ROME (REUTERS) - World number one Novak Djokovic was furious with the chair umpire for not suspending play as rain trickled down during his Italian Open second-round match against American Taylor Fritz on Tuesday (May 11). The 33-year-old Serb made his feelings clear after he was broken when serving for victory in the second set. "How much do you wanna play?," Djokovic yelled at umpire Nacho Forcadell. "I asked you three times, you are not checking anything." The match was eventually suspended for three hours before Djokovic secured a 6-3 7-6(5) victory. All the other men's matches for the day were cancelled. Djokovic said he had been struggling with the court conditions before the players were sent off the court at 5-5 in the second set. "It's not the first time or probably the last that I'm going to experience such conditions," Djokovic, who has received an opening-round bye this week, told Amazon Prime. "And even with that much experience behind me I still get upset and lose my cool. But it's OK. At the end of the day these are great lessons - I will try and take away some important things from this day." Djokovic was disqualified from last year's US Open after accidentally hitting a female line judge with a ball during his fourth-round match against Spain's Pablo Carreno Busta. Chasing a sixth title in Rome, Djokovic will play the winner of the match between Britain's Cameron Norrie and Spaniard Alejandro Davidovich Fokina in the round of 16.
BRIGHTON (REUTERS) - Brighton & Hove Albion took a stride towards Premier League safety and left Newcastle United deep in the relegation mire after a 3-0 home victory in the basement battle on Saturday (March 20). Leandro Trossard's lethal finish gave Brighton the lead just before halftime and Danny Welbeck matched that with a sumptuous curler six minutes after the restart. Newcastle's misery was complete when Neal Maupay's sharp finish made it 3-0 with around 20 minutes remaining. Sixteenth-placed Brighton's second successive victory put them on 32 points from 29 games, six points above third-from-bottom Fulham who have also played one game more. Newcastle, without a league win in six games, are 17th and only two points ahead of Fulham, albeit with a game in hand. It was the sort of night that has summed up Newcastle's season as shortly before going behind, they lost midfielder Isaac Hayden to what looked a serious leg injury after an accidental collision with Brighton's Yves Bissouma. And just a minute before Welbeck struck they were denied an equaliser when Ryan Fraser's curling effort struck the post. Newcastle could have few complaints though as Brighton goalkeeper Robert Sanchez did not have to make a save.
SINGAPORE - A white sport utility vehicle was seen flipped on its back on the Seletar Expressway (SLE) in the direction of Woodlands on Monday (March 1). At about 8.05am, the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) was alerted to a road accident before the Woodlands Avenue 12 exit. SCDF officers assessed a man for minor injuries, who then declined to be taken to hospital. The Straits Times understands that no other cars were involved in the accident. The driver is understood to have lost control of the vehicle, which spun around before flipping over. The car appeared to have suffered damage to its front, with bits of debris scattered on the road nearby. There was also a small cordon on the road near Mandai at about 8.40am when an ST reader saw the car and workmen surveying the site. More on this topic Related Story 10-vehicle pile-up on ECP during Monday morning rush hour, three injured Related Story 12 injured after collision between lorry and bus on PIE
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND (REUTERS) - Manchester United eased into the Europa league last 16 after a 0-0 home draw with Real Sociedad on Thursday (Feb 25) completed a 4-0 aggregate win over the Spanish side in their round of 32 clash. With one eye on Sunday's Premier League clash against Chelsea, United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer started striker Marcus Rashford and defender Harry Maguire on the bench. Sociedad missed a 13th-minute penalty as Mikel Oyarzabal blazed his spot-kick wide before a lethargic United came to life and Bruno Fernandes rattled the crossbar with a swerving shot from 15 metres. Modibo Sagnan hit the woodwork for Sociedad with a close-range header shortly after the break before United substitute Axel Tuanzebe had a goal disallowed for Victor Lindelof's foul on Jon Bautista. Fernandes made way for Rashford at the interval but United largely went through the motions in the second half as they kept the visitors at bay, with striker Anthony Martial enduring another frustrating evening.
