Sport news

• Wilfried Bony claims he should have started for Manchester City in away loss to Arsenal

  22-12-2015 23:59 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  Wilfried Bony believes he should have started for Manchester City in their defeat at Barclays Premier League title rivals Arsenal on Monday. The Ivory Coast striker had scored three in four games.
  
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• Adrian Lewis targeting third triumph at Darts World Championships as he prepares to begin his title charge

  22-12-2015 23:43 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  England’s World Cup failures over the last 18 months are not something that Adrian Lewis can relate to. Since 2014, England’s football, cricket and rugby teams all failed to make it out of the group.
  
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• Steve McClaren warns Newcastle fans not to write off Florian Thauvin too early despite admitting the Frenchman has 'not kicked on'

  22-12-2015 23:35 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  CRAIG HOPE: Steve McClaren insists it is too soon to write off £13million French flop Florian Thauvin – but Newcastle United still hope to sign Andros Townsend in January.
  
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• Remi Garde looks to Bordeaux's Wahbi Khazri and Monaco's Jeremy Toulalan in bid to stave off Aston Villa relegation

  22-12-2015 23:34 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  LAURIE WHITWELL: Remi Garde is interested in signing Bordeaux winger Wahbi Khazri and Monaco midfielder Jeremy Toulalan to help provide spark to Aston Villa's doomed outlook.
  
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• Jo Konta delighted that she will be 'the hunted rather than the hunter' after making super surge into the world's top 50

  22-12-2015 23:34 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  MIKE DICKSON: Going from 150 to 47 was an eye-catching leap for Jo Konta, yet it is the product of a struggle that has taken more than half her young life, and a tale that speaks of her parents' drive.
  
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• Manchester City stars think Pep Guardiola is on the way as pressure grows on Manuel Pellegrini following Arsenal defeat

  22-12-2015 23:33 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  Sportsmail understands a clutch of City stars assumed from as early as pre-season that the Spaniard would be in charge in time for the next campaign.
  
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• Manchester United and Tottenham after Ayoze Perez, but Spanish striker insists 'my place is at Newcastle'

  22-12-2015 23:32 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  The 22-year-old has proved a consistent performer once again this season for a struggling Newcastle side, netting four times in 15 Premier League outings.
  
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• It's about time we helped officials! Premier League may introduce video referees as English football prepares to trial new rules

  22-12-2015 23:32 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  GRAHAM POLL: Hallelujah! That was my first reaction to the news that professional clubs are being asked their opinions on the introduction of technology.
  
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• Stability is key for Arsenal as boss Arsene Wenger targets Premier League title 

  22-12-2015 23:30 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  MATT BARLOW: Long before turning the tables on the Labour Party leader with a promise of jam tomorrow, Arsene Wenger had an inkling that this season might be sweet for Arsenal.  
  
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• Phelps challenges former sponsor Speedo with new brand

  22-12-2015 23:30
  By Liana B. Baker NEW YORK (Reuters) - For the first time in his career, Michael Phelps is preparing for an Olympics without the support of longtime sponsor Speedo, and is instead wearing a suit designed by Aqua Sphere, a virtual unknown in swim racing that is making its Games debut at Rio de Janeiro next year. Phelps has helped Aqua Sphere design a range of products in his name, called "MP", with the initials to adorn the suit, goggles and cap he will wear at Rio should he qualify for the U.S.
  
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• Claudio Ranieri hoping to be Leicester's Santa Claus over Christmas as he prepares his side for pivotal festive fixtures

  22-12-2015 23:30 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  Claudio Ranieri wants to become Santa Claus of Leicester over the festive period and believes if his side emerge in title contention they will turn into everyone’s second team for the run-in.
  
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• Cheats, idiots and clowns... all here in MARTIN SAMUEL'S Quiz of the Year

  22-12-2015 23:30 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  MARTIN SAMUEL: Sepp Blatter, Michel Platini, Lamine Diack,Russia — delightfully, 2015 may go down as the year the cheats, at last, failed to prosper. Here's the last 12 months in 33 questions.
  
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• Australia stars will make Leeds Rhinos debuts in Boxing Day friendly with Wakefield

  22-12-2015 23:30 via feedproxy.google.com
  
  LEEDS RHINOS will hand debuts to new Australian recruits Beau Falloon and Keith Galloway in their opening friendly against Wakefield on Boxing Day.
  
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• Aston Villa boss Remi Garde demanding an improvement in fitness levels of his squad as they battle to stay in Premier League 

  22-12-2015 23:30 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  Remi Garde is trying to raise the fitness levels of his Aston Villa squad to aid their implausible efforts against relegation. He has altered training sessions in a bid to increase distance covered by players.
  
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• Arsenal hoping to tie down Mesut Ozil to new long-term deal as they prepare for charge towards Premier League title

  22-12-2015 23:30 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  Arsenal are willing to enhance Mesut Ozil’s status as the best-paid player at the club to ensure he signs a new deal. The midfielder himself has admitted he feels great at the Emirates.
  
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• No more bats: NFL reminds teams no foreign objects on field

  22-12-2015 23:26
  
  CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — At the end of the day a frustrated Ron Rivera didn't have a choice whether Carolina players could continue to bring baseball bats on the field before games.
  
