Mawson and Olsson sharpen Leicester’s pain…See full details

Swansea City's English defender Alfie Mawson (R) shoots to score the opening goal of the English Premier League football match between Swansea City and Leicester City at The Liberty Stadium in Swansea, south Wales on February 12, 2017. PHOTO: Geoff CADDICK / AFP

Defenders Alfie Mawson and Martin Olsson gave Swansea City a 2-0 win over Leicester City on Sunday that nudged the flatlining Premier League champions closer to the relegation zone.

Mawson and Olsson netted crisp strikes prior to half-time at the Liberty Stadium to give Swansea manager Paul Clement a fourth win in six games since he succeeded the sacked Bob Bradley.

Swansea’s victory, their 100th in the top flight, took them four points clear of the bottom three and left Claudio Ranieri’s Leicester just one point and one position clear of danger in 17th place.

The extraordinary feats of last season have been replaced by history of a different kind as Leicester became the first reigning champions to lose five successive top-flight games since Chelsea in 1956.

They also became the first team to go six games without scoring at the start of a calendar year in the English top tier since Stoke City in 1985.

Brought back down to earth after their mid-week FA Cup win at Derby County, Leicester could scarcely be in a more sorry state as their Champions League last 16 tie with Sevilla looms on the horizon.

Clement made one change, bringing Nathan Dyer in for Wayne Routledge, but was forced to reverse the switch after Dyer’s reunion with his old club was curtailed by an ankle injury sustained in the fifth minute.

Dyer, who spent last season on loan at Leicester, duly re-emerged on the bench, the lower half of his left leg encased in a protective boot.

With the big guns restored to the Leicester line-up after their 3-1 win over local rivals Derby, the visitors looked to assert themselves.

– Sorry predicament –

But blocked shots from Wilfred Ndidi, Jamie Vardy and Riyad Mahrez were all they had to show for their early endeavours and as the first half wore on, Swansea established control.

After Routledge had seen a volley parried by Kasper Schmeichel and Gylfi Sigurdsson had drilled a shot wide with his left foot from outside the box, the home side took a 36th-minute lead.

Robert Huth could only help Sigurdsson’s free-kick towards the back post, where it was nodded back into the danger zone by Federico Fernandez, and Mawson lashed a vicious volley past Schmeichel.

Swansea landed another blow in first-half stoppage time after a slick one-touch move involving Tom Carroll, Fernando Llorente and Sigurdsson.

The latter’s through-ball freed Olsson, who drove into the box from wide on the left before battering a shot between Schmeichel and his near post.

Ranieri made a double change at half-time, sending on Ben Chilwell and Islam Slimani for Christian Fuchs and Marc Albrighton.

Slimani came closest to bringing Leicester back into the game, first seeing a shot blocked by Lukasz Fabianski from Mahrez’s deft pass and then just failing to get a touch on Mahrez’s right-wing cross.

But Leicester’s problems in front of goal were destined to continue, a wild shot from Vardy drawing derisive hoots from the Swansea fans and summing up the champions’ sorry predicament.

Bale back in Real Madrid training…See full details

Real Madrid's Welsh forward Gareth Bale (L) scores past Leganes's goalkeeper Serantes during the Spanish league football match Real Madrid CF vs Club Deportivo Leganes SAD at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid on November 6, 2016.<br />JAVIER SORIANO / AFP

Real Madrid received a boost ahead of the first leg of their Champions League last 16 tie against Napoli on Wednesday as Gareth Bale returned to training on Sunday for the first time in three months.

Bale has been sidelined since damaging ankle ligaments in a 2-1 win at Sporting Lisbon on November 22.

“The big news (from training) was the return of the Bale, who completed the session with the rest of his teammates,” Madrid said in a statement on Sunday.

Bale’s return means Real boss Zinedine Zidane has a fully-fit squad to choose from ahead of the visit of the in-form Italians.

Madrid maintained their one point lead at the top of La Liga and with two games in hand over Barcelona thanks to a 3-1 win at Osasuna on Saturday.

Napoli remain unbeaten in 18 games stretching back to October after beating Genoa 2-0 on Friday.

Burnley’s Brady checks Chelsea charge…See full details

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Chelsea's Spanish midfielder Pedro (2nd L) celebrates with teammates after scoring the opening goal of the English Premier League football match between Burnley and Chelsea at Turf Moor in Burnley, north west England on February 12, 2017.
Oli SCARFF / AFP

Burnley's Irish midfielder Robbie Brady (L) scores their first goal from this freekick during the English Premier League football match between Burnley and Chelsea at Turf Moor in Burnley, north west England on February 12, 2017.
Oli SCARFF / AFP

Home debutant Robbie Brady scored a memorable free-kick to earn Burnley a 1-1 draw on Sunday that prevented Chelsea moving 12 points clear at the Premier League summit.

