Arsenal, Saints in top four battle

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Arsenal will hope to begin the new year by reclaiming the top-four position in the Premier League table that has traditionally been theirs.||| Southampton, United Kingdom – Arsenal will hope to begin the new year by reclaiming the top-four position in the Premier League table that has traditionally been theirs.Arsene Wenger's side travel to Southampton on New Year's Day in the knowledge that victory at St Mary's will see them leapfrog their hosts into the Champions League places.But Southampton, who drew 1-1 with leaders Chelsea on Sunday, will be determined to defend their position and Wenger has admitted he had not foreseen 2014 ending with the south-coast club so high in the standings.That was mainly because Ronald Koeman, installed as manager during the close season, had to make a series of buys to replace a host of departed stars.No fewer than five players who had helped fire Southampton to a surprise eighth-place finish left the club, but newcomers Sadio Mane, Graziano...
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Henderson lauds Rodgers

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Liverpool midfielder Jordan Henderson has paid tribute to manager Brendan Rodgers as his team leave behind a rollercoaster 2014 with a New Year's Day home game against Leicester City.||| Liverpool – Liverpool midfielder Jordan Henderson has paid tribute to manager Brendan Rodgers as his team leave behind a rollercoaster 2014 with a New Year's Day home game against Leicester City.After finishing runners-up in the Premier League in May, Liverpool have struggled to match that form in the current campaign, although a 4-1 victory over Swansea City on Monday re-ignited hopes of a top-four finish.The result was also a relief for Rodgers, whose methods have come in for criticism during Liverpool's inconsistent start to the season, but whose side have now lost only once in seven league outings.“The manager has been fantastic ever since he came to the club,” said Henderson. “He's working really hard for us on the training field to ensure that tactically we are better and improving all...
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News sport : Georgia Tech runs for 452 yards in dominant Orange Bowl win over Miss. St.

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Georgia Tech’s rush attack could not be stopped.Led by quarterback Justin Thomas and running back Synjyn Days, the 12th-ranked Yellow Jackets racked up a whopping 452 rushing yards in a dominant 49-34 Orange Bowl win.Thomas, the speedy 5-foot-11 sophomore, showcased his mastery of coach Paul Johnson’s option offense and ran for 121 yards and three touchdowns on 14 carries. Days, the 232-pound senior, racked up 171 yards on 21 carries and scored three times – including a crucial 69-yard run on the second play of the second half.The Yellow Jackets also worked in the passing game when they needed...
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Goalkeeper woe for struggling Everton

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Everton's bid to arrest an alarming run of form has been hit by an injury to goalkeeper Tim Howard ahead of Thursday's trip to Hull City in the Premier League.||| KINGSTON UPON HULL, United Kingdom – Everton's bid to arrest an alarming run of form has been hit by an injury to goalkeeper Tim Howard ahead of Thursday's trip to Hull City in the Premier League.Howard will be out for up to six weeks after damaging his calf in the 1-0 Boxing Day defeat by Stoke City, leaving Everton with only 24-year-old Joel Robles – who has made only 11 top-flight starts – as back-up.Aside from the Spaniard, the only other goalkeepers on Everton's books are 18-year-olds Jindrich Stanek and Russell Griffiths, and manager Roberto Martinez has hinted the club may be forced to bring in reinforcements.“That is something we are going to assess,” Martinez said. “Joel had his first start in the league and that was a great way of him having an introduction.“We've just found out about Tim so we're going to...
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News sport : Texas coach Charlie Strong fires two offensive assistants

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After putting up only 59 yards of offense in a brutal Texas Bowl loss to Arkansas on Monday night, Texas head coach Charlie Strong decided to make a few changes to his staff.The program announced on Wednesday night that Strong fired wide receivers coach Les Koenning and tight ends coach Bruce Chambers.“Les and Bruce are both good men and good football coaches,” Strong said in a statement. “It’s unfortunate that it didn’t work out, but I just feel like we need to make a chance and head in a different direction in their positions. We wish them the best.”Chambers was the only holdover from Mack...
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News sport : Mississippi State ends Orange Bowl's first half with Hail Mary (GIFs)

