Trent Boult: Short-pitched bowling valuable skill for fast bowlers

The recently-concluded first Test between Bangladesh and New Zealand was one of the most bizarre contests. Who would have thought the visitors could lose it after posting 595 runs on the board in their first innings? It was largely possible due to exceptional display of seam and swing bowling by the New Zealand pacers in the second innings, who skittled their opponents for a paltry 160 in the second to script a fascinating finish to the Wellington Test. Trent Boult, who was the pick of the bowlers in the second innings with his 3 wickets, recently spoke about the skills the Kiwi pace attack is equipped with.

Boult spoke about how valuable a skill is short-pitch bowling and how important it is to have reverse swing added to the armoury of his side’s well-balanced attack. “A big positive from the Test match was that we got the ball to reverse swing eventually,” Boult was quoted as saying by ESPNCricinfo. “Australia, the last time they came, taught us a lesson on ways to bowl sides out on flat wickets.” The left-armer also added that the ability to bowl short deliveries was an asset to a bowling attack because it effectively made the full deliveries more dangerous.

“I think the short ball is a valuable skill for a fast bowler. I think people have to realise why we are bowling short in the first place. It is to upset the batsman and get them struck on the crease to make the fuller ball more effective. When you are bowling a short ball it is definitely not with the intention of hurting the batsman but to make your other skills more effective. I think it is a method that we have been using successfully for a while. I am sure there will be short-pitched bowling among the group, looking to put pressure on the opponents.”

Boult was referring to the incident where Bangladesh skipper Mushfiqur Rahim retired hurt in the second innings after he was hit on the head by a bouncer from Tim Southee. Boult defended his team’s prolonged tactic to unleash a barrage of short-pitched bowling on the diminutive batsman. “I think it depends on how the opposition played it. I think you are trying to read how uncomfortable they are feeling and the game plan they are bringing towards it. The Australians have played it quite nicely. So you have to quickly change your plans.”

At the same time, Boult also praised Bangladesh batsmen’s ability to cope with such bowling. “It is a bit intimidating facing a barrage of short-pitched bowling. They played it nicely,”

Tamim Iqbal, who will be standing in as captain at Hagley Oval in Mushfiqur’s absence, also said there was no reason to complain over the short deliveries. “I think short ball is part of the game. I can’t really complain about it,” he said. “If we feel that a certain batsman is not comfortable, we might use those tactics. It is fair game. I said in the last press conference, we expect these things in this part of the world. When New Zealand or any other team go to our conditions, they expect spin. I am sure they don’t complain about the ball spinning too much so why should we complain about bouncers?”

Source: http://www.cricketcountry.com/news/trent-boult-short-pitched-bowling-valuable-skill-for-fast-bowlers-568209

Zlatan Ibrahimovic late goal gives Manchester United win at Crystal Palace

A ruthless streak has been restored to Manchester United’s approach after all. José Mourinho had seen his team’s dominance yield only draws too often of late, but here they did what this club used to do as a matter of course.

Just as the prospect loomed large of shedding points to a Crystal Palace team most among the elite will consider there for the taking, class told. Their progress feels more serene when an unbeaten league run is extended to seven games by successive victories, however narrow.

This win was chiselled from the visitors’ most dominant period of play, the winner created by the contest’s most influential performer and scored by a forward who has always delighted in stamping his influence all over occasions such as this.

Paul Pogba capitalised on Yohan Cabaye’s slip two minutes from time to gain possession and consider his pass, sliding his delivery beyond Scott Dann and along the edge of the penalty area. There darted Zlatan Ibrahimovic, timing his diagonal run perfectly, with his finish dispatched crisply beyond the on-rushing Wayne Hennessey from an unkind angle and into the net.

It was an eighth goal in as many games for the Swede, whose influence on this side should not purely be measured in terms of that impressive tally. “I told him this isn’t the best place to play if you’re looking for holidays,” said Mourinho. “When a rich guy who has already had a phenomenal career wants holidays, he doesn’t come to play in England. It’s the most difficult league in the world, so if you come here you want to show what you can do. That’s what he did. It’s not just about goals. It’s about leadership and motivation, and I’m so happy with what he’s done. I knew his character and, at his age, he’s a character. A personality. Because he has the passion to play.”