Brady cancelled out an early strike from Pedro and while the point stretched Chelsea’s lead to 10 points, their advantage will be trimmed to eight points if Manchester City win at Bournemouth on Monday.

Brady’s goal continued his recent run of success against Chelsea manager Antonio Conte, with the winger having also scored the winning goal for Ireland against Conte’s Italy in the Euro 2016 group stage.

Burnley, whose home record is bettered only by second-place Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea themselves, looked like they might be swept away following an electrifying start from the league leaders.

But Sean Dyche’s team, who had won seven straight games at Turf Moor after losing to Manchester City in mid-November, showed great resilience and deservedly equalised after 24 minutes through Brady.

A foul by Nemanja Matic on Joey Barton on the edge of the area presented Brady, a club-record £13 million ($16.2 million, 15.3 million euros) signing from Norwich City last month, with his chance.

He took it in style, curling a magnificent 20-yard free-kick over the wall and into the top-left corner.

That cancelled out an equally impressive opener from Chelsea that was started, and finished, by Pedro in the seventh minute.

The Spanish winger helped begin the attack deep in his own half with a pass to Eden Hazard who, in turn, fed Victor Moses on the right.

After skipping past Brady’s crude challenge, Moses crossed for Pedro, who had covered nearly 70 yards, and his low, angled shot gave Tom Heaton no chance in the Burnley goal.

– Furious tempo –
Chelsea had threatened to simply sweep their hosts away during a positive opening in which they repeatedly hit Burnley on the break.

But after weathering that pressure, the Clarets began to show why they have become so feared on their own turf.

Ashley Barnes was presented with a couple of half-chances before the equaliser and, soon after it, Andre Gray flashed an inviting low cross through the Chelsea six-yard box.

Burnley should even have taken a lead into the interval after Barton found full-back Matt Lowton, who only had Thibaut Courtois to beat but was denied by a solid block from the Chelsea goalkeeper.

The furious tempo of the game continued after the restart, with a mistake by Matic and an error by David Luiz culminating in Gray gathering Barnes’s pass and shooting straight at Courtois.

In response, and thanks to a Ben Bee mistake at the other end, Diego Costa had a shot blocked before Cesar Azpilicueta chanced his luck with a long-range shot that just cleared the Burnley crossbar.

Burnley substitute Scott Arfield was also guilty of a potentially costly error when his weak clearance was picked up by Hazard, but the Chelsea man’s effort was hurried and well over.

Yet another Chelsea attack ended in similar fashion a few minutes later with substitute Cesc Fabregas slicing a shot hopelessly wide from the edge of the penalty area.

Arfield almost twisted and turned his way through on goal late on, but Luiz’s challenge prevented him from giving Burnley six successive home league victories for the first time in 56 years.

Wenger plays down talk of Arsenal exit…See full details

Arsenal's French manager Arsene Wenger (C) takes his seat in the stands for the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Hull City at the Emirates Stadium in London on February 11, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / Glyn KIRK

Arsene Wenger insists he is not preparing to end his long reign at Arsenal despite Ian Wright’s claim the Gunners boss is on the way out.

Wenger’s future had been questioned in the wake of defeats against Watford and Chelsea that effectively killed off their Premier League title hopes.

Wenger’s side returned to winning ways as Alexis Sanchez’s double secured a 2-0 home victory over Hull on Saturday.

But after the game the Frenchman was quizzed on his future, with his current contract expiring at the end of the season and a minority of fans turning on the manager for recent results.

Former Arsenal striker Ian Wright had fanned the flames by claiming on Friday that the 67-year-old had told him he was “coming to the end” of his time after 20 years at the helm.

“I was with the boss last night, and if I’m going to be totally honest, I get the impression that that’s it,” Wright told BBC Radio 5 live.

“He actually mentioned when we were talking that he’s coming to the end. I’ve never heard him say that.”

Yet Wenger countered by saying any tiredness stems from his commitment to the job and that Wright must have misunderstood any conversation.

Asked whether he had given Wright the impression he was leaving, Wenger replied: “No, no. Mark (Gonnella, Arsenal communications director) was with me as well on Thursday.

“It was questions and answers. I could be tired because I get up early in the morning and I finish late at night, so I am tired, yes. But I didn’t give any indication about my future.

“There were many people there. We (he and Wright) had a little dinner before but it was not the two of us. There were four or five.”

