Sport news

• So, how would you revamp the FA Cup? Sportsmail experts give their view on how to spice up the historic competition... 

  19-02-2016 23:52 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  It's fifth-round weekend but the news this week has been all about scrapping replays and moving the FA Cup into a midweek slot. Which one thing would you do to help this great competition?
  
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• Bologna 0-0 Juventus: Bianconeri's winning run finally comes to an end with bore draw

  19-02-2016 23:43 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  Juventus missed out on the chance to extend their club record for most consecutive Serie A victories after being held to a goalless draw away at mid-table Bologna. 
  
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• Aviva Premiership: Your weekend guide to all the action as Bath welcome in-form Wasps to the Rec 

  19-02-2016 23:43 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  Sportsmail guides you through a thrilling weekend of action as Saracens welcome Gloucester to Allianz Park and Bath face Wasps at the Rec.
  
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• Christian Wade enjoying his rugby again with Wasps after grim sequence of injuries: Sometimes it’s easy to hate this game, but I love it now

  19-02-2016 23:42 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  CHRIS FOY: Christian Wade is in love again. The Wasps winger's affection for his chosen profession has gone missing from time to time, but it has returned, now that he has overcome another injury.
  
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• Louis van Gaal should be put out of his misery at Manchester United... this is a job too far for a manager who is looking his age

  19-02-2016 23:41 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  IAN LADYMAN - FOOTBALL EDITOR: The sight of Louis van Gaal shows just what this most unforgiving of professions will do to you once things go wrong, no matter how experienced you are.
  
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• Robin Goodfellow's Racing Tips: All the best bets for Saturday, February 20 

  19-02-2016 23:39 via dailymail.co.uk
  
   Sportsmail racing expert Robin Goodfellow gives his hottest selections ahead of Saturday's racing at Haydock, Wincanton and Linfield.
  
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• Liverpool look to Asia for extra funds via sponsorship and sale of Mario Balotelli

  19-02-2016 23:35
  
  • Italian striker, now on loan at Milan, linked with Chinese Super League
  • Naming rights for new stand could raise up to £90mLiverpool are hoping for financial windfalls from south-east Asia after holding talks over a main stand naming rights deal and with Mario Balotelli the latest big-name player wanted in the Chinese Super League.Balotelli is on a season’s loan at Milan but does not feature in Jürgen Klopp’s plans at Liverpool and will be offloaded on a perma
  
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• Mo Farah excited to be back in Glasgow for Grand Prix as he looks for signs of progress

  19-02-2016 23:34 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  A sporting superstar he may be, one of the finest athletes of his or any other generation, but there was no special treatment for Mo Farah during his six-week altitude training stint in Ethiopia.
  
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• England are developing a pack that will be feared by other nations, says George Kruis 

  19-02-2016 23:32 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  CHRIS FOY: It's still early days for the Eddie Jones regime, but after two games and two wins, George Kruis believes the England pack is on the way to regaining a fearsome reputation.
  
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• Mo Farah admits a ban on Kenya for the Rio Olympics would boost his double gold medal defence in Brazil later this year

  19-02-2016 23:31 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  Mo Farah thinks a ban on all Kenyan athletes taking part in the Rio Olympics would make his life easier on the track — and it is tough luck if innocent runners miss out because of doping by compatriots.
  
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• Paul Pogba suggests he could work with Pep Guardiola at Man City

  19-02-2016 23:30 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba has opened the door to a Premier League move after admitting he could work under Pep Guardiola in the future. Pogba has been heavily linked with a move away.
  
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• Everton manager Roberto Martinez says winning the FA Cup would not mask failure to finish in the Premier League top half

  19-02-2016 23:30 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  Roberto Martinez has warned ahead of his side's trip to Bournemouth that winning the FA Cup will not make Everton’s season a success if they finish outside the Premier League’s top 10.
  
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• Cup winners should be rewarded with Champions League spot says FA chief executive Martin Glenn 

  19-02-2016 23:30 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  Football Association chief executive Martin Glenn wants to see the FA Cup winners rewarded with a Champions League spot. There have been calls to revamp England’s oldest club competition.
  
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• St Helens 12-38 Sydney Roosters: Saints crushed in World Club Series opener

  19-02-2016 23:24 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  The 2016 Dacia World Club Series got off to a familiar depressing note for Super League as St Helens succumbed to a 38-12 defeat by Sydney Roosters in the opening game at Langtree Park.
  
