Jos Hooiveld's late strike earned Millwall a crucial 2-1 victory over south London rivals Charlton on Good Friday - the Lions' first win at The Den since October. Hooiveld prodded home Magaye Gueye's low drive in the 87th minute, after Gueye had cancelled out Alou Diarra's strike for the Addicks. Charlton had skipper Chris Solly dismissed midway through the first half for deliberate handball in the box, but Stephen Henderson saved Lee Gregory's resulting penalty. Substitute Magaye Gueye (right) celebrates scoring the equaliser in Millwall's 2-1 defeat of Charlton . Charlton defender Chris Solly gets his marching orders after handling the ball in the penalty area . Charlton keeper Stephen Henderson celebrates after saving the resultant penalty from Lee Gregory . Millwall: Forde, Cummings, Nelson, Hooiveld, Harding (Maierhofer), Upson (Bailey), Williams, Abdou (Gueye), Woolford, Gregory, O'Brien. Subs: Dunne, Beevers, Archer, Taylor-Fletcher. Booked: Hooiveld, Williams, Woolford . Scorers: Gueye 79', Hooiveld 87' Charlton: Henderson, Solly, Gomez, Johnson, Fox, Gudmundsson, Diarra, Cousins, Eagles (Bikey), Vetokele (Bulot), Watt (Church). Subs: Wiggins, Lennon, Dmitrovic, Lepoint . Booked: Solly . Sent off: Solly . Scorer: Diarra 67' Referee: Mick Russell . Att: 14,722 . The result moved Millwall up to 22nd in the Sky Bet Championship table, just four points behind Rotherham, while Charlton remained 11th and without a win over the Lions since 1996. Millwall boss Neil Harris named an unchanged line-up from the 2-2 draw at Brentford last time out and his side had the best of the early exchanges. The hosts almost went ahead on four minutes, but Ed Upson's brilliant ball over the top narrowly evaded the outstretched leg of Gregory. Solly found his name in the book after just 10 minutes after a coming-together with Gregory, as the visitors struggled to get a foothold in the game. Upson should have put the home side ahead on 18 minutes, but the unmarked midfielder headed just over from Dan Harding's dangerous cross from the left. But the Addicks almost took the lead against the run of play when Chris Eagles prodded narrowly wide from close range after Johann Berg Gudmundsson's chipped ball forward. Alou Diarra (right) gave 10-men Charlton the lead against the run of play in the second half . Millwall's Ed Upson (left) and is blocked off by Jordan Cousins (right) of Charlton during the first half . The game changed just short of the half-hour mark when Solly was given his marching orders for deliberately handling Aiden O'Brien's effort in the box, gifting Millwall a penalty. Gregory stepped up, but the striker's effort was well saved by Henderson low to his right to keep the scores level. Charlton switched to a 4-3-2 formation, with Andre Bikey replacing Eagles, but Millwall continued to dominate and Henderson produced another spectacular save to deny Upson five minutes before half-time. The Lions dominated the possession after the break, but the Addicks arguably looked more comfortable after going down to 10 men. And Guy Luzon's side almost took the lead on 52 minutes after a swift counter-attack, but Gudmundsson's left-footed shot curled just wide of the top corner. Addicks manager Guy Luzon screams instructions to his players from the sidelines . Millwall fans grew increasingly frustrated as the Lions struggled to break through Charlton's dogged defence, but Shaun Williams had Henderson at full stretch again on the hour mark after a drive from distance. But the Addicks took the lead on 67 minutes, when Diarra ghosted into the box to flick home Morgan Fox's cross from the left - the former West Ham midfielder's first goal for the club. Millwall hit back and substitute Gueye levelled 11 minutes from time with a low drive from a tight angle. And Hooiveld stole all three points for the hosts three minutes from the end when he turned home Gueye's shot. Charlton's Simon Church (left) walks back dejected after conceding a late winner to Jos Hooiveld .

Millwall beat 10-men Charlton 2-1 in their Championship clash at the Den . Addicks defender Chris Solly was sent off for a handball in the area . Stephen Henderson saved the subsequent penalty from  Lee Gregory . Alou Diarra scored for  visitors against the run of play in the second half . Magaye Gueye levelled for the Lions before Jos Hooiveld netted late winner .


Venezuela captain Juan Arango has apologised to a rival player after biting him on the shoulder at the end of a tempestuous Mexican league match. Arango's Tijuana side were losing 4-3 to Monterrey with just seconds left when he went up to midfielder Jesus Zavala and bit him. 'I did something I shouldn't have done with Zavala,' the 34-year old midfielder said. Juan Arango (left) bites the shoulder of opponent Jesus Zavela in a moment of madness . Zavala holds his shoulder after being bitten by Arango, in the game Zavala's side won 4-3 . Zavala shows the referee the mark on his shoulder after being bittern by Arango . Arango (right) earlier scored a magnificent free kick to bring his club Tijuana team level against Monterrey . 'I spoke to him after the game and apologised, it was a very hot-blooded game, I got heated up, I took that negative attitude, that isn't me but unfortunately it happened. We exchanged shirts after the game, we spoke and that's it over.' Zavala fell to the ground and later posted a photo of the bit mark on social media. The incident was reminiscent of Uryguayan Luis Suarez's bite on Italian Giorgio Cheillini's shoulder during last year's World Cup. Suarez was given a nine-game suspension from international matches and a four-month ban from league action. The referee in Sunday's Mexican league game ended the game seconds after the bite and did not take action against Arango. The league's disciplinary commission could still punish him. Tijuana are top of the table with 23 points from 12 games. Monterrey are in 10th on 16 points.

Juan Arango has apologised for his bite on Monterrey's Jesus Zavala . Arango had earlier scored a free kick in his team's 4-3 defeat . The 34-year-old Venezuela captain has admitted he was in the wrong . He was not punished in the game but could face retrospective disciplinary action from the Mexican league authorities .


Paul Merson has restarted his row with Andros Townsend after the Tottenham midfielder was brought on with only seven minutes remaining in his team's 0-0 draw with Burnley on Sunday. 'Just been watching the game, did you miss the coach? #RubberDub #7minutes,' Merson put on Twitter. Merson initially angered Townsend for writing in his Sky Sports column that 'if Andros Townsend can get in (the England team) then it opens it up to anybody.' Paul Merson had another dig at Andros Townsend after his appearance for Tottenham against Burnley . Townsend was brought on in the 83rd minute for Tottenham as they drew 0-0 against Burnley . Andros Townsend scores England's equaliser in their 1-1 friendly draw with Italy in Turin on Tuesday night . The former Arsenal man was proven wrong when Townsend hit a stunning equaliser for England against Italy and he duly admitted his mistake. 'It's not as though I was watching hoping he wouldn't score for England, I'm genuinely pleased for him and fair play to him – it was a great goal,' Merson said. 'It's just a matter of opinion, and my opinion was that he got pulled off after half an hour at Manchester United in front of Roy Hodgson, so he shouldn't have been in the squad. 'When I'm wrong, I hold my hands up. I don't have a problem with doing that - I'll always be the first to admit when I'm wrong.' Townsend hit back at Merson on Twitter after scoring for England against Italy . Sky Sports pundit  Merson (centre) criticised Townsend's call-up to the England squad last week . Townsend hit back at Merson after netting for England in Turin on Wednesday, saying 'Not bad for a player that should be 'nowhere near the squad' ay @PaulMerse?' Any bad feeling between the pair seemed to have passed but Merson was unable to resist having another dig at Townsend after Tottenham drew at Turf Moor.

Andros Townsend an 83rd minute sub in Tottenham's draw with Burnley . He was unable to find a winner as the game ended without a goal . Townsend had clashed with Paul Merson last week over England call-up .


Reports of Cristiano Ronaldo's decline have been greatly exaggerated: The Real Madrid forward scored five goals against Granada, taking his tally in La Liga to 36 for the season - more than half of Europe's top teams. Granada were torn to shreds by Ronaldo and his Real team-mates as the European champions won 9-1 at the Bernabeu, and their Portuguese talisman managed the first five-goal haul of his career. His record of 36 league goals for the season overtook Lionel Messi's 32 strikes, and put him in the incredible position of having scored more goals than 53 of the 98 teams in Europe's top five leagues this season. Cristiano Ronaldo scored an incredible five goals against Granada to lift his tally for the season to 36 . Granada were torn to shreds by Ronaldo and his Real team-mates as the European champions won 9-1 . The Portuguese star now has more goals than 53 teams in Europe's top leagues, including nine in England . There are nine teams in the Barclays Premier League who have managed fewer goals in the league than Cristiano Ronaldo has this season. They are: . Stoke City, Newcastle United, West Bromwich Albion, Hull City, Aston Villa, Sunderland, Queens Park Rangers, Burnley and Leicester City. Ronaldo took some flak last month after a series of poor performances for Real, but his goalscoring has never waivered and even through a difficult period he managed six goals in 10 games, the sort of record most strikers can only dream of. And his displays across the season have brought more goals than the likes of Newcastle United, Malaga, Borussia Dortmund, Torino and Lille. The first three of his five goals against Granada marked the quickest hat-trick of his career, coming in just eight first half minutes. Another followed 16 minutes later, and his last came 35 minutes after that. Ronaldo's displays across the season have brought more goals than the likes of Borussia Dortmund and Lille . It all adds up to a brilliant Easter Sunday for the world's best player, and he spoke of his delight afterwards . Lionel Messi and Barcelona came out on top in El Clasico but he has fewer league goals than Ronaldo . Borussia Dortmund, who can boast Marco Reus among their ranks, have fewer goals than the Real talisman . While Ronaldo overtook Messi on the goalscoring charts, the hat-trick - which could have been doubled - levelled the Argentine's record of 24 La Liga trebles. He almost matched Real legend Alfredo Di Stefano's 28 hat-tricks for Los Blancos in what was their biggest league win in 48-and-a-half years. It all adds up to a brilliant Easter Sunday for the world's best player, and he posted on Twitter after the game, saying: 'Happy to have scored 5 goals with this excellent team work. Thank you for all your support.' If the critics still see Ronaldo as greedy, it certainly paid off at the Santiago Bernabeu on Sunday. Premier League: Stoke City, Newcastle United, West Bromwich Albion, Hull City, Aston Villa, Sunderland, Queens Park Rangers, Burnley, Leicester City. La Liga: Malaga, Athletic Bilbao, Rayo Vallecano, Real Sociedad, Celta Vigo, Espanyol, Getafe, Levante, Eibar, Elche, Deportivo la Coruna, Almeria, Granada, Cordoba. Bundesliga: Augsburg, Borussia Dortmund, Mainz, Cologne, Hertha Berlin, Freiberg, Hannover, Hamburg, Paderborn, Stuttgart. Serie A: Torino, Sassuolo, Udinese, Empoli, Chievo, Atalanta, Cesena, Cagliari, Parma. Ligue 1: Lille, Rennes, Nantes, Guingamp, Nice, Bastia, Evian, Lorient, Toulouse, Metz, Lens.