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Georgia Tech looked to have the momentum going into halftime of the Orange Bowl until a Mississippi State prayer was answered.The Yellow Jackets had just taken a 21-13 lead with 29 seconds left in the half. Instead of just taking a knee and going into the locker room, the Bulldogs moved the ball to the Georgia Tech 42-yard line and dialed up a Hail Mary.Quarterback Dak Prescott had plenty of time and fired deep into a crowd in the back right corner of the end zone. The ball deflected out of a crowd of MSU receivers and GT defensive backs and into the diving arms of Fred Ross, who was trailing...
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News sport : Willie Aikens reunited with AL championship ring after 33 years

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Former major leaguer Willie Mays Aikens received perhaps his greatest Christmas gift in 33 years this holiday season. The former Kansas City Royals first baseman had been without his 1980 American League championship ring since 1981, when he says it was stolen from his apartment. But thanks to the remarkable efforts of one kind person, he was finally reunited with his coveted jewelry on Christmas Eve.According to Shawn Anderson of Hall of Very Good, the now 60-year-old Aiken says the ring was stolen from his apartment while he was visiting his mother in South Carolina. For 33 years — 14 of which...
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News sport : Tim Miles and Tom Crean have heated exchange during Hoosiers' road win

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Nebraska coach Tim Miles and Indiana coach Tom Crean exchanged words Wednesday during the Big Ten Conference opener between their teams won 70-65 by the Hoosiers.Miles shouted most of what he had to say to Crean within a few feet of Crean’s face while officials held him back with 9 minutes, 42 seconds left in the game. The incident came during a stoppage in play following a hard foul by Nebraska’s Tai Webster on a dunk attempt by Hoosiers’ big man Hanner Mosquera-Perea.Crean appeared to tell Miles to shut up from a distance and the two men came together with officials between them as Miles began to scream at Crean. The Indiana coached stood with his hands on his waist staring at Miles. When the game ended approximately 30 minutes later, Miles marched down the sideline and shook hands with Crean, pausing to say something to his counterpart.Miles didn’t have much to say about those heated moments when asked about them in the postgame press conference. Meanwhile, Crean made a...
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News sport : Boise State gets key defensive stop in 38-30 win against Arizona in Fiesta Bowl

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Boise State can’t play in the Fiesta Bowl without making it as exciting as possible.In its two previous appearances, the Broncos needed a trick play to secure victory. While Boise State emptied its bag of tricks Wednesday in the first half to gain the lead against Arizona, it needed a good old-fashioned defensive stop to secure the 38-30 victory.Arizona quarterback Anu Solomon took a sack with just seconds remaining with his team at the 8-yard line driving for the game-tying score. The Wildcats did not have a timeout and the clock ran out giving the Broncos the victory.That play was one of the many the Broncos defense had to come up with in the second half as the offense that led the Broncos to 31 first-half points went ice cold in the second half. The Broncos final score came off a pick-six by Donte Deayon late in the third quarter.Arizona actually stormed back from a 31-17 halftime deficit while it stymied the Broncos offense. Boise State quarterback Grant Hedrick had 272 passing...
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News sport : Doug Marrone opts out of contract, done as Buffalo Bills' coach

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There's always at least one crazy firing in the NFL offseason. Except, Doug Marrone wasn't really fired.He just opted out.[Join FanDuel's $1.75M Wild Card fantasy league: $25 to enter; top 14,530 teams paid] Marrone is out as Buffalo Bills coach, and that was his choice. According to a statement by the Buffalo Bills just a few hours before the calendar turned to 2015, he opted out of his contract after two years as head coach. Marrone is now a free agent, and can pursue another job. Before Marrone opted out, there were five NFL head-coaching openings. Now there are six.ESPN's Adam Schefter and Chris Mortensen reported that Marrone walks away with his 2015 salary of $4 million "without it counting as an offset against any future salary." The out clause in his contract activated if the Bills changed ownership, which happened when Terry Pegula bought the team. Within minutes, there was speculation that the New York Jets would have a strong interest in Marrone. The Jets' division...
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News sport : Derrick Rose on his terrible three-point percentage: 'I’m not going to stop shooting'

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It’s just fine – without sounding like a hot take-spewing blowhard – to conclude that Derrick Rose is a different player this season.There have been flashes of greatness. Up until his last two games with the Chicago Bulls, Rose was approaching All-Star level efficiency numbers as he regained confidence in the pull-up two-pointers and floaters that made him so great prior to his ACL and meniscus tears. Over the last two contests, though, Rose has missed 28 of 35 shots (including 11 of 12 misses from behind the three-point arc), and he’s in danger of setting all sorts of records for the worst three-point...
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News sport : Rose Bowl: The first-ever CFP game features a matchup of two Heisman winners