Asked if Wright could have misinterpreted any comments, he said: “Yes. You know I appreciate very much that you want me to rest, absolutely. But I am not ready for that yet.”

Mathematics
If Arsenal had not won against lowly Hull, it would have ramped up the pressure on Wenger to depart.

Although not at their best, Wenger was pleased to put the recent defeats to bed ahead of a trip to face Bayern Munich in the Champions League last first leg next week.

Sanchez’s opening goal was controversially allowed to stand despite the forward handling the ball on its way into the net.

The Chilean wrapped things up with a late penalty following a handball by Sam Clucas that earned the Hull midfielder a red card.

“It was more about the mathematics than about the brilliance today because we had absolutely to win,” Wenger said.

“So overall I felt that we started well until we led 1-0. After we became a bit more protective to protect the result.

“We were playing a bit more to not concede a goal and that’s what the game was about because we knew that was absolutely vital to win today.”

Hull defender Andy Robertson claimed after the game that referee Mark Clattenburg apologised to Hull’s players for not ruling out Sanchez’s first goal.

Although Tigers boss Marco Silva was unsure on the details of the apparent apology, he was pleased with his side’s efforts.

“They started the game better than us and after the story of the first half they score with handball. We didn’t deserve this result,” he said.

“The most important thing is the result. It was a very good second half. We had control of it and caused Arsenal problems.”

Again, Kenyans rule Access Bank Lagos City Marathon…See full details

A Kenyan female marathoner, Alice Tambilili being helped by a medical official after finishing third at the second Access Bank Lagos City Marathon, yesterday. (Inset) Seven-year-old Damilola Oluwaseun competing in the marathon yesterday Photos: Femi Adebesin-Kuti

7-year-old Oluwaseun Completes 10km

As expected, Kenyan athletes ruled the second edition of the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon, yesterday, emerging tops in both the male and female categories.

Abraham Kiptum, who won the maiden edition last year, repeated the feat yesterday, by crossing the finish line in 2hrs 15:20 seconds, ahead of compatriots, Ronny Kipkoech Riboss, and Kiroi Kiprotic, who returned in 2hrs:15:25 seconds and 2hrs:15:28 seconds respectively.


Last year, Kiptum won the race in two hours, 16 minutes and 19 seconds. While Kiptum pocketed $50,000, Riboss and Kiprotic got $40,000 and $30,000 in that order.

Kiptum told The Guardian that it was a thing of joy to win a consecutive race in Nigeria, promising to return for next year for another victory. Three Kenyans also mounted the rostrum in the in the female’s category to claim their prizes. Rodah Tanui breasted the tape in 2hrs:37:50 seconds, while Fridah Lodepa, and Alice Tambilili returned in 2hrs:38:21secs and 2hrs:3902secs respectively.
The trio pocketed $50,000, $40,000 and $30,000.

The race, which attracted about 55,000 runners and 30 wheelchair athletes, started at the National Stadium, Surulere, in the early hours of the day and terminated at the Eko Atlantic City, in Victoria Island.

Iliya Pam was the first Nigerian male athlete to cross the finish line, ahead of Philibus Sharubutu, while Adekemi Olude, was the first Nigerian woman to cross the finish line.

One major attraction in yesterday’s race was the performance of a seven-year-old, Damilola Oluwaseun, who completed 10 of the 42 kilometre race. Oluwaseun,who joined the race at 32km at the end of Lekki Bridge, was applauded as she raced across the finish line.

She told The Guardian at the VIP area that she was excited to have ran 10km. “I feel happy that I was able to cover 10km. It was not easy but it was worth trying. I feel so good.”

Governor of Lagos State, Akinwunmi Ambode, said the goal of the exercise is to see it occupy a prime place in the world’s marathon calendar. He announced that the next edition has been slated for February 10, 2018.

“This mind blowing attendance underscores our determination to occupy a prime place in the marathon calendar worldwide and ultimately to be among the top 10 marathon races in the world,” he said.

100 young footballers scramble for scholarship in FCBESCOLA Academy trials…See full details

FCBESCOLA Soccer School Academy, Lagos is offering a lifetime opportunity for the best young footballers available nationwide in a new elite scholarship programme.

The academy, organised in conjunction with the Lagos State government, is licensed by FC Barcelona, Spain, wants talented footballers of between ages five and 18, who will be part of world footballs’ future elite.

Trials for the scholarships begin tomorrow and end on Thursday at the Main Bowl of the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere.According to the Brand Marketing Manager, Yurena Medina, the essence of the scholarship is to look for the new Lionel Messi, Andrés Iniesta.

