Tag Archives: bragging

Barnsley 0 Sheffield Wednesday 1: match report

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Barnsley 0 Sheffield Wednesday 1: O'Grady strikes to get one over relegation rivals

By
Jonathan Veal, Press Association

PUBLISHED:

19:16 GMT, 15 December 2012

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UPDATED:

19:43 GMT, 15 December 2012

Sheffield Wednesday earned local bragging rights with victory over Barnsley which eases the pressure on boss Dave Jones and piles it on counterpart Keith Hill.

The Owls had lost their previous seven games in the npower Championship which left the former Cardiff boss clinging on to his job, but Chris O'Grady's first-half goal earned the vital points and stopped the rot.

The goal was shrouded in controversy, though, as O'Grady tapped home after Barnsley goalkeeper Luke Steele had dropped the ball under the challenge of Gary Madine, with television replays showing a push.

Delight: Sheffield Wednesday's Anthony Gardner celebrates his team's opening goal

Delight: Sheffield Wednesday's Anthony Gardner celebrates his team's opening goal

Match facts

Barnsley: Steele, Stones, Foster, Cranie, Golbourne, Buzsaky (Perkins 47), Greening (Harewood 66), Dawson, Cywka (O'Brien 61), Davies, Tudgay.

Subs Not Used: Alnwick, Hassell, Done, Wiseman.

Booked: Foster, Davies.

Sheff Wed: Kirkland, Buxton, Gardner, Llera, Helan, Antonio, Prutton, Lines (Sidibe 90), Jermaine Johnson (Mayor 57), Madine (McCabe 67), O'Grady.

Subs Not Used: Bywater, Taylor, Maguire, Mattock.

Booked: Lines, Prutton, Llera.

Goals: O'Grady 35.

Att: 12,484

Ref: Stuart Attwell (Warwickshire).

The latest Championship table, fixtures and results

Wednesday rode their luck in holding
on for the win and Keith Hill's men will feel hard done by in losing a
game they controlled for large parts as Marcus Tudgay could have had a
hat-trick of headers.

The Owls will not care about that, though, as they moved off the bottom of the league and joined Barnsley on 18 points.

While Jones will be breathing easy
tonight the same cannot be said of Hill, who is coming under the cosh
from Reds fans unhappy at an 11-game winless run. His future could be
decided after the Christmas period.

It was no surprise that there was not
too much quality on show early on given the respective poor runs of
their sides, though a rasping drive from Stephen Dawson stung the palms
of Chris Kirkland as Barnsley attempted to gain the initiative.

Wednesday responded, though, and Madine glanced a header wide from Chris Lines' inviting free-kick.

Neither side could wrestle control,
though with no love lost between these two clubs – separated by just 13
miles – there was plenty to keep referee Stuart Attwell busy as the
tackles flew in.

With Barnsley enjoying a spell of
possession, Wednesday stole the lead 10 minutes before the break. Lewis
Buxton found space down the right and delivered a searching cross that
under duress from Madine's challenge Steele dropped and O'Grady turned
into an unguarded net.

Steele was furious and wanted a foul, which TV replays suggest was apparent, but Attwell was having none of it.

The Reds should have had an instant
response, though, as Tudgay headed over from six yards out after an
enticing delivery from Scott Golbourne.

Barnsley started the second half
strongly with Craig Davies forcing a low save out of Kirkland, who
parried a free-kick before Miguel Llera cleared with a red shirt ready
to pounce.

Wednesday could have doubled their
lead when Madine headed over from O'Grady's cross, but that was a rare
break from largely one-way traffic towards the Owls' net.

David Perkins drove an effort just
wide, but for all their possession and territory, the division's lowest
scorers rarely looked like breaching Wednesday's defence.

That all changed in the final 10
minutes as former Wednesday striker Tudgay headed straight at Kirkland,
Marlon Harewood had an effort blocked and then Tudgay again saw a header
cleared off the line by David Prutton as Barnsley threw every forward
in search of a leveller.

The chances did not end there as
Harewood hooked just wide and Davies had an effort deflected off target
as Wednesday somehow held on.

Samir Nasri shameful in wall for Manchester City as Robin van Persie strikes free-kick

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Nasri is paid 150,000-a-week to help Man City win… but he bottled it in the wall and handed bragging rights to rivals United

By
Mike Anstead

PUBLISHED:

11:28 GMT, 10 December 2012

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UPDATED:

12:13 GMT, 10 December 2012

Your team has battled back from two goals down to draw level in the Manchester derby. The home fans – your fans – are going crazy at denying your arch rivals victory on your patch.

They have dodged humiliation in the pub and the jokes at work on Monday morning. But it's not over just yet. You've got a free-kick to defend.

Joe Hart has told Carlos Tevez that he doesn't need him in the wall. So, you will be the key man on the right of the three-man wall. As Robin van Persie tells Wayne Rooney that he's going to have a pop, you know that the ball is coming your way. All that matters is getting in the way.

You Wall-y: Nasri does his best to dodge Robin van Persie's injury-time free-kick

You Wall-y: Nasri does his best to dodge Robin van Persie's injury-time free-kick

Dodging the bullet: The Frenchman dangles his left leg in a pathetic attempt at trying to block Van Persie's strike

Dodging the bullet: The Frenchman dangles his left leg in a pathetic attempt at trying to block RVP's strike

Helpless: The ball sails past Manchester City stopper Joe Hart after deflecting off the outstretched leg of Nasri

Helpless: The ball sails past Manchester City stopper Joe Hart after deflecting off the outstretched leg of Nasri

But something's playing in the back of your mind. You don't fancy this. You played with Robin at Arsenal and he knows how to hit a ball. This is going to be coming at you hard. Very hard.

It's cold. You don't want that ball crashing into your face. It's going to hurt. But will it hurt as much as that ball flying into the net at 60mph…

We don't know the thought-process of Samir Nasri in those manic moments and we probably never will. But we can guess at what was running through his mind as Van Persie lined up his free-kick in the 93rd minute at the Etihad Stadium.

Nasri

I don't fancy this much: Nasri – a former team-mate of Van Persie – hides behind Edin Dzeko and Gareth Barry

We've all been there. That Sunday morning in the freezing cold and you're on the end of the wall as that opponent with thunder thighs readies himself for a piledriver from 25 yards. Some of you reading this will have dodged it. Some of you would never consider ducking out of the way.

