Sport news

• LeBron, Irving rally Cavaliers past Warriors 109-108

  25-12-2016 23:52
  
  Six months later, the Cavaliers came back on the Warriors again. Kyrie Irving dropped a fadeaway jumper over Klay Thompson with 3.4 seconds left and Cleveland rallied just the way it did in historic fashion ...
  
  Read more

• Petra Kvitova thanks well-wishers for 'filling her house with flowers' on Christmas Day after awful knife attack

  25-12-2016 23:51 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  Petra Kvitova shared a heartwarming Christmas tweet in response to being bombarded with flowers after being stabbed in the hand during a knife attack at her apartment.
  
  Read more

• Chris Gayle the sexist, a saucy mascot and Eric Bailly the dopey Manchester United snapper... quiz of the year 2016

  25-12-2016 23:38 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  MARTIN SAMUEL: Yes, it is Christmas again. The time we take a moment to reflect on the sporting year just passed. The happy memories, the triumphs, the joys, and the sometimes exquisite pain.
  
  Read more

• Alex Hales on his goal of a middle-order spot: 'I don't regret dodging the tour - but I want my Test place back'

  25-12-2016 23:38 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  INTERVIEW BY RICHARD GIBSON: Just three months ago Alex Hales relinquished the pass-the-parcel position of Alastair Cook’s opening partner in Test match cricket.
  
  Read more

• Advertisement

• Andrew 'Beef' Johnston on teaming up with John Daly for 'beer, beef and birdies' triathlon and remarkable year

  25-12-2016 23:37 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  EXCLUSIVE BY RIATH AL-SAMARRAI: As a man challenged by fellow golfer to a triathlon of beer, beef and birdies, he has no intention of allowing the idea to disappear into the long grass.
  
  Read more

• Swansea's Bob Bradley is in the same boat, admits Slaven Billic... but West Ham boss will not show him any mercy

  25-12-2016 23:36 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  Bradley admits his Swansea future could swing on his next two results with the Hammers and Bournemouth in town before the New Year.
  
  Read more

• Arsene Wenger uses chat with David Beckham to solve Arsenal problems 

  25-12-2016 23:36 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  It was a recent conversation with David Beckham that got Arsene Wenger thinking about precisely what would get his players through their recent slump.
  
  Read more

• Aidy Boothroyd still favourite for England U21 job, but FA receive 150 applications with Tim Sherwood and Stuart Pearce both in the frame

  25-12-2016 23:36 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  EXCLUSIVE: The Football Association will intensify their search for the next England Under 21 manager after receiving more than 150 applications for the post.
  
  Read more

• Advertisement

• Michy Batshuayi is ready to explode against Bournemouth, warns Chelsea boss Antonio Conte 

  25-12-2016 23:35 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  Having arrived from Marseille for a huge fee of £33.2million in the summer, the striker has found first-team football hard to come by, with all of his league appearances coming from the bench.
  
  Read more

• Gary Anderson may have won two World Darts Championships... but he still sees himself as a pub player

  25-12-2016 23:35 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  Gary Anderson is the reigning PDC world darts champion who this week is bidding to lift the Sid Waddell trophy for a third successive year.
  
  Read more

• As Charlotte Dujardin retires Valegro, her Ferrari of dressage, she plans life with a new prancing horse

  25-12-2016 23:35 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  Charlotte Dujardin did not forget the great Valegro on Christmas Day. Armed with a generous supply of carrots and sugar, she made certain that her dancing horse enjoyed his first festive period as a retired legend.
  
  Read more

• Jose Mourinho insists the only way is up as Manchester United welcome David Moyes back for the first time 

  25-12-2016 23:34 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  Boxing Day last year and Louis van Gaal sat in Mark Hughes's office at Stoke City wearing the look of a beaten man. Those present in the room that evening were astonished at what they saw.
  
  Read more

• West Ham can forget signing 'priceless' Jermain Defoe insists Sunderland boss David Moyes

  25-12-2016 23:32 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  David Moyes has told West Ham to forget about making a new year move for Jermain Defoe — and says his star striker is ‘priceless’.
  
  Read more

• Tom Rogic faces fight to play for Celtic against Rangers with midfielder still nursing injury

  25-12-2016 23:32 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  Tom Rogic faces a race against time to make Celtic’s Hogmanay trip to Ibrox after being ruled out of Wednesday’s game with Ross County.
  
  Read more

• Stoke's foreign stars think Christmas fixtures are 'crazy', says Mark Hughes 

  25-12-2016 23:32 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  Mark Hughes has had to explain the festive fixture schedule to bemused foreign imports who think the English game is 'nuts' for playing on Boxing Day.
  
