Washington surging in Pac-12 with mostly same lineup turning up power
Washington is the hottest team in the Pac-12
2023-05-16 06:16
Players of the MLS Matchday 12 - ranked
Major League Soccer Players of the Week 12 ranked.
2023-05-16 05:55
Howard Webb keen to air more conversations between match officials and VARs
Referees chief Howard Webb says airing conversations between match officials and VARs concerning key Premier League incidents is likely to become a regular event. Webb talked through some of the two-way audio discussions from this season on Monday evening during a pilot feature alongside Sky Sports pundits Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher. Incidents dissected by the trio included disallowed goals for Chelsea’s Kai Havertz and Arsenal’s Leandro Trossard against Liverpool and Leicester, respectively, plus the overturning of a penalty for an adjudged handball by Gunners defender Jakub Kiwior in last weekend’s 2-0 win at Newcastle. “We’re looking to do this as much as we possibly can and obviously tonight is something new,” said Webb, the chief refereeing officer at Professional Game Match Officials Limited. “We’re making a small step forward. Going forward into next season, we will be looking to do more of the same. “We can’t play it live, that’s not allowed in the laws of the game, FIFA don’t allow us to play this out during the game. Who knows where that might go in the future? “But there’s nothing to stop us doing what we’re doing tonight and showing it later. “I hope tonight has been a good insight as we’ve drawn that curtain back to reveal the way the officials work together as a team and some of the rationale for some of the decisions that have been taken. “We’ve tried to show you a range of situations and going forward we’re looking to do more of the same.” Incidents selected for the programme almost unanimously reflected favourably on the use of VAR. Viewers could hear ongoing dialogue between on-field officials and those at Stockley Park as decisions were debated and reviewed. Other incidents analysed were the overturning of an offside against Joelinton in Newcastle’s 5-1 win at West Ham last month and a penalty given to Brentford in their 2-0 success over Bournemouth in January. The spot-kick – awarded by referee Jarred Gillett for Marcos Senesi’s adjudged tug on Ivan Toney – was the only contentious incident analysed. Webb admitted the decision was incorrect as Bees striker Toney had initially fouled Cherries defender Senesi. He blamed process rather than judgement due to the footage reviewed by VAR not beginning early enough. “In this situation, we see a foul by Ivan Toney on Senesi just before Senesi puts his arm across Ivan Toney,” said Webb. “It was checked by the VAR but actually this was an issue around process really where the sequence the VAR looked at didn’t start early enough, it didn’t quite show how that contact came to happen, it was already happening when he started to look at it. “It’s a matter of process, as opposed to judgement, on this one. This should have been penalised with a free-kick to Bournemouth. “We’ve got to get it right as VAR. We’ve got this tool to see this and it’s clear and therefore we should step in.”
2023-05-16 05:55
Myanmar Rohingya: What future for the refugee baby lucky to survive?
In the world's largest refugee camp, with no access to education, Rohingya children face a bleak future.
2023-05-16 05:53
Angels put Rendon on 10-day IL with left groin strain
The Los Angeles Angels have put infielder Anthony Rendon on the 10-day injured list with a left groin strain
2023-05-16 05:53
Portland Timbers' Evander picking up steam after brace vs Whitecaps
Portland Timbers midfielder Evander showed exactly why a club record fee of $10 million was paid for him by netting twice in a 3-1 win vs the Vancouver Whitecaps.
2023-05-16 05:52
Justin Thomas looking to find results as he defends PGA Championship title
Justin Thomas won the PGA Championship last year when he least expected it
2023-05-16 05:51
Kentucky Derby winner Mage set as 8-5 morning line favorite for Preakness
Kentucky Derby winner Mage has been installed as the 8-5 morning line favorite for the Preakness
2023-05-16 05:50
Nearly 80,000 celebrate Barcelona in victory parade for men's and women's teams
Nearly 80,000 people have taken to the streets of Barcelona to celebrate the club’s Spanish league titles for the men’s and women’s squads
2023-05-16 05:47
Curtis Jones inspires Liverpool to leave Leicester on the brink
Curtis Jones’ double pushed Leicester to the brink of relegation as Liverpool cruised to a 3-0 win – two years to the day since the Foxes’ FA Cup triumph. The midfielder’s first-half brace and Trent Alexander-Arnold’s stunner eased the visitors to victory as the hosts capitulated to leave them staring at the drop. That it came on the anniversary of their first ever FA Cup win underlined the 2016 Premier League champions’ fall from grace. Harvey Barnes called it one of the biggest games in the club’s history, but Leicester folded to remain two points from safety with two games left. The Foxes have sleepwalked into this position. Stricter finances dictated last summer’s quiet transfer window, but the club stood still and have paid the price. An air of acceptance had begun to descend on the King Power Stadium and, even before the Reds marched in to claim three easy points, the writing appeared on the wall. For Liverpool, they moved to within a point of Manchester United as their late charge for the top four continued. A seventh straight win – the most painless by far – kept them on United’s coattails, although they will need to maintain their form and hope their rivals slip up. There was never any suggestion of a surprise on Monday, though, as Leicester surrendered. Even prior to kick-off the Foxes had lost Danny Ward, Caglar Soyuncu and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall to injury. That forced Dean Smith to give Jonny Evans a first Premier League start since October, showing the desperation in a dire situation. Leicester needed a strong start and were bright enough. James Maddison’s arrowed pass and Youri Tielemans’ dummy sent Barnes away, only for Alisson Becker to smother the danger when Jamie Vardy broke through. Yet their early gusto waned as Liverpool bossed possession before turning on the afterburners as the hosts fell apart. Alisson’s long clearance found Luis Diaz to nod down for Jordan Henderson. He teed up Mohamed Salah to cross for Jones to steal in ahead of the dawdling Boubakary Soumare and find the far corner for a 33rd-minute opener. Just three minutes later the England Under-21 international doubled the lead, following a lengthy VAR check, when he collected Salah’s pass and was given the freedom to turn and rifle past Daniel Iversen. It was the midfielder’s third goals in four games, having ended an 18-month drought against Tottenham last month. It was mayhem and Leicester, with just one win in their previous 13 games, collapsed as Iversen needed to deny Cody Gakpo a quickfire third. Desperate for a response, the Foxes at least came out for the second half swinging and Alisson tipped Barnes’ effort wide. That was as good as it got, though, as Liverpool slipped back into their controlled rhythm, with Iversen beating Salah’s shot away. It was then curtains with 19 minutes left when, after Evans fouled Henderson, Salah tapped a free-kick to Alexander-Arnold to blast into the top corner from 25 yards. Salah shot wide when clean through but, by then, the King Power had begun to empty as quickly as the hope drained from Leicester, who look doomed. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Howard Webb keen to air more conversations between match officials and VARs Justin Thomas seeing ‘light at end of tunnel’ ahead of US PGA title defence London Irish threatened with suspension as RFU imposes takeover deadline
2023-05-16 05:29
Ruf signs with Brewers after refusing minor league assignment from Giants
First baseman/outfielder Darin Ruf agreed to a one-year contract with the Milwaukee Brewers, two days after he elected free agency rather than accept an outright assignment to the minor leagues with the San Francisco Giants
2023-05-16 05:24
MLB's new pitch clock may be leading to more blown saves
The pitch clock has sped up baseball as hoped, and it might be leading to more exciting endings, too
2023-05-16 05:17