“From next week Monday to Thursday, we are going to have trials for about 100 young footballers, which is going to be free. We are inviting those ones that have the skills; we are looking for the new Messi, Iniesta here in Nigeria.

“Basically, they will be here to show their skills, after which they will pass the first and the second round and thereafter the successful ones will be given a one year scholarship by the FCBESCOLA Academy. However, this scholarship is only available for those who cannot afford the academy,” she stated.
Medina said the form would be available at the Onikan Stadium and Campos Square, Lagos Island.

Madrid remain top as Barca’s ‘MSN’ hit six…See full details

Real Madrid's defender Nacho Fernandez, Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo and Croatian midfielder Luka Modric celebrate after forward Lucas Vazquez scoring his team's third goal during the Spanish league football match CA Osasuna vs Real Madrid CF at El Sadar stadium in Pamplona on February 11, 2017.<br />ANDER GILLENEA / AFP

Real Madrid maintained a one point lead over Barcelona at the top of La Liga as Cristiano Ronaldo was on target in a hard fought 3-1 win at Osasuna on Saturday.

Earlier, Barca’s front three of Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar all struck in a 6-0 thrashing of Alaves.

Madrid also have two games in hand on their title rivals.

However, both games were overshadowed by horrible injuries as Barca’s Aleix Vidal suffered an apparent broken ankle and Osasuna’s Tano Bonnin a double leg fracture.

The game at El Sadar was only 15 minutes old when Bonnin came off worse in an innocuous looking challenge with Isco to the visible shock of players on both sides.

Osasuna had started on the front foot, but suffered a further blow nine minutes later when Karim Benzema’s through ball found Ronaldo and the World Player of the Year’s drive from a narrow angle had too much power for Salvatore Sirigu.

The hosts responded in style just after the half hour mark when Sergio Leon broke into an ocean of space behind the Madrid defence before producing a cool chip over Keylor Navas to level.

Navas then made brilliant saves from Emmanuel Riviere and Leon either side of half-time to keep Madrid on level terms.

And eventually their extra quality shone through when Isco latched onto a loose ball inside the area and slotted into the far corner just after the hour mark.

Madrid should have gone onto win by a more comfortable margin as Sirigu made a fine save from Ronaldo before the Portuguese and Lucas Vazquez had strong claims for a penalty waived away.

However, Vazquez made the points safe with a measured dink over Sirigu in the final minute of stoppage time.

– Violent clashes –

Barca’s success was also soured by violent clashes between fans outside the ground before kick-off which left one supporter in hospital with serious head injuries.

Both sides later released statements condemning the violence.

“I go away with very good feelings from the football perspective, for the result and the way we achieved it,” said Barca boss Luis Enrique.

“But I am upset by Aleix’s injury, the way it came about and what it means for him.”

On the field, Enrique rotated his squad once more with six changes from Tuesday’s 1-1 draw with Atletico Madrid that secured their place in a fourth consecutive Cup final.

However, despite a trip to Paris Saint-Germain upcoming on Tuesday, Messi, Suarez and Neymar were all included and ran riot.

The visitors had goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen to thank for not going behind early on with a brilliant one-on-one save from Theo Hernandez.

There was no doubt over the outcome once Barca went in front thanks to a fine team move finished off by Suarez from close range eight minutes before half-time.

A goalkeeping error from Fernando Pachecho allowed Barca to double their lead three minutes later as he punched a loose ball off Suarez’s head and the ball rebounded for Neymar to tap into an empty net.

The champions hit top form after the break with four further goals in eight minutes.

Messi drilled his 34th goal of the season low past Pacheco just before the hour mark.

The Argentine was then played in by Suarez, but the last touch came off Alaves defender Alexis to make it 4-0.

Ivan Rakitic blasted home the fifth from Suarez’s cut-back before the Uruguayan rounded off the rout himself after Pacheco had parried Neymar’s initial effort.

Mane stuns Spurs to get Liverpool back on track…See full details

Liverpool's Senegalese midfielder Sadio Mane shoots to scores their second goal during the English Premier League football match between Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur at Anfield in Liverpool, north west England on February 11, 2017.<br />Oli SCARFF / AFP

Sadio Mane announced his return to Premier League football in emphatic fashion with both goals in Liverpool’s brilliant 2-0 victory over top-four rivals Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday.

The Senegal forward provided one of several outstanding displays from a Liverpool side who had not previously won a league game in 2017, their worst start to a calendar year since 1954.

Liverpool effectively wrapped up the points, and ended their miserable start to the year, with two goals in three minutes from Mane early in the game.