  Read more

• Sam Allardyce has had 'dark moments' since England axe but now he's ready to save Crystal Palace from drop 

  25-12-2016 23:32 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  Allardyce described the period following his sacking as 'one of the darkest moments in my career' revealing that even his grandchildren were affected by the fall-out of his quick-fire departure.
  
  Read more

• Mauricio Pochettino set to go back in for Wilfried Zaha as Tottenham test new Crystal Palace regime 

  25-12-2016 23:32 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  Palace chairman Steve Parish hit out at Spurs for a 'ridiculous' £12million bid for Zaha in August, at a time when Spurs winger Son Heung-min was the subject of interest from Wolfsburg.
  
  Read more

• Lee Wallace a doubt for Old Firm as Rangers sweat over captain's fitness

  25-12-2016 23:32 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  Rangers face an Old Firm injury sweat after captain Lee Wallace pulled up in the final minutes of Saturday's 1-0 win over Inverness.
  
  Read more

• John Terry is eyeing title, not China, in January despite huge potential offer from Guangzhou Evergrande

  25-12-2016 23:32 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  Terry is going nowhere in January, even if a mega-money offer comes in from China. He wants to stay and help Chelsea win the title in what could be his final season at Stamford Bridge.
  
  Read more

• The Newcastle Rafalution looks unstoppable... but who else will challenge for Premier League promotion?

  25-12-2016 23:31 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  Rafa Benitez rejects the notion that relegation was good for Newcastle United, but the club’s supporters haven’t been this happy at Christmas for a long time.
  
  Read more

• Ronald Koeman admits Everton need to do business in January but face a battle for Champions League spot

  25-12-2016 23:31 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  Ronald Koeman is ready for the January transfer window but said Everton face a battle to sign the players he wants. The Toffees head into the festive period needing new faces.
  
  Read more

• Jose Mourinho can't resist a dig at Arsene Wenger after Arsenal boss escapes FA punishment  

  25-12-2016 23:31 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  The United manager has been in trouble this season for comments he made about the referee before a game at Liverpool and also for kicking a water bottle along the touchline at Old Trafford.
  
  Read more

• Sportsmail picks 10 boxing moments of 2016: We lost a giant in Muhammad Ali... now can Anthony Joshua take the legendary heavyweight's crown?

  25-12-2016 23:30 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  RIATH AL-SAMARRAI: It has been a dramatic year in and out of the ring. The Greatest is gone, a new era has begun and the jury is out on whether Tyson Fury will ever lace his gloves again.
  
  Read more

• Pep Guardiola denies interest in signing Virgil van Dijk for Manchester City

  25-12-2016 23:30
  
  • Manager insists he is happy with central defenders in City squad
  • Sidelined John Stones ‘will improve’, says GuardiolaPep Guardiola has denied that Manchester City will be in the market for a centre-half in January, dismissing in particular reports that he is interested in Southampton’s Virgil van Dijk.“He is not going to come here – it is impossible,” the City manager said. “At this stage I don’t think we will be buying anyone in Janu
  
  Read more

• Pep Guardiola backs John Stones to improve... but Manchester City boss says he must learn from 'bad mistakes'

  25-12-2016 23:30 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  John Stones has been dropped to the bench for the past two games since his poor back-pass gifted Jamie Vardy his hat-trick goal in City’s 4-2 defeat at Leicester just over a fortnight ago.
  
  Read more

• Jamie Redknapp's half-term Premier League report: Chelsea get an A+ while Manchester United are given a C

  25-12-2016 23:30 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  JAMIE REDKNAPP:Assessing the performance of each Premier League club, deciding who their star man has been and considering what they must do in January to improve their squad.
  
  Read more

• Jack Wilshere snubbed: Arsenal yet to contact midfielder on new deal... as Manchester City keep tabs

  25-12-2016 23:30 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere’s future at the club has been thrown into fresh doubt as it emerged he is yet to be approached about a new contract.
  
  Read more

• England centre Ben Te'o on Worcester woes: 'I didn't expect to be in a fight to stay up'

  25-12-2016 23:30 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW BY NIK SIMON: Ben Te'o has a message for the Worcester board: a relegation fight is not what he signed up for. He feels like he was promised the world but given an atlas.
  
  Read more

• Claudio Ranieri has faith in Leicester's Champions League flops as suspensions bite ahead of Everton visit

  25-12-2016 23:30 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  Claudio Ranieri insists he has no qualms calling on players he heavily criticised after the recent 5-0 defeat at Porto for the visit of Everton, when three first-team members are suspended.
  
  Read more

• No. 10 Louisville should move up in poll after Kentucky win

  25-12-2016 22:53
  
  Defense has not been a problem for Louisville. Rarely is under coach Rick Pitino.
  