But there are very few people who are paid 150,000-a-week to help their team win a football match. Nasri is rewarded handsomely by Manchester City for putting his body on the line each week.

Dutch of class: Van Persie celebrates his dramatic winner with the United supporters

Dutch of class: Van Persie celebrates his dramatic winner with the United supporters

Roberto Mancini's words said it all. He
pointed out that he only had 'two-and-a-half' players in the wall to
defend the free-kick.

Just what was Nasri thinking

As Van Persie readied himself, Nasri seemed uncomfortable in the wall. He looked like he didn't want to be there. While Edin Dzeko and Gareth Barry – the two of the 'two-and-a-half' – stood firm, Nasri wriggled about, sensing that he was a human target.

When Van Persie steps up to take the free-kick, he can probably sense Nasri's nerves. He would know enough about his mental strength from their time together at Arsenal. What he would not have predicted is that Nasri would bottle it in such a blatant manner.

As the ball leaves Van Persie's foot, the Frenchman is already tucking himself behind Dzeko. By the time the ball is level with the wall – or to be precise, in the exact position where Nasri should have been standing – he is hiding behind Dzeko. His eyes are closed, his back is now facing Van Persie and his protruding left leg (it should have at least been his right) is a token attempt to block the shot.

When the ball sneaks into the far corner of Hart's goal, Nasri knows he's let himself down. He's let the team down. He's let down the 42,000-plus City fans inside the Etihad Stadium. He's let down the thousands watching on TV around the world.

And he's handed bragging rights to Manchester United. The pub and Monday morning at work are going to be painful for City fans.

Just what was he thinking Is he one brick short of a wall

Barnsley 0 Huddersfield 1: match report

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Barnsley 0 Huddersfield 1: Beckford header seals bragging rights for Terriers

PUBLISHED:

17:39 GMT, 10 November 2012

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UPDATED:

17:39 GMT, 10 November 2012

Jermaine man: beckford scored the winner for Huddersfield

Jermaine man: beckford scored the winner for Huddersfield

Simon Church played a big part in Barnsley's downfall after turning down a loan move to Oakwell in favour of Huddersfield this week as Jermaine Beckford's first-half header proved decisive in this Yorkshire derby.

Reading striker Church, who opted for a loan move to Huddersfield instead of Barnsley on Friday, laid on the winner for Beckford, who headed home the Wales international's pin-point cross in the 36th minute.

Church, a constant threat for the visitors, twice went close himself as Huddersfield climbed back into the top six with a fourth away win in the npower Championship this season, while a fourth straight defeat for Barnsley leaves them two points above the drop zone.

It was the first meeting between the
two sides since Barnsley edged past Huddersfield in a League One
play-off semi-final in 2006.

Teenager John Stones, fellow defender
Stephen Foster and striker Marlon Harewood were back for Barnsley,
while former Tottenham and Middlesbrough forward Mido, yet to appear for
the Tykes since arriving in the summer, was named among the
substitutes.

Match facts

Barnsley: Steele, Stones, Wiseman, Foster, Golbourne, Cranie, Etuhu (Mido 63), Dawson (Noble-Lazarus 68), Mellis, Cywka (O'Brien 68), Harewood.

Subs not used: Alnwick, Hassell, Dagnall, McNulty.

Booked: Mido.

Huddersfield: Smithies, Hunt, Peter Clarke, Lynch, Dixon, Clayton, Southern, Scannell, Novak (Lee 86), Beckford (Ward 59), Church.

Subs not used: Bennett, Woods, Norwood, Gerrard, Hammill.

Booked: Smithies, Church.

Goal: Beckford 36.

Attendance: 12,130

Referee: Mark Haywood (W Yorkshire).

Click here for latest Championship results, fixtures and table

Huddersfield included Church and recalled right-back Jack Hunt and Beckford.

The first real chance fell to
Harewood, who headed a corner from Jacob Mellis just wide in the 15th
minute and the former Nottingham Forest striker fired in a 25-yard shot
that was comfortably gathered by Huddersfield goalkeeper Alex Smithies.

Prompted by midfielder Stephen
Dawson, Barnsley enjoyed the better possession midway through the first
half, but it was Huddersfield who broke the deadlock nine minutes before
half-time.

Church found space out wide on the
left and sent over a fine cross for Beckford, back in the side following
a hamstring injury, to head home into the top corner from six yards.

Barnsley's response was immediate
though. Tomasz Cywka arrowed a shot from the left edge of the penalty
area just over the crossbar and Dawson's effort from similar distance
was well saved by Smithies.

Barnsley continued to keep hold of
the ball for longer periods, but had only Kelvin Etuhu's wayward
free-kick to show for their efforts up until the hour-mark when
Huddersfield lost Beckford to injury.

Beckford was replaced by Danny Ward and the visitors then went close to increasing their lead twice in as many minutes.

Striker Lee Novak's shot from the
edge of the area was held by Steele before midfielder Keith Southern
headed Ward's corner inches wide in the 62nd minute.

Tykes boss Keith Hill sent on former
Egypt international Mido for Etuhu soon after, but Huddersfield went
close again from another Ward corner, this time defender Joel Lynch
heading the wrong side of the post.

Hill sent on teenager Reuben
Noble-Lazarus and Jim O'Brien for Cwyka and Dawson respectively and the
former made an instant impression when he fired a shot over the
crossbar.

Church, a constant thorn in
Barnsley's side, forced a smart save from Steele with a 77th-minute shot
from inside the box, while the Tykes spurned two golden chances to
level in the closing stages but Harewood and then O'Brien both pulled
shots wide when well-placed inside the area.

Sunderland are in trouble – Northern Exposure

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Northern Exposure: Just how can O'Neill reverse Sunderland's fortunes

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UPDATED:

15:56 GMT, 6 November 2012

Ever get the feeling it’s just not your day/week/month/season That’s what Martin O’Neill, and his players, must surely be thinking after the week they’ve just endured.

The Capital One Cup exit at the hands of a useful and vibrant Middlesbrough team last week was a massive blow. Local bragging rights aside, this was a competition Sunderland were looking at with serious intent.