He had the kind of supply-line here, largely from Pogba, for which Christian Benteke was pining at the other end of the pitch. The Frenchman’s understanding with Ibrahimovic could yet be key to United mounting that assault on the top four – they are six points shy of Manchester City at present – and the manner in which Mourinho attempted to envelope the Swede in a bear hug at the final whistle was indicative of that much. The manager was not inclined to hoist up the 35-year-old as his “best” signing but, even on a massive weekly wage, he can feel like a bargain when he conjures definitive moments such as these.

Ibrahimovic also had a hand in United’s opener, shipped in stoppage time at the end of the first half just as Palace had dared to believe their industry and endeavour might see them to the break unscathed.

Juan Mata’s free-kick was chested on to his own arm by Ibrahimovic for Pogba, standing marginally offside, to poke beyond Hennessey from close range. The hosts, their shape having been established to stifle rather than scintillate, were momentarily incensed before slumping back to the dressing-room as if resigned to their fate.

Their complaints that Marcos Rojo had received only a yellow for his latest two-footed lunge, this time on Wilfried Zaha, also simmered. Alan Pardew did well to reinvigorate them thereafter before his team benefited from their own dose of fortune. The equaliser was slickly constructed, the hosts more urgent and threatening as they chased parity. David de Gea had already done wonderfully well to deny James McArthur from distance, the Spaniard’s save stunning as he stretched out a right hand in mid-air to turn the effort round the post. Yet the Scot found life rather easier from closer in.

United were dozing, their rearguard suddenly ragged, as Damien Delaney provided the cutest of flicks round Phil Jones for McArthur, momentarily liberated from Pogba, to collect. He scored with glee, with his team-mates swarming in disbelief around a tickled Delaney.

Yet Palace were unable to build on that momentum and, when United were denied a penalty after Joe Ledley’s handball in the area, they rallied.

Mata had a goal disallowed from Rojo’s nod back, television replays subsequently suggesting he was a toe offside at most, before Ibrahimovic found his range. “Even if this game finished 1-1, I’d have the same feeling towards my players,” said Mourinho. “The performances have been good for a long time, so the players deserve this: happiness at home, and happiness away.”

They are edging back towards the fringes of the title race. Palace, in contrast, are mired in a more desperate struggle at the other end. They could take heart from their effort and commitment, and the reality they had prised apart a stubborn defence, but familiar mistakes crept in.

Just as against City recently, a second-half revival went undone at the last by a lapse of concentration. The decision to fling on Fraizer Campbell for McArthur near the end, disrupting shape yet again, might also be scrutinised. Substitutions are not coming off at present, and there is a whiff of inevitability to their plight. Chelsea visit these parts on Saturday. There is no respite in sight.

Source: https://www.theguardian.com/football/2016/dec/14/crystal-palace-manchester-united-premier-league-match-report

Chelsea defeats Sunderland to maintain Premier League lead, Manchester City and Liverpool post victories

Chelsea maintained its stranglehold on the English Premier League by beating Sunderland 1-0 to register its 10th successive win and move six points clear at the top of the table.

Cesc Fabregas’s first-half strike ensured the Blues took full advantage of the previous day’s slip-up by second-placed Arsenal to leave Liverpool, 3-0 winners at Middlesbrough, and Manchester City, who beat Watford 2-0, to keep up the chase.

Manchester United continued its recent improvement with a 2-1 victory at Crystal Palace and West Bromwich Albion’s Salomon Rondon took the individual honours with a hat-trick of headers in a 3-1 win over Swansea City.

Chelsea’s win was particularly welcome because it came without the injured Eden Hazard.

One of the secrets behind its success has been continuity of selection, so manager Antonio Conte will be delighted at the way his revamped midfield of Fabregas and Willian combined beautifully just before half-time for the Spaniard to score the goal which confirmed Chelsea’s best run since 2005/06.

“Cesc is a good player for us,” Conte said.