Real Madrid beat Granada 9-1, with Cristiano Ronaldo scoring five goals . The Portuguese forward now has 36 goals this season in La Liga . That league tally is more than the totals for 53 of Europe's top 98 teams . Nine teams in the Barclays Premier League have fewer goals this season .


Hull bounced back from Thursday's derby defeat to Hull KR to snatch a surprise 28-20 victory at Langtree Park, condemning St Helens to a third straight defeat. A long-distance Jamie Shaul try was enough to seal a win that shocked the home side, who appeared to be hanging on after their Good Friday exertions. The injury-hit champions - who were in the wars again last week, losing to rivals Wigan - started with two teenage debutants in their three-quarters, and Hull sensed that there were some seams to pick at. Fetuli Talanoa (left) celebrates scoring against St Helens as Hull recorded a shock victory . Hull took an early lead after forcing a repeat set from a fumbled high kick and then another from offside on the line. That pressure finally told when Joe Westerman and Leon Pryce combined to create the space for Shaul to slip through. Jordan Rankin added the extras to make it 6-0. A Saints penalty from a high tackle put them in a good attacking spot and from there nice work from Lance Hohaia and James Roby sent the supporting Tommy Makinson skipping through. Makinson tagged on the two to level the match. And Saints were soon back for more and this time a lovely short ball from Jordan Turner sent Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook powering over the whitewash, with Makinson adding the goal . Tom Makinson, who brought Saints level after Shaul's early try, breaks away from two tacklers . The to-and-fro nature continued and a pair of Hull penalties gave them a great position to have another crack at the line with wing Curtis Naughton just managing to get the ball down despite tackle of Bailey to cut the deficit to 12-10 on 24 minutes. Saints very nearly hit right back with fresh-legged Alex Walmsley believing he had cashed in on a Hull dropped ball with a try, only for the in-goal touch judge to rule a knock on in the build up. Saints made a tactical switch at the break, with youngster Bailey withdrawn and the backline reshuffled. Hull hit the front eight minutes into the second half when former Saint Leon Pryce made a telling intervention, attacking the line and getting the ball down despite the tackle. Rankin's goal made it 16-12 to the visitors. Saints almost hit back immediately with a great break by Roby carving open the Hull defence, but although that play was foiled on the line they were soon back for more. Joe Westerman and Mark Minichiello stop Andre Savelio as Hull recorded a vital win at St Helens . And from a penalty on 54 minutes Turner, playing against his former club, showed some determination in driving towards the posts. Makinson improved to put Saints 18-16 ahead. Saints did suffer a stroke of bad luck when Adam Swift pieced the Hull left flank and was looking dangerous but then lost the ball. Hull forced an error when Hohaia was adjudged to have knocked on a high Pryce kick. From there the visitors piled on the pressure and that finally told when a floated wide ball sent Fetuli Talanoa over on 66 minutes. Rankin missed the goal but Hull had a two-point lead and looked determined to defend it. The visitors' defence holds firm to stop Josh Jones breaking through as Jordan Rankin brings him down . A penalty from a high tackle allowed Makinson to level from 30 metres nine minutes from time, but the Saints were hanging on. After a high kick was caught and returned quickly by Swift, Saints were soon back on the front foot, but a fumble by Ashworth on the halfway line turned the ball over. Hull countered ruthlessly with Shaul showing a great turn of pace and nimble footwork to turn Makinson inside out to run in from halfway. Rankin goaled and to compound Saints' misery the restart kick went out on the full. Hull worked their way down field with Rankin slotting another penalty to make the game safe with three minutes to play.

Weakened St Helens suffer another defeat against strong Hull side . Jamie Shaul scored late long-distance score to secure win . Inexperienced champions had looked like holding on until late shock .


La Liga strugglers Almeria have named former Barcelona player Sergi Barjuan as their third coach of the season. The 43-year-old Barjuan replaces Juan Ignacio Martinez, who was fired on Sunday, a day after Almeria lost 4-1 at home to Levante. Almeria confirmed that if all the necessary paperwork is complete Barjuan will coach Almeria's away match at Barcelona on Wednesday. Almeria have named former Barcelona defender Sergi Barjuan (right) as the club's new manager . Barjuan made 53 international appearances for Spain between 1998 and 2004 . Barjuan spent nine years at Barcelona as a defender and played in two World Cups for Spain. He coached Recreativo in Spain's second division from 2012-14. Almeria are in the relegation zone after failing to win in seven straight matches. The club fired their first manager of the season, Francisco Rodriguez, in December.

Almeria fired Juan Ignacio Martinez on Sunday after 4-1 defeat by Levante . Former Barcelona defender Juan Sergi Barjuan named as new head coach . Martinez took charge in December after Francisco Rodriguez was sacked . Almeria are 18th in La Liga with nine games left to play .


With Easter Sunday just on the horizon, Christians across American observed Good Friday, which commemorates the crucifixion and death of Jesus Christ. 'Way of the Cross' walks took place in Ohio, Pennsylvania and over the Brooklyn Bridge, among others. These were just a few of the events that were taking place all over the world as Holy Week, which began on Palm Sunday, nears its end. Tens of thousands of people flocked to Pope Francis' Good Friday torchlight procession at the Colosseum in Rome. The pope used the service to stress the persecution of Christians. On Thursday the pope washed the feet of 12 inmates and a baby at Rome's main prison in a pre-Easter ritual meant to show his willingness to serve. NEW YORK . A 'Way of the Cross' procession makes its way from Brooklyn to Lower Manhattan on Good Friday in New York . Firefighter John Bartlett holds the cross as the procession reaches Lower Manhattan . The Way of the Cross is made up of fourteen stations that are related to the hours of Jesus Christ's life leading up to and after his crucifixion . The stations include Jesus carrying the cross, Jesus being nailed to the cross and Jesus being placed in the tomb . CALIFORNIA . An actor portraying Jesus carries a cross as he leads a religious procession in Los Angeles . The actors, which are also portraying Roman soldiers, are reenacting the crucifixion of Jesus Christ . There is no celebration of Mass on Good Friday, which many people fast on and abstain from meat . Good Friday is observed as a national holiday in a number of countries, including Australia, Brazil, Spain and the United Kingdom . Good Friday is not a government holiday in the United States but various states observe it as one, including Connecticut, Louisiana, Texas and New Jersey . INDIANA . An actor portraying Jesus is lashed by 'the Romans' during a reenactment of the Good Friday story in LaPorte, Indiana . During the reenactment, a woman tries to comfort Jesus as he rests for a moment . An actor portraying Jesus is raised on his cross during St. Joseph Catholic Church's rendition of the crucifixion . PENNSYLVANIA . 11-year-old T.J. New carries a wooden cross as members of the Forest Hills ministries march between two Methodist churches in Sidman, Pennsylvania . Members of Holy Annunciation Church in Hazleton walked for two miles throughout the city to commemorate the Stations of the Cross . During the procession women of the parish dressed as the women of Jerusalem and wept as Jesus died . At the 12th station, Jesus, portrayed by Luis Arias, is nailed to the cross . MISSISSIPPI . The crucifixion of Christ is reenacted by members of the Hispanic Ministry of The Cathedral of St. Peter the Apostle in The Passion of Christ in downtown Jackson . Cathedral Rector Fr. Anthony Quyet Nguyen, right, leads parishioners during the reenacting of The Passion of Christ in Smith Park . Victor Gomez, assuming the role of Jesus Christ, carries the cross during the reenaction . A number of members of the church played roles and dressed up for the reenactment. The group is the largest and oldest Catholic Hispanic ministry in the Jackson Diocese . OHIO . Reverand Joshua Michaels carries a cross at the start of a Good Friday cross walk in Andover . Participants in a Good Friday cross walk along Route 7 in the village of Andover . Nicholas Prill, right, and Neftali Ortiz carry a large wooden cross during the Ashtabula Area Ministerium Cross Walk . Participants make their way through Ashtabula. Good Friday is followed by Holy Saturday, which commemorates the day that Jesus Christ's body lay in the tomb .

Good Friday commemorates the crucifixion and death of Jesus Christ . 'Way of the Cross' walks took place in Ohio, Pennsylvania, Los Angeles and over the Brooklyn Bridge, among others . Just a few of the events that were taking place all over the world at Holy Week nears its end . Tens of thousands of people flocked to Pope Francis' Good Friday procession at the Colosseum in Rome .


As England’s supporters settled in for a few pints at the Huntsman pub in the centre of Turin on Tuesday afternoon, a sizeable number spilled on to the street outside to sing the latest anti-IRA song. ‘**** the IRA,’ it goes — and it really does go on, and on and on. Inside the Juventus Stadium, with 2,000 travelling England fans seated in the curva at the north west area, there was more of the same. England fans sang anti-IRA songs during Tuesday's friendly draw with Italy at the Juventus Stadium - there is no suggestion that the fans pictured in this image where involved in the chants . Michael Carrick (centre) and the rest of the England squad applaud the travelling support in Turin on Tuesday . Frankly, it is embarrassing to listen to - a stain on our usually good-natured and good-humoured travelling supporters as we look ahead to June’s friendly with the Republic of Ireland in Dublin. It also places a strain on the FA. What can they do when thousands of travelling fans are singing: ‘Where were you in World War Two,’ or the German bomber song that has been heard for many years on our overseas trips? Toe-curling stuff. As for the IRA songs, many of the younger fans who join in with these chants cannot know or understand the significance of the Irish political situation and how it affected Britain through the Sixties, Seventies and Eighties. In Dublin there will be the issue of provocation, the potential to engage with a city that has traditionally been a political hotspot.There is barely time to catch our breath before England’s 3,000 supporters head to the Aviva Stadium for the first fixture against the Republic of Ireland since 1995. It was at Lansdowne Road on February 15 that year when rioting England fans - many of them associated with the neo-Nazi group Combat 18 - caused the fixture with Jack Charlton’s side to be abandoned. England supporters throw missiles at Landsdowne Road 20 years ago, causing the fixture to be abandoned . In the intervening years there have been various conversations between the FA and the FA of Ireland about a fixture between the teams, but it is only now they can agree that the time is right. Let’s not spoil it. The fixture with Martin O’Neill’s labouring team on June 7 is a bookend to the season ahead of the final chapter in Slovenia seven days later. Roy Hodgson is a football man and you can tell by his pained expression at the end of every post-match briefing that he would rather not be answering questions about fans’ behaviour. ‘We can only hope that in some way we put that right before we go to Ireland because the last thing we want is anything (other) than a very good football match,’ he said after the 1-1 draw with Italy. This is an awkward situation for the FA and yesterday they were reluctant to release another statement condemning the anti-IRA chanting as there is no evidence that it has had a positive effect. It seems by Roy Hodgson's pained expression at the end of post-match briefings that the England boss would rather not be ansering questions about fans' behaviour . The first audible chants of this latest song can be traced back to Celtic Park in November, when England emerged with an uplifting 3-1 victory over Scotland. Life felt good. That was until Hodgson, underprepared for a question about the nature of the chants, answered one with some assistance from a diplomatic member of the FA’s communications team. The FA attempted to defuse the situation by releasing a statement the following day apologising for the behaviour of ‘a section of the England support’. It read: ‘We have consistently urged supporters to show respect and not to chant songs that could be regarded as insulting to others - particularly from a religious or political perspective.’ The songs were sung in England's win against Scotland and the FA wanted to make sure they stopped in Turin - there is no suggestion that the fans pictured in this image where involved in the chants . The FA are in a tricky position because they are getting hammered by the travelling fans at every away game for the ‘two caps for Wembley’ loyalty scheme. Previously, those who travelled to watch England were rewarded with double the ‘caps’, giving greater access to restricted-allocation European Championship and World Cup tickets. Now, fans who attend home games get twice the points instead. The FA would do well to take a closer look at this policy in an effort to placate the supporters. Is it a fair trade? Probably not, but then it isn’t equitable to inflict anti-IRA songs on the people of Ireland the day before kick-off at the Aviva Stadium, either.