O’Neill won it four times as player and manager, and he recognised, like every Sunderland fan, the possibility of winning it this season. He might not also know that it would have put an end to the Newcastle 'have you ever seen a Mackem in Milan’ chants.

Head in hands: Sunderland's woeful form continued when they were beaten by Aston Villa

Head in hands: Sunderland's woeful form continued when they were beaten by Aston Villa

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Lifting the first trophy since 1973 was a considerable way off, as Tony Mowbray acknowledged after his side were handed their 13th away cup draw in a row and given a trip to Swansea for next month’s quarter-final.

But last eight, semi-finals and Wembley in touching distance would all have helped lift the doom which has unexpectedly engulfed the Stadium of Light this season.

Sunderland then followed that with a home defeat to an Aston Villa side, who were reckoned to be really struggling and were three points behind them and without an away win all season.

And they probably deserved it too. If Lee Cattermole’s drive had flown a few inches lower, the first half, and outcome, might have been very different. But Sunderland are not having a lot of luck on top of Stephane Sessegnon, Adam Johnson and James McClean inexplicably and collectively being unable to deliver.

Villa just looked the bigger threat and once Gabriel Agbonlahor had ended a 28-league game wait for his goal, Sunderland never looked likely to equalise, for all their desperation and kitchen-sink style attacking play.

On top of all this, James McFadden signed last week and in hindsight might have been a fairytale in waiting on the bench but was overlooked for the latter stages of the Boro defeat for the McClean. But now he looks likely to miss out on the opportunity to impress for the next two months after suffering a hamstring injury on Thursday. It never rains…

This is all a serious test for O’Neill, who has asked for time to be judged and pointed out he endured similar difficulties in the early stages of management at Leicester and Villa. Even winning titles at Celtic didn’t come without its setbacks.

And he will know he has to get it right quickly. Just four points above third from bottom Reading, who are the home game in hand next month, Sunderland have a hectic and challenging period ahead.

You try and work out where the points are coming from. They face Fulham (A), West Brom and QPR (H), Norwich (A) before they really get into December.

Plenty to ponder: Martin O'Neill's appointment has not had the desired affect at the Stadium of Light

Plenty to ponder: Martin O'Neill's appointment has not had the desired affect at the Stadium of Light

They then have Chelsea (H) before the Reading re-match, followed by Manchester United (A), Southampton (A) and on Boxing Day Manchester City (H) before the month ends with Tottenham (H).

Testing times for Toon

Alan Pardew is also counting the cost of last week.

His Newcastle side came so close to ending their Anfield hoodoo, but what he'd give for a point and a clean bill of health after Sunday’s 1-1 draw.

Instead, Demba Ba, Yohan Cabaye and James Perch – the type of Newcastle players (yes, Perch included) who Sir Bobby Robson would have put in his `blue chip’ brigade – departed with injuries likely to leave them out of action for a few weeks.

And captain Fabricio Coloccini’s uncharacteristic moment of madness, even if he did try to pull out of a full-scale assault on Luis Suarez, has ruled him out of three Barclays Premier League games. He is always missed.

Blow: Demba Ba (right) added his name to Newcastle's growing injury list

Blow: Demba Ba (right) added his name to Newcastle's growing injury list

The downside of the deserved qualification to the Europa League was always going to be the test to the Newcastle squad. And at the beginning of the season, Pardew made no secret of his desire to see his fringe and younger players using the competition as a springboard to full-scale league involvement.

Pardew has used his men well and they sit top of their group, knowing a win in Bruges this week, and a favourable result between Maritimo and Bordeaux, puts them in next year’s knock-out phase. Progress indeed.

Thousands will make the trip to Belgium on Thursday, many without tickets, in a real show of force to mark Newcastle’s return to European action. Bruges is considerably easier, and cheaper, to get to than Mauritius and Athens.

Those who will be inside the Jan Breydel Stadium will not want to leave disappointed. This is the Belgian side’s last chance, and they will want to make an impression on home turf and end a run of six games without a win which cost seasoned campaigner George Leekens his job this week. They are likely to face a vastly inexperienced Newcastle team but the pressure is on the home side and caretaker coach Philippe Clement. It promises to be a testing night.

Return: Newcastle take on Bruges looking to qualify for the Europa League knockout phase

Return: Newcastle take on Bruges looking to qualify for the Europa League knockout phase

With points in the bag, Newcastle can afford a defeat. Maritimo at St James’s Park is an entirely different proposition in a fortnight and could prove to be the night for qualification. After that it is Bordeaux, when the majority of fans might appreciate the option of saving some money.

One criticism from supporters during the summer, was the lack of new signings. The new numbers of players alone didn’t match up.

The board believed they had the resources, and Pardew has never suggested he is unhappy with the cards he has been dealt. But this month tests the squad to the absolute limit and presents challenges he could do without as he looks to gain a stronger presence in the Premier League.

Newcastle have two months to get to the January transfer window. How they deal with its opening may depend on whether they limp or leap into the New Year.

Sunderland goal was best of my career, says Newcastle"s Yohan Cabaye

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Tyne-Wear derby goal was best of my Newcastle career, says Cabaye

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UPDATED:

15:25 GMT, 22 October 2012

Yohan Cabaye rates his first derby goal as his most important to date for Newcastle.

The 26-year-old Frenchman scored five times for his new club last season, including a stunning free-kick in a 3-0 defeat of Manchester United.

However, he firmly believes that his third-minute strike at Sunderland yesterday, which for so long looked like handing the 10-man Magpies three Barclays Premier League points, was the biggest one yet.

Bragging rights: Cabaye's goal put Newcastle in front at Sunderland

Bragging rights: Cabaye's goal put Newcastle in front at Sunderland

Cabaye said: 'For me, it was a great start, and for the team as well. I was really happy to score my first goal of the season and my first derby goal.

'It's the best moment since I came to Newcastle. It was a great moment and when I saw the fans, they were going crazy so for me, it was a really good start.

'I know how important this match is for the club, for the fans, for the city, for everyone who supports Newcastle.

'I play for Newcastle so for me, the goal is really important. It means everything for everyone, and for me.'

Cabaye's big moment arrived with the game barely two minutes old when Hatem Ben Arfa capitalised on an error by full-back Danny Rose to feed striker Demba Ba, whose shot was blocked by keeper Simon Mignolet at his near post.