“I have four midfielders and it is important for me to evaluate the form of the single players, some games you need players more physical and some games more technical. It is important that Cesc had a good game.

“I prefer my players not to look at the table and to focus on the next game in three days. We must prepare very well to have a good Christmas.”

That seems guaranteed since Chelsea will definitely top the table on December 25. On each of the previous four occasions it has achieved that feat it has gone on to win the title.

Liverpool sitting pretty after beating Middlesbrough

Liverpool overtook Arsenal in second place after a comfortable win at Middlesbrough with Adam Lallana involved in all three goals, scoring twice and laying on another for Divock Origi.

Manager Juergen Klopp reacted to dropping five points in the last two matches by picking Simon Mignolet in goal ahead of Loris Karius and the Belgian responded with one outstanding save in a clean sheet.

Manchester City also put recent stutters behind them as goals from Pablo Zabaleta – his first in two years – and David Silva secured a triumph over Watford, only its fifth victory in 16 matches.

Fifth-placed Tottenham Hotspur comfortably overcame Hull City 3-0, while Jose Mourinho’s Manchester United is starting to get a return on the huge money it invested in Paul Pogba and Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

James McArthur looked to have earned Palace a point after cancelling out Pogba’s opener but Swede Ibrahimovic struck two minutes from time to delight his manager.

“It was an amazing performance for a guy who is 35 years old, scoring goals, being a leader, amazing,” said Mourinho after overseeing United’s first back-to-back league wins since August.

West Bromwich Albion moved up to seventh, one place behind United, after Rondon became the first player to score a headed hat-trick in the Premier League since Duncan Ferguson in 1997.

The goals came in a devastating 13-minute burst early in the second half, as Swansea succumbed to the defensive frailty that has dogged it all season.

Its only consolation was that most of the sides around it also lost, West Ham being the exception after beating Burnley 1-0 with a goal from Mark Noble after his penalty was parried by Tom Heaton.

Stoke City striker Marko Arnautovic was sent off in his side’s 0-0 draw with Southampton, the fixture marking Stoke manager Mark Hughes’s 400th match as a Premier League manager.

Reuters

English Premier League

Pos	Team	P	W	D	L	GD	Pts
1	Chelsea	16	13	1	2	23	40
2	Liverpool	16	10	4	2	20	34
3	Arsenal	16	10	4	2	20	34
4	Manchester City	16	10	3	3	15	33
5	Tottenham Hotspur	16	8	6	2	16	30
6	Manchester United	16	7	6	3	5	27
7	West Bromwich Albion	16	6	5	5	4	23
8	Everton	16	6	5	5	1	23
9	Southampton	16	5	6	5	-1	21
10	Bournemouth	16	6	3	7	-3	21
11	Watford	16	6	3	7	-7	21
12	Stoke City	16	5	5	6	-5	20
13	Burnley	16	5	2	9	-11	17
14	Leicester City	16	4	4	8	-6	16
15	West Ham United	16	4	4	8	-13	16
16	Crystal Palace	16	4	3	9	-3	15
17	Middlesbrough	16	3	6	7	-6	15
18	Swansea City	16	3	3	10	-14	12
19	Hull City	16	3	3	10	-21	12
20	Sunderland	16	3	2	11	-14	11

Source: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-12-15/chelsea-defeats-sunderland-to-maintain-premier-league-lead/8123140

Ashley Williams scored his first goal for Everton to secure a fine morale-boosting victory and end Arsenal’s long unbeaten run in a pulsating game

Post-match thoughts

Ronald Koeman got the response he wanted from his players. Well, not immediately but he did after 30 minutes of the first half when his Everton players started to do everything he wanted them to. His midfield were sharp in the tackle, his forwards were motivated and had movement and his defence was resolute in the face of huge pressure late in that game. The one downside to that fine victory is that Jagielka is now suspended for the Merseyside derby. As for Arsenal, they struggled a bit phjysically. Coquelin and Xhaka didn’t boss midfield as McCarthy and Gueye stamped their authority on the game and therefore the supply lines to Ozil and Sanchez were not as good as they could have been. That said, they could, and probably should, have scored in the final minute of stoppage time as they hammed on the door. That would have made me look good for my prediction too. A good night for the blues then, Everton and Chelsea. Thanks for your emails. Goodnight.