England fans sang anti-IRA songs during Tuesday's draw with Italy . FA tried to stamp out chants after 'F*** the IRA' was sung against Scotland . Roy Hodgson's side take on the Republic of Ireland in Dublin in June .


From kittens for sale to handymen for hire, the majority of ads posted in newsagents' windows are practical ones. But for one lonely heart, it proved the perfect alternative to internet dating after a man, known only as John, used it to advertise for someone special. In the post, which has gone viral after being photographed and put online, the man sets out his requirements and offers 'a way of life with quality'. 'John' who is reportedly a builder posted this advert in his local newsagents, it has since gone viral after it was spotted by a passer by . John posted his advert, which is written in capital letters in black pen, in the window of his local newsagents in Muswell Hill. It reads: 'John looking for a companion an apprentice / worker / lover for a craft that will change your life and bring you a way of life with quality. It then details a phone number and says: 'Contact... Or call me for interview must be female between 30yrs - 40yrs.' Unfortunately for prospective lovers, John did not specify precisely what the 'craft' referred to was. John placed is advert in a corner shop much like this one (stock photo) The lonely heart, which was posted last week, has now gone viral after it was spotted by an eagle-eyed passer by. The anonymous Londoner then posted a picture of the ad on a Facebook account dedicated to London life where it went viral. One user on the Facebook group jokingly commented: 'I seem to remember this is how that film Saw starts?'

A man named John posted the advert in a newsagents in Muswell Hill . It details that he is looking for a companion, apprentice, worker and lover . He says the role will bring 'a way of life with quality' His ideal woman is aged between 30 and 40 and is happy to be interviewed .


Helsinborg manager Henrik Larsson was forced to play his 42-year-old kit man in goal on Saturday. The former Celtic and Barcelona striker had no option but to play Daniel Andersson  with goalkeepers Par Hansson and Matt Pyzdrowski out injured. Astonishingly, the emergency stopper kept a clean sheet as Helsinborg drew 0-0 against Kalmar in the Allsvenskan season opener. Helsinborg manager Henrik Larsson was forced to play 42-year-old kit man Daniel Andersson in goal . Speaking to local TV after the game, Andersson - a retired goalkeeper who earned one cap for Sweden in 2001 - said: 'It was a scenario that I never could have prepared myself for. Going from kit man, to goalie coach, to playing. 'I am a goalie coach first and foremost. But now I have set the standard.' Larsson added: 'You have to be impressed. He [Andersson] is almost 43 and didn’t make a mistake in this game. I’m very happy to have Daniel Andersson multi-tasking for our club.' Andersson made 130 appearances for the club between 2004 and 2009 and also spent a season with Scottish club Hibernian during a 22-year playing career. Larsson, pictured in 2013, was impressed with Andersson's display during Helsinborg's 0-0 draw with Kalmar .

Daniel Andersson, Helsinborg's 42-year-old kit man, kept a clean sheet . The emergency stopper played in season opener against Kalmar . Henrik Larsson's first-choice goalkeepers were both out injured . The former goalkeeper earned one cap for Sweden back in 2001 .


Ben Jones-Bishop scored a spectacular solo try as the Salford Red Devils ended a run of 17 defeats in a row by Wigan after a thrilling 24-18 contest which saw both players finish with 12 men. Jones-Bishop, snapped up from Leeds Rhinos in the close-season, extended his lead as Salford's leading scorer with his seventh of the campaign. The Red Devils were hanging onto a 12-8 interval lead when Jones-Bishop struck on the hour to help his club leapfrog the Warriors into third place in the table. Both sides ended the match with 12 men as tempers flared during the Super League match . But Salford forward Weller Hauraki, already facing a ban after an incident at Huddersfield in Friday, and John Bateman were sent off two minutes from time for trading punches after the pair had already been sin binned following an earlier flare up. Salford's last win against Wigan was a 16-4 Challenge Cup fifth-round victory at the Willows in 2006. The long-awaited victory was particularly sweet for the the three former Wigan players in the Red Devils ranks - Scott Taylor, skipper Harrison Hansen and try scorer Michael Dobson. Dobson was outstanding and also helped set up two tries for full-back Niall Evalds. Salford brought in Evalds to replace full-back Kevin Locke who was concussed at Huddersfield. Wigan again left out Matty Bowen with Ryan Hampshire continuing at full-back and Lewis Tierney replacing Dom Manfredi on the wing. Conor Farrell, younger brother of second row Liam, also stepped into the squad with Joel Tomkins missing. Wigan Warriors' Michael McIlorum is tackled by Salford Red Devils's Liam Hood  and Weller Hauraki . Salford organised a reunion of their 1996 side, which famously ended Wigan's record-breaking Challenge Cup run, with the players and then coach Andy Gregory introduced to the fans before the kick-off. But the kick-off was delayed 15 minutes due to crowd congestion outside the AJ Bell Stadium. Wigan would have snatched an early lead had Tierney not slipped when Jones-Bishop spilled a George Williams kick. Salford's relief was short-lived when their defence failed to deal with another towering Matty Smith kick and Larne Patrick picked up the loose ball to stroll over for his first try for the club since his move from Huddersfield. Hampshire tagged on the conversion with the Red Devils forced to make an early substitution when Tommy Lee hobbled off after 11 minutes to be replaced by Liam Hood. A storming break by Josh Griffin put Wigan under pressure for the first time with Joe Burgess forced to make a try-saving tackle on Rangi Chase. But Salford suffered another injury blow midway through the first half when Cory Paterson was helped off with a knee problem. Wigan increased the lead to 8-0 with a Hampshire penalty after Weller Hauraki was caught offside from a Smith kick. The Red Devils hit back with Dobson and Chase combining for Evalds to dart over with Josh Griffin adding the conversion. Wigan lost Tony Clubb with a thigh injury before Salford took the lead for the first time with a sizzling try from Dobson against his old club. Josh Griffin broke clear from inside his own half for the supporting Dobson to notch his first try for the club with Griffin tagging on the goal to make it 12-8. The bumper crowd generated a tremendous atmosphere and the Red Devils fans were cheering again with a blistering burst from his own line by Evalds after gathering a Williams kick. Then Jones-Bishop grabbed a superb solo try on the hour to fire his side into an 18-8 lead. There appeared to be no danger to Wigan when Jones-Bishop took the ball 45 metres out. But he burst through two tackles and then rounded Hampshire in style to notch his seventh try of the season with Griffin converting. The hard-fought contest erupted 15 minutes from time with referee Richard Silverwood sin-binning Hauraki and Bateman after a melee. Hampshire put Wigan right back in the thrilling match with a fine try after 68 minutes and also added the goal to cut the gap to 18-14. Salford sealed the win when Dobson's perfect pass sent Evalds over for his second try four minutes from time with Griffin booting his fourth goal from four attempts. Another flare up two minutes from time saw Bateman and Hauraki red carded before Burgess went over 39 seconds from time.

Ben Jones-Bishop impressed by scoring solo try against the Warriors . Jones-Bishop extended lead as Salford's leading scorer of the campaign . Both Salford and Wigan finished the match with 12 men .


It is little over a year since Alan Pardew became involved in a rather ugly touchline confrontation with Manuel Pellegrini while managing Newcastle. Pardew was warned about his behaviour by the FA and wrote to Pellegrini to apologise for the offensive name he called him. On Monday at Selhurst Park, Pardew, now manager of Crystal Palace, meets Pellegrini and Manchester City again having taken steps to change a pattern of behaviour he feared was becoming destructive. After taking advice from the League Managers’ Association, the 53-year-old has benefited from sessions with former international cricketer Jeremy Snape, now a sports psychologist. Alan Pardew called Manuel Pellegrini a 'f***ing old c**t' during Premier League encounter back in . The touchline spat occurred during a Premier League match between Newcastle and Man City in January 2014 . ‘My natural instinct is to be aggressive in the way my teams play,’ Pardew told the BBC. ‘But I have had to learn from my own experiences and not get too involved in that myself. Jeremy has helped me on the sidelines in terms of focusing on what I can control. ‘All the times I have been in trouble (I have reacted) when I felt an injustice so when those issues arise now, I know not to react and that is when I switch the off button.’ Pellegrini’s team are under a little pressure. Now trailing neighbours Manchester United ahead of Sunday’s derby at Old Trafford, Pellegrini knows he must lift his side from a run of results that has seen them lose touch with leaders Chelsea. Crystal Palace boss Pardew believes he has the ability to manage one of England's top sides . Pardew feels he would make a decent job of managing a top-four team if given the chance. ‘I look at the top teams and feel I could do that job better than I’m seeing it being done. But if I work in this part of the league for the rest of my career I will be extremely happy,’ he said. Pellegrini said recently he felt his City squad lacked one really big player. This week, he explained: ‘Well, it is just the way of thinking, that big teams need to sign a big player. It is very difficult to do it every year — but every two years you must do it.’

Alan Pardew was warned about his behaviour following touchline spat . The former Newcastle boss called Manuel Pellegrini a 'f***ing old c**t' He wrote to Pellegrini to apologise for using such offensive language . Crystal Palace host Manchester City at Selhurst Park on Monday .