The ball fell perfectly for the France international, who dispatched it unerringly into the bottom corner to get the visitors off to a dream start.

They looked capable of building upon it too as Sunderland laboured in their attempts to find a way back into the game until Cabaye's central midfield partner Cheick Tiote fell foul of referee Martin Atkinson.

Tiote, who has now collected a staggering 29 yellow cards and two reds in just 59 appearances for the club, had already earned a free-kick after Jack Colback had pulled him back, but as the whistle sounded, he careered into striker Steven Fletcher with his boot raised.

He expressed astonishment at being dismissed and manager Alan Pardew thought the ultimate sanction harsh, but significantly, later indicated there would be no appeal.

Pardew said: 'We will have to accept the decision. He hasn't intentionally done the guy, for sure, he has just gone for a ball and he is a little bit high.'

Net result: Cabaye says this was the best for the club since he arrived

Net result: Cabaye says this was the best for the club since he arrived

Even then, the Black Cats were unable to cause too many problems for Newcastle despite dominating possession, and with Fabricio Coloccini outstanding at the back on his return from a hamstring injury and substitute James Perch, who was introduced at the expense of the unfortunate Shola Ameobi, shielding the back four, there was little genuine drama.

However, Coloccini's departure with cramp in both calves came as Sunderland launched their final assault, and his side finally succumbed five minutes from time when John O'Shea glanced a Sebastian Larsson free-kick against Ba and the striker could only look on in horror as the ball sailed past keeper Tim Krul and into the net.

Cabaye said: 'Playing one hour with 10 men on the pitch in a derby is difficult.

'The referee decided to send off Cheick, but afterwards, we stayed compact and we fought as a unit, as a team.

'Unfortunately for us, they scored with five minutes to go. We were a bit disappointed, but with 10 men on the pitch, it was a good result for us.'

Newcastle have now lost only one league game on Wearside in 32 years, and while they were disappointed not to emerge victorious, a positive result will set them up perfectly for Thursday night's Europa League clash with Club Brugge on Tyneside and West Brom's visit three days later.

Salute! Newcastle head into the clash with Brugge in a positive frame of mind

Salute! Newcastle head into the clash with Brugge in a positive frame of mind

=

Sunderland v Newcastle live

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PREMIER LEAGUE LIVE: Sunderland v Newcastle – as it happens from the Stadium of Light

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UPDATED:

13:18 GMT, 21 October 2012

Follow Sportsmail's coverage of the Barclays Premier League as Sunderland host Newcastle at the Stadium of Light to start Sunday's action. Both sides sit in mid-table at this early stage of the season but will be fired up to claim bragging rights in the Tyne-Wear derby. Send me your thoughts on the action at dan.ripley@dailymail.co.uk or contact me on Twitter @Ripinho.

Sunderland 0-1 Newcastle (1.30pm)

Click here for the live goals as they go in

Sunderland: Mignolet, Gardner,
O'Shea, Cuellar, Rose, Johnson, Larsson, Colback, McClean, Sessegnon,
Fletcher.
Subs: Westwood, Bardsley, Campbell, Kilgallon, Vaughan,
Meyler, Saha.

Newcastle:
Krul, Simpson, Williamson, Coloccini, Santon, Gutierrez, Cabaye, Tiote,
Ben Arfa, Ba, Shola Ameobi (Perch 39).
Subs: Harper, Anita, Cisse, Obertan,
Steven Taylor, Ferguson.

Goals: Cabaye 3.

Referee: Martin Atkinson (W Yorkshire)

Click here for the live Premier League table

Half-time: Sunderland 0-1 Newcastle

45+2min: Another strike from outside the box but James McClean's low effort takes a deflection leading to a Sunderland corner.

The delivery in though is easily taken by Tim Krul.

45min: Three minutes to be added on as Sunderland seek an equaliser before the break.

43min: Sunderland are yet to create a clear cut chance but they continue to shoot from distance with Gardner slicing wide from 25 yards.

42min: But it's Newcastle with the next chance. A corner straight from the training ground is played short to Coloccini on the edge of the box, whose shot is deflected to Demba Ba.

The striker does well to react quickly to tee up a scissors kick but he will be disappointed to fire over from six yards.

39min: In fact Alan Pardew has decided to make a tactical switch, sending on the defensive minded James Perch for Ameobi.

The striker, so often a thorn in Sunderland's side, is far from happy and heads straight down the tunnel.

38min: The pressure is being piled on by Sunderland now as they win a free-kick on the right side of the box. Fletcher cleverly plays a low ball to the edge of the box where Gardner's strike hits a Newcastle player before deflecting for a corner which the visitors clear.

37min: From OptaJoe:

1 – After 27 yellow cards in his previous 54 PL appearances, Cheick Tiote has been shown his first ever PL red. Graduation.

35min: Newcastle don't want to give Sunderland too many set-pieces 30 yards from goal and here is why. Craig Gardner fires a low drive through a crowd of bodies that just zips low past the post.

33min: Small chance for Sunderland as a cross worms its way to Adam Johnson at the back post. But the winger is quickly chased down and he curls across goal and wide under pressure.

31min: Sunderland are not making the most of the extra man as Newcastle win a free-kick deep inside the hosts' half on the left wing.

Cabaye though wastes the delivery by curling over everyone's head and out for a goal kick.

28min: Bizarrely Newcastle won a free-kick from that passage of play after Jack Colback pushed Tiote seconds before. Shola Ameobi was also booked for dissent.

25min: RED CARD (Cheick Tiote, Newcastle)

No hesitation from Martin Atkinson as he flashes a straight red card after Tiote leaves his foot in following a challenge on Fletcher.

I'm probably a bit old fashioned but I thought a booking would have been a fairer call. Either way Newcastle are down to 10 men.

24min: From InfostradaLive:

At two mins 11 seconds, Cabaye’s goal was the quickest Sunderland have conceded in the PL at the Stadium of Light. The previous was James Morrison (3 min 35 secs) for West Brom in a 2-2 draw in October 2011.

21min: Set-pieces look on song today as Cabaye's effort forces Mignolet to tip over. From the corner, Sunderland clear behind at the near post but escape with a goal kick.

20min: We haven't seen much of Newcastle since they took the lead but they win a free-kick 25 yards out central to goal after Larsson clumsily raises a foot into Shola Ameobi's chest.

