Isak fires Newcastle into Premier League top four, Moyes misery

Isak fires Newcastle into Premier League top four, Moyes misery
Newcastle United's Alexander Isak celebrates scoring their first goal during Premier League match between Newcastle United and Wolverhampton Wanderers at St James' Park, Newcastle, Britain on January 15, 2025. (Reuters)
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Updated 16 January 2025
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Isak fires Newcastle into Premier League top four, Moyes misery

Isak fires Newcastle into Premier League top four, Moyes misery
  • The striker is just the fourth different player to score in eight successive Premier League appearances

LONDON: Alexander Isak fired Newcastle into the Premier League’s top four on Wednesday, scoring twice in a 3-0 cruise against Wolves as David Moyes endured a miserable return to the Everton dugout.
Red-hot Isak found the net for the eighth league match in a row as the Magpies leapfrogged faltering Chelsea into fourth spot in the table.
The Swedish international put the home side ahead in the 34th minute when his shot took a huge deflection off Wolves defender Rayan Ait-Nouri, leaving Jose Sa wrong-footed.
The striker is just the fourth different player to score in eight successive Premier League appearances, after Jamie Vardy (twice for Leicester), Ruud van Nistelrooy (twice for Manchester United), and Daniel Sturridge (for Liverpool).
Isak doubled Newcastle’s lead shortly before the hour mark, controlling Bruno Guimaraes’ pass before firing home for his 15th league goal of the season and Anthony Gordon added a third.
Eddie Howe’s men, who have now won six straight league games, have recovered strongly from a lengthy poor spell to make a powerful case for a Champions League spot next season.
Taking advantage of the faltering form of Manchester City and Chelsea, they are just three points behind third-placed Nottingham Forest.
Moyes, in the first game of his second spell in charge of Everton, watched his toothless side lose 1-0 to Aston Villa at Goodison Park.
Ollie Watkins broke the deadlock in the 51st minute, slotting past England teammate Jordan Pickford after he was sent clear by Morgan Rogers.
Everton huffed and puffed but showed a lack of creativity — unsurprising for a team who have scored just 15 league goals in their 20 matches this season.
The result lifts Unai Emery’s Villa to seventh in the table but Everton remain in deep trouble, just one point above the relegation zone in 16th spot.
The Liverpool club’s new owners, the American-based Friedkin Group, sacked Sean Dyche last week and brought back 61-year-old Moyes, who enjoyed success during an 11-year stint at Goodison Park from 2002 to 2013.
But the Toffees, ever-present in the top flight since 1954, have battled relegation for the past three seasons and are once again in deep trouble.
Ruud van Nistelrooy’s Leicester suffered their sixth straight league defeat, losing 2-0 to Crystal Palace to leave the Foxes second from bottom of the table.
Jean-Philippe Mateta put the visitors ahead early in the second half and Marc Guehi made the points safe with a late second.
Arsenal, winless in three matches in all competitions, are hosting injury-hit Tottenham in the late kick-off on Wednesday.


Jabeur through to last 16, Raducanu eliminated at Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open  

Jabeur through to last 16, Raducanu eliminated at Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open   
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Jabeur through to last 16, Raducanu eliminated at Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open  

Jabeur through to last 16, Raducanu eliminated at Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open   
  • Tunisian defeats Jelena Ostapenko and will face Japanese rising star Wakana Sonobe on Wednesday

ABU DHABI: Three-time Grand Slam finalist Ons Jabeur overcame Jelena Ostapenko in straight sets on Tuesday to reach the last 16 of the Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open, while Emma Raducanu suffered a disappointing early exit at the hands of Marketa Vondrousova.

Elsewhere, Belinda Bencic, Leylah Fernandez, Magda Linette and Linda Noskova all progressed on day four of the tournament.

Jabeur faced Ostapenko in the day’s final match on Stadium Court, and it was a case of saving the best for last as the two players pushed each other all the way in a wonderful contest.