Ahead of this weekend's Premier League action, Sportsmail will be providing you with all you need to know about every fixture, with team news, provisional squads, betting odds and Opta stats. Here is all the information you need for Crystal Palace's home clash with Manchester City... Crystal Palace vs Manchester City (Selhurst Park) Team news . Crystal Palace . Crystal Palace boss Alan Pardew has no fresh injury concerns ahead of his side's clash against Manchester City. However, Marouane Chamakh and Fraizer Campbell are still sidelined with a hamstring injury, while Jordon Mutch has a thigh complaint. Mile Jedinak gives the thumbs up while on international duty with Australia on Monday but he is ruled out for Crystal Palace's gane against Manchester City in the Premier League through suspension . Joining them in being ruled out is skipper Mile Jedinak who is suspended. Manchester City . Manchester City have no serious injury concerns for Monday's Barclays Premier League trip to Crystal Palace. Key midfielder Yaya Toure missed the victory over West Brom a fortnight ago with an achilles injury but has since played twice for Ivory Coast and is fit. Yaya Toure missed Manchester City's last game but returned to action with Ivory Coast as they took on Equatorial Guinea in an Abidjan friendly on Friday . Fellow midfielder James Milner has also been troubled by a knee injury in recent weeks but the suggestions from manager Manuel Pellegrini are that the England international will be available. Provisional squad: Hart, Caballero, Zabaleta, Sagna, Kompany, Demichelis, Mangala, Boyata, Clichy, Kolarov, Milner, Navas, Silva, Nasri, Toure, Fernando, Fernandinho, Lampard, Aguero, Bony, Jovetic, Dzeko. Kick-off: Monday, 8pm - Sky Sports 1 . Odds (subject to change): . Crystal Palace 9/2 . Draw 3/1 . Manchester City 4/7 . Referee: Michael Oliver . Managers: Alan Pardew (Crystal Palace), Manuel Pellegrini (Manchester City) Head-to-head league record: Crystal Palace wins 12, draws 12, Manchester City wins 21 . Key match stats (supplied by Opta) Crystal Palace have won just two of their last eight Premier League home matches (W2 D2 L4). Man City have won the last seven matches in a row against Palace in all competitions. The Eagles have now gone 11 Premier League matches at Selhurst Park without a clean sheet. Manchester City scored with all three shots on target when they met Palace back in December. Alan Pardew has won 20 points from losing positions as a Premier League manager this season (10 at Newcastle, 10 at Palace); more than any other PL boss in 2014-15. Manchester City won on their previous visit to Crystal Palace, as Yaya Toure celebrates scoring the second goal in a 2-0 win last April which helped fire them towards the Premier League title . Crystal Palace have won 19 points in 10 Premier League games under Pardew – two more than they won in their previous 20 PL games in 2014-15 (17 under Millen/Warnock). Sergio Aguero has scored 98 goals in all competitions for Manchester City, but he has not netted in 466 minutes of competitive football for the club. Manchester City have used every substitution available in all of their 43 competitive matches this season. Man City substitutes have contributed 16 goals and assists this season in the Premier League; more than any other team. Glenn Murray has scored four goals in his last four Premier League appearances; this after netting just one in his previous 19.

Marouane Chamakh, Fraizer Campbell and Jordon Mutch ruled out . Suspended Crystal Palace  skipper Mile Jedinak joins them on the sidelines . Yaya Toure back from an achilles injury for Manchester City . James Milner expected to be available for champions despite knee trouble .


The title race may be over in the minds of some, but Joe Hart is irrepressibly optimistic. Of course, he is paid to believe but there is some logic to his positivity when you consider how Manchester City won the league in 2012 and 2014 with late dramatic runs. ‘It’s kind of how we do it,’ said Hart, when asked about City’s need to overcome a nine-point deficit. ‘We like to do it a different way. We’ve not necessarily reached the standard week-in, week-out that we wanted to, but the beauty of football is that you get another chance and that starts on Monday at Crystal Palace. ‘We’ve got some massive games; eight big games to reach a level that we need to reach. We’ve not necessarily done that all season but we feel we are in the right place now. We have a lot of rest time and there are no excuses. Everyone is fit and ready to go. We will never give up.’ Manchester City goalkeeper Joe Hart insists his side are still capable of winning the Premier League title . Chelsea are nine points clear of Manchester City with both teams having eight games left to play . Chelsea are nine points clear of Manchester City . Hart is a good cheerleader. Last week he won his 50th cap at the age of 27 and was immensely proud of his achievement. And his club may need his leadership now. At the Etihad Stadium two weeks ago there was a distinct lack of fervour despite the 3-0 win over West Brom, as though a certain kind of resignation has set in regarding Manchester City’s trajectory but Hart does not accept that. ‘We’ve proved it and the fans have proved it – we never give up,’ he said. ‘That is one thing that is part of Manchester City that we’ve taken with us from the olden days. We’ll never give up while anything is possible. We’ll go for it. ‘We have definitely moved on as a team since we first won the league in 2012. That was a massive achievement but now we expect it of ourselves. We have been disappointed at certain times this season but there are eight games to go and we’ll give it all we’ve got.’ Hart himself is a good example of the adage that one should never give in. Dropped last season by Manuel Pellegrini and threatened this season by the £6million signing of Willy Caballero, Hart is playing as well as ever, his penalty save against Lionel Messi and the subsequent performance at the Nou Camp a product of a long period of good form. Hart has proven his class after being dropped last season following a handful of mistakes . ‘I feel pushed,’ said Hart. ‘I have personal pride. I push myself personally. I think the world of Willy. I think he is a fantastic goalkeeper and I know full well that if my standards drop, Willy will be in goal. That is how it is at Manchester City. That is how it is with England. I know it is the same thing here. I need to be on my toes and performing at a high level otherwise someone takes your spot.’ And Hart is not content with game, striving to better himself. ‘I can improve everything, management of the game. But I want to improve on everything and don't just say that lightly. I look at everything I do. You don’t set limits. I want to keep going and keep pushing and keep my place in the two teams I’m with – Manchester City and England. I hope the best is to come. That is what I’ll be pushing to do. ‘Every game is a rescheduled goal for me. It genuinely is. I’ve enjoyed the two games with England but I turn my head to Palace now. That is the next game for me and the one I’m looking forward to.’ Hart labelled Buffon, who won his 147th cap against England on Tuesday night, a 'legend of the game' And if he needed any inspiration in that quarter, a look across to his opposite number on Tuesday night at the Juventus Stadium would have provided it. As Hart won that 50th cap for England, Gianluigi Buffon was winning his 147th at the age of 37 and proving as sharp as ever. The England goalkeeper is a fan. ‘It’s hard to look past Buffon. He’s absolutely amazing. What a keeper – 147 caps, countless titles, the World Cup, European trophies. What a goalkeeper and what a gentleman. He’s real idol of mine and it’s a real privilege to share a pitch with him. ‘I’ve got a long way to go. But to see people like that at the top level is a real good feeling. I like him. I’ve watched his career and how he is around people. It’s a small amount of time you spend with people when you are in the tunnel with them but he oozes class. 'He is a classy guy and it’s great to have an icon like that. Fraser Forster played against Juventus a few times and said the same thing.’ Only in one area will Hart not be emulating Buffon. With his designer stubble, flowing hair, and his silk waist coat and designer shirt, Buffon looked a little more like a successful artist or film-maker than a footballer as he left the Juventus stadium. ‘He does look cool,’ said Hart, with a degree of self deprecation. ‘I’ll never try to be him. With my mousey blonde hair, it wouldn’t really work.’

Manchester City are currently nine points behind league leaders Chelsea . City face Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on Monday evening . Joe Hart has said his side will not give up on retaining the title .


World Cup winning rugby star Mils Muliaina has been bailed after being arrested on suspicion of sexual assault. The former All Black, who denies the allegations, was arrested last night after his team was defeated in the quarter finals of the European Challenge Cup. He had come off injured during Connacht's 14-7 defeat at Gloucester last night when he was approached by police. The 34-year-old full back, who has 100 caps for the All Blacks, was led away by officers at the Kingsholm Stadium last night in connection with an allegation in Cardiff in March. Scroll down for video . Former All Black Mils Muliaina, pictured last night playing in Connacht's 14-7 defeat against Gloucester, was arrested after the game in connection with an allegation of sexual assault in Cardiff from March . Married Muliaina is accused of assaulting the woman in a crowded bar in the Brewery Quarter of Cardiff city centre after his Irish team Connacht played against Cardiff Blues last month. He was held in cells overnight before being questioned for more than six hours by detectives in Cardiff yesterday. His solicitor Matthew de Maid said: 'He totally denies all the allegations. He has been helping police with their inquiries and he hasn't been charged with anything.' A spokesperson for Gloucestershire Police said: 'A man in his 30s was arrested at Kingsholm Stadium on Friday 3rd April on suspicion of sexual assault in relation to an incident in Cardiff in March. Muliaina is led away by police following his side's 14-7 defeat by Gloucester on Friday night . The former All Black was arrested at Kingsholm and then led to a police van where he was detained . Muliaina's arrest was captured live on Sky Sports following the Challenge Cup quarter-final . 'The man has been handed over to officers from South Wales Police who are investigating the incident.' Muliaina had been playing for the Irish provincial team against the Cardiff Blues on March 6. He retired from the All Blacks in 2011. A spokesperson for the team said: 'Connacht Rugby can confirm that player Mils Muliaina is currently assisting the South Wales Police with enquiries relating to an alleged incident in Cardiff in March of this year. 'As this is a legal matter, Connacht Rugby will be making no further comment at this time.' The allegation is believed to date from Connacht's visit to the Cardiff Blues on March 6 . Muliaina has 100 caps for the All Blacks and retired from international rugby after the 2011 World Cup victory . Sorry we are not currently accepting comments on this article.

Mils Muliaina came off injured during Connacht's visit to Gloucester . The 34-year-old World Cup winner was arrested by police after the game . Muliaina was held in cells overnight and questioned by officers in Cardiff . He denies assault allegations over alleged incident last month .


Confidence in the QPR camp is high heading into Tuesday's crucial Barclays Premier League match at Aston Villa. QPR had lost 13 of 14 league away games before Saturday's vital 4-1 victory at West Brom. The win also saw the west London club to end a five-game losing run, while they remain in 19th place just three points adrift of safety. Chris Ramsey urges his players to calm down during the 4-1 win against West Brom on Saturday . Eduardo Vargas (centre) celebrates with his QPR team-mates after opening the scoring  against West Brom . 'It's a fantastic victory for us,' QPR coach Chris Ramsey said in Monday's press conference. 'The morale has been good, very professional. 'The players have this belief.' QPR want to build on that success in Tuesday's game at Villa Park. 'We are going to approach the game in the same way as we have done in the past,' Ramsey said. Ramsey believes QPR could have won previous games but lacked a finishing touch and also had shaky moments in defence. 'We are hoping that we can be as clinical as we were on Saturday,' he said. QPR were not able to profit from their latest win with an improved league position, but have revealed themselves to be a combative team that have a fighting chance of survival. Bobby Zamora scored QPR's third goal with an astounding lob from a narrow angle against West Brom . Ramsey issues instructions from the touchline as QPR boosted their survival hopes with a vital win . 'We want to put pressure on the teams around us,' Ramsey said. 'Everybody seems to be responding to what others are doing. 'The pressure is equal.' Villa currently hold the last position of safety but have lost their last two league games, including a 3-1 defeat at Manchester United at the weekend. 'I would rather be going into the game with the advantage they have rather than us,' Ramsey said. 'We have more pressure.' Even so, Ramsey knows Tim Sherwood's Villa side are feeling the heat. 'Villa are close to us and they are going to want three points to climb further up above the line,' Ramsey said. Ramsey will be coming up against friend and former colleague Tottenham Tim Sherwood on Tuesday . QPR have a sense of urgency to win at Villa and will have the same mindset when they host Premier League leaders Chelsea on Sunday. Ramsey believes his players can get a good result in both games. 'The Premier League is a league that things happen that you can't expect,' he said. Villa are not going to be at full strength, but Ramsey said: 'I'm sure that they will be able to fill those positions adequately, it's not going to be an advantage.' As for his friend Sherwood, who was put in charge of Villa in February, Ramsey said: 'I'm happy for him that he has gone to a big club like Aston Villa and wish him the best.'