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• Jose Mourinho's agent Jorge Mendes denies that former Chelsea boss has agreed to replace Louis van Gaal at Manchester United 

  22-12-2015 23:25 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  Jose Mourinho's agent has denied a deal has been struck for his client to replace Louis van Gaal as Manchester United manager. Mourinho was sacked by Chelsea last week.
  
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• Leicester willing to allow Yohan Benalouane to leave amid interest from Sampdoria

  22-12-2015 23:17 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  Leicester City defender Yohan Benalouane is wanted by Sampdoria. The 28-year-old has barely made an impression on the Premier League leaders' first team after arriving in the summer.
  
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• John Ferguson set to leave training role and take charge of Godolphin

  22-12-2015 23:17 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  John Ferguson is to give up his training licence at the end of the season to concentrate solely on being chief executive and racing manager to Sheik Mohammed’s Godolphin operation.
  
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• Tiger Woods clings to hope of making pain free return despite injury nightmare

  22-12-2015 23:16 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  Tiger Woods is looking forward to 2016, outlining his desire to make America's Ryder Cup team and to get back in the mix for major titles.
  
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• England hit by Jimmy Anderson injury scare as star bowler undergoes scan on right calf 

  22-12-2015 23:10 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  PAUL NEWMAN: Jimmy Anderson is doubtful for England’s Boxing Day Test against South Africa. England’s record wicket-taker was sent for a scan on his right calf on Tuesday.
  
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• At least one of the Class of ’92 still believes in LVG

  22-12-2015 22:59
  
  Phil Neville has much more sympathy for under-fire coaches than his old buddies.
  
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• Accrington boss John Coleman complains about Carlisle being allowed to play away after their stadium was damaged by floods

  22-12-2015 22:50 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  Accrington boss John Coleman has criticised how Carlisle have been allowed to play 'home' games away from Brunton Park due to damage caused by the recent floods.
  
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• Omar Gonzalez transferred by LA Galaxy to Mexico's Pachuca

  22-12-2015 22:46
  CARSON, Calif. (AP) — Defender Omar Gonzalez has been transferred from the Los Angeles Galaxy to Mexico's Pachuca.
  
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• Beckham's appeal of 1-game suspension to be heard Wednesday

  22-12-2015 22:25
  
  NEW YORK (AP) — Odell Beckham Jr. is going to have his appeal of his one-game suspension heard by a former NFL receiver.
  
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• South Africa coach tells players to go back to basics

  22-12-2015 22:24
  DURBAN (Reuters) - South Africa will need to go back to basics if they want to rediscover their form against England in the four-test series, which starts on Boxing Day, coach Russell Domingo said. “I’ve always thought that when sides are under pressure and possibly not playing well you need to do the basics well,” Domingo said on Tuesday as the squad assembled for the first time since returning from last month’s 3-0 series defeat in India. “We need to go back and t
  
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• NBA referee Petraitis becomes naturalized US citizen

  22-12-2015 22:24
  
  NEW YORK (AP) — Gediminas Petraitis performs before thousands of people as a full-time NBA referee.
  
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• Woods targets majors in next decade

  22-12-2015 22:17 via bbc.co.uk
  
  Tiger Woods says he expects to win major championships over the next decade and wants to play in next year's Ryder Cup.
  
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• Liverpool defender Martin Skrtel's hamstring injury not as serious as first feared as he reveals six-week lay-off

  22-12-2015 22:11 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  Liverpool defender Martin Skrtel has moved to allay concerns about the severity of his latest injury set-back and revealed that he will miss just six weeks of action.
  
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• Iraq's army storms centre of ISIL-held Ramadi

  22-12-2015 22:00
  
  Two-front attack met with sniper fire and suicide bombers as troops seek to retake key city from fighters.
  
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• AP Power Rankings: Panthers top AP Pro32, Broncos fall again

  22-12-2015 21:39
  NEW YORK (AP) — The Carolina Panthers are a unanimous No. 1 in the AP Pro32 power rankings for the third week in a row, with the Denver Broncos taking another tumble following another loss.
  
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• Six of the best: Terry Kennedy scored a hat-trick in each half of Ireland U20′s rout today

  22-12-2015 21:31
  
  Nigel Carolan’s men were too good for a Leinster development XV today.
  
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• Coe aide temporarily steps down from IAAF amid ethics probe

  22-12-2015 21:31
  
  LONDON (AP) — The director of IAAF President Sebastian Coe's office temporarily stepped down on Tuesday pending an ethics investigation into emails linked to Russian doping cases.
  
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• Smoltz replaces Reynolds and Verducci alongside Fox's Buck

  22-12-2015 21:27
  
  LOS ANGELES (AP) — Hall of Famer John Smoltz has been promoted to Fox's lead baseball analyst and will work alongside play-by-play man Joe Buck, displacing Harold Reynolds and Tom Verducci.
  