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Rose BowlOregon (12-1) vs. Florida State (13-0)Pasadena, Calif.Jan. 1, 2014 The matchup between this year’s Heisman Trophy winner Marcus Mariota and last year’s winner Jameis Winston is one of the most anticipated matchups of the season.And while the focus will rightfully be on the two stellar signal callers, it should be on the defenses.Both of these defenses have struggled with consistency this season. Florida State’s defense has been almost nonexistent in most of the first halves the Seminoles have played this year, but have rebounded to have stellar second-half performances to secure victories.Oregon’s...
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News sport : Boise State runs its signature 'Statue of Liberty' play for a score in the Fiesta Bowl (again)

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Boise State is playing in its third Fiesta Bowl, but paid homage on Wednesday to the first game that put the program on the map. During the first quarter against Arizona, Boise State quarterback Grant Hedrick took the snap on the 16-yard line, pretended to throw a screen pass and instead held the ball down for running back Jay Ajayi to take the hand off and scamper into the end zone.Boise State ran a similar “Statue of Liberty” play against Oklahoma in the 2007 Fiesta Bowl to win the game. It was good to see coach Bryan Harsin throw out a oldie but goodie so early in the contest. At the time,...
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News sport : TCU makes a big statement with 42-3 win against Ole Miss in Peach Bowl

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TCU spent the past few weeks trying not to comment on being left out of the College Football Playoff, and that was probably a good thing, considering the Horned Frogs’ performance in the Peach Bowl spoke volumes.No. 6 TCU dismantled No. 9 Ole Miss 42-3 in one of the most dominating performances between two top 10 teams this season.The 39-point loss tied for the most lopsided bowl loss in SEC bowl history (Georgia-Nebraska, 1969 Sun Bowl), and it was TCU’s first bowl win against an SEC opponent since defeating LSU in the 1936 Sugar Bowl.And the dominance started early.From the opening snap, TCU’s...
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News sport : Seton Hall earns a head-turning victory to open Big East action

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Seton Hall didn’t have much of an argument for being ranked in the top 25 going into Wednesday’s game against No. 15 St. John’s. The Pirates had lost to two of the three best opponents on their schedule.They significantly improved their case after beating the Red Storm 78-67 to open Big East Conference play and doing it without, perhaps, their best player, Isaiah Whitehead, who is out indefinitely with a stress fracture in his foot.If Seton Hall can follow up with another win, or at least a solid performance, against undefeated No. 6 Villanova on Saturday, coach Kevin Willard might have to evolve from coaching an up-and-coming group to suddenly managing expectations. \Willard started the season with a 66-66 career mark at Seton Hall in four seasons and a 24-48 record in conference games. Starting 11-2 with a victory over a ranked Big East opponent to open league play is a nice way to take some of the pressure off.Could this finally be the year Seton Hall gets back to the NCAA...
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News sport : Did LeBron James promise Dwyane Wade they're 'gonna reunite again?' (Video)

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This is dumb.This is really dumb.Is this real?It’s still dumb.On Wednesday, with the eyes of the nation staring down college football bowls and the same suit they’ve worn to New Year’s Eve parties for the last seven years, a Reddit user splashed online to claim LeBron James was telling Dwyane Wade on Christmas Day that James would be well on his way to Miami should the Cleveland Cavaliers fail to make something meaningful happen this year.Watch, and turn up your speakers (and turn down your own personal brand of throbbing cynicism): The Reddit user claims James said, "Like I said, if we aren't...
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News sport : Cotton Bowl: Can Michigan State's tough D contain the Baylor offense?

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Goodyear Cotton Bowl ClassicMichigan State (10-2) vs. Baylor (11-1)Arlington, TexasJan. 1, 2015 This year’s Cotton Bowl between Baylor and Michigan State is a classic matchup featuring a high-powered offense versus a stout defense matchup.The fifth-ranked Bears boast the top offense in the country in both points and yards per game. Led by quarterback Bryce Petty, Baylor averaged a whopping 48.8 points and 581.3 yards per game en route to an 11-1 record and a share of the Big 12 crown.The Bears, like their Big 12 brethren TCU, just missed out on the College Football Playoff, leading to some outspoken...
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News sport : DeMarcus Cousins is still being left in the dark about Sacramento's coaching choices