QPR beat West Brom 4-1 away from home on Saturday in bid to beat drop . Club remain 19th in the Premier League but are three points from safety . Chris Ramsey's side face Aston Villa in crunch match on Tuesday . QPR manager says his players have belief that they can stay up .


Lydia Ko shot a 2-over 74 on Saturday in the ANA Inspiration, her second straight over-par round after tying the LPGA Tour record for consecutive rounds under par at 29. A day after hitting into the water and bogeying the 18th for a 73, Ko made an 8-foot birdie putt on the par-5 hole to keep another long streak going. The 17-year-old New Zealander has had at least one birdie in all 187 of her rounds in 49 career events on the tour. 'It always some statistic that is going to get my tail,' Ko said about the birdie streak that she wasn't aware of until after the round. 'Lucky thing that I birdied 18.' Lydia Ko makes a tee shot during round two of the ANA Inspiration at Mission Hills Country Club . Ko looks for her ball in the water on the 18th hole during round two of the ANA Inspiration . She bogeyed Nos. 3, 9 and 13. 'I didn't feel like it was too bad today,' Ko said. 'I just couldn't get the putts to drop.' On Thursday at Mission Hills in the first major championship of the year, Ko shot a 71 to tie the LPGA Tour record for consecutive rounds under par set by Annika Sorenstam in 2004. The top-ranked teen was tied for 50th at 2 under with the leaders still on the course, putting her in danger of ending two more streaks. Ko  lines up a putt for par on the par 5, 18th hole during the second round of the ANA Inspiration o . Ko  plays her second shot at the par 5, 18th hole during the second round of the ANA Inspiration . She has 10 straight top-10 finishes and has finished under par in 17 tournaments in a row since the Women's British Open last summer. She's playing her sixth tournament in seven weeks, also making stops in Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Phoenix and Carlsbad. She won in Australia for her sixth LPGA Tour title and took the Ladies European Tour event in New Zealand the following week. 'I don't feel tired,' Ko said. 'Maybe the body feels a little differently. It has been a lot of golf.'

Lydia Ko shot her second straight over-par round in the ANA inspiration . New Zealander Ko shot a 2-over 74 on Saturday in disappointing round . Ko made an 8-foot birdie putt on the par-5 hole to keep long streak going . She has had at least one birdie in all 187 of her rounds in 49 career events .


Arsene Wenger has yet to decide whether to offer Abou Diaby a new contract but has hinted that the injury-prone midfielder could have a future at Arsenal beyond this summer. Diaby made his latest comeback from injury in a practice game on Wednesday but has made just 22 appearances in the last five seasons at the Emirates Stadium with extended spells on the sidelines. Arsenal face Liverpool in Saturday's lunchtime kick-off and while Wenger is unlikely to throw Diaby straight into a vital game in both clubs' seasons, he did suggest the French midfielder could earn a new deal, potentially on a pay-as-you-play deal. Arsene Wenger has yet to decide whether to offer Abou Diaby a new contract despite his injury troubles . Diaby made his latest comeback from injury in a practice game on Wednesday and could have a future . Wenger said he has made it clear how he envisages the future for Diaby at the north London club . Diaby has featured just once this season, playing for 67 minutes in the Capital One Cup defeat by Southampton in September but could get his chance in the Barclays Premier League run-in. 'I had a chat with him (Diaby) and told him how I can envisage the future,' Wenger said. 'He has to make a decision. 'Of course he understands completely that he has to perform and to show that he can be present on a consistent way. I will see where we go from there. Diaby has suffered 42 injuries during his Arsenal career, keeping him out of action for a total of 226 weeks . Wenger also hopes to find a positive solution to tie Tomas Rosicky down to a contract extension at Arsenal . Club captain Mikel Arteta (right) has also been out with injury and is another to secure to a contract extension . 'I wouldn't like to go into details, we have to meet again to see where we go from what I told him. It has to be linked a little bit with his presence.' Wenger also indicated he hoped to secure contract extensions for club captain Mikel Arteta and long-serving midfielder Tomas Rosicky. 2014 . Calf Muscle Strain, November 24 . Calf/Shin, October 14 . Hip/Thigh, July 26 . Groin/Pelvis, April 22 . 2013 . ACL Knee, March 27 . Calf/Shin, February 23 . Illness, January 22 . 2012 . Thigh Muscle Strain, September 29 . Muscle, September 7 . Calf Muscle Strain, April 28 . Illness, April 23 . Hamstring, March 29 . Hamstring, March 3 . 2011 . Hamstring, November 26 . Ankle/Foot, July 22 . Calf Muscle Strain, January 2 . 2010 . Calf Muscle Strain, December 30 . Ankle/Foot, October 19 . Ankle/Foot, October 4 . Ankle/Foot, September 13 . Calf Muscle Strain, August 11 . Calf Muscle Strain, March 27 . MCL Knee Ligament, February 17 . Calf Muscle Strain, January 20 . 2009 . Calf Muscle Strain, November 7 . Ankle/Foot, October 10 . Groin Strain, August 12 . Knee, July 27 . Thigh Muscle Strain, April 1 . Calf Muscle Strain, February 24 . Thigh Muscle Strain, January 31 . 2008 . Abdominal Strain, November 22 . Thigh Muscle Strain, August 3 . Thigh Muscle Strain, April 25 . Calf Muscle Strain, March 7 . Calf Muscle Strain, February 8 . 2007 . Back, November 22 . Sprained Ankle, August 14 . Concussion, April 20 . Sprained Ankle, February 25 . Knee, February 2 . 2006 . Ankle/Foot Injury, May 1 . 42 INJURIES (ONE EVERY 79.5 DAYS) calf muscle 11, ankle/foot 6, thigh muscle 5, hamstring 3, sprained ankle 2, illness 2, calf/shin 2, knee 2, hip/thigh 1, groin/pelvis 1, acl knee 1, muscle injury 1, mcl knee ligament 1, groin strain 1, abdominal strain 1, back injury 1, concussion 1.

Arsenal midfielder Abou Diaby's contract runs out at the end of the season . He had been expected to leave after 22 appearances across five seasons . But Wenger has hinted a sign of progress could see him earn a new deal . READ: Diaby gets a game in friendly win over Brentford . CLICK HERE for all the latest Arsenal news .


No Tiger Woods and no Rory McIlroy in the field is proving no problem in Houston, where record numbers have descended on the small suburb of Humble for the Shell Houston Open. The last tournament before the Masters is proving quite a show-stopper itself thanks to the crowd-pleasing antics of the popular Phil Mickelson and local boy Jordan Spieth. It’s 18 months now since Spieth attracted criticism for giving up on university and joining the PGA Tour as the 809th ranked player in the world. Spieth, only 21, has since risen to number four in the world. Funnily enough, no-one’s criticising him anymore. Spectators have flocked to see Texas local boy Jordan Spieth in action at the Shell Houston Open . Spieth's fellow American Phil Mickelson has also impressed in the run up to the Masters . In seven starts this season Spieth, who finished runner-up on his Masters debut last year, has finished outside the top seven only twice, and here a second-round 66 lifted him to within three shots of the leader, Andrew Putnam. As for Mickelson, he’d hardly played a decent shot this year before posting rounds of 66 and 67 to be one stroke behind at halfway. The stage was set beautifully, therefore, for the two Americans at opposite ends of their careers. Englishmen Justin Rose and Paul Casey were also going well at five shots off the pace.

Record numbers have flocked to see local boy Jordan Spieth in action . Spieth and Phil Mickelson have been gearing up for the Masters . Texas-born Spieth quit university in order to concentrate on golf career .


Sportsmail will be providing you with all you need to know about every Barclays Premier League fixture, with team news, provisional squads, betting odds and Opta stats. Here is all the information you need for Aston Villa's home clash with QPR... Aston Villa vs Queens Park Rangers (Villa Park) Team news . Aston Villa . Aston Villa boss Tim Sherwood is definitely without a trio of key players for their key game with QPR. Alan Hutton limped off in Saturday's 3-1 defeat at Manchester United with an ankle problem and has been ruled out of Tuesday's game along with Scott Sinclair and Ashley Westwood. Alan Hutton (left) attempts to play a pass under pressure from Manchester United's Daley Blind in Aston Villa's 3-1 Barclays Premier League defeat at Old Trafford on Saturday . Philippe Senderos and Kieran Richardson (both calf) are doubts along with Tom Cleverley (adductor) and Aly Cissokho (groin) - although they are training - while Libor Kozak is sidelined as he continues to recover from a broken leg. Provisional squad: Guzan, Given, Lowton, Okore, Vlaar, Clark, Cissokho, Kinsella, Delph, Gil, Sanchez, Grealish, Cole, Cleverley, Richardson, N'Zogbia, Agbonlahor, Benteke, Weimann. QPR . QPR are without Chilean winger Eduardo Vargas and South Korean left-back Yun Suk-young for Tuesday's Barclays Premier League clash at Aston Villa. Vargas is ruled out with a knee injury sustained in the 4-1 win at West Brom while Yun will not travel to Villa Park for precautionary reasons after suffering a head injury in the same match. Eduardo Vargas jumps in an attempt to beat West Brom's Chris Baird to the ball in QPR's 3-1 win at the Hawthorns in the Barclays Premier League on Saturday . Hoops boss Chris Ramsey is also without knee-injury victims Richard Dunne, Leroy Fer and Alejandro Faurlin while Darnell Furlong is still sidelined with a calf problem. Provisional squad: Green, Isla, Onuoha, Caulker, Hill, Phillips, Sandro, Barton, Kranjcar, Austin, Zamora; Hoilett, Grego-Cox, McCarthy, Henry, Doughty, Sutherland. Kick-off: Tuesday, 7.45pm . Odds (subject to change): . Aston Villa 21/20 . Draw 9/4 . QPR 11/4 . Referee: Craig Pawson . Managers: Tim Sherwood (Aston Villa), Chris Ramsey (QPR) Head-to-head league record: Aston Villa wins 12, draws 10, QPR wins 21 . Key match stats (supplied by Opta) Aston Villa have scored just seven goals in their last 20 Premier League matches against London sides, and never more than once in a match in that time (W2 D3 L15). QPR have not won back-to-back away games in the Premier League since September 1995. Christian Benteke has scored four goals in his last four league games for Tim Sherwood’s side, more than he had netted in his previous 21 (3). Charlie Austin has been involved in 20 of QPR’s 35 league goals this season (16 goals, four assists). The last season that Queens Park Rangers won both home and away in the league against Aston Villa was back in 1986/87. Charlie Austin celebrates scoring his and QPR's second goal in their 2-0 win over Aston Villa at Loftus Road . Aston Villa have won five and drawn one of their six Premier League games against the Hoops at Villa Park. QPR’s last league win at Villa Park came back in March 1992 (1-0). QPR have scored in each of their last 12 Premier League matches against Aston Villa. Aston Villa have won just one of their last eight Premier League home games (W1 D3 L4). Villa have failed to find the net in four of these eight matches.

