in Tottenham’s win over Huddersfield, while only one other Premier League player – Swansea City’s Jordan Ayew – has been dispossessed more than Alli this season. Not that Pochettino is too concerned. Speaking ahead of Tottenham’s home match against … [Read more...] about Pochettino backs Dele to rediscover his best form for Tottenham
German football team sends message to Trump by all taking a knee
German football team Hertha Berlin have shown solidarity with sports stars in the United States by ‘taking a knee’ ahead of their Bundesliga match against Schalke on Saturday. Just before kick-off, the starting XI lined up and linked arms, before taking a knee in similar fashion to a number of NFL stars in recent weeks. The club’s coaching staff and substitutes also took a knee along the touchline, to the cheers of the crowd. On Twitter, the club posted a short statement explaining why their players had made the gesture. “Hertha BSC stands for tolerance and responsibility!” they wrote. “For a tolerant Berlin and an open-minded world, now and forevermore! #TakeAKnee #hahohe” A number of NFL players have taken a knee ahead of American football matches recently, using a highly visible platform to protest police brutality Teams in other American sports have repeated the gesture, but it has proven controversial with the US President … [Read more...] about German football team sends message to Trump by all taking a knee
Juan Martin del Potro overcomes injury scare to set up Roger Federer semi-final
Juan Martin del Potro overcame falling a set behind and hurting his surgically-repaired left wrist on Friday, as he battled his way to an admirable 4-6 6-1 6-4 victory over Viktor Troicki in the quarter-finals of the Shanghai Masters. Del Potro’s victory maintains his hopes of qualifying for the ATP Finals in London, although first he will have to sweat over the results of an MRI scan on his hurt wrist. At 2-2 in the final set he tripped as he attempted to run around his backhand to hit a forehand, falling onto the wrist that has been a problem throughout his career. “I'm glad to reach semi-finals in this tournament, but to be honest now, as I say always, my health is the most important aspect of my life,” he said in his post-match press conference after extending his head-to-head record against Troicki to 7-0. “I have been dealing with a lot of injuries in the past and now it is time to really take care of my body and to see what the MRI scan or the doctor … [Read more...] about Juan Martin del Potro overcomes injury scare to set up Roger Federer semi-final
How you can use Twitter to beat the bookies
Mathematicians have finally cracked the code to beating the bookmakers when betting on football matches – and it involves spending a lot of time scrolling through Twitter. Researchers have found out that Twitter posts actually provide a better prediction of winners and losers immediately after kick-off than bookies’ odds, proving that closely studying the social media site before placing a bet could be a money-spinning strategy. The study analysed 13.8m tweets – or 5.2 tweets per second – during the 2013/14 Premier League season, as well as in-play betting prices from the gambling company Betfair. And it highlighted a “wisdom-of-the-crowd” effect, allowing punters who had used Twitter to guide their betting to earn an average return of 2.28% from over 900k bets. In contrast, combining the results from more than four million bets across the 372 analysed matches yielded an average loss of 5.41%. The lead researcher, Dr Alasdair Brown of the … [Read more...] about How you can use Twitter to beat the bookies
Wilfried Zaha has revealed why the Crystal Palace players didn’t rate Frank de Boer
Crystal Palace winger Wilfried Zaha has claimed that Frank de Boer’s commitment to playing possession-based football led to his downfall at the club. De Boer only joined the club in the summer and arrived amid a wave of hype and expectation, promising the Palace faithful “attractive football” in line with his “own type of coaching and style of playing.” However, the former Ajax and Inter Milan coach was sacked after just 77-days in charge, after four straight Premier League defeats during which Palace failed to score a single goal. And Zaha has said that it was likely De Boer’s insistence on playing an easy-on-the-eye possession heavy style of football that proved his undoing. “He (De Boer) wanted to make Palace into a team that had more possession,” Zaha told BBC. “But obviously some players aren't as comfortable on the ball as he would like. That didn't really help us at the time. “There wasn't really the right mixture … [Read more...] about Wilfried Zaha has revealed why the Crystal Palace players didn’t rate Frank de Boer
American billionaire Robert Kraft ‘intrigued’ by Premier League move
American billionaire Robert Kraft has said that he remains ‘intrigued’ in buying a Premier League club, despite initially being put off the idea by the lack of a salary cap. Kraft, who owns the MLS side New England Revolution as well as the New England Patriots in the NFL, was linked with buying Liverpool in 2006 only to decide against the idea. But the 76-year-old chairman and chief executive of the Kraft Group has revealed he is still interested in making a move into the Premier League and would like to expand into the UK. “We helped found MLS in America,” he told the BBC. “Our league here is starting to really develop, and with our soccer team we've gone to the championship game five times in 21 years. “I'm just concerned in the Premier League, with all the different ways of operating, we're not as familiar with all of them. “Let's say people from all over the world come in and buy teams and maybe they have different reasons for doing … [Read more...] about American billionaire Robert Kraft ‘intrigued’ by Premier League move