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This has not been a December to remember for DeMarcus Cousins. The once-glorified sales event that led to Vivek Ranadive’s purchase of the Sacramento Kings, allowing the franchise to stay in northern California, has also resulted in quite a bit of meddling as Ranadive tinkers with basketball operations as he sees fit.The most infamous example of such came just a few weeks ago, when the Kings fired coach Michael Malone in the wake of a poor stretch of games, contests played without Cousins while he battled a debilitating strain of viral meningitis. Former Utah Jazz head man Tyrone Corbin was promoted...
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News sport : Citrus Bowl: Minnesota can reach 9 wins for second time since 1905 vs. Mizzou

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Buffalo Wild Wings Citrus BowlMissouri (10-3) vs. Minnesota (8-4)Orlando, Fla.Jan. 1, 2015 While most will be focused on the College Football Playoff-affiliated bowls of New Year’s Day, sandwiched in between is a solid matchup between No. 16 and No. 25 Minnesota in the Citrus Bowl.A six-game winning streak helped Missouri unexpectedly make its second consecutive trip to the SEC Championship Game. The Tigers were blown out by top-ranked Alabama, but Mizzou reaching the 10-win plateau again was good enough for the invite to Orlando. And if the Tigers can beat the Gophers, Missouri will reach at...
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Sturridge set for January return

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Liverpool's Daniel Sturridge is set for a January return, according to manager Brendan Rodgers, who hinted he was unlikely to dip into the transfer market to solve the club's current striker issues.||| London - Liverpool's Daniel Sturridge is set for a January return, according to manager Brendan Rodgers, who hinted he was unlikely to dip into the transfer market to solve the club's current striker issues.Sturridge last played for Liverpool in August after suffering a thigh injury on international duty with England and his absence has been keenly felt as the Merseysiders have struggled for goals and consistency in a disappointing start to the season.With close-season signing Mario Balotelli failing to score a Premier League goal and Rickie Lambert, another summer arrival, struggling to cement a place in the side, Sturridge's return to action cannot come soon enough for last season's runners-up.“He's coming back into the country in early January to finalise his rehab here,” Rodgers...
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Serero not good enough

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Shakes Mashaba was unwilling to explain the shock omission of Thulani Serero from the final 23-man Afcon squad.||| Shakes Mashaba remained steadfast in his unwillingness to explain the shock omission of Thulani Serero from the final 23-man squad that will represent South Africa at the Africa Cup of Nations finals next month.The Ajax Amsterdam star, who contested European Champions League matches against world giants such as Barcelona, was declared not good enough for Bafana Bafana yesterday when a highly philosophical Mashaba named the players that will try to conquer the continent in Equatorial Guinea.All the coach would say was “Serero is not in the team because other players proved to be better than him”. That explanation, however, did not seem to wash with most of the press corps who had gathered in downtown Johannesburg for the announcement.The general feeling was that Serero – who was key in Bafana’s qualification for the biennial, continental soccer showpiece – could have...
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Villa fined for player disorder

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Aston Villa have been fined £30 000 for failing to control their players during their recent 1-1 draw with Manchester United.||| London – Aston Villa have been fined £30,000 ($46,700, 38,400 euros) for failing to control their players during their recent 1-1 draw with Manchester United, the Football Association (FA) announced on Tuesday.The charge relates to the reaction of Villa's players after Gabriel Agbonlahor was sent off for a challenge on Ashley Young during the 1-1 draw at Villa Park earlier this month. The red card was later rescinded.“Aston Villa have been fined £30,000 for failing to control their players in or around the 65th minute (of) their recent fixture with Manchester United on 20 December 2014,” the FA said in a statement.Villa were also warned as to their future conduct.Meanwhile, Villa midfielder Fabian Delph has lost his appeal against the red card he was shown for a foul on Jordi Gomez during his side's 0-0 home draw with Sunderland on Sunday.“DELPH NEWS:...
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Herrera, Januzaj boost for United