Alan Hutton, Scott Sinclair and Ashley Westwood ruled out for Aston Villa . Philippe Senderos & Kieran Richardson among doubts for Tim Sherwood . Yun Suk-young and Eduardo Vargas absent for Queens Park Rangers . Richard Dunne, Leroy Fer and Alejandro Faurlin also missing for QPR . Two sides clash at Loftus Road on Tuesday at 7.45pm .


Kim Sei-young will take a three-shot lead into the final round of the ANA Inspiration after carding a three-under-par 69 in California on Saturday. The South Korean, who led by two shots at the halfway stage at Mission Hills Country Club, birdied the first hole before a bogey at the par-three fifth halted her progress. Kim returned to one-under par for the round when she picked up a shot at the par-five ninth, before successive birdies on the 16th and 17th moved her to three under-par for the day and 10 under overall. Kim Sei-Young has established a three-shot lead ahead of the final round of the ANA Inspiration . The South Korean shot a three-under-par round of 69 on day three of the competition . The 22-year-old, who won the Pure Silk-Bahamas Classic in February, is in good spirits as she chases her first LPGA major victory. 'If I were to win it tomorrow, it would be the biggest dream ever to come true for me,' Kim told the LPGA Tour website. 'You know, just because, I've watched this tournament since I was young. 'That's why I feel I want it so much more, and I think the opportunity is there in front of me, and if I can, I definitely want to get my hand on it, and for sure it won't be bad jumping into that pond tomorrow.' American Stacy Lewis is second after she shot a 68 with six birdies and two bogeys to lie seven-under. The 2011 winner is one shot clear of Thailand's Ariya Jutanugarn, who shot a best-of-the-day 66, and American duo Brittany Lincicome and Morgan Pressel. World No 1 Lydia Ko toiled again, shooting her second consecutive over-par score, carding 74 . World No 1 Lydia Ko shot her second consecutive over-par score when she could only manage a two-over-par 74, which included three bogeys and a birdie. The 17-year-old New Zealander equalled Annika Sorenstam's LPGA Tour record with her 29th consecutive under-par round in the first round on Thursday, but could not set a new mark when she could only manage a one-over-par 73 on Friday.

Kim Sei-young leads ANA Inspiration by three after a three-under-par 69 . The South Korean says it would be 'the biggest dream' to win . Lydia Ko struggled again, shooting a two-over-par 74 .


Tiger Woods is in it to win it — but it would be a ‘disaster for everyone’ if he limps out of the Masters this week. That is the view of Colin Montgomerie after Woods confirmed his return to competitive golf for the first time since early February, when he withdrew with a back injury in the first round of the Farmers Insurance Open. Having plummeted to 104 in the world rankings and with no kind of competitive action under his belt, beyond the rounds he has amassed in practice in Florida and at Augusta during the past few days, his form is a mystery. Former world No 1 Tiger Woods confirmed earlier this week that he will play at the Masters . Woods has dropped out of the world's top 100 for the first time in almost 19 years . Watch live coverage of all four days of The Masters only on Sky Sports (from 7pm) and from Friday on BBC2 (7pm). But Montgomerie, who will be at the Masters in Augusta commentating for Sky Sports, the only place to watch all four days live, said: ‘He hasn’t entered to make up the numbers, I can guarantee that. Imagine Tiger coming here to the Masters and scoring 69 or 68 in the first day? Suddenly the whole place is alive. It’s a buzz. ‘If Rory McIlroy starts with a 69, 68, so does Tiger, marvellous. ‘It would be fantastic, it would be a buzz around the place, some sort of electricity that we have missed without him. ‘Whether he can win again, who knows? Hey, never mind a major, can he win another event ever again? But let’s hope that it’s not one of these 75, 76, I’ve hurt my back, and goes home. That would be a disaster for everybody.’ Woods has won the Masters on four separate occasions with his last win coming in 2005 . Colin Montgomerie has said it would be fantastic to see a fully fit Woods go up against Rory McIlroy . McIlroy can match Woods in winning the grand slam if he wins the Masters. But 51-year-old Montgomerie believes the man from Northern Ireland will never hold the same dominance over golf that Woods achieved in his prime in 2000. He said: ‘I don’t think we’ll ever see the dominance that Tiger had in that year,’ he said. ‘The golf that was played and the way that it was done, in winning majors by eight and 15 shots, it was just incredible stuff. ‘At this moment in time, the competition is now so severe that any lapse at all, and there is someone willing to take up that baton. ‘And that wasn’t the case with Tiger. Tiger had this dominance that Rory hasn’t got yet.’

Tiger Woods has confirmed he will compete in the upcoming Masters . Woods goes into the Masters after plummeting to 104 in world rankings . Colin Montgomerie believes it is important for Woods to impress .


Twelve months ago, Liverpool were a free-flowing, potent attacking force with the SS (Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge) firing on all cylinders - the pair would eventually end up scoring 52 of Liverpool's 101 goals in the Premier League.This season, however, the goals have dried up. Replacing Suarez was always going to be a near-impossible task, but Liverpool fans would have started the season quietly confident that the quality was there to collectively make up for the Uruguayan's absence. Unfortunately for Brendan Rodgers, things in the final third have not quite clicked in the final third in the way they did last season. Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge (right) scored 52 Premier League goals for Liverpool last season . Raheem Sterling has struggled in front of goal this season, scoring only scored six Premier League goals . Jordan Henderson (centre) celebrates scoring sixth goal of the season, a penalty against Arsenal on Saturday . With just seven games of the season left Liverpool have scored just 45 goals - compared to 84 at the same stage last season - and their top scorers - Raheem Sterling, Jordan Henderson and Steven Gerrard - have scored six goals each. To put that into context, only Crystal Palace (Dwight Gayle and Mile Jedinak - four) and Sunderland (Adam Johnson and Steven Fletcher - four) have top scorers with fewer Premier League goals than Liverpool. while Aston Villa's top scorers Christian Benteke and Gabriel Agbonlahor have also only managed six each. What the stats clearly show is that Liverpool have not filled the void left by Suarez, they are missing a Harry Kane (19 goals), a Diego Costa (also 19), a Sergio Aguero (17), even a Charlie Austin (16 goals) - and it has cost them dearly. Harry Kane (centre) didn't score against Burnley on Sunday, but has 19 Premier League goals this season . Diego Costa is the joint top scorer in the Premier League with 19 goals in his first season in England . Liverpool fans would argue that in Sturridge, who scored 21 league goals last term, they do have a player capable of scoring 20+ goals a season - and they are right. The England striker has had a frustrating season due to various injuries, and that is unfortunate, but Liverpool's others goal threats - Raheem Sterling, Mario Balotelli and Rickie Lambert - simply haven't met the standards set by the SS last season. Some may also argue that while Liverpool lack a single focal point in attack, the group as a whole have picked up the slack. That may be true to an extent but Kane and Costa have scored more than Sterling, Henderson and Gerrard combined. And there can be little doubt that had Sturridge remained fit all season he would have more than six Premier League goals by this stage of the season. The are mitigating circumstances for Liverpool, no doubt, but the stats don't lie and the fact that no one person has grabbed the mantle left by Suarez or Sturridge has proven costly for Liverpool - and may be a crucial reason why they miss out on Champions League football next season. Only Sunderland and Crystal Palace have top scorers with fewer Premier League goals than Liverpool this season. ARSENAL - Alexis Sánchez, Olivier Giroud. 14. ASTON VILLA - Christian Benteke, Gabriel Agbonlahor. 6. BURNLEY - Danny Ings. 9. CHELSEA - Diego Costa. 19. CRYSTAL PALACE - Dwight Gayle, Mile Jedinak. 5. EVERTON - Romelu Lukaku. 8. HULL - Nikica Jelavic. 8. LEICESTER - Leonardo Ulloa. 7. LIVERPOOL - Raheem Sterling, Steven Gerrard, Jordan Henderson. 6. MAN CITY - Sergio Aguero. 17. MAN UNITED - Wayne Rooney. 12. NEWCASTLE - Papiss Cisse. 11. QPR - Charlie Austin 16. SOUTHAMPTON - Graziano Pelle. 8. STOKE - Mame Biram Diouf. 8. SUNDERLAND - Adam Johnson, Steven Fletcher. 4. SWANSEA* - Wilfried Bony. 9. Ki Sung-yueng. 7. TOTTENHAM - Harry Kane. 19. WEST BROM - Saido Berahino. 12. WEST HAM - Diafra Sakho. 10. *Wilfried Bony scored nine goals for Swansea before moving to Man City. The club's current top scorer is Ki Sung-yueng with seven goals.

Raheem Sterling, Jordan Henderson and Steven Gerrard are Liverpool's top scorers in the Premier League this season with six goals each . Seventeen of 20 Premier League clubs have top scorers with more goals . Liverpool are paying for failing to properly replace goals of Luis Suarez .


The Miami Open is threatening to turn into national cake week, after Serena Williams became the latest recipient of a giant celebration present after she clocked her 700th career victory. The day following Andy Murray’s 500th win another huge cake was wheeled out to mark Williams reaching the semi-final with a 7-6, 1-6, 6-3 progression over Germany’s Sabine Lisicki. Williams’s hopes of another meeting with sister Venus were dashed by her elder sibling’s defeat to Spain’s Carla Suarez Navarro, but the world No 1 was intent on staying alive in what is the nearest thing she has to a hometown event. Serena Williams strikes a pose next to her cake after recording her 700th career victory . Williams beat Sabine Lisicki in three sets on Wednesday to progress to the semi-finals of the Miami Open . Willaims celebrates as the world No 1 sealed a match against either Sloane Stephens or Simona Halep . Andy Murray pretends to take a bite out a celebratory cake presented to him after winning his 500th match . In a battle of two huge servers, Williams seemed to give away the second set but eventually gained a measure of revenge for the shock defeat she suffered at Wimbledon 2013 against the same opponent, who has never quite been the same since. Williams will face Romania's Simona Halep for a place in the final after the third-seed beat Sloane Stephens 6-1, 7-5. Williams plays a backhand during her quarter-final at Crandon Park in Florida on Wednesday . Lisicki and Williams shake hands at the net after the tight match at the Miami Open . Simona Halep celebrates after beating Sloane Stephens to reach the Miami Open semi-finals .

Serena Williams progresses to semi-finals after beating Sabine Lisicki . Williams beats German in three sets at Miami Open - 7-6, 1-6, 6-3 . World No 1 presented with cake after 700th career victory . Andy Murray was similarly given reward after 500th career win .


