WATFORD, ENGLAND (REUTERS) - Chelsea maintained their lead at the top of the Premier League as Hakim Ziyech came off the bench to secure a hard-fought 2-1 victory at Watford on Wednesday (Dec 1). Thomas Tuchel's side were not at their best at Vicarage Road but had enough attacking quality to emerge with three important points and stay ahead of Manchester City and Liverpool. After a 32-minute suspension while a fan was treated for a medical emergency, Chelsea took the lead when Mason Mount coolly converted after a well-worked move in the 29th minute. But Watford deservedly levelled before the break through Nigerian Emmanuel Dennis. Ziyech came on for injured defender Trevoh Chalobah on the hour and struck the winner 12 minutes later with the outstanding Mount turning provider. Chelsea lead the standings with 33 points from 14 games, with City on 32 and Liverpool on 31. Claudio Ranieri's side will take heart from the way they pushed the league leaders but are just one place and three points above the relegation zone. Tuchel made six changes from the side that drew with Manchester United at the weekend and Chelsea looked disjointed for much of the evening. Watford were the better team either side of the suspension but fell behind to Chelsea's first move of quality. The ball was played to Marcos Alonso down the left and he slipped the ball into Kai Havertz who shifted it across to the unmarked Mount who had time to pick his spot. Watford responded well and equalised when Moussa Sissoko powered forward and played in Dennis whose shot took a deflection on its way past Edouard Mendy. The hosts could have been ahead with Mendy making a fine save and Sissoko scuffing a decent opportunity. The quality on Chelsea's bench eventually told, however, as Ziyech came on to secure the points. Mount was played into space down the left and his low cross was met by Ziyech whose powerful first-time shot beat Watford keeper Daniel Bachmann for pace.
STOCKHOLM (AFP) - Andy Murray came through a tense second-set tie-break to edge out Norwegian qualifier Viktor Durasovic in the Stockholm Open first round on Tuesday (Nov 9). The former world number one needed three match points and saved a set point in the breaker to win 6-1, 7-6 (9/7). The injury-hit 34-year-old, still bidding to climb from his current lowly ranking of 143, will face Italian top seed Jannik Sinner in the last 16. Murray, playing on a wildcard, is hoping to bounce back this week from the disappointment of his tight opening loss to German Dominik Koepfer in last week's Paris Masters. He was still a hot favourite against world number 354 Durasovic and raced through the first set. The three-time Grand Slam champion broke in the opening game of the second, but Durasovic battled back. He managed to stave off two match points in the tie-break but could not take a set point when leading 7-6 and Murray did enough to seal an enticing encounter with rising star Sinner. More on this topic Related Story Tennis: Just a matter of time before I break through, says Murray Related Story Tennis: Murray supports restrictions on unvaccinated players at Australian Open
BRIGHTON, ENGLAND (REUTERS) - Brighton & Hove Albion forward Leandro Trossard's first-half goal was cancelled out by Newcastle United's Isaac Hayden as the two sides played out a 1-1 draw at the Amex Stadium on Saturday (Nov 6) that extended the visitors' winless start to the season. The draw kept Brighton in sixth place in the Premier League table with 17 points from 11 games. Newcastle are second from bottom on five points. After a dull start, the game came to life in the 22nd minute when Trossard was brought down by Ciaran Clark and awarded a penalty following a lengthy VAR check. The Belgium international stepped up himself to blast the spot-kick past Karl Darlow. Brighton dominated the ball as Newcastle failed to create any openings, registering no shots on target in the first half. "I wanted a win. Another VAR decision against us... I'm not disputing that but I'm talking about the reaction of the players. We have had some difficult moments this season but the group is together," said Newcastle caretaker manager Graeme Jones. Newcastle had Eddie Howe, who is reportedly close to becoming their new permanent head coach, watching on with Jones saying that the team were in the middle of a process and had shown improvement. "In my time in the last couple of weeks it has been a process. You have to start with solidity, which we did against Chelsea and today we were more on the front foot. You can't go from the Tottenham game where we were wide open to playing like Barcelona," added Jones. Trossard came close to adding a second immediately after the restart but his low drive was kept out by Darlow before Newcastle equalised in the 66th minute through midfielder Hayden, who volleyed home from close range. "Up to the goal we had really good control... we did our best to keep them quiet and their goal changed the complexion of the game. It is near impossible to control a Premier League game for 90 minutes. A point is good," said Brighton boss Graham Potter. Brighton ended the game with 10 men and centre half Lewis Dunk in goal after keeper Robert Sanchez was sent off for fouling Callum Wilson just outside the area with the striker clear on goal. "It looked like Callum Wilson was through, it wasn't the best action from us, but you have to credit Newcastle who came here with a plan," added Potter.