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Manchester United midfielders Ander Herrera and Adnan Januzaj have returned to training ahead of the Premier League trip to Stoke City.||| London - Manchester United midfielders Ander Herrera and Adnan Januzaj have returned to training ahead of the Premier League trip to Stoke City, manager Louis van Gaal said.United have climbed to third in the table after winning seven of their last nine games going into the match against Stoke on Thursday.“Herrera has trained today for the first time with us and Januzaj has also trained two training sessions with us,” Van Gaal told a news conference.“They don't have match rhythm. Januzaj was ill and you have to recover from your illness, not from your tiredness. Maybe it's worse to recover from illness.”Defenders Rafael, Chris Smalling and Luke Shaw have returned to the squad after recovering from injuries but Daley Blind, Marouane Fellaini and Marcos Rojo are still sidelined.“It's a problem for me to come through this two weeks around Christmas...
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Bale is not for sale at any price

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Real Madrid have made it clear to Manchester United and other possible suitors for his signature that Gareth Bale is not for sale.||| Madrid - Real Madrid have made it clear to Manchester United and other possible suitors for his signature that Gareth Bale is not for sale at any price.Real president Florentino Perez told Spanish newspaper Marca that Welshman Bale, who signed for the European champions for a world record 100 million euros ($121.6 million) last year, was key to the club's present and future.“Just as I can't imagine Real Madrid without Cristiano (Ronaldo), I can't imagine Real Madrid without Bale either,” Perez said.Bale has been linked with a move to Premier League giants United, who have been undertaking very expensive rebuilding under manager Louis van Gaal.“We have not received an offer from Manchester or any other club for Gareth Bale,” Perez said.“We haven't received any offers for one simple reason: every club knows that Gareth Bale will never leave Real...
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Shelvey facing violent conduct charge

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Swansea City midfielder Jonjo Shelvey has been charged with violent conduct over an incident involving Liverpool's Emre Can.||| London – Swansea City midfielder Jonjo Shelvey has been charged with violent conduct over an incident involving Liverpool's Emre Can, the Football Association (FA) announced on Tuesday.Shelvey appeared to swing his arm into Can's face during Swansea's 4-1 Premier League defeat at Anfield on Monday, but although referee Andre Marriner allowed play to continue, the FA has taken retrospective action.“Swansea City's Jonjo Shelvey on Tuesday has been charged by the FA for violent conduct, following an incident in his side's fixture with Liverpool,” the FA said in a statement on its website.“The incident, which was not seen by the match officials but caught on video, occurred during the fixture between the two sides at Anfield on Monday 29 December 2014.”Shelvey, who joined Swansea from Liverpool in 2013, has until 1800 GMT on Wednesday to respond to the charge.In...
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Three-match ban for Newcastle’s Cisse

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Newcastle United striker Papiss Cisse has accepted a charge of violent conduct during the Premier League match against Everton, the Premier League club said.||| London - Newcastle United striker Papiss Cisse has accepted a charge of violent conduct during the Premier League match against Everton, the Premier League club said.Cisse, who has scored nine league goals this season, elbowed defender Seamus Coleman in the game on Sunday and will serve a three-match suspension.He will miss league games against Burnley and leaders Chelsea and the FA Cup third-round trip to Leicester City. – Reutersfrom Soccer Soccer Extended RSS http://www.iol.co.za/three-match-ban-for-newcastle-s-cisse-1.1800...
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FA must ban divers - Wenger

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Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has called on the Football Association to ban players who dive in order to rid the game of play acting to win free kicks or penalties.||| London - Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has called on the Football Association (FA) to ban players who dive in order to rid the game of play acting to win free kicks or penalties.Diving is once again a hot topic in the Premier League after three Chelsea players, Cesc Fabregas, Diego Costa and Willian, were all booked for simulation this month.Chelsea defenders Gary Cahill and Branislav Ivanovic have also recently been accused of diving by opposition managers with Blues boss Jose Mourinho countering that there was an agenda against players at his club.Wenger said the only way to solve the problem would be for the FA to take retrospective action against players who have clearly dived.“I'm against diving,” Wenger told reporters. “We should punish it after the game. The problem will be to decide when it was obvious...
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News sport : Stanford dominates Maryland in Foster Farms Bowl

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Maryland was no match for Stanford in the Foster Farms Bowl.On a blustery night in Santa Clara, Calif., Stanford's offense capitalized on short fields and the Terrapins weren't able to do much productive with the ball as the Cardinal rolled to a 45-21 win.After Maryland tied the game at 7-7 early in the second quarter, Stanford, 8-5, scored three unanswered touchdowns. The first drive was a quick 5-play 49-yard drive that was capped by Remound Wright's second touchdown. Wright got a third on the next drive, which was a 5-play 70-yard drive. And then Kevin Hogan tossed his first touchdown of...
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