MELBOURNE • Karolina Pliskova said she never got into her comfort zone yesterday as the sixth seed exited the Australian Open following a 7-5, 7-5 third-round defeat by fellow Czech Karolina Muchova at Rod Laver Arena. Pliskova's frustrations boiled over in the first set as she received a code violation for racket abuse. She was then handed a point deduction for smashing another racket in the tunnel between sets. She said afterwards she had been a little bit surprised at the second warning, but that it had had a positive impact on her game. "I think actually it helped me in the second set because I was (annoyed) so I started to play well," she said. After losing the opening set, she raced to a 5-0 lead in the second before the wheels came off, allowing Muchova to complete the victory and reach the fourth round in Melbourne for the first time. "There was long game for 5-1 and 6-0. I thought she just played little bit better at this moment," Pliskova added. "Of course, I played quite amazing to 5-0, but then it's quite tough to hold this level. I just could do so many things better today. I don't think my game is the top for sure. "The feeling was not great from any of my matches here. I think overall, too many mistakes, too much panic in the rallies. "I don't know if it's just not having any matches much lately. I don't feel like safe with anything I was doing on the court." Muchova, the world No. 27, next faces Belgium's Elise Mertens for a place in the quarter-finals. Meanwhile, world No. 1 Ashleigh Barty made light work of Russia's Ekaterina Alexandrova, frustrating the big-hitting 29th seed in a 6-2, 6-4 victory. Showing no signs of being hampered by her heavily strapped left thigh, the Australian said she had been happy with how effective her backhand slice had been, although she conceded that she possibly went to it too often. DAY 6 SELECTED RESULTS MEN'S 3RD RD: Casper Ruud (Nor) bt Radu Albot (Mda) 6-1 5-7 6-4 6-4, Mackenzie McDonald (USA) bt Lloyd Harris (Rsa) 7-6 (9-7) 6-1 6-4, Fabio Fognini (Ita) bt Alex de Minaur (Aus) 6-4 6-3 6-4, Rafael Nadal (Esp) bt Cam Norrie (Gbr) 7-5 6-2 7-5. WOMEN'S 3RD RD: Shelby Rogers (USA) bt Anett Kontaveit (Est) 6-4 6-3, Elise Mertens (Bel) bt Belinda Bencic (Sui) 6-2 6-1, Elina Svitolina (Ukr) bt Yulia Putintseva (Kaz) 6-4 6-0, Donna Vekic (Cro) bt Kaia Kanepi (Est) 5-7 7-6 (7-2) 6-4. "I've never played with her before and never hit with her before," she said of her opponent. "I just had to figure out where I wanted to place the ball and change my patterns, but I was happy with the run I was able to get on." The 24-year-old's unwavering accuracy and canny slices ended an impressive run for Alexandrova, who arrived in hot form after upsetting world No. 2 Simona Halep and French Open champion Iga Swiatek at last week's Gippsland Trophy. Barty will face Shelby Rogers in the fourth round. The 2019 French Open champion is on a mission to end Australia's 43-year singles title drought in Melbourne. REUTERS, AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND (REUTERS) - Alexandre Lacazette and Bukayo Saka scored and had an assist each as Arsenal won 3-1 away to Southampton in the Premier League on Tuesday (Jan 26), exacting revenge for their FA Cup fourth-round loss to the Saints on Saturday. Southampton took an early lead when Stuart Armstrong met James Ward-Prowse's corner with a thunderous half-volley in the third minute, but Nicolas Pepe drew Arsenal level five minutes later with a cool left-footed finish from Granit Xhaka's pass. Saka put the Gunners ahead six minutes before halftime, latching on to a superb pass from Lacazette before rounding keeper Alex McCarthy, who had rushed out of his goal, and slotting the ball home. The roles were reversed in the 73rd minute as Saka crossed for Lacazette to score the third and seal a victory that lifts Arsenal to eighth place in the table on 30 points, one ahead of Aston Villa, Chelsea and Southampton.
