Mo Salah strikes late as Liverpool snatch draw at title rivals Arsenal

Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah celebrates scoring their second goal against Arsenal with Darwin Nunez. (Action Images via Reuters)
Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah celebrates scoring their second goal against Arsenal with Darwin Nunez. (Action Images via Reuters)
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Updated 27 October 2024
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Mo Salah strikes late as Liverpool snatch draw at title rivals Arsenal

Mo Salah strikes late as Liverpool snatch draw at title rivals Arsenal
  • Salah’s eighth goal in 13 games in all competitions this season was aided by Arsenal’s latest rash of injuries

LONDON: Mohamed Salah rescued Liverpool as the Egypt star’s late equalizer earned a pulsating 2-2 draw against title rivals Arsenal on Sunday.
Arne Slot’s side were on the brink of only their second defeat this season until Salah netted with nine minutes left at the Emirates Stadium.
Liverpool had fallen behind to Bukayo Saka’s early opener and, although Virgil van Dijk equalized, Mikel Merino put Arsenal back in front before half-time.
Salah’s eighth goal in 13 games in all competitions this season was aided by Arsenal’s latest rash of injuries, with defenders Gabriel Magalhaes and Jurrien Timber both forced off in the second half.
Manchester City were the real winners on Sunday as the draw in north London ensured they finished the weekend on top of the Premier League.
Unbeaten City, who beat Southampton 1-0 on Saturday, are one point ahead of second-placed Liverpool, with third-placed Arsenal sitting five points adrift of top spot.
It was only the second time Liverpool had failed to win since Slot replaced Jurgen Klopp in the close-season, starting his Anfield reign with 12 victories from 13 games in all competitions.
Even so, Liverpool will be happier with the point after showing impressive resolve to twice come from behind against a fellow title contender.
Arsenal were left to lick their wounds after the defensive injuries that left them fatally exposed.
They were already without Riccardo Calafiori, sidelined by an injury suffered against Shakhtar Donetsk in midweek, while William Saliba served a suspension following his dismissal in last weekend’s loss at Bournemouth.
Mikel Arteta’s side have now gone two league games without a win, leaving them with only three victories in their last seven top-flight matches in a major setback to their hopes of a first title since 2004.
Saka, back from two games out with injury, had given Arsenal the perfect start in the ninth minute.
Ben White’s sublime long pass sent Saka surging down the right flank before he deftly cut back into the Liverpool area, leaving Andrew Robertson trailing in his wake as he lashed a fierce close-range strike into the roof of the net.
Merino nearly gifted Liverpool an immediate equalizer when he carelessly let the ball run to Salah, who rifled his shot just wide from the edge of the area.
So often over the last two seasons, Arsenal have been dead ball masters thanks to their set-piece coach Nicolas Jover, but for once they were exposed as Liverpool drew level in the 18th minute.
Luis Diaz beat Kai Havertz to flick on Trent Alexander-Arnold’s corner and Van Dijk got in front of Thomas Partey as the Dutch defender stooped to head home from close-range.
But Arsenal’s prowess from set-pieces enabled them to regain the lead in the 43rd minute.
Declan Rice’s teasing free-kick arrowed into the Liverpool area and Merino was perfectly placed to thump his header past Caoimhin Kelleher from six yards.
A lengthy VAR check followed to confirm Merino was just onside as the Spain midfielder celebrated his first goal since his close-season arrival from Real Sociedad.
Arsenal keeper David Raya plunged to his right to keep out Alexis Mac Allister’s header on the final seconds of a thrilling first half.
Arteta’s already makeshift defense suffered another blow when Gabriel limped off with a knee injury after a challenge from Darwin Nunez early in the second half.
Without their first choice center-back, Arsenal adopted a more cautious approach and Raya was booked for time-wasting with over 20 minutes to play.
But the Gunners lost Timber to an injury in the closing stages as their defensive issues reached crisis point and handed Liverpool a lifeline.
With just nine minutes left, Arsenal’s under-manned rearguard was ruthlessly exposed as Alexander-Arnold’s lofted pass sent Nunez clear of teenage substitute Myles Lewis-Skelly.
Nunez slipped in the unmarked Salah and he slotted home as Arsenal slumped to the turf in frustration.