And one final email: “I thought modern football was spinning out of financial control,” writes Peter Oh. “Based on your readers’ scorching missives, it’s nothing compared to what has happened to modern firefighting.”

90+4 min: Somehow Everton don’t concede as Arsenal ping about four shots at goal that culminate in Baines clearing off the line, Lukaku racing clear and setting Barkley up, badly, when he could have scored. The reason? Cech was still galloping back. What a finish to a frantic, wonderful game …

90+3 min: The corner is cleared and Jagielka is sent off for a second yellow card as he pulls back Perez.

90+2 min: Xhaka floats a ball towards Monreal at the back post. Coleman leaps and heads clear for a corner. Cech’s up for this one.

90 min: There’ll be four minutes added time. Barkley clatters a shot at Cech when all he had to do was square the ball to Mirallas for a tap-in. Everton win a corner and take it short in the hope they can waste time. They do keep possession. Can they see this out?

89 min: McCarthy is replaced by Funes Mori. He’s won the midfield battle with Xhaka. His furious tackling at the end of the first half helped swing this game the way of Everton too.

88 min: What a din at Goodison. The fans almost fall silent though as Sanchez drifts a ball in towards Giroud’s head but it’s inches away and Stekelenburg clasps the ball gratefully.

87 min: Arsenal’s marking was poor there but Williams and Everton won’t give a flying one. Maybe he was Xhaka’s man. Maybe he wasn’t. Could Koeman salvage another season with a win against Arsenal.

Goal! Everton 2-1 Arsenal (Williams 86)

What a moment for Williams. Barkley plays a brilliant ball into the box, Williams steams in and fires a header low into the net. Goodison erupts. It’s his first goal for the club. What a goal. How important that could be for Everton’s season.

84 min: Lukaku is fouled by Koscielny (they’ve had a fine battle tonight). Baines whips the free-kick into the box where a header is pinged down into an Arsenal player. Moments later Jagielka forces a fine stop from Cech. Corner …

82 min: Gueye turns beautifully to send his marker the wrong way and then plays a delicious little one-two before trying to feed the ball through to Lukaku, only to see his pass dink off an Arsenal defender and roll through to Cech. That was fleet-footed brilliance by the Everton midfielder.

80 min: Lukaku holds the ball up well and finds Coleman, on the gallop, on the right. He throws a few shapes before drifting in a left-footed cross that is cleared comfortably. The pace has dipped just a little. Not by much though.

78 min: What a show of faith in Dominic Calvert Lewin this is by Koeman. The 19-year-old, signed from Sheffield United for £1.5m, makes his debut. He replaces Enner Valencia, who gets a rousing round of applause for his hard work tonight. A teenager coming on against Arsenal with the score 1-1? Hmmm.

 77 min: Allen Matthew Turner writes: “In response to Ali Robertson, if your uncle was making £35,000 a year, only put out one fire in 50 years and it took him three hours then he was actually making £583,333.33 per hour. Also, he wasn’t a fireman.”

75 min: Sanchez gets free in the inside-left channel again. His ball inside is at an awkward height for Iwobi, though, who can’t get his body under control as he prods a shot just wide.

73 min: Everton have their juices up. Lukaku wallops a shot at Monreal. Then Barkley whips in a wonderful ball that hits Koscielny and stops dead a couple of feet from the goal-line. Lukaku tries to get to it but as he gets his body in front of Koscielny, Iwobi pokes the ball away. Coleman plays a fine ball in moments later that is oh so close to finding its way through to Lukaku. This is much better from Everton

70 min: Oxlade Chamberlain is off and Iwobi is on for Arsenal. And Walcott too. He’s replaced by Giroud.

69 min: Sometimes there is no finer sight in football than a big man running really, really fast. Lukaku was that glorious sight just then, knocking the ball past Gabriel and racing after it in thrilling style only to slice his shot into the side-netting.