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• Shrewsbury Town boss Micky Mellon on Charles Darwin, unearthing Jamie Vardy and his bid to stun Manchester United

  19-02-2016 23:23 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  CHRIS WHEELER: Micky Mellon is sitting in his office at Shrewsbury Town studying some random scribblings on a whiteboard. Words, thoughts, sayings that strike a chord.
  
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• Juve draw after object hurled at team bus in Bologna

  19-02-2016 23:20
  Leaders Juventus were denied a 16th successive Serie A win when they were held 0-0 at Bologna on Friday in a game marred when an object, possibly a firecracker, was hurled at their team bus as they arrived. The draw means Napoli, who were displaced as leaders by Juve last Saturday, will return to the top if they beat AC Milan on Monday. "It's always a problem getting into Bologna, somebody threw a paper bomb or a firecracker, I don't know which," Juve chief executive Giuseppe Moratta told report
  
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• Johnson and Merritt set pace, Spieth misses cut

  19-02-2016 23:18
  By Mark Lamport-Stokes PACIFIC PALISADES, California (Reuters) - A year after losing a playoff for the Northern Trust Open, long-hitting American Dustin Johnson was back in contention for the title as he moved into a share of the early second-round lead on Friday. Johnson, a nine-times winner on the PGA Tour, took advantage of good scoring conditions at a sun-splashed Riviera Country Club, firing a five-under 66 for an eight-under total of 134. Americans Kyle Reifers (68) and Justin Leonard (69)
  
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• Harlequins 25-19 Leicester: Manu Tuilagi gets through 80 minutes in front of Eddie Jones as Marland Yarde's late try seals victory for Conor O'Shea's side

  19-02-2016 23:09 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  Manu Tuilagi made a successful comeback from injury in front of head coach Eddie Jones but his return failed to save Leicester from a 25-19 Aviva Premiership defeat by Harlequins.
  
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• My Tent Or Yours set for seasonal bow in the Champion Hurdle after skipping Wincanton

  19-02-2016 22:59 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  My Tent Or Yours looks increasingly like he will be making his seasonal debut if he runs in the Champion Hurdle after another opportunity to run slipped by.
  
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• Farah wants ban for countries that break doping rules

  19-02-2016 22:46
  Athletics must make "an example" of countries that do not follow doping rules, said Britain's double world and Olympic champion Mo Farah on Friday. Sebastian Coe, head of the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF), has said the governing body will suspend nations that damage the sport's reputation. The IAAF could ban Kenya's track and field team from this year's Rio Olympics if the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) finds the country non-compliant.
  
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• Spieth dwells on positives after missed cut at Riviera

  19-02-2016 22:17
  By Mark Lamport-Stokes (Reuters) - Jordan Spieth was focusing on the positives despite a week to forget at Riviera Country Club after he paid the price for some poor iron play with a missed cut at the Northern Trust Open on Friday. The American world number one followed a shocking eight-over-par 79 in the opening round with an eight-birdie 68 on a sunny day at Riviera, leaving him well down the leaderboard at five-over 147. "I can certainly take positives out of today's round," Masters and U.S.
  
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• Chris Morris hauls South Africa to dramatic final-ball victory as England lose first T20 by three wickets after Reece Topley error

  19-02-2016 22:16 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  England suffered Twenty20 heartache when South Africa edged a nail-biter at Newlands after Reece Topley agonisingly fumbled a straight-forward run out chance off the final ball.
  
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• Chelsea send former boss Jose Mourinho replica trophies and thank you letter two months after sacking him for second time

  19-02-2016 21:24 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  Jose Mourinho has been sent replica versions of the Premier League and Capital One Cup trophies he won last season and a personal letter from Chelsea chairman Bruce Buck.
  
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• Morris repeats dose as South Africa win thriller

  19-02-2016 21:08
  Chris Morris again proved the scourge of England's bowlers after smashing 14 off the final over to power South Africa to a thrilling three-wicket victory in the first Twenty20 at Newlands on Friday. The visitors, though, had a chance to tie the scores and send the match to a 'super over' when paceman Reece Topley fluffed a straightforward opportunity to run out Kyle Abbott off the last delivery. Having earlier compiled a modest total of 134 for eight, England strangled the run-rate on a wicket t
  
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• Joshua 'ready' for world title shot

  19-02-2016 20:57 via bbc.co.uk
  
  Great Britain's Anthony Joshua says he is "prepared mentally" for his IBF world heavyweight title fight against Charles Martin.
  