Andy Murray has a fairly simple message for any of his fellow British tennis players who might be agitated about the imminent arrival of Aljaz Bedene into the home ranks: don’t complain. Instead the British No 1 believes his colleagues should use the assimilation of the world No 83, originally from Slovenia, as motivation to better themselves. At present any grumbles are happening in private, and Bedene’s present ineligibility for the Davis Cup team has made it less of an issue, although that could change if his appeal to play is allowed by the International Tennis Federation. Aljaz Bedene is pictured at his British citizenship ceremony in Hatfield on Tuesday morning . Andy Murray says British players anyone questioning the move should work on their world ranking . Bedene poses for a picture with friends and family outside the petty sessional court building in Hatfield . Last year, when Bedene stated he intended to try to make the switch, the then British No 3 Dan Evans expressed some doubts about its legitimacy, wondering why he would wish to do it. But Murray thinks anyone questioning the move, now it has become official, would be better working on getting their ranking closer to his. ‘If he was 500 in the world they wouldn’t be that fussed about it but obviously he threatens their position a bit,’ said the 27-year-old Scot. ‘And he’s obviously the British No 2, comfortably. ‘So they can complain but the best thing to do is use it in the right way and accept it for what it is, and try to use it as motivation whether they agree with it or not. He’s British now so they’ve just got to deal with it. ‘I would hope that all the guys who are below him now, like James Ward, Kyle Edmund and Liam Broady, will use it as motivation. If he becomes eligible for Davis Cup ties then those guys are going to have to prove themselves. ‘He’s a good player but so are James and Kyle, and Liam has improved. Aljaz is there, he’s on the tour every week, the other guys aren’t quite there yet.’ Murray admits Bedene's stance threatens certain players position as he is on tour every week . James Ward (left) and Kyle Edmund should try to use Bedene as motivation to get better as a player . Bedene (right) with girlfriend Kimalie, who is a pop singer in her native land of Slovenia . For the first time, Murray, who has an encyclopaedic knowledge of the top 100, gave his opinion of Bedene: ‘He’s a good player with a very good serve. He’s a legitimate top-100 player, when he plays challengers he’s there or thereabouts, when he plays on the main tour he wins matches, it’s not like he turns up and always loses in the first round. ‘He had a bad (wrist) injury last year but has recovered well. I would imagine he would keep moving up the rankings, although I don’t know exactly how high he can go. I’ve practised with him a couple of times, I haven’t seen him play loads, but when you serve as well as he does it helps. I would imagine he’s going to be comfortably in the top 70 or 80 in the world for a while.’ Bedene can individually represent any country he wants where he holds a passport. The Davis Cup is a greyer area as from January 1 playing for two countries in a career was outlawed and he was picked for the Slovenian squad three times — but he will argue his intentions were clear before then and his citizenship was being held up by bureaucratic process. It is understood the Lawn Tennis Association will give support to his case but have made it clear that the onus is on him to lead the way. An official statement said: ‘To have another player in the men’s top 100 is clearly a positive thing and so we very much welcome Aljaz’s change in citizenship.’ Murray says Bedene is a great server who could possibly move up the rankings . Murray gets pumped up on his way to victory over Kevin Anderson at the Miami Open . Murray proudly poses with a cake, saying 'It's an amazing feeling' after winning his 500th game . Switching nationalities is always a contentious issue in any sport and Evans’s questions have some pertinence to them. There is a recent precedent, however. Two years ago Australian Brydan Klein switched to represent GB by virtue of his mother originally being from Manchester. He subsequently struggled but his form has picked up and he is now ranked 210 in the world to make himself the national No 5. Last year that would have guaranteed a Wimbledon wildcard worth, minimally, a staggering £27,000. However, there is now no automatic recommendation for a Championships wildcard for Brits ranked inside the top 250. The last comparable switch came twenty years ago when Greg Rusedski arrived from Canada. It was by no means universally popular but, like Bedene, he pledged that he was in for the long haul and, in fairness to him, he proved true to his word. The Great Britain Davis Cup team celebrate their victory against the USA in Glasgow last month .

Aljaz Bedene officially became a British citizen at a ceremony on Tuesday . The 25-year-old is currently ranked No 83 in the world but will be GB No 2 . Andy Murray says fellow British players like James Ward and Kyle Edmund should not complain about the assimilation . Bedene was born in Slovenia and could rise up the rankings, says Murray . British No 1 insists young stars should use Bedene as motivation .


South Korea's Kim Sei-young spectacularly eagled the par-five 18th to surge into a two-shot lead in the second round of the ANA Inspiration on Friday as Lydia Ko's record-equalling run came to an end. The 22-year-old Kim, who won her maiden LPGA Tour title at the Pure Silk-Bahamas LPGA Classic in February, struck a superb second shot to six feet on her final hole and knocked in the putt to card a seven-under-par 65 at Mission Hills Country Club. That left the Korean at seven-under 137 in the first women's major of the season, two ahead of overnight leader Morgan Pressel, who followed her opening 67 with a 72. Lydia Ko looks for her ball in the water on the 18th hole during the second round . Long-hitting American Brittany Lincicome, the 2009 champion at Mission Hills, fired a 68 to finish at four under, level with Korean Jenny Shin (69) and Scotland's Catriona Matthew (69). Kim, who had returned a 72 in the first round, birdied four of her first nine holes to claw her way up the leaderboard. She picked up further shots at the 11th and 15th before making her only bogey of the day at the 16th, then ended her round in eagle style. 'I really hit the ball good and putted really good,' said Kim, who is playing in only her third major championship. 'I'm very happy. 'Yesterday I adjust a little bit my putting ... now I see the line better.' Ko missed out on recording her 30th successive under-par round . Pressel, who at 18 became the youngest winner of a women's major at the 2007 Kraft Nabisco Championship held at Mission Hills, was a frustrated figure after shooting a level-par 72. 'I had to fight a little bit harder today,' said the 26-year-old American. 'My swing wasn't quite as sharp as it was yesterday. I made some sloppy bogeys and some really good pars. But I give myself a chance for the weekend.' Ko's record-equalling run of 29 consecutive rounds under par on the LPGA Tour came to end when the world No 1 bogeyed two of her last four holes for a 73 and a level-par total of 144. The 17-year-old, who has already won six LPGA titles, had a chance to dip under par after hitting a perfect tee shot down the 18th but her attempt to lay up with a six-iron failed as her ball ran through the fairway into a pond in front of the green. Sei Young Kim of South Korea has a two-shot lead at the halfway point . Penalised a stroke, she hit her fourth shot to 12 feet above the hole from where she two-putted for a bogey six. 'It was 169 (yards) to the end of the fairway and it was still 20 yards after that with the rough so I thought a six-iron would be okay, even it flew out of there,' Ko told Golf Channel. 'Obviously it wasn't the right club. I would love to have had a birdie opportunity there.' However, Ko was happy enough to have matched Hall of Famer Annika Sorenstam's record run of 29 consecutive sub-par rounds. 'You just go out there, try and have fun, try to shoot the lowest you can,' said the pony-tailed New Zealander. 'Now it's over but 29 is not too bad.'

Lydia Ko is seven shots behind leader Kim Sei-young . Ko had been aiming for a 30th consecutive under-par round . But the world No 1 could only finish on one-over par .


Nick Scholfield is lined up to ride Spring Heeled in the Grand National at Aintree on April 11 . Nick Scholfield has been lined up to ride Jim Culloty’s Spring Heeled in the Crabbie’s Grand National at Aintree on Saturday week. Scholfield had been expected to partner Paul Nicholls-trained Sam Winner, who was pulled up in the Cheltenham Gold Cup, in the £1million race. But the champion trainer  said on Wednesday it was unfair to tie Scholfield down to a gelding which is far from certain to run when the mount on another leading definite contender is being offered. Scholfield, who has ridden in six Nationals and finished third in 2013 on Teaforthree, will travel to Ireland to sit on Spring Heeled at Culloty’s County Cork stable on Friday. Nicholls said: ‘I have not made up my mind if I am going to run Sam Winner yet and Nick needed a decision. ‘I did not want to get into a situation next week when I had to say "sorry mate, he is not running" and did not want to stop him getting a good ride. ‘I have not pressed any buttons on any of the horses who ran at Cheltenham. That will happen over the weekend and early next week. I don’t want to run unless I am really happy. ‘I have plenty of other lads who could ride Sam Winner if he runs and would not be afraid to use Will Biddick or Harry Skelton.’ Spring Heeled (right) wins the Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup at Cheltenham last year . Spring Heeled, winner of Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup at last season’s Cheltenham Festival, has been given a National preparation. The eight-year-old has run only once since finishing fourth to Road To Riches in the Galway Plate in July when he was fourth of five in the Bobbyjo Chase at Fairyhouse in February. Racemail revealed on Wednesday that Culloty would have two runners in the National. Robbie McNamara will ride his 2014 Gold Cup winner Lord Windermere. Scholfield rides Teaforthree (front) as the horse jumps the last fence at Aintree in the 2013 Grand National . McNamara said: ‘It's a great ride to get and I'm looking forward to it. I've ridden him before in a Grade One in Leopardstown and I was supposed to ride him in the Hennessy there as well, but I broke my collarbone the day before. I'm delighted to get back on him.’ With Nigel Twiston-Davies-trained Double Ross another confirmed non runner, David Pipe’s well supported Soll appears guaranteed a run at the bottom of the weights. Luke Morris became the first jockey to ride 100 winners during an All Weather Flat racing season when a double at Chelmsford on Wednesday aboard Giantouch and Middle East Pearl carried him to 101 successes for the campaign.

Nick Scholfield is lined up to ride Spring Heeled in the Grand National . The famous race takes place at Aintree on April 11 . Scholfield travels to Ireland to sit on Spring Heeled on Friday .


Reigning champion Novak Djokovic dug deep to avoid a shock exit at the hands of Alexandr Dolgopolov before powering into the quarter-finals of the Miami Open. The unseeded Dolgopolov - ranked 65th in the world, 64 places behind Djokovic - surprised the Serbian by winning a first-set tie-break and building a quick 4-2 lead in the second set. But Djokovic steeled himself and rallied to force a decider, which he wrapped up without much resistance from his deflated Ukrainian opponent. Novak Djokovic celebrates after securing a quarter-final place at the Miami Open . Novak Djokovic came back from a set down to reach the quarter-finals of the Miami Open on Tuesday . Alexandr Dolgopolov had both of his soles bandaged and won only three points in the final set . Djokovic claimed a succession of long exchanges in the second set to even the match and go on to win . The 6-7 (3/7) 7-5 6-0 triumph pits the world number one against David Ferrer in the last eight after the Spaniard saw off Gilles Simon 7-6 (7/5) 6-0 in a little over an hour and a half. Also through to the quarters are British number one Andy Murray and fourth seed Kei Nishikori. The Scot racked up a 500th career win by edging out Kevin Anderson 6-4 3-6 6-3 to book a meeting with Austrian Dominic Thiem, a 7-6 (7/5) 4-6 7-5 victor against Adrian Mannarino. Nishikori of Japan made light work of David Goffin and his 6-1 6-2 sees him progress to a match-up against big-serving American John Isner, who rallied to upset fifth seed Milos Raonic 6-7 (3/7) 7-6 (8/6) 7-6 (7/5) in a match which last two and three-quarter hours. David Ferrer celebrates after defeating Gilles Simon to book his place in the last eight . Simon is grounded after a fall during his defeat to Ferrer, who faces Novak Djokovic next . Andy Murray was given a celebratory cake to mark 500 wins on the ATP circuit after beating Kevin Anderson . Tomas Berdych also made it through to the quarter-finals by beating Gael Monfils . Kei Nishikori is also through to the last eight, defeating Serbia's Viktor Troicki . Czech challenger Tomas Berdych reached his sixth quarter-final of the season by beating Gael Monfils 6-3 3-2. The Frenchman conceded the match by retirement after suffering a heavy fall on court, and Berdych will meet Juan Monaco following the unseeded Argentinian's 6-3 6-3 conquest of Fernando Verdasco. In the women's competition, Carla Suarez Navarro lost the first set 6-0 but hit back to see off Venus Williams 0-6 6-1 7-5 and reach the semi-finals. There she will face Germany's Andrea Petkovic after the ninth seed beat Karolina Pliskova of the Czech Republic 6-4 6-2.