Nadal and Federer win as Del Potro maintains ATP Tour Finals charge
Rafael Nadal made it fourteen wins in a row on Thursday, as he crushed Italy’s Fabio Fognini 6-3 6-1 to reach the quarter-finals of the Shanghai Masters. Nadal is aiming to win a third successive title after victories at the US Open and China Open, and is on course to finish as the year end World No 1 for the fourth time in his career. “I played a very good match. I don't know how many mistakes, how many unforced errors, but very few. And I played very well in all aspects,” Nadal commented after his straight sets win. “I have been doing things very well. This is a big result against a player like him after he won against Verdasco and Pouille in two good matches. So for sure today is a very good result for me and being in the quarterfinals of course is great news.” Nadal dominated proceedings, wrapping up victory in a breezy 62-minutes. Fognini's solitary opportunity came early in the second set, when he created his only two break points of the match, … [Read more...] about Nadal and Federer win as Del Potro maintains ATP Tour Finals charge
Deontay Wilder thinks that Anthony Joshua is a coward and a plastic champion
WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder has courted controversy by claiming he wants to hurt his opponents “to the point where you do not even have a life to live,” as well as accusing his rival Anthony Joshua of buying his first world title. Wilder is set to defend his belt against the Canadian Bermane Stiverne on November 4, after his scheduled opponent Luis Ortiz tested positive for traces of two banned diuretics — hydrochlorothiazide and chlorothiazide — in the build-up to the fight. And in an interview ahead of the contest, to be held in New York City, Wilder controversially claimed that he was unable to control his temper inside of the ring and that he aimed to inflict maximum damage on them. “They were already terrified of me and when I say 'they', I mean all the top guys in the heavyweight division,” he told the boxing website fighthype.com. “I'm not saying they're all scared of me, I know some of them want to fight me and really … [Read more...] about Deontay Wilder thinks that Anthony Joshua is a coward and a plastic champion
Here’s what happened around Europe in Tuesday night’s World Cup qualifiers
European champions Portugal beat Switzerland in Lisbon last night to automatically qualify for the 2018 World Cup finals in Russia, while France also made sure of their spot at the tournament by winning at home to Belarus. Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal began the night in second-place in Group B, needing to take all three points against league leaders Switzerland to seal an automatic spot at the next summer’s tournament. The Swiss had won all nine of their group stage matches heading into the fixture, but started nervously and were lucky not to concede in the opening stages. The breakthrough eventually came via an own-goal by the former Arsenal defender Johan Djourou just before halftime, and a goal from striker Andre Silva early in the second half was enough to wrap the game up for Portugal, who have won nine straight matches following their opening 2-0 loss to the Swiss last year. The result meant that both countries finished with 27 points, but Portugal topped the … [Read more...] about Here’s what happened around Europe in Tuesday night’s World Cup qualifiers
The stars and their teams who could miss out on the 2018 World Cup
Qualification for the 2018 World Cup is drawing to a close and some of the world’s top nations are in danger of missing out. While countries such as Brazil, Spain, England and defending champions Germany have booked their place in Russia next summer, a number of countries you would expect to see playing at a World Cup are struggling. And that means the Russian World Cup could be bereft of some of the world’s best players – including Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Alexis Sanchez. Some of the world's best players are in danger of missing out on Russia 2018 (Getty) Here we take a look at the countries in danger of missing out and what they need to do to make it to next summer’s tournament. Belgium, Brazil, Costa Rica, Egypt, England, Germany, Iran, Japan, Mexico, Nigeria, Poland, Russia (hosts), Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Spain. … [Read more...] about The stars and their teams who could miss out on the 2018 World Cup
Garcia beats Halep in Beijing to dent Konta’s WTA Finals dream
Johanna Konta’s hopes of reaching the WTA Finals for the first time in her career suffered a major blow in the early hours of Sunday morning, as Caroline Garcia beat the new world number one Simona Halep 6-4, 7-6 (3) in the final of the China Open. Konta and Garcia are both chasing the final qualification place for the end-of-season tournament, which brings together the top eight players in the world rankings and is currently staged in Singapore. Halep, Garbine Muguruza, Karolina Pliskova, Elina Svitolina, Caroline Wozniacki, Venus Williams and Jelena Ostapenko have all qualified for the event – leaving Konta and Garcia to scrap it out for the final place. Defeat for Garcia in the quarter-finals of the China Open would have taken her out of the running and seen Konta qualify for the very first time, but instead 23-year-old enjoyed a winning run, winning in Beijing just a few days after she also won the Wuhan Open. Garcia, who lost to Halep the two previous times they … [Read more...] about Garcia beats Halep in Beijing to dent Konta’s WTA Finals dream
What do Argentina have to do to qualify for the 2018 World Cup?