LONDON (AFP) – Manchester United moved level on points with Liverpool at the top of the Premier League on Friday (Jan 1) as Bruno Fernandes’ penalty saw off Aston Villa 2-1 in an entertaining clash at Old Trafford. Anthony Martial’s header five minutes before the break was just reward for a bright start by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men, but they were pegged back by Bertrand Traore’s equaliser just before the hour mark. Just three minutes later, though, United’s talisman Fernandes won the game from the spot after Paul Pogba had been upended inside the area. Another season just contending for a top-four finish looked in store for United after winning just two of their opening six league games. But as all the other contenders have stumbled in recent weeks, the Red Devils have now taken 26 from a possible 30 points to mount an unexpected title challenge. Solskjaer’s side needed a 93rd minute winner to beat Wolves on Tuesday, but were far faster out the blocks this time round. Martial forced Emiliano Martinez into an excellent save high to his left inside 10 minutes before Fred, Pogba and Fernandes fired efforts just off target. The breakthrough came five minutes before the break and owed much to Pogba’s ingenuity with the Frenchman finally starting to find form despite the speculation over his future. Pogba and Marcus Rashford combined to send Aaron Wan-Bissaka free down the right and his cross was headed home by Martial at the near post. Villa were on a five-game unbeaten run themselves to earn a place in the top six and showed why with their start to the second-half as United were forced back. Jack Grealish was again at the heart of all the visitors’ best work going forward and it was from his cross that Ollie Watkins’s header produced a fine reflex save from David De Gea. From Grealish’s next dangerous delivery, Villa deservedly equalised as this time Traore took a touch and slotted low past De Gea. However, Dean Smith’s men quickly undid their good work as a soft challenge from Douglas Luiz on Pogba was deemed enough for a penalty by referee Michael Oliver. Fernandes’ near-perfect penalty record continued as he slotted the spot-kick just out of the reach of Martinez for his 15th goal of the season. Pogba should have rounded off a promising performance by sealing the points when he side-footed just wide when unmarked inside the area before more Martinez heroics denied Fernandes a double as he turned the Portuguese’s fierce effort onto the crossbar. And United needed a big save from their own goalkeeper in stoppage time to hang on as De Gea sprang to his right to turn Matty Cash’s long-range effort behind. Everton lack ‘quality’ Earlier, Everton missed the chance to close to within a point of the top two as they were beaten 1-0 at home by West Ham. The Toffees failed to exert themselves on a West Ham side playing their third game in six days and were punished when Tomas Soucek slotted home the winner four minutes from time. “It was not a good game,” said Everton boss Carlo Ancelotti. “We didn’t have opportunities and we didn’t concede opportunities, they had a lucky deflection and we lost the game. We could play with more intensity and more quality up front.” More on this topic Related Story Football: Tomas Soucek strikes late winner for West Ham at Everton Related Story Football: Five Man City players to miss Chelsea trip due to Covid-19, says Guardiola David Moyes’ men had the toughest festive fixture schedule in the Premier League in terms of rest and he said there has been a change in mindset with the Hammers this season to battle through adversity. “The players have played three games in six games, they are amazing,” said Moyes, who won for the first time as a visiting manager at Goodison Park, where he made his name in 11 years in charge of Everton. “I don’t think there was any difference in the fitness levels so great credit to the players, there has been a big change in the mentality here at West Ham.” Victory took West Ham to within three points of third, although they remain in 10th in a tight Premier League table. More on this topic Related Story Football: Fulham boss Scott Parker unsure if Burnley match will go ahead due to Covid-19 Related Story Football: Fulham game postponement due to Covid-19 was 'unprofessional', says Spurs' Mourinho
SINGAPORE - In a desperate bid to save costs on divorce proceedings, a man lied before a court that his newly-wed wife had refused to consummate their marriage, so that they could annul their marriage instead. Daryl Lim Chun Leng, 25, also wanted to avoid being labelled a divorcee, and he got his then wife to agree to his plan in exchange for his cooperation in future matters. On Tuesday (Dec 22), Lim was sentenced to one week's jail after he pleaded guilty to one charge of lying before a court of justice. The court heard that Lim and Ms Wang Kechen, 24, were married in January 2017, but had marital troubles by mid-June that year, after Lim discovered that she had an extramarital affair. Lim then proposed an annulment, which he said was a "better" option, as the cost of the proceedings was lower and both could avoid being labelled as divorcees, according to court documents. An annulment would also "void the marriage immediately", and Lim promised to maintain appearances in front of Ms Wang's parents and to help her in all her future requests. Both parties agreed to annul the marriage, and Lim engaged a law firm to commence annulment proceedings, on the basis that Ms Wang had "wilfully refused" to consummate their marriage, said court documents. A district judge granted an interim judgment in August based on Lim's false claim, and pronounced that their marriage is void. However, their lies were subsequently uncovered and they were discovered to have had sex with each other between January and July 2017. Investigations further revealed that Lim had continued to have sex with Ms Wang in August and October before the annulment was finalised in November 2017. Court documents did not state how the pair were found out. For making a false claim before a court of justice, Lim could have been jailed for up to two years, and fined. He will begin his sentence on Jan 4 next year. More on this topic Related Story Man jailed after harassing judge because he was unhappy with divorce proceedings Related Story Courts & Crime: Read more stories