The Emirati officials putting safety at the heart of the Formula 1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

The Emirati officials putting safety at the heart of the Formula 1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
Updated 06 December 2024
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The Emirati officials putting safety at the heart of the Formula 1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

The Emirati officials putting safety at the heart of the Formula 1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
  • Heba Abbas Bahaj and Shuhab Ahmed Al-Shehhi explain the vital roles they play during race week at Yas Marina Circuit

ABU DHABI: As the Formula 1 action begins at Yas Marina Circuit, Emirate officials will proudly represent the UAE as part of a strong and diverse team working behind the scenes to ensure everything runs smoothly and safely.

Among those playing a crucial role at the Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix weekend are Heba Abbas Bahaj and Shuhab Ahmed Al-Shehhi. As members of the Emirates Motorsport Organization, their responsibilities include helping ensure the drivers’ safety on track and keeping the public out of harm’s way.

Heba, who has 16 years of experience, will have the best seat in the house when the lights go out at the start of the race, and when the checkered flag waves at the end. As chief flag official, one of her responsibilities is to monitor the start and finish of all sessions and races over the weekend, liaising closely with race control.

“A lot of preparation goes into what is essentially the biggest motorsport event in our race calendar,” said Heba, 41, who volunteered at the first Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in 2009 before starting her career as an EMSO official.

“For my position, the training sessions include ‘flag refresher,’ ‘communication’ and ‘pit lane’ and they span over two months, culminating in a practical shakedown session at the end. We had to pass a written exam to be ready for the event.”

From Friday to Sunday, Heba says she expects to get approximately four hours of sleep each night, leaving her house at 6 a.m. and returning late in the evening. Despite the long, hectic days it is a job she loves, and she is looking forward to helping make sure the event is a success.

She said: “Yes, we have the best seat at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, but it’s not all glamour and easy. As officials, it’s our responsibility to ensure everyone is safe, as well as the safety of the track section we are responsible for. Therefore, we need to be vigilant and attentive at all times, which means standing on our feet for long periods of time, monitoring, and reporting on incidents we see that might affect the safety or integrity of the race.

“As start and finish line officials, we need to be super attentive and monitor what’s going on (on) track, especially when it’s a close finish and the leader is approaching our location. Now, imagine having to do all of this under the watchful eyes of millions of people — yes, it’s a fun and enjoyable time, but it’s also a lot of pressure and responsibility.”

Joining Heba on the EMSO team of officials is Shuhab Ahmed Al-Shehhi. With 12 years’ experience, the 38-year-old enters the F1 season finale as the event’s F1 sector chief.

His main priorities during race week include ensuring his team understand their roles and have the correct equipment for going trackside, monitoring areas for hazardous materials, and attending a daily debrief.

He said: “I am really excited about this week’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, although it will be a busy period. I always try to pass on positive vibes to people that I meet as that is very important and sets the tone ahead.

“Having been in this field for 12 years, what pleases me the most is the dedication of each official and their determination to do their job to the best of their ability, and I believe anyone who wants to be an EMSO official marshal in the future must be willing to learn, be a team player, and be honest.

“More importantly, they must possess a deep passion for motorsports. I recall the first time I sat in an F1 car many years ago, which ignited my love for the sport. Now, I am serving as a race official for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in my home country.”

Mahir Badri, EMSO chief executive, added: “Since the inaugural Formula 1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in 2009, our collaboration with (Grand Prix organizers) Ethara and Abu Dhabi Motorsports Management has been instrumental in developing a robust team of officials. Today, we are proud to say that our UAE teams are among the best in the world — highly skilled and respected internationally.

“The presence of Formula 1 in Abu Dhabi has made this profession increasingly attractive, and we’re especially proud of our Emirati officials and the diverse community of residents who form the UAE’s EMSO team. They consistently go above and beyond, dedicating their time and energy to ensuring the success of major motorsport events.”

He added: “Just days ago, we concluded the Dubai International Baja, a challenging event that tested the endurance and commitment of our officials, who delivered exceptional results under tough desert conditions.

“With over 6,000 active race officials within EMSO, our team not only excels locally but also plays a significant role internationally, supporting prestigious motorsport events across the globe. Their dedication and professionalism continue to be the backbone of our motorsport community.”