Argentina are in peril of missing their first World Cup since 1970 after they were held to a 0-0 draw against Peru. Even a sell-out home crowd in Buenos Aires' La Bombonera was not enough to rally Lionel Messi's side, who slipped further from qualifying places. Manager Jorge Sampaoli granted Boca Juniors striker Dario Benedetto his first full debut alongside Papu Gomez up front, although still it was not enough to invigorate the struggling team. Their World Cup fate is now out of their hands and they now need other results to go their way if they are to book their place in Russia next summer. There is one final round of qualifying left for CONMEBOL teams – and here is how it all breaks down. show all … [Read more...] about What do Argentina have to do to qualify for the 2018 World Cup?
What do Argentina have to do to to qualify for the 2018 World Cup?
Argentina are in peril of missing their first World Cup since 1970 after they were held to a 0-0 draw against Peru. Even a sell-out home crowd in Buenos Aires' La Bombonera was not enough to rally Lionel Messi's side, who slipped further from qualifying places. Manager Jorge Sampaoli granted Boca Juniors striker Dario Benedetto his first full debut alongside Papu Gomez up front, although still it was not enough to invigorate the struggling team. Their World Cup fate is now out of their hands and they now need other results to go their way if they are to book their place in Russia next summer. There is one final round of qualifying left for CONMEBOL teams – and here is how it all breaks down. show all … [Read more...] about What do Argentina have to do to to qualify for the 2018 World Cup?
Vegas Golden Knights prepare to begin NHL dream against backdrop of tragedy
This evening was supposed to be one of celebration in Las Vegas, the entertainment capital of the world where the next raucous party is never more than a stone’s throw away. At 5.30pm local time, the city’s first major sports franchise, the Vegas Golden Knights, will play their first ever NHL game, away to the Dallas Stars. It is an ice hockey match some 26 years in the making and a landmark moment for the sport. But late last week, everything changed. On Sunday evening, not long after thousands of fans had poured out of the T-Mobile Arena and onto the Strip after watching their new team narrowly lose their final game of the pre-season, a gunman named Stephen Paddock opened fire on an open-air concert from the 32nd floor of the nearby Mandalay Bay hotel. People initially mistook the loud, crackling noise for fireworks. 59 people died. 527 more were injured. And, suddenly, the Golden Knights’ hastily-assembled squad of players, many of whom were eating dinner at the … [Read more...] about Vegas Golden Knights prepare to begin NHL dream against backdrop of tragedy
Anthony Crolla confident of returning to world title contention
Anthony Crolla has insisted that victory over Ricky Burns in a British lightweight battle on Saturday night will propel him back into world title contention. Crolla lost his WBA world title when he suffered a points defeat to Venezuela’s Jorge Linares last September. The 30-year-old also fell short in the rematch, but believes bouncing back with a win over Burns will put him back in the mix for a title. “Win this fight on Saturday night and I'm right back in world title contention,” Crolla said at the final press conference before Saturday night’s fight. “The fights against Linares didn't go my way; I know I've got to rebuild. But I don't want to be dropping down a level after being at this level for a good few years. “I'm expecting a very tough fight but if I fight my fight, I come through.” Burns is also heading into the fight on the back of a defeat, after he lost his light-welterweight title fight to Namibia’s Julius … [Read more...] about Anthony Crolla confident of returning to world title contention
Gerard Pique hits out at Sergio Ramos ‘lies’
Barcelona defender Gerard Pique has hit out at ‘liars’ claiming he does not get on with his Spain team-mate Sergio Ramos, revealing that the two in fact plan to go into business together. Pique and Ramos, the captains of Barcelona and Real Madrid respectively, have clashed numerous times in derby matches between the two clubs but have formed a formidable partnership in the heart of the Spanish national team’s defence. They have won the World Cup and two European Championships playing alongside one another, and Pique has defended their off the field relationship after some Spanish newspapers claimed they had fallen out over the Barcelona man’s commitment to Catalan independence. “Any talk that we don't get along is a big lie,” Pique said while on international duty this week.”We are even going to be partners in a business that I asked him to get involved with. “Everything is okay, my relationship with him is phenomenal. It is easy to … [Read more...] about Gerard Pique hits out at Sergio Ramos ‘lies’
NFL player laughs at female reporter because it’s ‘funny to hear’ a woman ask a question
Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton has sparked outrage after ridiculing a female reporter who asked a question about one of his team-mates at a press conference, saying that it was “funny to hear a female” ask an American football question. When Charlotte Observer reporter Jourdan Rodrigue asked Newton about wide receiver Devin Funchess' route running – a tactical element of the sport – the former league MVP smiled and said: “it’s funny to hear a female talk about routes. It’s funny.” After Newton's comments, he proceeded to answer Rodrigue's question. But his remark prompted outrage and Rodrigue later complained about his attitude towards her on social media. “I do not think it is ‘funny’ to be a female and talk about routes. I think it’s my job,” she wrote on Twitter. “I spoke with him after and it was worse. I chose not to share because I have an actual job to do today and one he will not … [Read more...] about NFL player laughs at female reporter because it’s ‘funny to hear’ a woman ask a question