They were the highlights of a sensational start by Liverpool, which made a mockery of the troubles that have plagued Jurgen Klopp’s side since the turn of the year.

The return of Mane from duty at the Africa Cup of Nations was also key to that dramatic improvement as the forward started a home game for the first time since New Year’s Eve.

Liverpool had already launched a number of lightning-fast counter-attacks when they finally took the lead after 16 minutes through exactly that tactic.

Georginio Wijnaldum played a magnificent through-ball down the middle of the park and Mane easily outpaced Ben Davies before beating Hugo Lloris with a confident 12-yard strike.

Anfield was electrified and the din from the goal celebrations had barely died down before the home supporters had another one to appreciate.

This time England international Eric Dier was at fault, caught in possession by Mane deep inside his own half, with the forward launching another devastating counter.

Mane slipped the ball square to Adam Lallana, whose first shot was parried by Lloris.

The Spurs goalkeeper recovered well to keep out Roberto Firmino’s follow-up attempt, but he could do nothing as Mane showed great technique to hook a shot into the roof of the goal from eight yards.

– Kane frustrated –

The only wonder as Tottenham reached the half-time whistle with only two goals against them was that the London side, who had gone nine games without defeat, were not in even deeper trouble.

A poor touch from Firmino spared Spurs on 13 minutes, although it still required a brave block by Toby Alderweireld to keep out Philippe Coutinho’s shot from the rebound.

Mane might have completed a six-minute hat-trick after 22 minutes, but saw his shot deflected wide before his blistering shot from the resulting corner was saved magnificently by Lloris’s left hand.

Tottenham responded briefly, Simon Mignolet denying Son Heung-Min with his outstretched legs and Lucas Leiva defending magnificently, on his goal-line, to put a Dele Alli header over the bar.

But the first half ended with Liverpool firmly in control.

Firmino charged down a Lloris clearance and might have capitalised, Coutinho rolled a tame shot at the goalkeeper and full-back Nathaniel Clyne produced a sweet shot that Lloris gathered.

Tottenham looked steadier after the restart, not quite so vulnerable to Liverpool counter-attacks, and Jordan Henderson and Joel Matip both picked up early bookings for fouls as the visitors made forays into the home half.

Harry Kane, totally anonymous in the first half, even hit the post from a Christian Eriksen free-kick, although the move was flagged for a clear offside.

Kane’s frustrations spilled over after 66 minutes when he was cautioned by referee Anthony Taylor for a late and nasty trip on Clyne — one of five Spurs players, and eight in total, to be booked.

Liverpool looked the only team liable to add to the scoreline.

Matip’s header was caught by Lloris and then Lallana set Coutinho up on the edge of the area, the Brazilian’s low shot flying just wide of the goal.

Barca’s ‘MSN’ smash Alaves for six…See full details

Barcelona's Brazilian forward Neymar (2L) celebrates a goal during the Spanish league football match Deportivo Alaves vs FC Barcelona at the Mendizorroza stadium in Vitoria on Feburary 11, 2017.<br />CESAR MANSO / AFP

Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar were all on target as Barcelona went top of La Liga for the first time since October with a 6-0 thrashing of Alaves on Saturday.

In a dress rehearsal of the Copa del Rey final, Alaves paid for their semi-final exertions against Celta Vigo in midweek as Barca moved two points ahead of Real Madrid.

However, Madrid have three games in hand, starting with a visit to Osasuna later on Saturday.

Barca’s success was overshadowed, though, by violent clashes between fans outside the ground before kick-off which left one supporter in hospital with serious head injuries.

Both sides later released statements condemning the violence.

And in another blow to the Catalans, Aleix Vidal was stretchered off with a horrible looking ankle injury just three minutes from time.

“I go away with very good feelings from the football perspective, for the result and the way we achieved it,” said Barca boss Luis Enrique.

“But I am upset by Aleix’s injury, the way it came about and what it means for him.”

Vidal had only recently established himself back in the team after being sidelined by Enrique for the majority of the season.

“It is something serious, but we have to wait until the doctors see it and can say,” added Enrique.

On the field, Enrique rotated his squad once more with six changes from Tuesday’s 1-1 draw with Atletico Madrid that secured their place in a fourth consecutive Cup final.

However, despite a trip to Paris Saint-Germain upcoming on Tuesday, Messi, Suarez and Neymar were all included and ran riot.

The visitors had goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen to thank for not going behind early on with a brilliant one-on-one save from Theo Hernandez.

There was no doubt over the outcome once Barca went in front thanks to a fine team move finished off by Suarez from close range eight minutes before half-time.