In truth, it was a match in which neither player deserved to lose, but Jabeur did enough to edge it, winning the first set via a tie-break before taking the second 7-5 to set up a last-16 clash with 17-year-old Wakana Sonobe.

In a meeting of Grand Slam champions, Raducanu faced Vondrousova and began the match brightly. Having forced an early break of serve to go 3-1 up, the 22-year-old appeared to be in the ascendancy.

A double fault in the following game, however, set the tone for what followed as she struggled to recover, with Vondrousova winning five consecutive games to take the first set.

While Raducanu, at times, produced moments of brilliance, she was hampered by a series of unforced errors. Both players had their moments in the second set, but it was Vondrousova, the 2023 Wimbledon champion, who displayed greater consistency in her game.

At 5-3, Raducanu broke her opponent, who was serving for the match. But it was indicative of her overall performance that in the following game, the Brit was on the opposite end of a break. Vondrousova now progresses to the last 16, and meets Yulia Putintseva, courtesy of a 6-3, 6-4 victory.

Bencic, winner of the inaugural Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open in 2023, made a triumphant return to Zayed Sports City as she overcame the challenge of Rebecca Sramkova in three sets.

Making her first appearance at the stadium since winning the competition, Bencic started the match confidently, dropping just two games as she took the first set comfortably.

Sramkova produced a strong response to win the second set. But Bencic, the 2020 Olympic gold medalist, totally overwhelmed her opponent, running out a 6-2, 3-6, 6-1 winner, and setting up a last-16 meeting against Veronika Kudermetova.

Canada’s Fernandez, runner-up at the 2021 US Open, edged a tight and entertaining encounter against Japan’s Moyuka Uchijima on Stadium Court early in the day.

After the first set had swayed back and forth, it was ultimately settled via a tie-break in the favor of Fernandez. It was a high-tempo contest with both players producing some fantastic shots and intense rallies, and the second set followed a similar pattern to the first.

Once again, a tie-break was required, but sensing victory was in her grasp, Fernandez seized control, winning all seven points without reply to claim a 7-6, 7-6 victory. Fernandez now faces Lulu Sun, conqueror of Caroline Garcia, in the next round.

Noskova took just 61 minutes to qualify for the last 16 as she ruthlessly dispatched Magdalena Frech, winning the first set without dropping a single game on her way to a 6-0, 6-3 victory. She now faces Paula Badosa, a semifinalist at the recent Australian Open, in the next round.

Linette also secured her place in the last 16 courtesy of a straight-sets victory, getting the better of Mexico’s Renata Zarazua, who can count herself unlucky to go out following a spirited performance in which she pushed her opponent all the way.

A semifinalist at the 2023 Australian Open, Linette edged a tight first set before an even closer second went right to the wire. Even during the tie-break, it was difficult to separate the two players, but with the Pole leading 7-6, an over-hit shot from Zarazua settled the contest.

Linette’s reward is a meeting with Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, who booked her place in the last 16 courtesy of a 6-3, 6-1 win over 2020 Australian Open champion, Sofia Kenin.

In the doubles, Japanese duo Shuko Aoyama/Eri Hozumi came out on top in their match against Asia Muhammad/Demi Schuurs.

Both pairs had won a set each with relative ease, but the decisive part of the game was a completely different story, going right to the wire as Aoyama/Hozumi eventually sealed their passage with a 2-6, 6-1, 10-8 victory.

On Wednesday, reigning champion Elena Rybakina begins the defense of her crown against Katie Volynets, while Daria Kasatkina, last year’s beaten finalist, takes on Ashlyn Krueger.