17min: An honest enough strike from the Swede but Tim Krul is right behind it as he dives down comfortably to claim at his near post.

16min: More danger for Newcastle as Ben Arfa trips Rose five yards out from the corner of the penalty box. Larsson stands over the set piece…

14min: So Sunderland try the other flank and find a little more success. Danny Rose manages to swing a cross in for Fletcher, but Coloccini does well to turn the striker away from goal before heading away the Scot's eventual cross. The Newcastle captain looks to be back in business.

11min: The hosts are seeing more of the ball but Newcastle's gameplan is starting to show as Adam Johnson looks hounded out every time he gets the ball on the right flank. As a result, poor old Fletcher isn't getting much service.

8min: That's a bit better. Seb Larsson curls a delightful cross into the box but Mike Williamson strongly heads away with Steven Fletcher waiting to apply the finishing touch.

6min: The majority in the ground have been silenced by that strike and their team isn't doing much to help them raise their voices.

One hopeful free-kick into the box aside there hasn't been much response from the hosts.

Off the mark early: Yohan Cabaye (left) pounced inside the box to give Newcastle the lead

Off the mark early: Yohan Cabaye (left) pounced inside the box to give Newcastle the lead

3min: GOAL! Sunderland 0-1 NEWCASTLE

The Toon look much more alert so far and grab an early lead. Hatem Ben Arfa finds Demba Ba with a pass to the byline, but although the striker's shot from a tight angle is blocked by Simon Mignolet, Yohan Cabaye fires home the rebound.

1min: Newcastle win a corner in the opening minute but Yohan Cabaye's delivery is cleared by the Sunderland backline.

Kick-off: Sunderland get the Wear-Tyne derby underway.

13.29: The players make their way out inside a packed out stadium that is bathed in sunshine.

13.26: Fantastic atmosphere inside the Stadium of Light. The home fans display cards to mark out red and white stripes inside the ground as 'Dance of the Knights' plays over the PA system.

13.23: Martin O'Neill could be playing poker face but Alan Pardew looked much more confident of the two managers. Should be interesting to see how it translates on the pitch.

13.20: Newcastle boss Alan Pardew also spoke to Sky Sports before the game:

'The players understand the importance of this game for the fans. It didn't take a lot of thinking to include Shola Ameobi – he knows all about this game and he deserves to play.

'It's a massive lift to have the captain [Fabricio Coloccini] back. He brings intelligence and there isn't a lot of that in these games.

'The key to winning is competing – it's no good being technically the best so we have to be the big players in both boxes.'

13.15: Sunderland boss Martin O'Neill spoke to Sky Sports before the game:

'We are looking forward to it, we didn't play particularly well against Manchester City but we were doing fine up until then.

'Phil Bardsley is getting fitter, and Titus Bramble was injured during the week.

'You need a little bit of luck, to be strong and durable but I'm not sure there is any secret behind derby success.'

Lead by example: Newcastle welcome back their captain, Fabricio Coloccini (centre) to their defence

Lead by example: Newcastle welcome back their captain, Fabricio Coloccini (centre) to their defence

13.12: Sunderland can only move up to 11th with a win today but they do have a game in hand with the majority of the division.

Crucially for the fans they would be above Newcastle should they win –

13.07: Three points for Newcastle would put them into the top 10 but manager Alan Pardew has already said he hopes maximum points will provide a springboard for the top eight.

Trying to gain brownie points with the fans, Pardew has also stated that while this may be the strongest Sunderland side he has faced – he remains confident of finishing above them. The gloves are off now.

13.02: Derby specialist Shola Ameobi is handed a chance to add to his tally against Sunderland as Newcastle boss Alan Pardew makes four changes for this afternoon's Wear-Tune derby clash.

Ameobi, who sits only behind Jackie Milburn in the fixture with seven goals to his name, is included along with the fit-again Tim Krul, Fabricio Coloccini and Danny Simpson, while there is a place on the bench for Steven Taylor.

Sunderland manager Martin O'Neill keeps faith with the men who started the 3-0 defeat at Manchester City last time out, and that means a start for full-back Danny Rose, seemingly the target of racial abuse on England Under 21s duty in Serbia in midweek, while there is a place among the substitutes for Phil Bardsley following his recovery from an ankle problem.

12.57: Full line-ups from the Stadium of Light:

Sunderland v Newcastle
Sunderland: Mignolet, Gardner, O'Shea, Cuellar, Rose, Johnson, Larsson, Colback, McClean, Sessegnon, Fletcher. Subs: Westwood, Bardsley, Campbell, Kilgallon, Vaughan, Meyler, Saha.

Newcastle: Krul, Simpson, Williamson, Coloccini, Santon, Gutierrez, Cabaye, Tiote, Ben Arfa, Ba, Shola Ameobi. Subs: Harper, Anita, Cisse, Perch, Obertan, Steven Taylor, Ferguson.

Referee: Martin Atkinson (W Yorkshire)

12.52: Before that, you have to go back to the year 2000 where second-half strikes from Don Hutchinson and Niall Quinn responded to an early goal from Gary Speed at St James' Park.

Newcastle for the record have triumphed eight times since then.

On guard: Police watch over Sunderland fans as Newcastle supporters arrive at the Stadium of Light

On guard: Police watch over Sunderland fans as Newcastle supporters arrive at the Stadium of Light

12.50: So who wants to be the Black Cats' hero today. They could do with a new one.

Sunderland have beaten their North East rivals just once in 15 attempts, with goals from Kieran Richardson and Djibril Cisse seeing off Newcastle 2-1 nearly on this day four years ago.

12.45: If it is goals you are after folks then we better hope Steven Fletcher and Demba Ba are not man marked out of the game this afternoon.

Fletcher has scored all five of Sunderland's league goals this season, while Ba has netted all but two of Newcastle's league strikes (Hatem Ben Arfa converting two.)

12.40: Sunderland starting XI:

Mignolet, Gardner, Rose, O'Shea, Cuellar, Colback, Larsson, Johnson, McClean, Sessegnon, Fletcher.

12.35: Newcastle starting XI:

Krul, Simpson, Williamson, Coloccini, Santon, Ben Arfa, Cabaye, Tiote, Gutierrez, Ba, Shola Ameobi.