A goalkeeping error from Fernando Pachecho allowed Barca to double their lead three minutes later as he punched a loose ball off Suarez’s head and the ball rebounded for Neymar to tap into an empty net.

The champions hit top form after the break with four further goals in eight minutes.

Messi drilled his 34th goal of the season low past Pacheco just before the hour mark.

The Argentine was then played in by Suarez, but the last touch came off Alaves defender Alexis to make it 4-0.

Ivan Rakitic blasted home the fifth from Suarez’s cut-back before the Uruguayan rounded off the rout himself after Pacheco had parried Neymar’s initial effort.

Yet, Barca’s fine day was spoiled late on when Vidal’s right ankle gave way under an innocuous looking challenge from Hernandez.

Martial makes point as Man Utd close on City…See full details

Manchester United's Spanish midfielder Juan Mata (2L) scores the opening goal during the English Premier League football match between Manchester United and Watford at Old Trafford in Manchester, north west England, on February 11, 2017.<br />Lindsey PARNABY / AFP

Juan Mata and Anthony Martial helped Manchester United extend their brilliant Premier League form as they outclassed Watford in a comfortable 2-0 victory at Old Trafford on Saturday.

Jose Mourinho may have a reputation as a defensive manager, but that accusation could not be made during this contest as United were wonderfully entertaining from start to finish.

With an attack containing Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Henrikh Mkhitayran and both goalscorers, United had class to spare and Walter Mazzarri’s Watford had no real answers.

Mourinho will be particularly pleased with the return to form of Martial, a player who has blown hot and cold recently following speculation about his future.

United’s impressive league form has seen them go unbeaten since their humiliating 4-0 reverse at leaders Chelsea on October 23.

They now trail fourth-place Manchester City by just a point ahead of their derby rivals’ trip to Bournemouth on Monday.

Watford arrived in Manchester confident, however, after consecutive wins over Arsenal and Burnley.

United had the best of the opening moments, but clear-cut chances were a rarity early on. That was to change.

Antonio Valencia’s deflected cross fell to Ibrahimovic 12 yards out after 60 seconds, but he mishit his volley, while a jinking run from Martial had Watford worried until his shot deflected wide.

Watford were clearly up for the fight as Jose Holebas and M’Baye Niang targeted Valencia on United’s right flank and repeatedly ran through on David de Gea’s goal, but could not make it count.

After 17 minutes, Paul Pogba nearly opened the scoring with a fine effort from 25 yards that Heurelho Gomes managed to brilliantly claw away at full stretch.

– Twisted the knife –

United slowly turned up the tempo and had three brilliant opportunities as Watford began to sit back, a tactic that can prove fatal at Old Trafford.

Firstly Ibrahimovic volleyed over following a fine ball from Pogba before the Frenchman almost scored himself, volleying Valencia’s low cross goalwards, only for Gomes to produce another smart save.

The best opportunity, though, fell to Mkhitaryan, who blasted over from Mata’s intelligent pass, much to Mourinho’s dismay.

It felt like Watford’s resistance had to break and so it proved.

With Mourinho imploring the home crowd to chant more loudly in support of his side, Gomes produced a stunning close-range block from Ibrahimovic before Mata broke the deadlock in the 32nd minute.

Martial ran Watford ragged down the left and his pinpoint pass gave Mata an easy tap-in from four yards out for his ninth goal of the season.

Watford somehow reached half-time just a goal down, but Mourinho’s men continued where they had left off after the interval as a Martial effort just went wide of the far post 60 seconds into the second half.

Martial did a little better on the hour, grabbing his side’s second goal as United twisted the knife.

In the blink of an eye, Ibrahimovic fed Martial near the halfway line and he ran through on goal, took his time and then beat Gomes at his near post through a thicket of defenders.

After the goal Watford actually improved as they chased the match and Daryl Janmaat should have halved the deficit with 20 minutes to go, only to blast wastefully over from 12 yards out.

It summed up Watford’s afternoon as United closed up at the back and ran down the clock with ease.

Nadal coach announces split…See full details

Spain's Rafael Nadal / GREG WOOD / AFP

Rafael Nadal’s coach and uncle Toni Nadal has said he will no longer accompany the tennis great on tour, complaining that he is being shut out of decision-making.

“From next year I will no longer follow Rafael on the circuit and I will focus exclusively on our (tennis) academy,” he was quoted as saying on the Italian website tennisitaliano.it.

“Relations with my nephew are still excellent. During all these years, we have never been through a crisis,” he said.

“Until he was 17 years old, it was me who decided everything. Then Carlos Costa arrived as manager. Then his father became closer, each having his opinions.