LOS ANGELES • Dr Leroy Sims, the medical director of the National Basketball Association (NBA), joined front-line healthcare workers in California in getting the Covid-19 Pfizer vaccine last week. He was among 148 respiratory therapists, registered nurses, and doctors to get the jab at the Mills-Peninsula Medical Centre in Burlingame, California. "For me, this has been a long-time coming," Sims, who practises emergency medicine at the hospital as well, said. "I've been dealing with the pandemic from Jan 4 in terms of informing the NBA and friends and family, and followed it really closely. "So to be at this point, there's no anxiety whatsoever. I'm really proud to be at this place." His vaccine came just days before the regular season tips off today. A handful of teams, including the Orlando Magic, Atlanta Hawks, Memphis Grizzlies and Utah Jazz, are allowing a limited number of fans into their arenas for the first time since March. Fans of the other teams may have to wait. "Really it's going to be based on what the US looks like. The north-east looks different from the south-east looks different from the west," he added. "And what the case burden is, positivity rates. So until we get the green light from the Department of Public Health and in those areas where we're not allowed to have fans, we won't. But to the extent that we can do it and do it safely, we will." In the meantime, the league remains focused on keeping players safe, recommending that they continue to wear masks and keep physical distances and will also continue its deep testing protocols, Sims, who also managed the bio-secure bubble in Orlando, said. According to the league and the National Basketball Players Association, almost 9 per cent of players tested positive before training camps opened earlier this month. Back in late June, just over 5 per cent tested positive before they gathered in Florida, where teams finished out the season in the bubble. During the league's three-month stay at Disney World, not a single player or coach tested positive for Covid-19 after the virus derailed the season in March for four months. As the vaccine roll-out continues into the new year, Sims revealed that the NBA would be waiting for healthcare workers, the vulnerable, and any necessary essential workers to get vaccinated before its players and staff. "In everything that we do, we have an eye on social responsibility. So we're not jumping the line," he said. "When the opportunity comes for us to roll it out in a larger way to our players and to our staff, we'll do that. "But we're not going to do that before the necessary essential workers get vaccinated." REUTERS
LIVERPOOL (AFP) - Liverpool celebrated their first appearance in front of their fans as English champions on Sunday (Dec 6) by humbling Wolves 4-0 to join Tottenham at the top of the Premier League table. Mohamed Salah capitalised on an error by Wolves captain Conor Coady to open the scoring midway through the first half as 2,000 supporters celebrated joyously. Georginio Wijnaldum doubled Liverpool's lead with a wonderful curled finish from distance shortly before the hour mark and Joel Matip put the game beyond Wolves before a late own goal added gloss to the scoreline. The comfortable win took Jurgen Klopp's men to 24 points - behind leaders Spurs on goal difference, with a summit meeting between the two teams on December 16. The visitors started brightly and Ruben Neves hit the roof of the net with an early free-kick. The lively Sadio Mane had a chance to put Liverpool in front in the 12th minute from an Andy Robertson cross from the left but the Senegal forward could not keep his header on target. Both teams looked sharp on the break and stand-in Liverpool goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher was forced to scramble to his right to keep out a cute chipped effort from Daniel Podence. But the 2,000 home fans inside Anfield - allowed into the stadium after coronavirus restrictions were eased in certain parts of England - had something to cheer in the 24th minute. There did not appear to be much danger when Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson sent a long ball over the top into the Wolves penalty area. But Coady, who used to be on Liverpool's books, got his calculations wrong. The ball came off his chest and Salah nipped in to fire home left-footed. Wolves were awarded a penalty in the dying minutes of the first half after Mane was adjudged to have fouled Coady. But VAR ruled out the spot-kick after the TV replay showed there had been no contact. Wolves searched for a way back into the match in the early stages of the second half and Coady found himself in a threatening position in the Liverpool box before Fabinho whipped the ball away. Seconds later, Liverpool were charging forward again on the counter-attack, towards the Kop. Henderson played a long ball which Wijnaldum collected before producing a measured finish into the top left-hand corner of Rui Patricio's net. Liverpool put the result beyond doubt in the 67th minute when Salah's inswinging cross was met by Joel Matip from close range. By now the home side were in total control, with Salah trying to dance his way through Wolves defenders. Liverpool's fourth goal came when substitute Trent Alexander-Arnold, returning from injury, produced a delicious cross from the right which was turned in by Nelson Semedo for an own goal.