12.30: Derby of the weekend In terms of on-pitch action it has a way to go to match Tottenham's clash with Chelsea yesterday but the rivalry between Sunderland and Newcastle should not be underestimated.

This is a huge game as we begin Sunday's Premier League coverage with the battle for the North East. Team news for it is on the way.

Fiery start: Sunderland host Newcastle in the Tyne-Wear derby to begin Sunday's Premier League action

Fiery start: Sunderland host Newcastle in the Tyne-Wear derby to begin Sunday's Premier League action

Leicester 3 Hull 1: David Nugent hat-trick gives Nigel Pearson win over former club

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Leicester 3 Hull 1: Nugent hat-trick gives Pearson win over former club

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UPDATED:

16:34 GMT, 23 September 2012

David Nugent bagged a hat-trick as Leicester made it four home league wins on the bounce with victory over npower Championship high-flyers Hull.

Nugent, who scored his 100th career league goal in the 2-1 win over Burnley on Wednesday, ending an 11-game drought, put the hosts ahead after seven minutes and was on hand to restore their advantage after Jay Simpson's leveller.

He waited until stoppage time to complete his treble as the Foxes climbed eight places to seventh and Nigel Pearson claimed the bragging rights over his old employers.

Three and easy: Nugent celebrates his opening strike

Three and easy: Nugent celebrates his opening strike

Match facts

Leicester: Schmeichel, De Laet, St Ledger, Morgan, Konchesky, Marshall (Dyer 85), Drinkwater, James (King 70), Knockaert, Vardy (Waghorn 74), Nugent.

Subs Not Used: Logan, Whitbread, Schlupp, Futacs.

Goals: Nugent 7, 42, 90.

Hull: Amos, Chester, Faye (Proschwitz 78), Bruce, Elmohamady, Koren, Evans (Olofinjana 78), Quinn, Dudgeon (Rosenior 70), Aluko, Simpson.

Subs Not Used: Oxley, Dawson, Mclean, McShane.

Goals: Simpson 26.

Attendance: 20,815

Referee: Eddie Ilderton (Tyne & Wear).

Latest Championship table, fixtures and results

The defeat denied the Tigers, who had lost only one of their opening six games, the opportunity to go joint top of the table.

Nugent's early opener arrived when he intercepted Danny Drinkwater's attempt at goal and took advantage of the wrong-footed Ben Amos to steer home.

The Foxes almost doubled their lead immediately as Jamie Vardy showed his strength to hold off two defenders before unleashing a shot which was deflected just wide.

And from the resulting corner there was uncertainty in the Tigers' box as Wes Morgan headed on for Vardy, whose goal-bound strike hit team-mate Sean St Ledger before being scrambled clear.

With the visitors rocking amid a downpour in the east midlands, a brief glimpse of an opportunity momentarily raised their hopes only for the offside flag to thwart Simpson as he looked to latch onto Robert Koren's neat pass.

But moments later they were level.
Corry Evans picked out Sone Aluko and his cross-cum-shot from the right
side of the box was turned in by the ever-alert Simpson.

Like father, like son: Hull's Alex Bruce (left) challenges Jamie Vardy

Like father, like son: Hull's Alex Bruce (left) challenges Jamie Vardy

Leicester
mounted a spirited response to the setback as Drinkwater received
Anthony Knockaert's pass before skipping past Evans and drilling a
powerful effort narrowly over.

Nugent
doubled his tally and restored the home side's lead three minutes
before half-time. Knockaert kept the ball alive after Ahmed Elmohamady
cleared Ben Marshall's effort on the line, the French winger delivering a
cross for Nugent to head in from close range.

Pearson's
side raced out of the blocks after the interval and should have made it
3-1 when Vardy was put in the clear by Knockaert, but the former
Fleetwood striker put his shot too close to Amos and it was clipped
behind for a corner.

Double trouble: Nugent wheels away after netting his second

Double trouble: Nugent wheels away after netting his second

It served as a wake-up call for Steve Bruce's charges, who soon called Kasper Schmeichel into action as Aluko's 25-yard thunderbolt had the Dane scrambling across goal to tip wide.

The Tigers boss introduced Nick
Proschwitz from the bench for the final 12 minutes, hoping to see the
2.6million German striker open his account for the club, but it was the
hosts who threatened next.

Alex
Bruce handled the ball on the edge of the box and, despite Nugent's
appeals for a penalty, a free-kick was given and Knockaert's effort was
plucked out of the air by Amos.

Eyes on the screen: Nugent and Wes Morgan (centre) check the replay to see who is awarded the third goal

Eyes on the screen: Nugent and Wes Morgan (centre) check the replay to see who scored the third goal

Steve Bruce was sent to the stands in the closing stages – punishment for his reaction to a questionable call from the linesman, who adjudged the ball to have crossed the sideline as Hull tried to break clear.

Pearson had cause for complaint next when six minutes was added on and Hull almost grabbed a dramatic leveller. Elmohamady's header from a corner was destined for the back of the net, only for Knockaert to clear off the line.

But Martyn Waghorn picked up the loose ball, found fellow substitute Lloyd Dyer and he picked out Nugent, who slotted past Amos to seal the win.

London 2012 Olympics: Great Britain 0 Australia 3 in the volleyball

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Great Britain 0 Australia 3: Ashes bragging rights head Down Under in the volleyball

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UPDATED:

20:52 GMT, 31 July 2012

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LIVE RESULTS |
EVENT SCHEDULE |
MEDALS TABLE

Australia came out on top of their Ashes battle with Great Britain at Earls Court, with their size and strength too much for the host nation to handle.

With the British women having won a first-ever Olympic clash on Monday night, hopes were high that their male counterparts would follow suit today, with the Volleyroos arguably their closest-matched side in the pool.

But with Australia's brutal defence forming a wall of steel at the net, Britain's strike players were unable to feed off what was, at best, inconsistent setting, as what appeared to be Harry Brokking's squad's best chance of getting a Games win passed them by under the watching eye of London 2012 chairman Lord Coe.

They still have three group games left, but with Italy, Poland and Argentina ahead of them, an improbable two wins are required for a quarter-final berth to even be a possibility.