UAE’s Rashid Al-Dhaheri fastest in F4 Middle East Trophy first practice

UAE’s Rashid Al-Dhaheri fastest in F4 Middle East Trophy first practice
Updated 06 December 2024
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UAE’s Rashid Al-Dhaheri fastest in F4 Middle East Trophy first practice

UAE’s Rashid Al-Dhaheri fastest in F4 Middle East Trophy first practice
  • Chloe Chambers tops the F1 Academy timesheet, with title favorite Abbi Pulling in second

ABU DHABI: The UAE’s Rashid Al-Dhaheri recorded the quickest time in the first practice session of the Formula 4 Middle East Trophy Round as the Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2024 weekend officially got underway.

At Yas Marina Circuit, the Mumbai Falcons Racing driver clocked 1:56.905 to hold off Evans GP’s Kai Daryanani of Great Britain, who was second fastest (1:57.309) while Indonesia’s Kabir Anurag of Xcel Motorsport finished third.

Meanwhile, Yas Heat’s Racing Academy saw its drivers in the top 10 fastest times with Adam Al-Azhari (1:57.838) and his teammate August Raber (1:57.930) finishing seventh and ninth, respectively.

Chloe Chambers topped the F1 Academy’s one and only practice session at Yas Marina Circuit with a lap of 1:56.175, followed closely 0.138 seconds later by Abbi Pulling — the current favorite to re-claim the F1 Academy championship in Abu Dhabi.

Dorian Pin’s last lap push was enough to secure third, with Emirati racer Hamda Al-Qubaisi in the Red Bull finishing fourth. With fewer than two-tenths of a second separating the top four front runners, today’s qualifying session should be close.

Fifth-placed Bianca Bustamente has had a tough run in the series, having not scored points since Barcelona, however she looked in decent form in the practice run, leading the rest of the midfield.


NBA to return to China for first time since 2019 fallout

NBA to return to China for first time since 2019 fallout
Updated 06 December 2024
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NBA to return to China for first time since 2019 fallout

NBA to return to China for first time since 2019 fallout
  • No NBA games have been held in China since two pre-season contests in 2019
  • Basketball is hugely popular in China and in the fallout the NBA lost hundreds of millions of dollars

MACAU: The NBA will stage two pre-season games in Macau next October, its deputy commissioner said on Friday, marking its return to China after being frozen out for more than five years.
No NBA games have been held in China since two pre-season contests in 2019 after a tweet from then-Houston Rockets general manager Daryl Morey supporting pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong.
Morey posted an image bearing a slogan used by demonstrators urging the world to “Stand with Hong Kong.”
He later deleted the tweet and apologized, but China effectively cut ties with the league after NBA executives defended Morey’s right to freedom of expression.
Basketball is hugely popular in China and in the fallout the NBA lost hundreds of millions of dollars as a result of it being yanked off Chinese television until 2022.
“It’s my pleasure to announce that the Brooklyn Nets and the Phoenix Suns will play two pre-season games at Sands’ Venetian Arena on October 10 and October 12, 2025,” deputy commissioner Mark Tatum said in Macau.
Macau is a special administrative region under China’s “one country, two systems” framework and is known as the country’s Las Vegas, being the only city that allows gambling.
Tatum said that Macau was home to “some of the most passionate” NBA fans.
The Venetian Arena is part of the Las Vegas Sands conglomerate controlled by the Adelson family, who are the majority ownership group in the Dallas Mavericks.
ESPN, citing unnamed sources, said the relationship between the NBA and China had improved with the aid of NBA China chief executive Michael Ma, who was hired in 2020.
The games will be part of a multimillion-dollar agreement to stage two annual NBA pre-season matches over the next five years in Macau, according to the South China Morning Post.
Las Vegas Sands was “excited... (to be) announcing a multi-year collaboration with one of the most powerful and iconic global sports brands in history,” chief executive Patrick Dumont told a Macau press conference.
Basketball fans on Chinese social media welcomed the announcement, although some were pessimistic that NBA games would ever come back to the mainland.
“I’m so excited just thinking about it and am looking forward to exciting games in October,” one user on social media platform Weibo said.
“Can only go to Macau.. this relationship (between China and the NBA) has not been repaired at all,” another Beijing-based user said.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver forecasted at a sports management conference in October that the league would “bring back games to China at some point.”
“We had a well-known incident there pre-pandemic with a tweet and China’s government took us off the air for a period of time,” Silver said.
“We accepted that. We stood by our values.”
The NBA has looked to grow globally, including playing recent pre-season games in Abu Dhabi.
Emirates Airlines sponsors the NBA Cup, the league’s in-season tournament.
China is home to a huge basketball fanbase and from 2004 to 2019, 17 teams played a total of 28 pre-season games there.
Macau’s multibillion-dollar gambling industry has remained its economic lifeline and main attraction for visitors, although Chinese leader Xi Jinping has urged the city to diversify its portfolio.