  Read more

• Kyrie Irving's late burst lifts Cavaliers past Warriors in NBA finals rematch

  25-12-2016 22:07
  
  Irving lifts Cavaliers past Warriors in NBA finals rematchWestbrook (31 points, 15 assists) leads Thunder in winAldridge’s 33 help Spurs hold off furious Bulls rallyCeltics beat Knicks in first of five Christmas Day gamesWith another clutch shot, Kyrie Irving took the Warriors on a trip down memory lane.Irving dropped a short, turnaround jumper over Klay Thompson with 3.4 seconds left as the Cleveland Cavaliers rallied just the way they did in June’s NBA Finals to defeat Golden State
  
  Read more

• SEC still has plenty of questions heading into league play

  25-12-2016 21:49
  
  As the Southeastern Conference prepares to begin league competition, this much seems clear: Kentucky's freshman class is as good as advertised.
  
  Read more

• At least now Giants don't have to root for Cowboys

  25-12-2016 21:28
  
  EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — At least now the Giants don't have to root for the Cowboys.
  
  Read more

• Stafford comes home, looking to clinch playoffs for Lions

  25-12-2016 21:11
  
  ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Matthew Stafford doesn't dwell on Detroit's loss to his hometown Dallas Cowboys in the playoffs two years ago.
  
  Read more

• Celtics recover after late Knicks rally, win 119-114

  25-12-2016 20:53
  
  NEW YORK (AP) — Isaiah Thomas scored 27 points, Marcus Smart made a tiebreaking 3-pointer with 47 seconds left after Boston blew a late lead, and the Celtics beat the New York Knicks 119-114 on Sunday.
  
  Read more

• Cubs' World Series title voted top AP sports story of 2016

  25-12-2016 19:28
  
  CHICAGO (AP) — Everything changed for the Chicago Cubs on a rainy November night. A century-plus worth of heartache washed away by a wave of pure joy.
  
  Read more

• Lizzie Kelly sets sights on new landmark in King George VI Chase

  25-12-2016 18:46 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  On Boxing Day 12 months ago, jockey Lizzie Kelly earned a place in racing history and she has set her sights on making more.
  
  Read more

• Big Ten race for conference title wide open in a down season

  25-12-2016 18:45
  
  The Big Ten might not be as good as it has been in recent years.
  
  Read more

• Colin Tizzard's delivered a cracker with Thistlecrack to take on Cue Card in the King George VI Chase

  25-12-2016 18:39 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  It is the season for giving and Colin Tizzard has certainly provided jump racing fans with a sparkling gift in the 32Red King George VI Chase.
  
  Read more

• No. 2 UCLA enters Pac-12 season undefeated

  25-12-2016 18:31
  
  PHOENIX (AP) — Coach Steve Alford's best recruiting class for this season was expected to get UCLA back on track following the Bruins' fourth losing season since 1948.
  
  Read more

• Talking Horses: the best bets for the Boxing Day races

  25-12-2016 18:30
  
  Cue Card’s revival and Thistlecrack’s emergence make Colin Tizzard’s runners a strong bet for the King George VI Chase, although questions remain about the latter’s ability under pressureThere are late bloomers and then there is Colin Tizzard, who has rocketed to prominence after 20 years as a trainer, thanks to the revival of Cue Card and the emergence of Thistlecrack. On Boxing Day he will saddle 40% of the field for the King George VI Chase and many a punter would love
  
  Read more

• Chelsea, Conte standing out as normality returns to EPL

  25-12-2016 18:23
  MANCHESTER, England (AP) — In one sense, normality has returned to the English Premier League after the craziness of Leicester's improbable surge to the title last season.
  
  Read more

• The Sam Allardyce Algorithm may be new to Crystal Palace but it succeeds

  25-12-2016 17:59
  
  Winter sunshine breaks and cryotherapy will soon become part of life at Selhurst Park – and Allardyce’s methods work for clubs in Palace’s predicamentCrystal Palace’s players probably regard homework as a safely distant schoolday memory or, if they have children, something to assist with sporadically. For Scott Dann and company though, change is almost certainly in the south London air.One of the first things Sam Allardyce did on taking charge at Sunderland was to begin f
  
  Read more

• No. 5 Duke aiming to get settled, develop as ACC play starts

  25-12-2016 17:55
  
  RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Duke started the year as the nation's top-ranked team and Atlantic Coast Conference favorite. Yet as the start of league play arrives, little has gone to plan for the fifth-ranked Blue Devils.
  
  Read more

• Mako Vunipola injury opens door for Joe Marler as Christian Wade stakes his claim for an England call

  25-12-2016 17:16 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  NIK SIMON - GAINLINE: Harlequins prop Joe Marler is set to start for England in the Six Nations after Mako Vunipola was ruled out for the early part of 2017 with a knee ligament injury.
  
  Read more

Follow @SportUKnews on Twitter!