67 min: Mirallas replaces Lennon, who has had a quiet second half. “On TV they just showed Chris Waddle announcing the game,” writes JR in Illinois. “The headset he is wearing is gigantic. He is almost literally all just … headphones.” Maybe he is hard of hearing and needs massive cans JR. He’s no spring chicken these days.

64 min: Sanchez is released into the box, where he poses a rare old threat. He shimmies to the byline and drills a cross in that Williams blocks. Then Monreal picks up the rebound and fizzes a cross over … everyone. Arsenal come back again. Everton are on the ropes … but they survive. There is a cracking pace to this game.

63 min: Valencia, who has got himself into good positions all night, whips a low cross in towards Lukaku only to see it bounce off Koscielny and into Cech’s arms. That could, very easily, have been an own goal had the ricochet been a bit crueler.

62 min: The game is swinging back in Everton’s favour. They’re playing with vim and vigour once more. Here’s Ali Robertson: “I had an uncle that was an underemployed fireman for 50 years at, I guess, around 35k a year. He only had to put out one fire, that took him about 3 hours. Was he paid almost £10,000 per hour? Charles Antaki thinks so.”

60 min: Barkley finds space behind Coquelin and fizzes a left-footed shot just wide from 20 yards. Then Coquelin’s studs find Gueye’s shin and the Arsenal midfielder would appear to be lucky to avoid a yellow card. He’s had a few nibbles tonight.

57 min: Some brave goalkeeping by Stekelenburg stops Ozil from nipping in to get a free shot on goal. Bellerin had slipped the German in on goal but the Everton keeper rushed out and took a whack off Baines as he gathered the ball. I think his baubles took the brunt of Baines’s studs. Ooyah! Some deep breaths later and he’s up and at it again.

55 min: Everton break and Baines is tripped by Coquelin 20 yards from goal. Barkley stands over it … but his curled effort on goal is blocked by the wall.

53 min: Suddenly Arsenal are bringing the gegen … pressing Everton into a corner and forcing Coleman into a hurried clearance. Arsenal come back, Oxlade-Chamberlain slipping Sanchez in down the left wing. The Chilean pulls the ball back to Ozil who, completely unmarked, uncharacteristically curls the ball over from 12 yards when the net was gaping and Ozil was well positioned. Well, it happens.

52 min: Giroud and Iwobi are warming up for Arsenal. Here’s a lovely interview with the Arsenal youngster.

50 min: Dink, dink, dink, dink, dink. Arsenal are dominating possession but Everton are holding them back. But there is a feeling that if there is too much more of this ball-hogging from Arsenal, they will find a way through.

49 min: A warning sign for Everton. Sanchez, Walcott and Ozil play three of the simplest one-touch passes you will ever see and create a crossing opportunity for Sanchez. One that Walcott can’t take, as he heads over. How Giroud would have loved that.

47 min: Bellerin dinks a lovely little ball forwards to Coquelin, who returns the favour. But Baines stops Bellerin in his tracks and Everton clear. And now Charles Antaki brings the maths: “Erm, here goes: £400,000 a week, say for one game, played over 90 minutes, £400,000 / 90 …. (wrestles with pen and paper, gives up, uses trusty computer calculator, though not confidently)… yes, £4,400 a minute. Ah no, that’s with rounding.. £4,444! My final offer.”

45 min: Peep! And off we go again. Lukaku, not a man known for his pressing, puts Cech under pressure and forces him to wallop the ball clear. That’s a sign that Everton will begin where they left off.

Right, well Everton looked a completely different team when Koeman flared his nostrils and his team responded and pressed Arsenal. That said, they will need to create a great deal of chances to win this game as they feel Arsenal might only need three to score one or two goals. Everton made need 10. Keep your eye on tempers spiralling out of control in this second half too. McCarthy needs to keep his lid under control. Everton can’t afford a sending off. And how is this new Arsenal spine? Can it withstand a furious second half in the stormy north-west? A place that has done for previous title challenges? We’ll see.

An email: “Can we have the maths of Charles Antaki regarding Sanchez?” demands Yoann Lechenault. “Because I think he didn’t switch off just his moral scruples.”

Half-time: Everton 1-1 Arsenal

That was great. And my prediction of 2-2 is still alive.