Luka Doncic is excited to join the Lakers after the shock of his stunning trade away from Dallas

Luka Doncic is excited to join the Lakers after the shock of his stunning trade away from Dallas
Updated 05 February 2025
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Luka Doncic is excited to join the Lakers after the shock of his stunning trade away from Dallas

Luka Doncic is excited to join the Lakers after the shock of his stunning trade away from Dallas
  • The superstar has begun to recover after his first two days in LA, and he’s growing increasingly excited about a new chapter with LeBron James and his famed new team
  • The Lakers formally welcomed Doncic on Tuesday, less than three days after they traded Anthony Davis and Max Christie in a three-team deal for the Slovenian scorer

EL: Luka Doncic was nearly asleep last Saturday night in Dallas when his phone buzzed. Only then did he learn that the Mavericks had just stunned the sports world by trading him to the Los Angeles Lakers.

“You can imagine how surprised I was,” Doncic said. “I had to check if it was April 1. I didn’t really believe it.”

The superstar has begun to recover after his first two days in LA, and he’s growing increasingly excited about a new chapter with LeBron James and his famed new team on the sunny West Coast.

And while his past and future teammates say Doncic has never lacked motivation to be great, he has all the fuel he’ll ever need after the Mavericks inherently questioned his talent and determination by making this seismic trade.

“It was a big shock,” Doncic said. “(Dallas) was home, so it was really hard moments for me. … (But now) I get to play in the greatest club in the world, and I’m excited for this new journey.”

The Lakers formally welcomed Doncic on Tuesday, less than three days after they traded Anthony Davis and Max Christie in a three-team deal for the Slovenian scorer who won his first scoring title last season before leading the Mavs to the NBA Finals. Doncic is a five-time All-NBA selection and a five-time All-Star.

Stars of Doncic’s age and accomplishments are almost never traded in any sport, and particularly not in such an abrupt manner. But when Dallas decided to move on from its 25-year-old centerpiece, the Lakers eagerly gave up Davis — one of basketball’s best big men — to make it happen.

Doncic is still processing the upheaval, but he already is seeing the limitless upside of a career in Los Angeles that will begin alongside the 40-year-old James, the top scorer in NBA history.

“Honestly, it was hard at first,” Doncic said. “That first day was really hard. I felt like these last 48 hours was one month. Emotionally, it was really hard, but today was much better. This is the Lakers. It’s one of the best clubs in history, so I’m excited to be here.”

General manager Rob Pelinka didn’t hide his glee at landing Doncic when they met with the media at the Lakers’ training complex. In his typically florid style of discourse, Pelinka said Doncic’s arrival would bring “basketball joy to the world.”

“We have one of the game’s biggest superstars and an international player coming to join the Lakers,” Pelinka said. “I think it’s going to be something incredibly special that the NBA and basketball has never seen before.”

Although James was blindsided by the deal along with the rest of the NBA, he quickly made a call to Doncic to welcome him to the Lakers. Doncic has often described James as his idol.

“It’s just like a dream come true,” Doncic said. “I always looked up to him. There’s so many things I can learn from him, and I’m just excited to learn everything and get to play with him. It’s an amazing feeling.”

Doncic hasn’t played since Christmas because of a calf strain, but he is close to a return. He will participate in 5-on-5 work at practice Wednesday, and the Lakers will make a plan for Doncic’s debut afterward.

The Lakers have four games in the Los Angeles area in the next seven days, with a road game against the Clippers on Tuesday night followed by three straight home games.

The trade caused an uproar in the sports world, leaving most Mavs fans furious — including Doncic’s father, Sasa, who said his son “absolutely did not deserve this.”

The basketball world also was baffled by how quiet the Lakers and Mavericks kept the talks. Pelinka clearly took pride in keeping a lid on these negotiations, which began at a coffee shop with Dallas GM Nico Harrison, a longtime friend.

Some of the league’s biggest names — names who, like Doncic, would generally be considered untouchable in trades — have reacted in complete disbelief.

“Especially with (Dallas) coming off the finals, it’s a reminder that there are only a few in this league that can go to sleep with any type of confidence that you’ll still be there,” Golden State guard Stephen Curry said. “It’s kind of a very unique situation across the board.”