Novak Djokovic came from a set down to beat Alexandr Dolgopolov . The world No 1 remains in contention for his fifth Miami Open win . Dolgopolov became less mobile after receiving treatment to his feet . Djokovic faces David Ferrer next after Spaniard beat Gilles Simon . Andy Murray through after beating South Africa's Kevin Anderson .


Newport Gwent Dragons reached the European Challenge Cup semi-finals with a thrilling 25-21 victory over Cardiff Blues. Tries from wing Hallam Amos, replacement Nic Cudd, a penalty try plus penalties from Tom Prydie and Dorian Jones and two Prydie conversions brought the Dragons back from a big deficit to victory. Scrum-half Lloyd Williams, fly-half Gareth Anscombe and number eight Josh Navidi crossed for the Blues, while Anscombe added three conversions. Dragons replacement Nic Cudd powers over for try against Cardiff at Rodney Parade . The draw could not have set-up a more mouth-watering Welsh clash than this encounter between the old rivals, with an away trip to either London Irish or Edinburgh the reward for the victors. Cardiff held the upper hand historically, having won the Challenge Cup in 2010 when beating French outfit Toulon 28-21, while the furthest the Dragons had gone in Europe's second tournament was the semi-final stage. The Blues fielded a lot of their big guns, including Wales captain Sam Warburton, while the home region curiously left star British Lions number eight Taulupe Faletau on the bench. The visitors came out of the blocks with a blast, forcing the Dragons onto the defensive over their own line. From the attacking scrum five, the ball found its way to Williams to cross by the post and make Anscombe's conversion easy. Cardiff Blues scrum half Lloyd Williams crashes over for a Blues try in the first half . Prydie reduced the arrears when landing a long-range penalty but the Dragons suffered the loss of international ace Andrew Coombs with a bad leg injury, bringing Faletau into the fray to the loud cheers of the crowd. It was a real cut and thrust affair but the Blues played with far more cohesion and they came up trumps again when, again from a scrum five, the ball went to Anscombe who drove through weak tackling to the line and again converted. The Dragons did themselves no favours with an average kicking game as the Blues found the spaces and pushed them back. The Dragons sqaud are overjoyed after they were awarded a penalty try . But the home side pulled themselves back to within four points of the Blues at half-time when Amos was put away by scrum-half Jonathan Evans under the posts, with Prydie converting. A thorn in the Dragons side was opposition wing Alex Cuthbert, who forced the home defence into multiple tackles - including one from full-back Jason Tovey, whose thumping hit prevented a possible runaway touchdown. The Dragons took it to the Blues after the break as an attacking line-out set up a series of thrusts to the visiting line before Cudd saw a gap and went over just seconds after coming on for flanker James Thomas. Cardiff players Sam Warburton (left),  Matthew Rees (cebtre) and Josh Turnbull walk off the pitch at full-time . Prydie's conversion hit the post but the home side were on top and went in front for the first time when a clearance attempt a few metres from his line by Lloyd Williams was charged down and, as it crossed the line, a try was infringed. Referee JP Doyle had no hesitation in running under the posts for a penalty try, easily converted by Prydie - with Williams earning 10 minutes in the bin. A penalty from Dorian Jones further increased the Dragons' lead - but the vsitors would not give up. From a series of scrums on the home line, Navidi picked up and went by the posts with Anscombe's conversion reducing the deficit to four points. However, the Dragons survived an onslaught in the dying minutes to hold on for the victory.

Newport Gwent Dragons scored tries through Hallam Amos and Nic Cudd along with a penalty try . Cardiff replied with scores from Lloyd Williams, Gareth Anscombe and number eight Josh Navidi . Wales captain Sam Warburton was in action for the Blues .


An Australian kangaroo has hopped to it's freedom, shocking onlookers in West Germany. Police in Rhein Erft, received a bizarre phone call explaining that a large kangaroo was spotted 'happily' hopping through a field. They immediately assumed it was a April Fools prank and dismissed the strange call. Scroll down for video . Police in Rhein Erft, Germany initially dismissed reports that a kangaroo was found hopping in a field nearby . They discovered that the call was in fact serious and later found the Australian marsupial in a field in Bruhl . It wasn't until the caller was questioned in detail and provided 'very believable' answers, that the police realised that they were telling the truth. They were shocked to find a large, Australian kangaroo 'happily' hopping through a field in the town of Bruhl, 20 kilometres south of the city centre of Cologne. They attempted to capture the beast with the help of the local fire department, to no avail reported Deutsche Welle news. Police instead began to work on finding out who the marsupial belonged to. The owners later came forward and it is believed that the animal's fencing was damaged due to severe storms . They contacted a travelling circus who had recently passed through the area but they could account for all of their kangaroos. The owners later contacted police after their kangaroo had returned to it's enclosure. It is suspected that the animal's fencing was damaged after the severe storm names 'Niklas' by German meteorologists battered through Europe. The super storm had gusts of up to 192 kilometres per hour and was one of the most powerful storms in recent years.

A kangaroo has been found hopping through a field in Bruhl, Germany . German police initially believed the report was an April Fools day prank . After realising the caller was serious they found the beast in a nearby field . The owners later called police when the animal returned to it's enclosure . It is suspected that the it's fencing was damaged after severe storms .


Social media has reacted after Channel 7 managed to let a questionable name appear on screen during one of Australia’s biggest charity telethons. TV hosts stood by unaware that philanthropist Hugh G. Rection made a generous donation of $32.38, which earned his name some valuable screen time. Twitter users were quick to identify the blunder. Twitter users were quick to notice Hugh's generous donation . In a record breaking effort The Royal Children’s Hospital’s Good Friday Appeal managed to rake in over $17.1 million that will be put towards vital research and facilities to benefit their young patients. The massive effort foreshadowed the $16.8 million donated at last year’s event. While a host of people rattled tins for donations around 1500 volunteers were madly counting the offerings. Every year the Good Friday Appeal calls on people from all parts of the community to help raise much needed funds to support the work of The Royal Children’s Hospital. Twitter users react to onscreen blunder where Channel 7 allowed the name Hugh G. Rection to feature on the screen during the broadcasting of The Royal Children’s Hospital’s Good Friday Appeal .

Channel 7 were left red faced after letting a rude name appear on screen . A donation for $32.38 earned Hugh. G Rection some screen time . Twitter users were quick to identify the on-screen blunder . The telethon appeal for the Royal Children's Hospital saw a record breaking number of donations .


Spain's Carla Suarez Navarro came back from a dreadful first set to defeat three-times Miami Open champion Venus Williams 0-6, 6-1, 7-5 at Key Biscayne on Tuesday and set up a semi-final clash with Germany's ninth seed Andrea Petkovic. Petkovic booked her place in the last four after a 6-4, 6-2 win over 14th seeded Czech Karolina Pliskova. Williams utterly dominated the first set, crushing the Spaniard 6-0 in less than half an hour but her opponent was able to regroup and battle back in impressive style. Venus Williams shows her frustrations as she loses to Carla Suarez Navarro in the Miami Open last eight . Suarez Navarro celebrates as she completes her comeback against three-time Miami champion Williams . Suddenly regaining her confidence Suarez Navarro won the first four games and went on to take the second set 6-1. The third set bucked the trend for one-sided exchanges until Suarez Navarro broke to go 5-4 up only for Venus to break back straight away. The Spaniard won the last two games however to continue an impressive season that has seen her reach two other semi-finals and make the last eight at Indian Wells for the first time. 'It was a crazy match, crazy first two sets. Venus was unbelievable at the beginning. I started a bit nervous but even if you lose the first set you are still in the competition and I am happy with the way I came back,' said Suarez Navarro. Williams chases to her right to play a forehand during her quarter-final on Tuesday evening . Williams (left) shakes hands across the net with Suarez Navarro as the Spaniard goes through . Williams said she had struggled to find consistency. 'I just made a little too many errors and I was going for it the whole match. Towards the end just never found the happy medium between being aggressive and putting the ball in the court,' she said. Petkovic made a blistering start, going up 4-1 in the first set but the 23-year-old Pliskova powered her way back to 4-4 and then had three break points, all of which were saved. Petkovic, the 2011 Miami semi-finalist, won the next five games and wrapped up the match in one hour, 16 minutes. Andrea Petkovic has her eye on the ball as she plays a forehand during her quarter-final victory . Czech Karolina Pliskova hits a serve but later loses in straight sets to the German ninth seed . 'I was playing really well at the start but I couldn't see the ball on my serve with the sun on one side and I was struggling,' said Petkovic. 'Karolina also started playing really well and I was a little lucky at the end of the first set. But then I got better and better from there,' she said. Wednesday's quarter-finals see top seed Serena Williams take on Germany's Sabine Lisicki while third-seed Romanian Simona Halep faces American Sloane Stephens.

Carla Suarez Navarro beat Venus Williams in the Miami Open quarter-finals . The Spaniard fought back from a first-set bagel to win 0-6, 6-1, 75 . German No 9 seed Andrea Petkovic beat Karolina Pliskova 6-4, 6-2 . CLICK HERE for all the latest from the Miami Open .


Somerset's new limited-overs captain Alfonso Thomas has agreed to coach Delhi Daredevils in the Indian Premier League this month. Veteran seamer Thomas, still recovering from a broken ankle, is not yet fit for selection for Somerset's first LV= County Championship fixture at home to Durham - and is therefore free, with his club's blessing, to take up the short-term coaching appointment with Delhi until April 16. Veteran Somerset seamer has agreed a deal to become Delhi Daredevils coach in the Indian Premier League . Somerset director of cricket Matthew Maynard said: 'The chance arose for him to take on a short-term coaching role at Delhi - which is great experience, should he wish to move into coaching in the future.' Thomas will continue his rehabilitation in India in the hope of being fit again in time for Somerset's second championship fixture against Middlesex at the end of this month. He said: 'I have enjoyed my time as a player in the IPL, and this is a great opportunity to gain coaching experience in the short term - and to work with Gary Kirsten - which I am really looking forward to'.

Alfonso Thomas to coach in Indian Premier League this month . Veteran Somerset bowler has agreed a deal with the Delhi Daredevils . 2015 edition of Indian Premier League to begin on April 8 .