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• Coe's Right-Hand Man Steps Aside Amid Cheat Row

  22-12-2015 21:27
  
  Lord Coe's right-hand man has stepped aside while an ethics committee investigates reports he tried to delay the identification of drug-cheating Russian athletes. In the run-up to the 2013 world athletics championships in Moscow, Davies sent an email to the son of Lamine Diack - the former president of the sport's governing body the IAAF. In it Davies, who is now director of IAAF president Coe's office, reportedly appeared to look to minimise the impact of naming Russian athletes who h
  
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• Mike Leake agrees to $80M, 5-year deal with Cardinals

  22-12-2015 21:20
  
  ST. LOUIS (AP) — Free agent pitcher Mike Leake and the St. Louis Cardinals have agreed to an $80 million, five-year contract.
  
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• Young guns are building interest - Golf Channel chief

  22-12-2015 21:09
  A changing of the guard in professional golf is in full swing and early returns show that the sport's young guns are drawing viewers even as Tiger Woods fades from the spotlight, says Golf Channel president Mike McCarley. "2015 is going to match the highest-rated year ever on Golf Channel, matching 2013, the year in which Tiger won five times," McCarley told Reuters in an interview.
  
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• Stanford RB Christian McCaffrey wins AP player of the year

  22-12-2015 21:05
  
  Stanford running back Christian McCaffrey is The Associated Press college football player of the year, becoming the first non-Heisman Trophy winner to earn the honor in six years.
  
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• Rivera: Panthers won't bring their bat on field before games

  22-12-2015 21:05
  
  CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — A frustrated Ron Rivera will no longer allow Carolina players to bring baseball bats on the field before games even though he said the Panthers have done nothing wrong.
  
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• IAAF's Davies steps aside to allow ethics investigation

  22-12-2015 21:01
  By Mitch Phillips LONDON (Reuters) - Nick Davies, a leading official at the world athletics federation (IAAF), said on Tuesday he would step aside while an ethics committee investigated emails he had sent regarding Russian doping ahead of the 2013 world championships in Moscow. On Monday, the French newspaper Le Monde published an email sent by the Briton to Papa Massata Diack, a former IAAF marketing consultant and the son of former IAAF president Lamine Diack, that discussed developing a media
  
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• Bournemouth close in on £16.2m move to land Roma forward Juan Iturbe on initial loan deal after Watford pull out of race

  22-12-2015 20:57 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  Bournemouth are close to finalising a £16.2million deal to sign Juan Iturbe from Roma after Watford pulled out of a move to sign the forward.
  
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• Joey Barton pays Blackpool owners five-figure settlement after labelling Oyston family 'asset-strippers' on BBC Radio 

  22-12-2015 20:39 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  Joey Barton settled out of court with Blackpool’s owners, the Oyston family, to the tune of five figures after labelling them asset strippers.
  
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• Lord Coe's aide Nick Davies steps aside from IAAF role to allow ethics investigation 

  22-12-2015 20:34 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  Nick Davies has announced he will step aside from his role as the director of the IAAF's president's office while an ethics board investigates allegations of unethical behaviour against him.
  
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• Lance Klusener to instruct South Africa's lower order ahead of England series 

  22-12-2015 20:34 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  South Africa have recruited the services of former international Lance Klusener as they prepare for the Boxing Day Test against England. He played 49 Tests and 171 ODIs for the Proteas.
  
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• IAAF's Davies steps aside in probe

  22-12-2015 20:06 via bbc.co.uk
  
  Nick Davies, the deputy general secretary of athletics' governing body, has stepped aside while an investigation takes place over a plan to delay naming Russian drug cheats.
  
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• Sad Koch laments 'gimmegate' incident at Solheim Cup

  22-12-2015 19:56
  Europe's captain Carin Koch is still unhappy about the incident that marred the final day of the Solheim Cup in September and the Swede said on Tuesday she might handle 'gimmegate' differently if she had the chance again. Tempers at the biennial team event, the women's equivalent of the Ryder Cup, flared as then-world number eight Suzann Pettersen of Norway refused to concede a 16-inch putt to Alison Lee and the American picked her ball up on the 17th green. "It's easy to say now going back," Ko
  
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• Pep Guardiola still has 'everything to prove' as a manager, claims Glenn Hoddle

  22-12-2015 19:56 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  Pep Guardiola still has 'everything to prove' as a manager and moving to the Barclays Premier League will be the 'biggest test' of his career, Glenn Hoddle has claimed.
  
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• Ronny Deila believes Aberdeen will push his Celtic side until the last minute in the race for the Scottish Premiership title 

  22-12-2015 19:49 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  Celtic manager Ronny Deila expects Aberdeen to push his team all the way for the Ladbrokes Premiership title. But he has called for calm inside Parkhead amid speculation over his future.
  
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• Neil Lennon to remain in charge at Bolton after investigation into knife threat claims

  22-12-2015 19:49 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  Neil Lennon was spared the sack by Bolton after an investigation into claims he made a 'knife threat' to his mistress. Wanderers said on Sunday they would look into a report about his private life.
  
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• The Football League agree new three-year sponsorship deal with Sky Bet 

  22-12-2015 19:15 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  The Football League has signed a new three-year sponsorship deal with Sky Bet. The online bookmaker became title sponsor of the Championship, League One and League Two in 2013.
  
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