Added Minnesota guard Anthony Edwards: “They traded probably the best scorer in the NBA at 25. And he didn’t know about it. There’s a lot more digging somebody’s got to do to find out why he got traded. You don’t just trade him at 25. He just went to the finals. I feel bad for Luka, man.”

The Lakers also acquired Maxi Kleber and Markieff Morris in the trade with Dallas. Both praised Doncic’s work ethic and leadership — and both laughed at the widespread notion the Mavs were irredeemably concerned about Doncic’s conditioning and work ethic.

“I hear the stuff about him not being in shape, but if you can go in an NBA game and get 30 and 15 and 10 like it’s nothing, then I don’t really know what shape is,” Morris said. “You’re gonna see it really soon. You’ll make the (determination) if he’s in shape or not.”

Morris returns to the Lakers after winning a championship ring with the team in the Florida “bubble” in 2020. He said the Mavs informed him he had been traded Saturday night, but not where he was going — he learned that on television and social media.

Kleber is on crutches after having surgery on his broken right foot. The German veteran — best known in LA for hitting a particularly spectacular 3-pointer at the buzzer to beat the Lakers in March 2023 — says he will be re-evaluated in eight weeks, hopefully allowing him to return around the postseason.

“I don’t know if a guy like Luka needs extra motivation, because I’ve seen him work, and how competitive he is over the years,” Kleber said. “I think he was that type of person already before. But if you want to add something to it, he will be competitive, for sure.”


Simeone brace powers Atletico Madrid past Getafe into Copa semifinals

Simeone brace powers Atletico Madrid past Getafe into Copa semifinals
Updated 05 February 2025
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Simeone brace powers Atletico Madrid past Getafe into Copa semifinals

Simeone brace powers Atletico Madrid past Getafe into Copa semifinals
  • The 22-year-old Simeone netted twice in the first 17 minutes and Atletico reached the last-four of the Copa for the second straight season
  • In the other quarterfinals, Real Madrid visit Leganes on Wednesday, while on Thursday it will be Real Sociedad welcoming Osasuna and Barcelona playing at Valencia

MADRID: Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone’s son, Giuliano, scored two early goals as the team eased into the Copa del Rey semifinals with a 5-0 home victory over Getafe on Tuesday.

The 22-year-old Simeone netted twice in the first 17 minutes and Atletico reached the last-four of the Copa for the second straight season.

Samuel Lino also scored a first-half goal for the hosts at the Metropolitano stadium, and Angel Correa and Alexander Sorloth added second-half goals.

Atletico, whO last won the Copa in 2012-13, was eliminated by eventual champions Athletic Bilbao last season.

In the other quarterfinals, Real Madrid visit Leganes on Wednesday, while on Thursday it will be Real Sociedad welcoming Osasuna and Barcelona playing at Valencia.

Simeone opened the scoring with a header in the eighth minute and doubled the lead from inside the area in a breakaway in the 17th. Lino scored the third goal after a neat move to clear a defender and find the far corner with a low shot in the 42nd. Correa made it 4-0 with a low strike from outside the area in the 78th and Sorloth closed the rout in the 86th.

Coach Diego Simeone used a few reserve players ahead of the team’s crucial Spanish league match at first-place Real Madrid on Saturday. Atletico trail Madrid by one point.

Getafe, who had only one attempt on target in the first half, have only one win in their last four matches across all competitions. It have not made it to the Copa semifinals since 2009-10.


Ex-world No. 1 Halep announces retirement after home defeat

Ex-world No. 1 Halep announces retirement after home defeat
Updated 05 February 2025
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Ex-world No. 1 Halep announces retirement after home defeat

Ex-world No. 1 Halep announces retirement after home defeat
  • Halep returned to tennis in March last year after her career had been on hold since Oct. 7, 2022, after testing positive for roxadustat at the US Open
  • Halep won 24 WTA titles over her 19-year career including the French Open in 2018 and Wimbledon in 2019

BUCHAREST: Former tennis world No. 1 Simona Halep announced her retirement on Tuesday after her first-round defeat at the WTA Cluj-Napoca tournament in her native Romania.