“And the truth is that every year I had less decision-making, until the day when I will decide on nothing.”

Spain’s Carlos Moya joined the Nadal coaching team at the end of last year.

Sanchez hands Arsenal lift in win over Hull…See full details

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Arsenal's Chilean striker Alexis Sanchez (2nd L) vies with Hull City's English midfielder Tom Huddlestone (L) and Hull City's Italian defender Andrea Ranocchia (R) during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Hull City at the Emirates Stadium in London on February 11, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / Glyn KIRK / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. /

Arsenal's Chilean striker Alexis Sanchez (R) scores their second goal past Hull City's Swiss goalkeeper Eldin Jakupovic (L) from the penalty spot during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Hull City at the Emirates Stadium in London on February 11, 2017.
Arsenal won the game 2-0. / AFP PHOTO / Glyn KIRK / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. /

Arsenal's Chilean striker Alexis Sanchez (L) celebrates after scoring the opening goal as Hull players appeal for a hand ball against Sanchez during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Hull City at the Emirates Stadium in London on February 11, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / Glyn KIRK /

Arsenal's Chilean striker Alexis Sanchez celebrates after scoring their second goal from the penalty spot during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Hull City at the Emirates Stadium in London on February 11, 2017.
Arsenal won the game 2-0. / AFP PHOTO / Glyn KIRK / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. /

Arsenal's Chilean striker Alexis Sanchez (L) celebrates with teammates after scoring the opening goal of the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Hull City at the Emirates Stadium in London on February 11, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / Glyn KIRK / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. /

Alexis Sanchez struck twice as Arsenal returned to winning ways with a contentious and hard-fought 2-0 Premier League win over Hull City on Saturday.

The Gunners had lost their last two games coming into this contest against the relegation-threatened Tigers and had drifted out of the title race as a result.

They were by no means back to their best, but with a Champions League tie at Bayern Munich to come on Wednesday, manager Arsene Wenger will be pleased to have chalked up a timely victory.

Sanchez opened the scoring on 34 minutes with a goal that was allowed to stand despite the ball going in off his right hand.

He confirmed the three points with an injury-time penalty — his 17th goal of the campaign — after Sam Clucas had been sent off for clearing Lucas Perez’s strike off the line with his arm.

Hull threatened on occasion, but failed to get a positive result to lift them out of the bottom three, while Arsenal stay in the top four and provisionally close to within nine points of leaders Chelsea.

Some Arsenal fans decided to stay away in protest at what they deem as another failing Arsenal title bid.

But one man taking his seat in the stands at the Emirates Stadium was the under-fire Wenger, who served the last game of his four-match touchline ban.

His side seemed nervy at the back in the opening exchanges and Liverpool loanee Lazar Markovic broke into their box all too easily, but Oumar Niasse was unable to make contact with the Serbian’s cross.

Niasse tested Petr Cech moments later as he got onto the end of Kamil Grosicki’s smart cross to head towards goal, forcing the Arsenal goalkeeper to tip his effort behind.

The hosts then passed up two glorious opportunities to take the lead, with Hector Bellerin lashing wide when well-placed and Sanchez pulling his own effort wide of the mark from the centre of goal.

– Walcott flare-up –
Hull’s defences were finally breached 10 minutes before the break and even then, the goal came in controversial circumstances.

After Kieran Gibbs’s shot was scrambled off the line by Andy Robertson, Sanchez followed in with a shot that struck Hull goalkeeper Eldin Jakupovic before rebounding into the net off the Chilean’s hand.

Despite protestations from the Hull players, the goal was given after assistant Jake Collin appeared to have a discussion with referee Mark Clattenburg over the incident.

Arsenal survived an injury scare to Francis Coquelin early in the second half before Cech once again saved from Niasse.

Theo Walcott was then cautioned for squaring up to Harry McGuire, with England colleague Gibbs lucky to only see yellow moments later for barging over Markovic as he ran through on goal.

Alex Iwobi shot over after a neat exchange of passes with Ozil before Walcott fluffed his lines as he searched for his 100th goal in Arsenal colours.

Niasse sent a header into the side-netting as Hull looked to ruin another weekend for Arsenal, who had Sanchez booked for simulation late on.

Wenger looked to his bench in an attempt to build on his side’s slender lead, with both Danny Welbeck and Lucas coming on with 10 minutes remaining.

Hull manager Marco Silva, who has now faced Chelsea, Manchester United, Liverpool and Arsenal since arriving at the KCOM Stadium, saw his own substitute Adama Diomande head a corner over.