Long-range barrage lifts Cavaliers over Nuggets despite Jokic triple-double

Long-range barrage lifts Cavaliers over Nuggets despite Jokic triple-double
Updated 06 December 2024
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Long-range barrage lifts Cavaliers over Nuggets despite Jokic triple-double

Long-range barrage lifts Cavaliers over Nuggets despite Jokic triple-double
  • Cleveland made 22 three-pointers off 48 attempts as Denver connected with six of their 24 attempts from beyond the arc
  • In Washington, Luka Doncic also climbed on the all-time triple-double list, scoring 21 points with 10 rebounds and 10 assists as the Dallas Mavericks piled more misery on the Wizards with a 137-101 victory

LOS ANGELES: Donovan Mitchell scored 28 points and the league-leading Cleveland Cavaliers drilled a season-high 22 three-pointers in a 126-114 NBA victory over Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets on Thursday.

Darius Garland added 24 points and Caris LeVert contributed 21 off the bench as the Cavs withstood a triple-double from NBA Most Valuable Player Jokic to improve to 13-1 at home and 20-3 overall.

Cleveland made 22 three-pointers off 48 attempts as Denver connected with six of their 24 attempts from beyond the arc.

The Nuggets made it close in the first half with a strong showing in the paint, where they would out-score the Cavs 76-40.

Jokic scored 27 points with 20 rebounds and 11 assists for the 139th triple-double of his career, moving past legendary Earvin “Magic” Johnson (138) for third-most all-time.

Russell Westbrook tops the list with 200 career triple-doubles — reaching double digits in three key statistical categories — and Oscar Robertson is second with 181.

The exploits of Serbian star Jokic, who earned a third MVP award last season, helped the Nuggets claw back from an 18-point second-half deficit and cut the lead to nine with less than four minutes to play.

But LeVert and Mitchell answered with three-pointers and the Cavs cruised home.

“It took everybody,” Mitchell said. “Jokic is MVP for a reason, he makes that team phenomenal.”

Jokic called his rise up the triple-double list “a great thing,” but said it’s more something to look back on “after you finish your career.”

After watching his team fall to 11-9, Nuggets coach Michael Malone said he was more concerned about getting the 2023 NBA champions on a firm upward trajectory.

“I love Nikola, I really do, and I’m fortunate to coach him and he’s one of the best to ever do it,” Malone said. “But I’m just so much more concerned about my team right now.”

In Washington, Luka Doncic also climbed on the all-time triple-double list, scoring 21 points with 10 rebounds and 10 assists as the Dallas Mavericks piled more misery on the Wizards with a 137-101 victory.

With his 78th career triple-double the 25-year-old Slovenian star tied Wilt Chamberlain and James Harden for seventh place.

Dallas guard Kyrie Irving led all scorers with 25 points and the Mavs handed the Wizards a 16th straight defeat— matching the team’s longest-ever losing streak.

The Mavs, in contrast, have won six straight and 10 of their last 11.

Oklahoma City guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander put on a show in his hometown, scoring 30 points to lead the Western Conference-leading Thunder to a crushing 129-92 victory over the Raptors in Toronto.

The Thunder notched a sixth win in their last seven games to push their record to 17-5.

Oklahoma City’s suffocating defensive effort included 14 steals and 11 blocked shots and they turned 19 Toronto turnovers into 28 points.