The 33-year-old lost 6-1, 6-1 to 72nd-ranked Italian Lucia Bronzetti.

“I don’t know if it is with joy or sadness that I speak to you but I made this decision in my soul and conscience, I have always been lucid. My body no longer follows, but today I wanted to play and say my goodbyes on the court,” Halep told the Romanian crowd.

The two-time Grand Slam champion, who had been working to re-establish herself after a doping ban, pulled out of Australian Open qualifying last month citing pain in her knee and shoulder.

Halep returned to tennis in March last year after her career had been on hold since Oct. 7, 2022, after testing positive for roxadustat at the US Open.

The winner of the 2018 French Open and 2019 Wimbledon singles titles was then caught up in a second affair, over “irregularities” in the data of her biological passport.

She was handed a four-year ban by the ITIA, but successfully appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), arguing her positive test for roxadustat — used to treat anaemia and banned as a blood doping agent — was the result of a tainted supplement.

She denied knowingly doping and her ban was reduced from four years to nine months.

But she never managed to regain the level that allowed her to rise to the top of the world rankings in October 2017, a position she occupied for a total of 64 weeks in her career.

Halep won 24 WTA titles over her 19-year career including the French Open in 2018 and Wimbledon in 2019.

She also played in three other Grand Slam finals — the French Open in 2014 and 2017 and the Australian Open in 2018.


Al-Dawsari the star as Al-Hilal return to top of AFC Champions League Elite group

Al-Dawsari the star as Al-Hilal return to top of AFC Champions League Elite group
Updated 05 February 2025
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Al-Dawsari the star as Al-Hilal return to top of AFC Champions League Elite group

Al-Dawsari the star as Al-Hilal return to top of AFC Champions League Elite group
  • Malcom opens the scoring after just 10 minutes as his team cruise to a 4-1 victory over Persepolis of Iran
  • Joao Cancelo adds a second before Salem Al-Dawsari steals the show during the remainder of the first half with 2 impressive goals

RIYADH: Al-Hilal strolled to a 4-1 home victory over Iranian side Persepolis on Tuesday to return to the top of their AFC Champions League Elite qualifying group with one game remaining.
The Saudis, who had already secured their place in the round of 16, were four goals to the good before half time. Malcom opened the scoring with just 10 minutes on the clock, the Brazilian winger skipping past two defenders and into the area before lifting the ball over goalkeeper Alexis Guendouz.
The four-time champions continued to press and were rewarded when Joao Cancelo added a second after 24 minutes. The former Manchester City star picked up possession on the right-hand corner of the box and drilled a low shot into the opposite bottom corner, though Guendouz should perhaps have got a stronger hand to it.


The remainder of the first half was the Salem Al-Dawsari show. With seven minutes remaining, the lively Malcom slipped the ball through a crowded area for Al-Dawsari, the 2022 Asian Player of the Year, to skip past the goalkeeper and slot home from the narrowest of angles.
His second, and his team’s fourth, was the best of the night. A minute into first-half stoppage time, Cancelo sent over a beautiful pass from the touchline that made it all the way to a central position, just outside the area, and there was Al-Dawsari charging up to blast the ball into the top corner with the most fluent of first-time shots.
With the game already won, the second half was a much quieter affair. Two minutes from the end, though, Persepolis were awarded a penalty when Ali Al-Bulaihi, who had just come on as a substitute, brought down Issa Alkasir. Giorgi Gvelesiani stepped up to give his team a consolation goal.
This could not spoil the night for Al-Hilal, however, who have 19 points from a possible 21. The result also meant that the penultimate round of games in the group stage was another perfect one for all three representatives of the Saudi Pro League, with Al-Ahli and Al-Nassr winning on Monday. Al-Ahli trail Al-Hilal only on goal difference, while Al-Nassr are three points behind on 16 points and guaranteed at least third place in the group.