45 min: Everton must wish the half could carry on. They look affronted as the half-time whistle goes. Then there is a load of pushing and shoving between the two teams as they try to get down the tunnel. This has been highly entertaining.

Goal! Everton 1-1 Arsenal (Coleman 44)

And there’s that missing quality. Gueye finds Baines out on the left. He sends Walcott for a copy of the Echo with a little swivel of the hips, and then whips in a beautiful ball with his right foot for Coleman to glance into the far corner. A deserved equaliser. Everton had already found their mojo, they just needed that moment of quality.

42 min: There’s a pulsating tempo in this game now. Barkley shows lovely feet to skip inside Bellerin and then wallops a crossfield pass over to Lukaku. He controls the ball and then slows play down unnecessarily. The result is a cross into the box that is cleared by Koscielny. Then McCarthy clatters into Coquelin and is booked for his trouble.

Source: https://www.theguardian.com/football/live/2016/dec/13/everton-v-arsenal-premier-league-live

Football Federation SA builds links with EPL giant Arsenal

LOCAL soccer players will have the chance to gain coaching accreditations and work overseas under the guidance of an English Premier League giant next year.

Football Federation SA has struck a deal with 13-time English champion Arsenal to allow six youngsters to travel to London in August to take part in the club’s gap year program.

Participants will train for five months under Gunners development staff, earning the equivalent of a youth C licence and qualifications to teach English as a foreign language.

They will then complete a three-month international placement coaching children in Africa, Asia or the US.

FFSA game development manager John Mundy said the opportunity – normally available only to UK residents – would open up long-term job prospects.

“Not everyone is going to make the top grade as a player, so we like to give people other options,” Mundy said.

“This could lead to them hopefully working in the game they love.

“To end up with Arsenal on your CV is pretty good.”

Four male participants will be chosen from the federation’s Australian College of Sport program, while two females will be selected from state development pathways.

They will work in the Arsenal in the Community program, which delivers soccer and education programs to more than 5000 people each week.

Mundy hoped the players would return to SA to share their knowledge with local clubs.

“We feel after the experience they will have gained that they will be a great asset to us,” he said.

Arsenal visited Adelaide last December to run its Double Club learning program for school-aged children.

Alan Sefton, who has led the Gunners’ community schemes since 1986, said the gap year collaboration was an indication of the growing relationship between the club and SA soccer.

“I am delighted to be expanding our links with FFSA and their game development team,” Sefton said.

“The Double Club program has been a success in South Australia and I am confident that the gap program will be received equally as well.”

Fulham United goalkeeper Valentino Esposito said the initiative would offer a rare insight into the inner workings of professional European football.

If selected for the program, he hoped to combine it with playing for a semi-professional club in England.

“It’s a great opportunity for anyone looking to get experience overseas,” Esposito, 19, said.

“You get to work on your playing, but also work on other pathways like coaching.

“It’s a new step – these kinds of things haven’t been offered to us in the past.”

The cost of the initial program would be met by chosen players. The three-month placement would be covered by their host country.

Source: http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/messenger/sport/football-federation-sa-builds-links-with-epl-giant-arsenal/news-story/7cf9978b78cbbaf7723d814c9df8dee4

Lionel Messi: Barcelona forward meets Afghan boy who became viral star

An Afghan boy who became an online hit after wearing a homemade shirt bearing Lionel Messi’s famous number 10 has met his hero.

A photograph of six-year-old Murtaza Ahmadi wearing the shirt made from a striped blue plastic bag went viral in January and ended with the boy receiving a signed shirt from the Barcelona striker.

But now the pair have come face to face in Doha, according to Qatar’s 2022 World Cup organising committee.

Barcelona are in Qatar to play a friendly against Al Ahli on Tuesday and Ahmadi will walk out on to the pitch with Messi.

“The image the world wanted to see,” tweeted the Supreme Committee on Tuesday. “The six-year-old boy who dreamed of meeting his hero, #Messi, finally comes true.”

Ahmadi, who comes from the Jaghori District, in the eastern Ghazni province of Afghanistan, was forced to flee the country to Pakistan in May.