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• Dark days a fading memory for red-hot Schwartzel

  19-02-2016 20:55
  By Mark Lamport-Stokes PACIFIC PALISADES, California (Reuters) - Patience and hard work are prized attributes in professional golf and South Africa's Charl Schwartzel relied heavily on both to emerge successfully from the darkest period of his playing career. "In 2014, I was terrible and '15 wasn't the best either," former Masters champion Schwartzel told Reuters after moving into early contention for another title with a three-under-par 68 in the first round of this week's Northern Trust Open.
  
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• Spanish gold medalist believes she contracted Zika in Rio

  19-02-2016 20:52
  
  SAO PAULO (AP) — Spanish Olympic gold medalist Marina Alabau says she got Zika while training in Brazil in December, suffering painful symptoms in an experience that the wind surfer said won't stop her from competing in the Games in August.
  
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• Rangers guarantee manager Banister's contract through 2018

  19-02-2016 20:52
  
  SURPRISE, Ariz. (AP) — Jeff Banister's contract to manage the Texas Rangers has been guaranteed through 2018.
  
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• Javier Mascherano: Why I left Liverpool for Barcelona, but could come back to England

  19-02-2016 20:47 via feedproxy.google.com
  
  JAVIER MASCHERANO has opened up on leaving Liverpool.
  
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• Morris heroics sink England in last-ball thriller

  19-02-2016 20:46
  Chris Morris smashed 14 off the final over to inspire South Africa to a thrilling three-wicket victory against England in the first Twenty20 at Newlands on Friday. The visitors had a chance to tie the scores and send the match to a 'super over' when paceman Reece Topley fluffed a straightforward opportunity to run out Kyle Abbott from the final ball. Having set South Africa a modest target of 135, England strangled the run-rate on a wicket that both sides found difficult to score on and looked s
  
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• Carolina Panthers defensive end Jared Allen bows out of NFL in style by riding off into the sunset in retirement video

  19-02-2016 20:42 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  After 12 years at the top level,Carolina Panthers defensive end Jared Allen certainly chose an unconventional way to announce his retirement from the game.
  
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• Texas Tech could give Big 12 seven NCAA Tournament teams

  19-02-2016 20:28
  
  KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Big 12 has bragged the past few years that it's the toughest conference in college basketball, and its brutal double-round robin format has consistently produced strong RPI ratings.
  
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• Picture Special: These are the defeats that have hurt Louis van Gaal the most at Man Utd

  19-02-2016 20:25 via feedproxy.google.com
  
  LOUIS VAN GAAL has become accustomed to the pressure that comes with being Manchester United manager.
  
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• Man United approach Jose Mourinho to replace Louis van Gaal before the end of the season

  19-02-2016 20:18 via feedproxy.google.com
  
  MANCHESTER UNITED want Jose Mourinho to replace Louis van Gaal as manager before the end of the season, according to reports.
  
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• Victoria Pendleton dealt major blow in bid to ride at Cheltenham

  19-02-2016 20:00 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  Victoria Pendleton says she was as determined as ever to ride at next month’s Cheltenham Festival after her first mount in a Hunter Chase at Fakenham ended in an anti-climactic early exit.
  
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• Longtime Giant Jim Davenport dies at 82

  19-02-2016 20:00
  
  SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Jim Davenport, a longtime third baseman for the San Francisco Giants who later managed the team and worked in the front office, has died. He was 82.
  
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• Club boss confirms decision close on major Chelsea and Manchester United target

  19-02-2016 19:59 via feedproxy.google.com
  
  PARIS SAINT GERMAIN boss Laurent Blanc believes a decision on Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s future will be made soon.
  
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• Team Sky rider Geraint Thomas remains second after stage three of Volta ao Algarve as leader Luis Leon Sanchez crashes out

  19-02-2016 19:48 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  Geraint Thomas remains second in the overall standings of the Volta ao Algarve following a stage three time trial which saw overnight leader Luis Leon Sanchez crash out of the race.
  