SINGAPORE - When Indian national Puzhekadavil Babu Sethulakshmi came to Singapore in 2013 to join her IT business analyst husband who was working here, the couple did not think they would stay on in the country for eight years. In that time, they have put down roots and are now raising their two children in Sengkang, which Ms Lakshmi, 34, called a "beautiful and special" neighbourhood. Please subscribe or log in to continue reading the full article. Get unlimited access to all stories at $0.99/month Latest headlines and exclusive stories In-depth analyses and award-winning multimedia content Get access to all with our no-contract promotional package at only $0.99/month for the first 3 months* Subscribe now *Terms and conditions apply.
SINGAPORE- Tampines Rovers were left to rue several missed chances after they squandered their best chance for a victory in their maiden Asian Football Confederation Champions League (ACL) campaign in a 1-0 loss to Chiangrai United on Monday night (June 28). After a bruising encounter against Japanese giants Gamba Osaka last Friday, Tampines were hoping to register points against the Thai FA Cup champions. But they came up short in the match played behind closed doors at the Bunyodkor Football Stadium in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. A late sucker punch in the 87th minute from Sivakorn Tiatrakul was enough to condemn the Stags to another defeat. Just as they did in the 2-0 loss to Gamba, they impressed against the Thai side but once again lacked the cutting edge in front of goal. They came close on several occasions - twice in the first seven minutes and hit the post twice during the match. A spot of drama arrived in the 70th minute as the match was stopped for seven minutes after the stadium's lights went out. When play resumed, Tampines pressed hard for the opener but the goal arrived at the other end. In the 87th minute, Somkid Chamnarnsilp's cross somehow made its way to Sivakorn, who finished past Syazwan Buhari in goal. After two matches played, the Stags are bottom of their group with no points or goals. They will next face South Korean champions Jeonbuk on Thursday. Tampines coach Gavin Lee said: "We definitely played well enough to get something from this game... At this level, it's a matter of fine margins. They got a good chance and took their goal. "Everyone is feeling disappointed, but we've got characters in the team who will rally each other. All we can do now is to recover and prepare well for our next match." More on this topic Related Story Football: Confident Tampines out to scalp Thai side Chiangrai in Asian Champions League Related Story Still room for Stags to improve: Lee
MADRID (AFP) - Barcelona spurned the chance to go top of the table on Thursday (April 29) as a shock 2-1 defeat by Granada added another twist to La Liga's most unpredictable title race in years. Barca could have taken control at the top by moving a point ahead of Atletico Madrid but Granada came from behind to snatch a stunning win at Camp Nou, in what will be a huge boost to the other title contenders. Lionel Messi scored his 33rd goal of the season to put Barcelona in front but they failed to put the result beyond doubt and Granada hit back, Darwin Machis driving in and Jorge Molina's header completing a remarkable turnaround. Defeat means Barca took nothing from their game in hand except disappointment, which might be difficult to shake ahead of two crunch games now away at Valencia and at home to Atletico Madrid. They stay third, level on points with Real Madrid, as Atletico retain their two-point advantage at the top, while Sevilla in fourth remain just three points off first. "It's a huge blow, we're disappointed," said Ronald Koeman. "We switched off at the back. We left spaces we had to close." Any of the four contenders could be crowned champions next month, with all of the top three squandering opportunities to take charge in the last week. Real Madrid were held to a goalless draw by Real Betis on Saturday before Atletico failed to take advantage as they were beaten by Athletic Bilbao. Those results opened the door to Barcelona, but now they too have stumbled. "We no longer have it in our hands," said Barca defender Jordi Alba. "We have to finish these games off." Granada's victory adds another significant chapter to what has been an incredible season for Diego Martinez's side, who were promoted from Spain's second tier only two years ago. They reached the Europa League quarter-finals earlier this month only to be beaten by Manchester United and now sit eighth in La Liga, with European qualification not yet out of sight. "It was a titanic effort from the players," said Martinez. "It's an epic night for the club." It started well for Barcelona, who pulled in front in the 23rd minute, a delightful turn and pass by Antoine Griezmann allowing Messi to drive into the far corner from the angle. The chances were there for a second, the best of them falling to Sergi Roberto, who volleyed over a cut-back from Frenkie de Jong, but Granada remained in touch. Roberto Soldado might have equalised had he not opted to pass instead of shoot and then Machis did, latching onto a superb pass by Luis Suarez and finishing past Marc-Andre ter Stegen. Koeman was sent to the stands for his protests and Gerard Pique almost turned in a Griezmann ball to the front post, after Messi's free-kick had spun wide off the wall. Instead, Granada came again, more good work from Suarez in midfield allowing Adrian Marin to cross into the box, where Molina did brilliantly to dip his head and glance the ball into the far corner.