Murtaza was finally identified as the boy in the picture after his uncle, Azim Ahmadi, an Afghan living in Australia, put BBC Trending in touch with his brother, Arif – the young devoted Messi fan’s father.

Take part in our new Premier League Predictor game, which allows you to create leagues with friends.

Source: http://www.bbc.com/sport/football/38301293

Patriots se enfrentarían a Raiders en México en Monday Night Football

La NFL tendría definidos los equipos que jugarán en México la próxima temporada.

De acuerdo a John Sutcliffe de ESPN, los Oakland Raiders volverían al Estadio Azteca como locales para enfrentarse a los New England Patriots en Monday Night Football.

Los aficionados en México son fantásticos, jugamos allá en el Estadio Azteca creo que en 1998 contra los [Dallas] Cowboys en pretemporada y fue una experiencia fantástica”, declaró el propietario de los Patriots, Robert Kraft, en entrevista con Sutcliffe. “Mi comida favorita en el mundo es la mexicana así que cuando estuve ahí lo adoré, así que amaré mucho que tengamos la oportunidad de jugar en México”.

Los Raiders regresarían al Estadio Azteca donde jugaron este año en el primer Monday Night Football jugado fuera de los Estados Unidos, partido en el que derrotaron a los Houston Texans.

Source: http://www.espn.com.mx/futbol-americano/nota/_/id/2887234/patriots-se-enfrentarian-a-raiders-en-mexico-en-monday-night-football

Former girlfriend of Bryce Cartwright charged after string of social media posts

The former girlfriend of Penrith star Bryce Cartwright has been arrested at her Constitution Hill home on Tuesday afternoon after a complaint was made to police on Monday.

Brittany Hura, 24, was taken to Parramatta police station where she was charged with using a carriage service to menace, harass or offend and stalk/intimidate with the intent to cause physical harm.

Hura was granted police bail and will appear in Penrith Local Court on Tuesday, December 20.

Police had been investigating a string of vile social media posts aimed at Cartwright.

The messages, allegedly posted by Hura, included a threat to put the 22-year-old “six feet under … Bro, you’re gone … chick chick pew.”

The account, which posted images of the couple and a string of alleged text correspondence, has now been suspended.

Panthers CEO Brian Fletcher said before the arrest: “The club has been monitoring the behaviour of Bryce Cartwright’s ex-girlfriend for some time.

“The situation escalated over the weekend with serious threats being directed towards Bryce and those close to him via social media platforms.

“As a result, this is now a NSW Police matter. We are most appreciative of the swift response by NSW Police to this situation.

“The priority of Panthers is to ensure the protection, safety and wellbeing of Bryce, his partner and his family. We are affording Bryce all the support we can during this difficult time.

“The club will be making no further comment until NSW Police have concluded their investigations.”

The NRL has asked the Panthers for information about the issue.

Cartwright is considered a representative player of the future and has been chosen as part of the 2017 emerging Blues squad.

The Cartwright storm is another issue this week for the NRL Integrity Unit, which has already been referred a case by the Sydney Roosters after Tricolours prop Dylan Napa was attacked at an exclusive Palm Beach party on the weekend.

In a separate off-field scandal, Eels forward Kenny Edwards is facing domestic violence charges stemming from an incident on the weekend.

Source: http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/league-news/former-girlfriend-of-bryce-cartwright-charged-after-string-of-social-media-posts-20161213-gta6bk.html

Diego Costa strike sends Chelsea to top of table as United beat Tottenham

London: Diego Costa made the difference with Chelsea overcoming a defensive West Bromwich Albion 1-0 to return to the top of the Premier League with their ninth victory in a row.

In other games on Sunday, Manchester United overcame Tottenham 1-0 and Southampton beat Middlesbrough by the same margin.

At Stamford Bridge, Spaniard Costa’s second-half strike sent the Blues three points clear of Arsenal, who had taken the overall lead on goals scored on Saturday after seeing off Stoke City 3-1 at the Emirates.

With the game heading for a stalemate, Costa seized on a defensive error to break the deadlock with a superb shot into the top left corner in the 76th minute.