NAPLES (AFP) - Napoli's players honoured club legend Diego Maradona on Thursday (Nov 26) by stepping out onto the pitch wearing his number 10 jersey ahead of their Europa League match with Rijeka. Captain Lorenzo Insigne had earlier led the tributes alongside fans gathered outside the San Paolo Stadium before the game, Napoli's first since Maradona's death at the age of 60 on Wednesday. All wearing black armbands, the team also wore Maradona's iconic jersey during the team presentation and minute's silence, under a photo projected on a large screen of the man who led Napoli to league titles in 1987 and 1990 and the UEFA Cup in 1989. Throughout the day, supporters thronged in front of the San Paolo stadium, which could soon be renamed in honour of Maradona. "I believe it is right to baptise the San Paolo with your name to still have you with us," wrote club president Aurelio de Laurentiis on the club's website. A plaque was put up on the gates of the stadium which read "Diego Armando Maradona Stadium" and bore the face of the fans' Argentine hero. Blue-white scarves, flowers, photos of Maradona and shirts stamped with number 10 were left in memory of the player whose seven seasons between 1984-1991 left an indelible mark on Neapolitans. An hour before kick-off, there were still several hundred fans singing in front of the stadium. Other Neapolitans, even more numerous, gathered in Piazza del Plebiscito in the centre of Naples. More on this topic Related Story 'Adios Diego': World says farewell to football great Maradona as emotions spill over Related Story Maradona flew and fell. It is why we loved him Shortly before the match, Insigne and former Napoli storekeeper, Tommaso Starace, left the stadium to join the tributes by laying a wreath at the foot of the gates. "Maradona means a lot, not just to me but to all Neapolitans. He has always stood up for us, he has always held us in his heart and we must do the same," said Insigne. A few hundred fans remained outside the stadium during the game but most left before kick-off. The Europa League match against Croatian team Rijeka took place behind closed doors, like all matches in Italy because of the coronavirus pandemic. More on this topic Related Story Diego Maradona: A divine talent with more than a touch of the devil Related Story In Pictures: Soccer legend Diego Maradona remembered
MILAN (REUTERS) - Real Madrid claimed a first-ever win at San Siro on Wednesday (Nov 25), beating Inter 2-0 in the Champions League after the Serie A side had midfielder Arturo Vidal sent off for dissent in the first half. Eden Hazard converted a seventh-minute penalty and Achraf Hakimi deflected Rodrygo's shot into his own goal in an authoritative Real performance to leave Inter close to a second successive group stage elimination. Real stayed second in Group B with seven points from four games, one behind leaders Borussia Moenchengladbach. Shakhtar Donetsk are third with four and Inter bottom with two, leaving them with only a remote chance of going through. Real, without Karim Benzema and Sergio Ramos, were gifted an early lead when Nicola Barella clipped Nacho's heels as he was about to shoot and Hazard comfortably converted the penalty. Lucas Vazquez hit the for Real post shortly afterwards before Inter began to fight their way back into the game - only for Vidal to get himself needlessly dismissed. The Chilean went down under a challenge from two players and was livid when the referee waved away his penalty appeal, refusing to even look at the pitchside monitor. Vidal was booked for dissent, continued arguing, was booked again and sent off in the 33rd minute. Inter had another penalty waved away when Roberto Gagliardini went down early in the second half before Real struck again. Vazquez, given too much space, clipped the ball back from the byline and Rodrygo's shot was deflected in off Akram Hakimi, and awarded as an own goal against the Inter full back.