Battle: Britain's Kieran O'Malley tees up a spike as Australian players look on at Earl's Court

Battle: Britain's Kieran O'Malley tees up a spike as Australian players look on at Earl's Court

With the brilliant 6ft 11in Thomas Edgar omnipresent and Igor Yudin and Travis Passier providing more than ample support, it actually became something of a cruise control mission for the Australians, who will now fancy their own chances of progressing to the last eight.

They lost to Argentina on Sunday and, unlike Great Britain, appeared to have learned from their mistakes, hitting consistently from the net and cutting out their unforced errors close in. On the flip side, much like in the Bulgaria game, GB started slowly and a quick slump to 4-1 behind – mainly owing to Edgar – prompted Brokking to call an early time-out.

His words were lost however, as four more points were lost upon the resumption, with Adam White's stunning serve causing the hosts all manner of reception problems while Bakare, so hit-and-miss on Sunday, made two costly errors to 1-8.

Leap of faith: Britain's Mark McGivern smashes the ball during their defeat to Australia

Leap of faith: Britain's Mark McGivern smashes the ball during their defeat to Australia

That became 4-12, with Passier doing some damage down the middle, with Britain's block virtually non-existent.

Brokking
reacted by hooking off captain Ben Pipes, Dami Bakare and Mark
Plotyczer for old heads such as Jason Haldane and Andy Pink, but the
changes made no impact as Australia's power from the back of the court
carried them through to a crushing 25-15 set win.

Importantly for Brokking's men they stayed in touch at the start of the second but, crucially, allowed Australia to get a mini-jump on them come the first time-out, with Bakare missing a spike that sent the score to 6-8.

Pipes was talking to the referee after a contentious block call – not the first to go against the home side – shortly after, but they turned 7-10 into 10-10 thanks to some brilliant hitting from Plotyczer.

Pipes then produced two wonder serves to open up a two-point lead – frittered by reception errors – but Mark McGivern's spike got them back ahead at 16-15.

Delight: Australia's Adam White (left) and Aden Tutton celebrate their triumph

Delight: Australia's Adam White (left) and Aden Tutton celebrate their triumph

Three critical service errors allowed the Australians to move back ahead, and when Edgar shut down Plotyczer, they were 21-18 in front. That quickly extended through to 25-18, with Britain closing the set with six service errors to their name.

With an almighty job on to save the game, Brokking's side needed a lightning start to the third set, but as in both of the others, they first went to the sidelines behind, this time 6-8 as French powered a spike long.

A Yudin ace made it 6-10 and as Edgar ran amok, an 8-14 scoreline quickly emerged.
Despite the efforts of Joel Miller off the bench, GB had no answer to Australia's impenetrable defence and even a four-point streak could not haul them back into it, as Jon Uriarte's men took the set 20-25.

Floyd Mayweather beats Miguel Cotto

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Wait for it, Amir: Another year and Floyd may be beaten

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UPDATED:

21:30 GMT, 6 May 2012

Money talks and Floyd Mayweather spoke so eloquently inside and outside the ring in Las Vegas on Saturday night that the whole world sat up and took notice.

The brilliance with which Mayweather repulsed Miguel Cotto’s machismo assault on his unbeaten record spelt out his claim to be recognised above Manny Pacquaio as the best pound-for-pound fighter on planet earth.

Those fight-by-fight exchanges of bragging rights are important since, as Mayweather admits himself: ‘That fight between me and Pacquaio which all the fans want to see is not going to happen.’

Champion: Floyd Mayweather extended his unbeaten record against Miguel Cotto

Champion: Floyd Mayweather extended his unbeaten record against Miguel Cotto

For that he blames the PacMan’s promoter, Bob Arum, but there are also issues about his own demand for the lion’s share of the $100 million-plus purse.

Only one thing was left unsaid at the MGM Grand Garden: If boxing is dead, then nobody has told the corpse.

As each three minute stanza of dazzling intensity came to its climax the sell-out crowd rose to its feet. Not just to roar its excitement but to applaud the celestial quality of what all 16,047 of them had just witnessed.

Boxing still can be a noble art and when it is performed with such virtuosity it deserves its standing ovation.

When it is shot through with such courage as this the protagonists deserve their rich rewards, on this hot night in Sin City a minimum $32million and $8million for Mayweather and Cotto respectively.

Amir Khan would like to share in such a pay-TV bonanza but Mayweather’s master-class sent out another message, once which warned Britain’s Olympian talent to be patient.

In control: Mayweather got the better of Cotto over 12 thrilling rounds

In control: Mayweather got the better of Cotto over 12 thrilling rounds

Before trading with the man who calls himself Money our former – and hopefully soon to be reinstated – world light-welterweight champion should have at least one acclimatising fight at full welter and wait until next year.

Khan seeks to regain his titles in a grudge re-match with Lamont Peterson on this Strip in less than a fortnight. But it is not in his best interests to be the first challenger in waiting when Mayweather comes out of the Clark County jail some three months from now.

Not only does he need to test himself at the heavier weight but by next summer Mayweather will be another year older and Khan another year wiser.

At 35, the not-so-quiet American remains a remarkable athlete and a demonic trainer. But even on this impressive occasion the first subtle signs that Father Time is catching up with him became apparent.

Mayweather explained his willingness to engage in a full-blooded battle with Cotto as a desire to entertain the masses. Maybe so but even the greatest pugilists go through the transition from boxer to fighter as they age.

Tough challenge: Cotto gave Mayweather the toughest fight of his career

Tough challenge: Cotto gave Mayweather the toughest fight of his career

As they become less light on their feet and less fluent in movement – almost imperceptibly at first – they find themselves standing and exchanging punches instead of dancing and dazzling.

It is more dramatic to watch but it takes its toll and for the first time in his 43-win career Mayweather was bleeding from nose and mouth as the battle raged.

Although he won, deservedly, that proved to be a maturing experience. At the final bell he told Cotto: ‘You’re a helluva a champion, the toughest guy I ever fought.’

When the officials gave him victory by a Cotto-insulting 118-110 points on one card and an exaggerated 117-111 on the other two, this man who has always liked to announce himself perfect was the first to voice dissent: ‘This was a night of blood, sweat and tears and Miguel won a few rounds.’
That he did, four of them on my 116-112 scorecard.