It was the league top scorer’s 12th goal of the campaign, as many as he scored all last season.

Chelsea, who have now won nine Premier League games in a row for the fifth time in their history, have 37 points to Arsenal’s 34 after 15 games.

Antonio Conte’s men created very little in the first half against a stubborn side who had taken 10 points from their past four games but the introduction of Cesc Fabregas in the 74th-minute provided a breakthrough.

He played a long ball to the corner and hesitant West Brom defender Gareth McAuley was dispossessed by Costa who gave goalkeeper Ben Foster no chance.

“We knew it could be difficult to create chances, they played their game, had a plan and did it very well. But thanks to this man (Costa) once again we have three points,” Fabregas said.

“Every pass I make, he makes it special. Probably it will count as an assist but it was all him today. He fought for the ball … the game was asking for a change and it happened and I’m very glad for that.”

West Brom, with just one shot on target, hadn’t won at Stamford Bridge in the top flight since 1978. They are eighth with 20 points.

“It was a tough game and we prepared for this situation,” said Conte.

“We played with passion. West Brom is a tough team, a physical team who are difficult to break down.”

United shake off Spurs

At Old Trafford, Henrikh Mkhitaryan’s first Premier League goal earned Jose Mourinho’s Manchester United a much-needed 1-0 victory over high-flying Tottenham Hotspur.

The Armenian, who was carried off on a stretcher with 10 minutes to go after a heavy tackle left him clutching his ankle, blasted home on 29 minutes after Ander Herrera intercepted a sloppy Harry Kane pass in midfield.

Herrera fed the ball through and Mkhitaryan, a $31.44 million close-season buy from Borussia Dortmund who was left out in the cold earlier in the campaign, did the rest with a rocket of a shot over keeper Hugo Lloris.

The unmarked Victor Wanyama missed a good chance to grab an equaliser for Spurs following a free kick in the 56th minute, his header going inexplicably wide, while Paul Pogba struck the woodwork for United in the 64th.

The hosts remained sixth with 24 points, three behind fifth-placed Tottenham who might otherwise have overtaken Manchester City on goal difference.

United remain one of the two current Premier League teams that Kane, last season’s top marksman, has yet to score against.

The victory was United’s first at home in the league since September.

Sofiane Boufal strikes for Southampton winner 

Southampton recovered from the disappointment of their midweek Europa League elimination to return to winning ways in the Premier League, beating Middlesbrough 1-0 at St Mary’s.

The winner came in the 53rd minute when Sofiane Boufal picked up the ball from James Ward-Prowse and unleashed an unstoppable left-foot shot into the net for his first league goal.

It was the one high point of a drab match which did much to explain why both teams average less than a goal a game this season. Neither side threatened in an uneventful first half noteworthy only for the booking of Dusan Tadic.

Southampton looked more potent after the interval, when the Serbian was surprisingly replaced by Nathan Redmond, and would have secured a more comfortable win had Jay Rodriguez not blasted over the bar late on.

Liverpool share the spoils with West Ham

Liverpool took the lead early but then had to come from behind in a roller coaster 2-2 draw with West Ham.

Anfield’s delight at the returning Adam Lallana’s clever opener on five minutes turned to despair when they fell apart spectacularly before the break.

Liverpool keeper Loris Karius, at fault for Bournemouth’s winner last week, let in a 20-metre free kick from Dimitri Payet despite getting a hand to the ball.

Defender Joel Matip then stumbled to allow a looping pass over his head for the on-running Michail Antonio to slot the ball beyond the stranded Karius in the 39th minute.

Third-placed Liverpool, though, did not have a trademark on mistakes and three minutes into the second half West Ham keeper Darren Randolph flapped at a cross from Sadio Mane, leaving Divock Origi a simple job to bag his fourth goal in as many games.

Jordan Henderson and Nathaniel Clyne went close to grabbing a winner for the home team but West Ham claimed the point they needed to climb out of the relegation zone.

Source: http://www.smh.com.au/sport/soccer/diego-costa-strike-sends-chelsea-to-top-of-table-as-united-beat-tottenham-20161211-gt8tbl.html