LONDON (AFP) - Manchester United avenged being hit for six by Tottenham earlier in the season by dealing a body blow to Spurs' hopes of a top-four Premier League finish with a 3-1 win at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Sunday (April 11). United came from behind to win for the ninth time in the league this season as second-half goals from Fred, Edinson Cavani and Mason Greenwood cancelled out Son Heung-min's opener. Victory kept alive United's slim title hopes by cutting the gap on local rivals Manchester City to 11 points with a game in hand for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's men to come. Even if they do not manage to reel in City in their final seven games of the campaign, United opened up a nine-point cushion over fifth-placed Chelsea in the battle for a place in next season's Champions League. Tottenham's hopes of a return to Europe's premier club competition are dwindling fast as they are now six points adrift of West Ham in fourth and could slip to eighth if Everton win at Brighton on Monday. "Same coach, different players," was Jose Mourinho's explanation when quizzed last weekend why his side perpetually blow leads compared to the ruthless teams he has managed in the past. Tottenham have now lost 18 points from winning positions in the Premier League this season. The last time they came from behind to win in the league was when they thrashed United 6-1 at Old Trafford in October. By contrast, United have picked up 28 points after falling behind, although they only did so this time after controversially having a goal ruled out. Paul Pogba and Cavani combined brilliantly for the Uruguayan to drill the ball low between the legs of Hugo Lloris. However, the goal was ruled out after a VAR review by referee Chris Kavanagh for a foul by Scott McTominay on Son in the build-up. The Scottish international made minimal contact with Son's face as he swotted the South Korean aside. Tottenham's claims for a double punishment were ignored by Kavanagh, though, as McTominay escaped without being shown a second yellow card. United's fury was compounded four minutes later when Son had bounced back up to give Tottenham the lead. Harry Kane freed Lucas Moura in on goal and the Brazilian unselfishly squared for Son to slot home his first Premier League goal in over two months. However, Solskjaer's men fuelled their anger to produce another second-half fightback. Lloris had to be down sharply to his left to parry a warning shot from McTominay. United deservedly got their equaliser on 57 minutes. A fine team move saw Fred feed Cavani and after Lloris saved his initial effort, the Brazilian fired into the roof of the net for just his fourth goal in three seasons since joining from Shakhtar Donetsk. Dean Henderson justified the faith Solskjaer has shown in promoting him ahead of David de Gea with smart saves with his feet to prevent Son and Kane restoring Tottenham's lead. At the other end, Lloris also produced a brilliant stop from Bruno Fernandes's dipping strike from outside the box. Lloris was powerless 11 minutes from time, though, when substitute Greenwood whipped in an inviting cross for Cavani to power into the bottom corner. Greenwood then continued his return to form by smashing past Lloris at his near post in stoppage time.
LONDON (AFP) - Slavia Prague took charge of their Europa League quarter-final against wasteful Arsenal on Thursday (April 8), stealing an away goal deep into stoppage time to rescue a 1-1 draw at the Emirates. Nicolas Pepe had broken the deadlock for Arsenal in the 86th minute after a night of glaring misses in the first leg of the last-eight tie. But Tomas Holes headed in a last-gasp equaliser to leave the contest finely poised. Mikel Arteta's team are realistically out of the running to finish in the top four of the Premier League, meaning they must win the second-tier European competition to reach next season's Champions League. Arsenal came into the match after a chastening 3-0 defeat against Liverpool last weekend. Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith Rowe were passed fit to start but captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was dropped to the bench. Saka, who missed the Liverpool defeat, was a regular threat down the Arsenal right but his delivery into the box was poor. The England international missed a golden chance to break the deadlock when he steered wide with only goalkeeper Ondrej Kolar to beat and Rob Holding forced a fine save with a header. The visitors' only real chance of the opening period came when Lukas Provod fired just over following a Slavia raid down the right. Arsenal came agonisingly close to taking the lead early in the second half when Willian - still seeking his first goal for the club - struck the outside of the post from a free-kick. Saka then burst forward down the right but his cross sailed harmlessly over the heads of his team-mates after a finely worked move. The home side then had a scare but Slavia's Jan Boril forced a save from keeper Bernd Leno. Just after the hour mark Arsenal should have been ahead when forward Alexandre Lacazette stole the ball from the last defender near the half-way and charged forward with only the goalkeeper to beat. The France international opened up his body and looked certain to score but his shot hit the crossbar. Thomas Partey then fired wide for Arsenal moments before substitute Petr Sevcik missed a glorious chance to grab an away goal. Arteta threw on Aubameyang, Pepe and Mohamed Elneny in the 78th minute and it almost reaped immediate dividends but Aubameyang steered wide. Suddenly Arsenal upped the tempo and substitute Gabriel Martinelli forced a fine save from Kolar. They finally got the breakthrough they deserved when Aubameyang fed the ball to Pepe, who raced into the box and dinked the ball over the goalkeeper. Arsenal looked set to travel to the away leg with the advantage but the Czechs had other ideas.