In San Francisco, Jonathan Kuminga scored a career-high 33 points to lead the Golden State Warriors to a 99-93 victory over the Houston Rockets in a preview of their NBA Cup quarterfinal next week.

Andrew Wiggins added 23 points and nine rebounds for Golden State, who snapped a five-game losing streak despite missing stars Stephen Curry and Draymond Green.

In New York, a big third quarter saw the Knicks beat the Charlotte Hornets 125-101 to push their winning streak to four games.

Karl-Anthony Towns scored 27 points and grabbed 16 rebounds and OG Anunoby scored 15 of his 25 points in the third, when the Knicks outscored the Hornets 38-16 to take control for good.

Brandon Miller scored 26 points to lead the Hornets, who led by as many as 13 in the first quarter and were down by just three at halftime but spiraled to a seventh straight defeat.


UFC 310 pits 2 champs in the main event but rest of the card worth a look

UFC 310 pits 2 champs in the main event but rest of the card worth a look
Updated 06 December 2024
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UFC 310 pits 2 champs in the main event but rest of the card worth a look

UFC 310 pits 2 champs in the main event but rest of the card worth a look
  • The card as a whole — even the preliminaries — is filled with intriguing matchups and storylines to close out 2024
  • Three other matches include former champions — heayweight Ciryl Gane, bantamweight Aljamain Sterling and middleweight Chris Weidman

LAS VEGAS: Following a Jon Jones-headlined card is never an easy task, and without a doubt, UFC 310 won’t sell a lot of pay-per-views based on Saturday night’s main event alone.

But the card as a whole — even the preliminaries — is filled with intriguing matchups and storylines to close out 2024.

Whether that’s enough to match the attention Jones received for a third-round technical knockout of Stipe Miocic on Nov. 16 at New York’s Madison Square Garden is another matter.

As for the main event, Alexandre Pantoja will defend his flyweight championship against Kai Asakura, who is making his UFC debut.

They replaced what was to be the main event when welterweight champion Belal Muhammad pulled out because of a bone infection in his foot. Muhammad was to fight Shavkat Rakhmonov, who now takes on Ian Machado Garry in the co-main event. Rakhmonov (18-0) is the third-ranked challenger and Garry (15-0) is seventh.

Three other matches include former champions — heayweight Ciryl Gane, bantamweight Aljamain Sterling and middleweight Chris Weidman. Gane takes on Alexander Volkov, Sterling will fight as a featherweight against Movsar Evloev and Weidman meets Eryk Anders.

Pantoja (28-5) is making his third title defense since winning a split decision over Brandon Moreno at UFC 290 on July 8, 2023. The 34-year-old followed that with a pair of one-sided unanimous-decision victories.

Those performances established him as the clear fighter in his class, and now Pantoja is headlining his second pay-per-view card this year. The first was in his native Brazil for UFC 301 on May 4 and now this one in what is still proclaimed by many to be the fight capital of the world.

“That’s a gift God gave to me,” Pantoja said. “That’s an opportunity to come here and make this main event. I think 2024 was a very good year for flyweights. I think maybe it’s the best year for us.”

Asakura (21-4) will test his skills in the UFC for the first time at age 31. He was the Rizin Fighting Federation bantamweight champion, so entering the octagon for mixed-martial arts premier organization is quite a leap for the Japan native.

BetMGM Sportsbook makes Pantoja a 2-5 favorite.

“The UFC fans have never seen anybody fight like me ever before,” Asakura said through an interpreter. “I always aim to go for a KO finish. I’m an exciting fighter and I’m here to bring excitement back to the flyweight division.”

Asakura said he has created interested since announcing he was joining the UFC and even has been stopped in Las Vegas by fans curious about how his debut might go.

“I realize there are some expectations on this event and this fight, and I’m going to do my best to exceed those expectations and give those fans something very exciting,” Asakura said.

Pantoja said it made sense for the UFC to pair him with Asakura, a champion in another organization, because he had beaten the top two contenders twice each.

“I looked at my rank and tried to figure out who’s going to be my next opponent,” Pantoja said. “Then the UFC contacted Askaura. I think that’s a very good move. That’s the power about UFC, to bring a champ from another promotion.

“If you want to be the best fighter in the world — that’s what he thinks — you need to win the UFC belt.”