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• Villegas remains three ahead after delayed first round

  19-02-2016 19:44
  By Mark Lamport-Stokes PACIFIC PALISADES, California (Reuters) - Colombian Camilo Villegas' overnight lead of three shots held up when the first round of the Northern Trust Open was completed on a sun-splashed Friday morning at Riviera Country Club. Fourteen players were still out on the course when play was suspended in fading light on Thursday, South African Tyrone van Aswegen the best placed at four under with two holes to play.
  
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• MICHAEL BISPING: Anderson Silva was very condescending at the open workout, but he’ll soon find out I’m not messing around next week

  19-02-2016 19:42 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  We had our open workouts in Los Angeles last week when I came face to face with Anderson Silva. I was walking by and said hello and wished him luck for London but he was very condescending.
  
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• Dodgers, reliever Louis Coleman reach 725,000, 1-year deal

  19-02-2016 19:32
  LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Dodgers and reliever Louis Coleman have agreed to a $725,000, one-year contract.
  
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• Divers face mosquitoes and ambivalence at Rio diving event

  19-02-2016 19:29
  
  RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — Abby Johnston is not only an Olympic diving silver medallist, she's also a second-year medical student who's been studying Zika from afar.
  
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• Manchester City boss Manuel Pellegrini's injury headache ahead of Chelsea FA Cup trip with only 13 fit senior players available

  19-02-2016 19:25 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  Manuel Pellegrini says he down to just 13 fit senior players for Sunday's FA Cup fifth-round trip to Chelsea. He is without key players such as Bacary Sagna, Fabian Delph and Jesus Navas.
  
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• Barcelona wary of dangers on rare trip to Canary Islands

  19-02-2016 19:24
  Barcelona are fully aware of the difficulties posed by their visit to relegation candidates Las Palmas in La Liga on Saturday as they bid for a second successive treble. Coach Luis Enrique noted that the promoted Canary Islanders have picked up 18 of their 21 points at home and said their 18th place belies their capacity to play good, possession football. “From now the teams at the bottom have greater needs and they tend to win more matches during this stretch of the season.” Barca,
  
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• England cricketer Alex Hales forced to wear Chris Woakes' taped up shirt against South Africa after failing to wash kit in time

  19-02-2016 19:23 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  Everyone has had that moment, when you've forgotten to put your clothes in the wash before work and England cricket star Alex Hales is no different.
  
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• Hamilton gets hands on new Mercedes F1 car

  19-02-2016 19:22
  By Alan Baldwin LONDON (Reuters) - Lewis Hamilton had his first taste on Friday of the Mercedes car that he hopes will make him Britain's first four-times Formula One world champion this season. Rosberg, whose disappointment at finishing overall runner-up for the second year in a row was tempered by ending the season with three successive race wins, had first go in the F1 W07 hybrid and sounded positive. "Everything has gone very well," said technical head Paddy Lowe.
  
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• Chilton goes from F1 tail-ender to 500 contender

  19-02-2016 19:20
  Max Chilton will go from Formula One tail-ender to Indianapolis 500 contender in May after joining the Chip Ganassi Racing team that have put four cars in Victory Lane over the last 16 years at the famed Brickyard. Chilton, who never finished higher than 13th in two seasons with F1 minnow Marussia, will drive for an IndyCar glamour team that includes former Indy 500 winners Scott Dixon (2008) of New Zealand and Tony Kanaan (2013) of Brazil.
  
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• Jose Mourinho could make first appearance as Manchester United boss in June

  19-02-2016 19:17 via feedproxy.google.com
  
  JOSE MOURINHO could make his first appearance as Manchester United boss in June, according to reports.
  
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• UN: Zika virus will be 'way down' before Rio hosts Olympics

  19-02-2016 19:06
  
  GENEVA (AP) — The head of the World Health Organization's Zika response team is predicting that Brazil will host a "fantastic Olympics" and that the mosquito-borne virus will be "way down" by the time the Summer Games begin in Rio de Janeiro on Aug. 5.
  
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• Victoria Pendleton suffers nasty fall on board Pacha Du Polder at Fakenham

  19-02-2016 18:53 via feedproxy.google.com
  
  VICTORIA PENDLETON'S career as an amateur jump jockey reached a new low when she was unseated at Fakenham.
  
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