The game was sewn up in injury time after Perez saw his header blocked on the line by Clucas, who was trudging down the tunnel after being dismissed by Clattenburg as Sanchez tucked away the penalty to seal the win.

Allegri wants another 400 games with Juve…See full details

Juventus' coach Massimiliano Allegri gestures during the Italian Serie A football match between Juventus and Inter Milan on February 5, 2017 at the Juventus Stadium in Turin. / AFP PHOTO / Marco BERTORELLO

Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri has brushed aside rumours of a move to England’s Premier League by saying he hopes to be at the helm of the Serie A champions for “another 300 or 400” games.

Allegri, who led Juventus to the Champions League final in his first season in charge in 2015 and a defeat to Barcelona, has been linked with a move to Arsenal amid reports suggesting Arsene Wenger could step down as coach of the Gunners.

The rumour mill was set spinning further when reports claimed officials from Juventus had met with Napoli coach Maurizio Sarri.

Asked specifically about reports claiming he had been contacted by interested clubs in the Premier League, Allegri said in midweek: “I’m not confirming and I’m not denying.”

On Saturday Allegri said he intends to honour his current deal, which expires in 18 months, and he left room for an extension when he said: “How can I deny something that I never said, or confirm something which doesn’t exist?

“I’m fine here, I’ve still got a year and a half left on my contract and when the time comes I will sit down with the club to speak about the future and put together a schedule.

“I hope to take charge of another 300 or 400 games as Juventus coach. I’m happy here and, as I’ve always said, if something is not going well then the club will be the first to hear about it.”

Juventus are bidding for a record sixth consecutive Serie A title, the first three of which came under the helm of Chelsea manager Antonio Conte, and a third consecutive league and Cup double.

Allegri’s men sit top of Serie A with a six-point lead on Napoli and a seven-point lead on Roma before facing Cagliari on Sunday.

Stoke, West Brom clash over ‘loser’ voicemail…See full details

PHOTO:AFP

West Bromwich Albion manager Tony Pulis called Ryan Shawcross, captain of his former club Stoke City, a “loser” in a voicemail message, according to Stoke manager Mark Hughes.

Shawcross had accused West Brom of leaking the news that Saido Berahino had served an eight-week ban for failing a drugs test prior to joining Stoke from West Brom last month.

West Brom won 1-0 when the teams met at The Hawthorns in the Premier League last weekend and Hughes claims Pulis insulted Shawcross in a voicemail message left on Monday.

“We were annoyed with a number things,” Hughes said, in comments published in British newspapers on Saturday.

“I was annoyed with their manager ringing up Ryan on the Monday morning after the game and calling him a loser. I wasn’t too happy with that.

“Any number of things surrounding the game were, in our view, unnecessary. There was a voicemail left, and I haven’t heard it. But Ryan wasn’t too pleased. He tried to ring back and didn’t get any answer.”

Hughes did not receive a handshake from fellow Welshman Pulis after last weekend’s game, which saw Berahino make his second Stoke appearance as a second-half substitute.

Berahino joined Stoke for £12 million ($15 million, 14.1 million euros) last month, having served his ban earlier in the season after reportedly testing positive for a recreational drug.

Speaking on Friday, Pulis did not mention leaving a voicemail message, but said Shawcross, who played under him at Stoke, had tried to contact him.

“Ryan has tried to ring me since that (the quotes on Berahino) and I will get back to him,” said Pulis, who had two spells as Stoke manager from 2002-2005 and 2006-2013.

I’ll love to marry a Nigerian, says winner of Access Bank Lagos City Marathon female category…See full details

Rhoda Jepkhorir winner of<br />Access bank Marathon female category<br />Photo: Twitter/Access bank lagos city marathon

Rhoda Jepkhorir of Kenya, the first female elite athlete to cross the finish line in Saturday’s 2nd Access Bank Lagos City Marathon, said she would not hesitate to marry a Nigerian if approached.

Jepkhorir told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) at the finish point that she would not hesitate due to the kind nature of Nigerians.

“If a Nigerian man should ask for my hand in marriage, I will marry him because Nigerians are nice people.

“Nationality is no barrier, so far he is committed and caring, I will have no option,’’ she said.

She also said that she loved watching the duo of Nigerian actors, Aki and Pawpaw, saying that she was so attached to Nigeria.

“Aki and Pawpaw are my best actors in Nigeria, I have so much love for the Nigerian movie industry,’’ the runner said.

The athlete, who is visiting Nigeria for the first time, said that winning the race was a dream comes through for her.

“The race has given me the opportunity to come to my dream country, I will come over and over again,’’ she said.