Cotto troubled Mayweather with his violent persistence at close quarters, even though he was caught marginally more often by the accuracy of his celebrated challenger’s mix of counter punches and offensive combinations.

Wait: Amir Khan (right) must beat Lamont Peterson before facing Mayweather

Wait: Amir Khan (right) must beat Lamont Peterson before facing Mayweather

The fight was in the balance until Mayweather changed up a gear with four rounds to go, culminating his effort with a grandstand finish in the 12th which had the Puerto Rican staggering.

But Cotto , whose WBA light-middleweight belt was on the line, is nothing if not defiant and when the last bell sounded they embraced in mutual respect.

Perhaps the imminence of the June 1 start to his prison sentence for domestic violence is enabling Mayweather to put his life in more reasoned perspective. It certainly sounded like that as he said: ‘Going away is an obstacle I must overcome by strengthening my mind – and next time I am in a situation like that I hope I will deal with it a different way.’

He spoke after adapting in the ring to become a world champion for the eighth time in five different weight divisions.

Despite the degree of difficult and discomfort which Cotto brought to the equation, Mayweather said: ‘It was a cool fight.’

It is also one which breathes life back into a sport requiring resuscitation.

As Oscar De La Hoya, president of promoters Golden Boy, put it so succinctly: ‘This was a beautiful thing for boxing.’

Everton 4 Fulham 0: Jelavic brace sees Toffees stay on track for Merseyside bragging rights

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Everton 4 Fulham 0: Jelavic brace sees Toffees stay on track for Merseyside bragging rights

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UPDATED:

16:10 GMT, 28 April 2012

Striker Nikica Jelavic extended his remarkable scoring spree as Everton ran in a glut of goals for the third successive Barclays Premier League match against a Fulham side who were never in the game.

The Croatia international scored twice to take his tally to 10 in 13 matches since arriving from Rangers in January and an impressive nine in his last seven appearances.

Everton's Nikica Jelavic scores the opening goal of the game from the penalty spot

On the spot: Nikica Jelavic scores the opener from the penalty spot in the sixth minute

MATCH FACTS

Everton: Howard, Hibbert, Heitinga, Jagielka, Distin, Neville, Gibson (Cahill 46), Osman, Pienaar (Gueye 84), Fellaini (Barkley 75), Jelavic

Subs not used: Mucha, Stracqualursi, McFadden, Anicheb

Fulham: Schwarzer, JA Riise, Hangeland, Senderos (Baird 46), Hughes, Duff, Diarra (Etuhu 82), Frei, Dempsey, Pogrebniak (Murphy 66), Dembel

Subs not used: Stockdale, Kasami, Kacaniklic, Sa

With manager Martin Jol absent through
illness the Cottagers barely put up a fight as the Toffees made it 12
goals in their last three league matches.

With four against Sunderland and then
their remarkable comeback against Manchester United at Old Trafford last
weekend, David Moyes' side became the first Everton team since 1964 to
score four times in three successive league matches.

Fulham never came close to ending
their woeful run of never winning a league match at Goodison Park. It
now stands at 19, the longest sequence for a top-flight club at one
particular ground.

In the build-up to the game Moyes had
spoken of the belief and encouragement Jelavic's goals had given the
side, and while three months may not be long enough to provide a full
evaluation of long-term success he shows all the signs of being capable
of producing on a regular basis.

What he has brought to the team in a short space of time is a cutting edge and end product.

Everton's Marouane Fellaini scores his side's second goal

Cut above the rest: Marouane Fellaini rises above the goal-mouth scramble to nod in Everton's second

On many occasions this season
Everton's build-up play has been good but they have lacked the necessary
threat in the penalty area. Not so now with Jelavic, whose first was a
straightforward penalty – albeit created by his own free-kick – and his
second an impressive finish from the narrowest of angles.

The 26-year-old was up and running as
early as the seventh minute when Pavel Pogrebnyak raised his arm in the
defensive wall and referee Phil Dowd pointed to the spot without
hesitation.

Everton's Darron Gibson (left) and Fulham's Mahamadou Diarra battle for the ball

Midfield tussle: Everton's Darron Gibson and Fulham's Mahamadou Diarra battle it out on the half-way line

Jelavic sent Mark Schwarzer the wrong
way and almost embarrassed the goalkeeper again when he crashed a low
shot against the near post after Phil Jagielka's long ball had dropped
just beyond Brede Hangeland.

Everton's second was not long in
coming as, courtesy of some lax defending, the unmarked Marouane
Fellaini was able to head in Steven Pienaar's 16th-minute corner with
Damien Duff's flailing leg on the line failing to clear the danger.

In half an hour Fulham had tested
Everton goalkeeper Tim Howard just once, when he tipped over Kerim
Frei's shot, but the goalkeeper was mightily relieved to see the ball
drop behind after he had finger-tipped Clint Dempsey's deflected shot
onto the crossbar.

Everton's Nikica Jelavic celebrates scoring his sides third goal

Job well done: Jelavic celebrates his second and Everton's third to seal the win before half-time

Everton's Phil Jagielka (left) and Fulham's Pavel Pogrebnyak battle

Head-to-head: Everton's Phil Jagielka clashes with Pavel Pogrebnyak

The match was over as a contest five
minutes before half-time when Pienaar's through-ball allowed Jelavic to
outsprint the defence, draw out Schwarzer and then somehow fire a shot
from a narrow angle through the goalkeeper's legs.

Fulham's misery continued after the
break as on the hour Everton substitute Tim Cahill made it four after
good link play between himself, Leon Osman and Pienaar.

The latter's scooped pass over the
defence was met by his midfield colleague's perfectly-timed run to slide
a low volley past Schwarzer for only his third of the season.

Jelavic was denied a deserved
hat-trick when the Fulham goalkeeper saved his 25-yard free-kick and
Pienaar forced another save out of Schwarzer with a shot across goal but
any further goals would have merely been window-dressing.

Fulham failed to create any chance of
significance in the second half and their performance was a typical
end-of-season one for a side in mid-table with nothing to play for.

Prior to the game Moyes had admitted
he was happy for the season to end quickly as they too had no real
incentive other than finishing above near-neighbours Liverpool. But he
must now be wondering what they could have achieved with their current
form had there still been a month or more to go.

And had they not had such a poor first half of the campaign, the opportunities could have been even greater.