BELGRADE • Scotland manager Steve Clarke was overjoyed to give the Scottish people something to cheer about during "a difficult time for the nation" amid the Covid-19 pandemic, after they beat Serbia on Thursday to reach Euro 2020. The Scots ground out a 5-4 penalty shoot-out win at the Red Star Stadium with the play-off game ending 1-1 after extra time. It will be their first European Championship finals since 1996. It is also the first time they have qualified for a major tournament since the 1998 World Cup. Clarke's men will join England, the Czech Republic and Croatia in Group D of the 24-nation tournament. "It's a very difficult time for Scotland because of the coronavirus pandemic and we spoke before the game about the chance to put a smile on their faces," Clarke told a news conference. "We know what we have achieved. Unbelievable, the character the players have shown. It would have been easy to crumble after conceding in the last minute of regular time from set play, but we dug in. We've been building towards this moment and tonight the players and the nation can be proud of themselves." Ryan Christie gave Scotland a 52nd-minute lead and the visitors missed several chances, before Serbia substitute Luka Jovic headed the equaliser in the dying seconds of regular time. Both sides wasted chances in extra time, before Scotland goalkeeper David Marshall saved Serbia's final penalty in the shoot-out from Aleksandar Mitrovic to send his side through. Marshall revealed the officials had told him to put his celebrations on hold as there was a VAR check for encroachment when Mitrovic took the penalty. "Immediately after the save the referee said 'don't celebrate yet because there is a VAR check'," he said. "All you can do is pray because the lads were already celebrating. We deserved the win and we are delighted for all the fans and our families who couldn't be here." An emotional Christie said qualifying for the team's first Euro since 1996 was a "monkey off the back". EURO 2020 GROUP A Turkey, Italy, Wales, Switzerland GROUP B Denmark, Finland, Belgium, Russia GROUP C Netherlands, Ukraine, Austria, North Macedonia GROUP D England, Croatia, Scotland, Czech Republic GROUP E Spain, Sweden, Poland, Slovakia GROUP F Hungary, Portugal, France, Germany 22 Years since Scotland last played at a major championship. "I hope everyone back home is having a party tonight. We've been through it so many years," he said. "We know it, you know it, everyone knows it and it's a monkey off the back now. It's just for everything... for the whole nation, it's been a horrible year for everyone and we knew we could give a little something to this country." England manager Gareth Southgate, who played in the team that faced Scotland in Euro 96, is relishing their meeting next year. Speaking after England's 3-0 friendly win over Ireland on Thursday, Southgate said: "It will hopefully be a fantastic occasion with fans, but that's the one thing that none of us can control. "I'm particularly pleased for Steve. He's a great guy and has done a great job. That will be a humdinger of a game. "They've got a team that's improving quickly with a lot of players who have emerged in the last two or three years - the likes of John McGinn, Scott McTominay, Kieran Tierney, Andrew Robertson." REUTERS, AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
LONDON • Ole Gunnar Solskjaer declared Manchester United's season "starts today" after Bruno Fernandes and "inspirational" Harry Maguire enjoyed sweet moments of redemption in their side's 4-1 win at Newcastle on Saturday. Solskjaer's side suffered a humiliating 6-1 defeat against Tottenham at Old Trafford just before the international break. But they made partial amends for that embarrassment with a much-needed second win of the Premier League season. After Luke Shaw's own goal gave Newcastle an early lead, United captain Maguire scored the equaliser just days after he was widely criticised for his red card in England's Nations League defeat against Denmark at Wembley. Maguire's first Premier League goal since February was a cathartic moment after a troubled few months marred by poor performance on the pitch and his Greek court case off it. "Harry scored and leads by example. He showed good character, I am happy for him. He had a couple of difficult weeks since he last played for us," Solskjaer said. Fernandes also went from zero to hero as the midfielder's second-half penalty was saved by Karl Darlow - his first miss from the spot for United, before he hit a superb strike to put United ahead in the closing minutes. The Portugal international has now been directly involved in 20 goals in his 18 United league appearances (11 goals, nine assists), scoring in the last three games. Aaron Wan-Bissaka made it three with his first goal for United and Marcus Rashford wrapped up the late goal blitz in stoppage time. Although United left it late to finish off Newcastle, the result was no more than they deserved and Solskjaer will hope it is the start of a better period for his team after their troubled opening to the campaign. "Great result and great character to come back, led by a very inspirational captain," said the manager. "We don't want to use it as an excuse, but we needed preseason. We wanted to get to this international break with more points than we have, but now we know our season started today, because we've come up to the speed of the game." 11 Penalties taken by Manchester United's Bruno Fernandes before his first miss against Newcastle. He made amends by scoring later. Maguire also dismissed talk of a crisis following their slow start to the season. "It's funny, three games into the season and it seems like a big crisis. Won two, lost two. There is a long way to go, we have to improve," the 27-year-old told Sky Sports. "When you play for this club and get beat at home, we ask questions. We work hard in training, it is a great group and we knew we had to bounce back." AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE