News sport : Clint Trickett posts picture of letter from Bill Snyder (Photo)

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Bill Snyder sent West Virginia quarterback Clint Trickett a note after their game in Morgantown, W. Va.


The Wildcats beat the Mountaineers 26-20 on November 20 and Trickett had to be replaced by backup Skyler Howard after Trickett suffered a concussion. On Tuesday, Trickett posted a picture of a note he received from Snyder about the game and the injury.



Snyder sends notes after noteworthy games, including to Texas Tech's Jace Amaro last season and to North Dakota State quarterback Brock Jensen after the Bison beat the Wildcats in 2013.


The notes are a great gesture, and they all have a common theme – Snyder's writing format. As you can see in Trickett's picture, Snyder writes diagonally on the paper rather than horizontally. Given his meticulousness, there has to be a reason for it.


For more West Virginia news, visit WVSports.com.


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Nick Bromberg is the assistant editor of Dr. Saturday on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at nickbromberg@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!







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News sport : Watch UAB players being informed about the football shutdown (Video)

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Imagine how you would feel if something you loved to do was taken away from you. And then imagine those emotions running through a room full of college football players. That's what it was like to be in the room on Tuesday when UAB football players were informed about the lack of a future of the Blazer football program.


Above is a video from when UAB president Ray Watts spoke to the players about the decision to shut down UAB's football program. UAB officially announced Tuesday that football, bowling and rifle would be dropped after this school year.


The pride the players have in their program is evident, and boy, is it tough to watch their emotions describing the team. While UAB said that player scholarships and coach contracts would be honored despite the shutdown, it's a no-brainder to say the members of the football team would like to continue playing.


The player near the end of the video is Tristan Henderson, a former military policeman in Iraq for the U.S. Army. He served an 18-month split tour of duty and came to UAB after playing at Cerritos College.


(Warning: video has NSFW language.)


For more UAB news, visit BlazerSportsReport.com.


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Nick Bromberg is the assistant editor of Dr. Saturday on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at nickbromberg@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!







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Leicester coach lashes out at fans

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Leicester City fans should stay at home if they are not prepared to support the Premier League's bottom club during a dismal run of form, manager Nigel Pearson said.


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Leicester City fans should stay at home if they are not prepared to support the Premier League's bottom club during a dismal run of form, manager Nigel Pearson said following their 3-1 home defeat by Liverpool.


After taking an early lead against Brendan Rodgers's inconsistent Liverpool side, Leicester slipped to a sixth loss in seven league games to leave them on 10 points from 14 games.


Pearson has come under increasing pressure from his own supporters after his team have fallen away following a promising start to the season and he is without a win since their remarkable 5-3 victory against Manchester United in September.


The manager, who watches his side's games from the stands and relays instructions to assistant Craig Shakespeare on the bench, revealed he had an argument with a home fan at the King Power Stadium during Tuesday's defeat.


“I replied to one idiot in the stands and if he doesn't like what he sees, then don't bother coming,” Pearson told Sky Sports. “If they (the fans) cannot see the players are having a proper go maybe they need to stay at home.”


The manner in which Pearson presides over games from the stands has led to dissenting voices, with many supporters questioning the passion of the English manager and the methods he uses to communicate with the players during matches.


The cracks are beginning to show for the Leicester boss and with five league fixtures scheduled in a busy December he could come under more scrutiny ahead of the January transfer window when club's are notorious for ringing personnel changes.


Pearson, though, refused to be too downbeat.


“I will always look for the positives,” Pearson, who led Leicester to the Championship (second-tier) title last season, said. “It is very easy for people to look at what we are not good at.


“I don't like the commitment of my players being questioned. If they (the fans) honestly think they are not committed, they are very wrong. Maybe that is why I stay in the stand.”


“We have quality and commitment. We can't get downbeat by tonight's result. We have to break the cycle we are in at the moment.”


Leicester visit Aston Villa in a Midlands derby on Sunday. – Reuters






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Bafana hoping for kind Afcon draw

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Bafana Bafana could find themselves in a group from hell along with Ghana, Algeria and Senegal when the Africa Cup of Nations draw is conducted.


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Bafana Bafana could find themselves in a group from hell along with Ghana, Algeria and Senegal when the Africa Cup of Nations draw is conducted in Equatorial Guinea tonight.


Alternatively, Shakes Mashaba’s resurrected senior national squad might be lucky and be drawn to contest the round robin phase of next year’s continental showpiece against the hosts, Burkina Faso and Congo Brazzaville.


Those are the worst and best possible draws for South Africa after the Confederation of African Football (Caf) yesterday released the seeding for the draw that saw Bafana placed in Pot C with Cape Verde, Cameroon and Gabon.


The top seeded countries are the home side, Ghana, Ivory Coast and Zambia, while last year’s finalists Burkina Faso, third-placed finishers in the previous two editions, Mali, Tunisia and Algeria are all in Pot B.


The supposed weaklings – Guinea Conakry, Senegal, Democratic Republic of Congo and Congo Brazzaville – in a tournament that has no less than six potential champions are in Pot D.


With Mashaba having said that Bafana owed their recent resurrection to prayers from the country’s people, the coach will no doubt hope that South Africans get on their knees ahead of the draw to plead for a favourable grouping.


While it is generally agreed that avoiding the home team is always best, such is the strength of the teams in Pot A that drawing an Equatorial Guinea outfit that was kicked out of the qualifiers would be welcomed.


Bafana beat them 1-0 in an Afcon qualifier in Malabo back in 2008 and drew goalless in Bata ahead of the 2012 Afcon.


Ghana are a renowned strong side who are always among the favourites to lift the trophy and are best avoided early on.


While Bafana beat Ivory Coast at the weekend, the Elephants side at the finals will be a completely different, much stronger one.


Zambia are definitely much improved from last year, but not as good as when they won the tournament two years ago in Equatorial Guinea/Gabon. But they will provide stiffer opposition than the home side.


Algeria had a fine qualifying round when they won five of their six matches, their only loss coming in the final game against Mali when they had long since qualified. That their star player Yacine Brahimi of Porto was on Monday voted BBC African Player of the Year, beating Yaya Toure and Vincent Enyeama to the gong, tells how dangerous the Desert Foxes will be.


Tunisia are also sure to be hard to get past.


In Pot D, Senegal appear the toughest of the lot, their disappointing performance in the last tournament notwithstanding.


Bafana won four points from Congo Brazzaville in the qualifiers and will be pleased to draw Claude Le Roy’s team. - The Star






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Can Wits stop Chiefs?

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Another PSL game for Kaizer Chiefs, another time to cross fingers for the rest of the Absa Premiership that Amakhosi will stumble.


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Another PSL game for Kaizer Chiefs, another time to cross fingers for the rest of the Absa Premiership that Amakhosi will stumble.


What’s new as Stuart Baxter’s team continue to set the pace atop the 16-team league table with an unbeaten run that is fast looking like it won’t be broken?


The Englishman spoke last week about how he is aware of the hope nurtured by everybody else in the country’s elite league that his team will lose.


“The most popular result in the country would be the first time that we lose because you guys (the media) will write about it and the rest of the teams in the league will be dead pleased,” Baxter said in Polokwane.


In recent matches, though, Chiefs’ best has not really been good enough, Amakhosi playing to successive league draws against Mamelodi Sundowns and Polokwane City.


That they maintained their big lead – they’re 11 points ahead of second-placed Ajax Cape Town – had more to do with the failure of the teams below them to win when Amakhosi have dropped points.


“Obviously, it would have been better to win those matches, but we didn’t lose and so in that respect, the players are plugging away and they are doing their best,” added Baxter.


Yet, that failure to win matches, especially when they have created enough chances to have grabbed maximum points, would have been spotted by Gavin Hunt, whose resurgent Bidvest Wits side host the leaders tonight (7.30).


And being as big on planning as he is, the three-time title-winning coach is sure to have the Clever Boys ready to take advantage of any slacking off by Chiefs.


Wits are enjoying a turnaround in fortunes following a recent lean spell that saw them go three league matches without a win. They have grabbed maximum points from their last two games, courtesy of victories over Free State Stars and Black Aces, and would love nothing more than to be the team to inflict Amakhosi’s maiden loss of the season.


But Chiefs are a much stronger side than Ea Lla Koto and Amazayoni, and to succeed where 12 other teams have failed, Wits will need to produce something special.


Hunt would do no wrong to have Siyabonga Nhlapo start tonight, the defender no doubt in high spirits following his good performance for Bafana Bafana against the Ivory Coast at the weekend.


Wits are, however, without regular centre-back Buhle Mkhwa-nazi, who is suspended.


Today’s match marks the beginning of a frenetic schedule ahead of the Christmas break, Chiefs having to take on Orlando Pirates on Saturday, Platinum Stars on Tuesday, Chippa United on the 13th and then Free State Stars three days later, before bringing the year to an end against Aces at FNB Stadium.


Mamelodi Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane, whose team take on Telkom Knockout champions SuperSport United tonight, said recently that this busy December programme would present the rest of the Premiership with an opportunity to prevent Chiefs from flying further away, and they will no doubt all be relying on Wits to begin that process.


But they, too, will have to stop dropping points as most of the teams in the top half of the table did in the past week when Amakhosi stuttered.


Second-placed Ajax will have to win at Moroka Swallows and Chippa, just below them, must ensure that Aces leave Port Elizabeth empty-handed.


Polokwane City host Platinum Stars and the other Stars are at home to Bloemfontein Celtic in the Free State derby. - The Star






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City sweating over Kompany

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Vincent Kompany is out of Manchester City’s clash with Sunderland tonight and now faces a race against time to be fit for next week’s Champions League decider against Roma.


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Vincent Kompany is out of Manchester City’s clash with Sunderland tonight and now faces a race against time to be fit for next week’s Champions League decider against Roma.


The news is a bitter blow for the Premier League champions with Yaya Toure already out of the trip to Italy and David Silva a major doubt.


Kompany ended Sunday’s win over Southampton complaining of discomfort in his hamstring and City yesterday confirmed that their influential captain will miss tonight’s trip to the Stadium of Light and the home game against Everton on Saturday.


The Belgium defender was sent for more scans yesterday to determine if he will have a chance of playing in the final Group E tie a week today. With Toure suspended after his red card against CSKA Moscow and Silva having missed the last six games with a knee injury, City could go into their biggest game of the season without three of their biggest stars.


‘Vincent Kompany is not able to play against Sunderland or Everton,’ said manager Manuel Pellegrini, who is still without Edin Dzeko and Aleksandar Kolarov. ‘We’ll see if he makes it against Roma. That will depend on the opinion of the doctor.


‘It depends what degree of muscle injury he has. It’s very difficult to know in this moment if he can play against Roma.


‘David Silva is improving, We’ll see on Thursday if he can be in the squad list for Everton but I’m not sure. I think it’s difficult.’


With Eliaquim Mangala banned tonight following his sending-off at Southampton and Matija Nastasic still not match fit, Kompany’s absence also hands Pellegrini a problem for the game at Sunderland, where City have lost 1-0 on their last four visits.


Dedryck Boyata, whose only two appearances this season have been in the Community Shield and Capital One Cup, or Bacary Sagna is set to partner Martin Demichelis in defence as City look to keep pace with Chelsea.


‘We have three options and we will see which two of them will play,’ said Pellegrini, who also insisted that the decision to keep Frank Lampard does not hinge on the outcome in Rome.


Despite City’s poor record at the Stadium of Light, Samir Nasri is confident they can end the losing sequence there after three wins in a row in all competitions.


Sunderland became the first team to shut Chelsea out on Saturday but Nasri is convinced that Sergio Aguero, the Premier League’s 12-goal top scorer, will find a way through.


‘In the past we have not had good experiences against Sunderland,’ said the Frenchman. ‘But up front we have someone who is flying and he can help us unlock any defence in the world. So we have to capitalise on that and hope he can make a difference.


‘We had a lack of confidence earlier in the season but everything is coming back.’


Meanwhile, Sunderland midfielder Lee Cattermole says City can expect the same treatment served to Chelsea when they bid to break down Sunderland.


Midfielder Cattermole set the tone for the Black Cats’ resistance during Saturday’s stalemate and warns the champions that Gus Poyet will employ the same tactics this evening.


‘If we can go with the same game-plan and repeat the performance we put in on Saturday then I’m sure we’ll come away with something,’ he said.


Poyet admits that he cannot explain Sunderland’s home hoodoo over City. ‘It is incredible,’ he said. ‘I don’t know how and I don’t know why. After what we did against Chelsea, we want to do something similar but with a goal.


‘We need to get a bit better and we will see what happens. I will take another 1-0. That would be perfect. City see an opportunity having closed the gap on Chelsea and they do not want to lose any more games. They will come here to win.’ – Daily Mail






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News sport : Kirk Hinrich's silly foul sends game to OT, Bulls fall to Mavs

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There is a longstanding argument among basketball cognoscenti regarding the proper course of action for a defending team up three points in the final seconds. While teams have typically depended on stopping teams from hitting a game-tying three via the traditional route of staunch defense, a quick assessment of relative risk suggests that allowing two foul shots is the way to go. Yet coaches might avoid the second option not because they think it's wrong, but simply because their players aren't used to carrying out those orders.


Kirk Hinrich proved the difficulty of committing a correct late-game foul up three points all too well in the closing seconds of regulation in Tuesday's matchup between the Chicago Bulls and Dallas Mavericks. With the Bulls up 108-105 and only 1.2 seconds on the clock, veteran guard Kirk Hinrich got too close to Mavs guard Monta Ellis and allowed him to draw a foul while taking a three-pointer. Take a look:





Ellis hit all three free throws to send the game to OT. The Bulls looked headed for a loss before Derrick Rose banked in an absurd one-handed running buzzer-beater from beyond the arc to tie the game at 121-121 and force a second extra period:





Unfortunately for the Bulls, they fell to the Mavs by a score of 132-129. After the game, much of the discussion concerned the circumstances of Hinrich's foul on Ellis. From Tim MacMahon for ESPNDallas.com:


"I waited too long. I messed it up," Hinrich said. "It was a bonehead play. I know better than that. This one's on me because I felt like we played a good game to that point. To get back to the point we were in a position to win. For them to tie it up on a play like that, it was a bad decision."

Thibodeau told the Bulls in the locker room that he was to blame for the foul and made the same point during his postgame news conference.

"That was my fault," Thibodeau said. "We wanted to take the foul, and I was not clear enough about how and where. Obviously, we wanted to take it in the backcourt; they were out of timeouts. It gets tricky when they get in the scoring area, if a guy is facing you. That was my fault."

When informed of Thibodeau's comments, Hinrich attempted to take full responsibility for his mistake. Dirk Nowitzki seemed to agree:


"In my 17 years, it was one of the dumber fouls I've ever seen," Nowitzki said in a matter-of-fact tone. "You wait all the way until he dribbles to the 3-point line to grab him, so that's obviously a tough one, tough play. I saw coach [Tom] Thibodeau was just shaking his head."

Hinrich's error speaks to the difficulty of instructing players to foul up three points. Opinions on Hinrich differ, but he clearly has the trust of Thibodeau (he is still averaging roughly 28 minutes per game, after all). One of the league's best coaches expected one of his most trusted players to carry out the foul in the correct manner, and yet he couldn't do so. Incidents like this one aren't going to convince many coaches that it's time to embrace the theoretically logical move.


Of course, players tie games with three-pointers all the time — like, say, Derrick Rose in this same game — without coaches abandoning the idea of playing straight-up defense in the closing seconds. Perhaps it's time to stop avoiding the new simply because it requires some instruction to get correct. Playing solid defense requires the same effort, too.


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Eric Freeman is a writer for Ball Don't Lie on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at efreeman_ysports@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!







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Gerrard mum over contract talks

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Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard refused to be drawn on his future at the club after scoring in his side's 3-1 Premier League success at Leicester City.


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Leicester, United Kingdom – Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard refused to be drawn on his future at the club after scoring in his side's 3-1 Premier League success at Leicester City.


The 34-year-old midfielder was restored to the starting XI after starting Saturday's 1-0 win over Stoke City on the bench and responded by scoring the crucial second goal as Liverpool came from behind to win.


Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers revealed before the game that Gerrard has been offered a new contract, but when asked if he was ready to put pen to paper, he told BT Sport: “I'll decide when I'm ready.


“There's nothing to say on the contract at the moment. When there is, the fans have known me long enough, I'll come out and say what I need to say.”


Liverpool fell behind in the 22nd minute at the King Power Stadium when Leonardo Ulloa's shot hit the post and ricocheted into the net off visiting goalkeeper Simon Mignolet's back for a cruel own goal.


But Adam Lallana equalised almost immediately and Gerrard put Liverpool in front nine minutes into the second half, steering home his first goal since September after Raheem Sterling's cross was partially cleared.


After Leicester centre-back Wes Morgan had been sent off for hauling back Rickie Lambert, Jordan Henderson made the game safe in the 83rd minute.


When pressed on his future, Gerrard again refused to answer, focusing instead on his team's improved form since their 2-2


Champions League draw at Bulgarian side Ludogorets Razgrad last week.


“I think the last three performances have been superb,” he said.


“We need to keep trying to improve on that. The reason I don't want to answer your question tonight is because it's not about me; it's about a great team performance and a great three points.” – Sapa-AFP






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Pirates fans call for VV’s head

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Orlando Pirates coach Vladimir Vermezovic was pelted with missiles by a disgruntled group of supporters after the 2-1 loss to Maritzburg United at the FNB Stadium.


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Johannesburg – Orlando Pirates coach Vladimir Vermezovic was pelted with missiles by a disgruntled group of supporters after the 2-1 loss to Maritzburg United at the FNB Stadium.


Chants of “you must go” rang out at the stadium as the Serbian-born coach left the field after the his team was well beaten at home.


It was the Buccaneers' fourth loss of the season, having won five and drawn three in the league.


Mohammed Anas scored in the third and 45th minute as United powered to victory.


The high-scoring United put on a clinical performance against the Sea Robbers who were below-par on the night.


The Buccaneers subsequently head into the Soweto derby against Kaizer Chiefs at the weekend on a losing note.


Pirates replied through Kermit Erasmus in the 33rd minute with a strike on the edge of the box after tandem play with Mpho Makola. – Sapa






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Blind boost for United

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Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal hopes to welcome Daley Blind back to full fitness before the end of the month.


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Manchester, United Kingdom – Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal hopes to welcome Daley Blind back to full fitness before the end of the month, in what promises to be further good news for the Dutch manager following a 2-1 win over Stoke that kept his side fourth in the Premier League.


Van Gaal's compatriot Blind has been absent since injuring his knee playing for the Netherlands against Latvia in mid-November, although recent tests have been encouraging.


“It's not so serious,” said van Gaal, who also hopes scans on Wayne Rooney's knee and Angel di Maria's hamstring will provide cause for optimism in the coming days.


“The injury is not so serious but he will not be back next week – by Christmas, maybe,” van Gaal added of Blind. “I think by the end of December we can see more players coming back and we will have light at the end of the tunnel.”


The return of key players to fitness is coinciding with a run of four consecutive league victories that have strengthened van Gaal's hopes of leading United back into the Champions League next season.


However, this latest win owed much to Spain goalkeeper David de Gea who made stunning late saves from Marko Arnautovic and Mame Diouf deep in injury-time at Old Trafford on Tuesday to guarantee all three points.


“David is one of the team but I think he only had two or three balls to deal with, that's it,” explained van Gaal. “So it's very difficult for a goalkeeper to keep concentration and focus. But he improves every week so I'm very happy with him.”


The same could be said of United in general, with the team looking a different proposition compared to the nervous early days of van Gaal's reign.


“Maybe we are enjoying more luck,” said the manager. “Maybe that's coming because of the fighting spirit we are showing.


“It's fantastic when you see that in the team and that is why the fans are also excited.


“We have had to fight until the end, with the long balls they put forward to Peter Crouch, and we have survived.


“It's good for the players, it's good for the team, it's good for me, it's also good for the Christmas party we have tomorrow (Wednesday).”


Marouane Fellaini's opening goal goal was cancelled out by a superb 39th-minute strike by Steven N'Zonzi before Juan Mata's free-kick into the box found its way directly into goal just shy of the hour mark, despite Marcos Rojo's efforts to get a touch.


Stoke manager Mark Hughes was unhappy that United's second goal stood, believing Rojo was offside.


“We're disappointed with the award of the second goal,” said Hughes.


“We clearly think it's offside and Rojo was clearly interfering with play, he headed the ball from an offside position,” said former United striker Hughes, clearly convinced the Argentina


defender had got the final touch.


“The referee and his assistant should have cancelled that out.”


Stoke were similarly unfortunate to taste defeat at Liverpool last weekend and now face a home meeting with Arsenal on Saturday.


“That is two high-profile games against top teams where we haven't got the reward for our efforts,” said Hughes.


“That's a disappointment for us, but it's a big game against Arsenal at the weekend. We're encouraged by what we've done here tonight and we'll look forward to it.” – Sapa-AFP






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Maritzburg sink Pirates

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A first-half brace from Mohammed Anas powered Maritzburg United to a 2-1 victory over Orlando Pirates at the FNB Stadium.


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Johannesburg – A first-half brace from Mohammed Anas powered Maritzburg United to a 2-1 victory over Orlando Pirates at the FNB Stadium.


The high-scoring United put on a clinical performance against the Sea Robbers who were below-par on the night.


The Buccaneers subsequently head into the Soweto derby against Kaizer Chiefs at the weekend on a losing note.


Three combinations led to the first goal in the third minute after a throw-in from Khumbulani Banda went to Thokozani Sekotlong, who crossed to Anas who tapped past the goalkeeper in the third minute.


Pirates replied through Kermit Erasmus in the 33rd minute with a strike on the edge of the box after tandem play with Mpho Makola.


Mondli Cele was instrumental in the winning goal with an assist for Anas, who in the 45th minute had an easy tap-in. The industrious Cele’s hard-work and persistence beat defender Thabo Matlaba to make the cross into the box.


United meant business, and they did not take long to show intent as a well-orchestrated opening goal caught the Pirates defence slumbering.


Khethokwakhe Masuku laid-off a cut-back pass in the box for Matlaba, who whipped his shot wide of the target in the 15th minute.


Making his return after being sidelined by injury, the hard-running Matlaba appeared predictably rusty having missed a number of matches.


Pirates were hard done in the 23rd minute when referee Daniel Bennett blew his whistle for a foul on Sifiso Myeni instead of allowing the advantage.


Pirates had launched a counter attack when Myeni made an assist pass to Kermit Erusmas, who was unmarked in-front of goal.


Pirates appeared to be running around aimlessly while United, comfortably in the lead, boxed smart and let them to wear themselves out.


While Pirates continued to probe, the visitors were happy to sit back and frustrate the opposition.


United looked to pounce with a counter in the 29th minute when Cele broke free from the defence but his shot whizzed over Pirates goalkeeper Brighton Mhlongo.


The Soweto giants continued to graft and their efforts finally paid off when the front-line combined for the equaliser.


Minutes later though Anas stole Pirates' thunder with another goal that ensured that United went into the break on top.


With the last kick of the first-half the Ghanaian condemned the Buccaneers to start the second on the backfoot.


Pirates came out in the second half but lacked the vigour and creative spark that would mount any substantial pressure on the opposition.


Meanwhile, United played with swagger as they watched the opposition fall head-first into the tactical trap they had set.


The home side were becoming exasperated early in the stages of the half as they began to unleash long range rockets at goal.


Pirates winger Makola was the first to launch a thunderbolt that soared over goalkeeper Virgil Vries, which was followed by another shot from Matlaba that sailed wide. – Sapa






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Gerrard stars in Liverpool win

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Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard marked his return to the side by scoring a crucial second goal as Brendan Rodgers's side came from behind to win 3-1 away to strugglers Leicester City.


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Leicester, United Kingdom – Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard marked his return to the side by scoring a crucial second goal as Brendan Rodgers's side came from behind to win 3-1 away to strugglers Leicester City.


Gerrard's goal came just a day after Liverpool manager Rodgers confirmed the former England captain, whose form has been called into question this term, had been offered a new contract with the Merseysiders.


Simon Mignolet's own-goal gave bottom of the Premier League Leicester the lead but Adam Lallana quickly levelled before Gerrard put the visitors in front.


Leicester defender Wes Morgan was then sent off at the King Power Stadium before Jordan Henderson sealed a morale-boosting victory for Liverpool late on.


Gerrard had been left out of the starting side in the 1-0 win over Stoke City on Saturday, a match that marked the one-club man's 16th anniversary as a Reds player, but returned as one of three changes made by Rodgers.


However, Leicester boss Nigel Pearson named an unchanged side despite the Foxes failing to win in their previous eight matches.


Leicester had the game's first real opportunity when Leonardo Ulloa found strike partner Jamie Vardy but his tame effort was no problem for Liverpool goalkeeper Mignolet.


They should have taken the lead when Mignolet's poor clearance went straight to Esteban Cambiasso 30 yards out, but the Argentinian side-footed his shot wide with the goal gaping.


Even so, the Midlands club went ahead in the 22nd minute when Riyad Mahrez's run found Vardy, whose shot was saved by Mignolet.


The ball was kept in play and Ulloa's shot hit the post, with the rebound going in off the unfortunate Liverpool 'keeper.


But Liverpool were behind for just four minutes, with Morgan's defensive header from Lucas Leiva's cross falling straight to Adam Lallana, who fired past Leicester goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel from 10 yards.


Leicester continued to attack, though, with Marcin Wasikewski seeing a deflected header go just over from Matty James's corner.


For the start of the second half, Rodgers brought on Alberto Moreno, who went to left-back in place of Javi Manquilllo with Glen Johnson switching to the right.


Liverpool went on to take a 54th-minute lead with Gerrard starting and finishing the move.


The midfielder fed Raheem Sterling, whose cross was cut out by Morgan only for Gerrard to react quickest to the loose ball to beat Schmeichel with a composed finish.


It was a goal that meant so much to the Liverpool great, with Gerrard sliding on his knees in celebration in front of the away fans before clenching his fist at them.


Gerrard went close to a second when his shot just missed Kasper Schmeichel's goal, but Leicester were still very much in the game with Wasilewski disappointingly mis-hitting a shot from a Mahrez cross.


But home hopes of a draw suffered a huge setback in the 63rd minute when Morgan brought down England striker Rickie Lambert, who appeared to have got away from him, and was given a straight red card.


Gerrard thought he should have had a penalty following a coming together with Schmeichel after being sent clear by Henderson.


A lively finale saw Mahrez denied by a fine Mignolet save, with Cambiasso's shot on the rebound hitting Ulloa and going wide.


Leicester continued to make life difficult for Liverpool, with Vardy seeing a shot deflect just wide from James's corner.


Liverpool, however, put the result beyond doubt seven minutes from time.


Gerrard's cross was cut out by Wasilewski, but only as far as Sterling whose shot was saved by Schmeichel before Henderson fired into an empty net. – Sapa-AFP






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Amazulu record first win

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AmaZulu finally secured their first win of the 2014/15 Premiership season as they edged out University of Pretoria.


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Johannesburg – Goals in each half from Sadat Ouro-Akoriko and Bornwell Mwape helped AmaZulu finally secure their first win of the 2014/15 Premiership season as they edged out University of Pretoria 2-1 at the Princess Magogo Stadium in KwaMashu on Tuesday night.


Defender Ouro-Akoriko crashed in following a goalmouth scramble after 40 minutes, before striker Mwape doubled the lead after 52minutes.


Geoffrey Massa pulled a goal back after 68 minutes to set up a tense finish, but Usuthu held on to give new coach Steve Barker a winning start to his tenure against the club he left last week.


The result left the home side still bottom of the log, but they will be relieved to have finally won a game this season.


They were handed a splendid early chance when Bongani Ndulula was fouled on the 18-yard line of the box, but Sifiso Hlanti wastefully crashed the resulting free-kick into the wall.


At the other end Atusaye Nyondo had a half-chance skied whilst falling over.


The game continued to lack any serious bite through the opening period, with the hosts carving out another half-chance midway through the half when Ndulula failed to connect new captain Goodman Dlamini's cross to the near-post from the right.


Nhlanhla Shabalala then guided the rebound inches over as the hosts sniffed an opening.


The pressure continued to come from the hosts as a Mwape corner was flicked towards the right corner, where Ndulula skewed the ball horribly back into the field of play.


Moments later Philani Shange should have done better than shoot over from the angle as the Tuks defence was beginning to be exposed.


Usuthu took full advantage five minutes from the break when Ouro-Akoriko thumped in from close-range following a goal-mouth melee that started with a long ball into the box in the windy conditions.


Nyondo did have a shot of goal for the visitors before the break, but it was a routine catch for goalkeeper Tapuwa Kapini.


After the restart, Thabo Mnyamane twice came close, first shooting straight at the Usuthu custodian, before beating him with a powerful 30-yard free-kick that came back off the crossbar.


From the resulting counter-attack, AmaZulu went 2-0 up as Shange's squared ball from the left was met powerfully in the centre of the box by Zambian Mwape, who powered in off the hands of Arubi.


Tuks pulled a goal back with 22 minutes to play as substitute Massa drilled in a 25-yard free-kick that left Kapini helpless.


Mwape had a chance to restore the advantage moments later, but got under the ball and shot over. – Sapa






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News sport : Stephen Curry hits fantastic winning 3 to extend Warriors streak to 10

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Golden State Warriors point guard Stephen Curry has been one of the most exciting players in the NBA for several years now, but in 2014-15 he has made a strong case for MVP consideration. The league's best shooter entered Tuesday night's game against the visiting Orlando Magic averaging 23.8 ppg (on 49.6 percent shooting) and 7.8 apg for a team with a nine-game winning streak and the second-best record in the NBA. Curry is in full control of his talents and plays in a crowd-pleasing style for a sudden title contender. What more could the basketball world want?


It looks like anyone who watches the Warriors, sated or not, is going to continue to get a healthy dose of Curry's excellence. At the end of a relatively challenging night for Golden State, Curry saved the team from a disappointing loss with an electric game-winner.


With mere seconds remaining in regulation and the Magic up 97-95, the Warriors forced a missed layup from Elfrid Payton to give themselves a chance at the win or an extra period. Curry took the outlet pass from Draymond Green and dribbled up the court without a timeout, taking advantage of a mismatch with forward Tobias Harris. Not surprisingly, Curry got enough separation for one of his trademark pullup jumpers. You can probably guess the outcome:





The Warriors stole the inbounds pass on the game's final possession, finishing off a 98-97 win that extends their winning streak to 10 games and pulls them even with the Memphis Grizzlies for the best record in the league at 15-2. If the Warriors win at home vs. the New Orleans Pelicans on Thursday, they will match the franchise record for consecutive wins set in 1971-72.


Truth be told, the Warriors weren't at their most impressive against the Magic. The visitors got terrific games from Victor Oladipo (27 points on 10-of-14 FG) and Kyle O'Quinn (21 points and 11 rebounds) to withstand the absence of center Nikola Vucevic. Meanwhile, Golden State lost a 10-point halftime lead over a 29-17 third quarter and trailed 93-84 with 4:11 on the clock. A set of three-pointers over the next two minutes tied the game, but the Magic made enough plays late to win.


Head coach Steve Kerr expressed his disappointment that the team had to resort to individual heroics in his post-game press conference, but the fact is that a few great plays by an MVP candidate can cover a lot of mistakes. This night didn't showcase the Warriors at their best, but it did allow everyone to see just how good Curry can be when he's needed.


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Eric Freeman is a writer for Ball Don't Lie on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at efreeman_ysports@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!







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News sport : Kevin Durant's return proves anticlimactic, Pelicans top Thunder

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The Oklahoma City Thunder have been waiting for Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook to take the court together since mid-October. The franchise, its fans, and the larger basketball world finally got their wish on Tuesday night in New Orleans vs. Pelicans. However, it's possible that all that waiting set us all up for a bit of disappointment.


Durant followed up Westbrook's scintillating return to the court last Friday with a less dominating but still impressive output of his own. In 30 minutes, the NBA's reigning MVP scored a team-high 27 points on an efficient 9-of-18 shooting from the floor (plus 6-of-7 from the line). His first basket, a three-pointer in transition, looked a lot like the ultra-smooth scorer we have come to know over his fantastic career:



However, if Durant was solid, his return seemed to prove that the Thunder will need some time to reintegrate him and Westbrook into their plans. While they mounted a late rally, the Thunder were out-played by the host Pelicans and fell by a score of 112-104. With a 5-13 record — 5 1/2 games behind the Phoenix Suns for the West's last playoff spot — OKC may need that process to proceed quite rapidly.


We should not remember not to extrapolate the outcome of one game too far. For instance, the fact that Durant played well on paper without outright dominating play is not especially rare for him — he's a generationally exceptional scorer in part because he can score 35 points within the flow of the offense. For that matter, it shouldn't be shocking that Westbrook followed up his evisceration of the Knicks on Friday with a relatively poor line of 21 points on 6-of-20 shooting with seven turnovers. Westbrook can be a boom-bust player, and he's liable to follow this game up with an MVP-level performance on Friday vs. the Philadelphia Sixers, and not only because they are the worst team in the NBA.


At the same time, it seems clear that the Thunder will not simply ascend back to the NBA's elite simply because they have their superstars back in the lineup. For one thing, the team's defense faltered tonight, with Tyreke Evans, Anthony Davis, and Ryan Anderson also scoring very well to pace the Pelicans. OKC didn't look horrendous — the Pelicans shot 44.3 percent as a team — but they allowed 45 free throws and might have lost by a much wider margin if not for 16 missed freebies.


Again, there's no reason for panic, because one iffy road game doesn't portend damnation over the final five months of the regular season. But the Thunder don't have that much time to allow their stars to settle — the West is just too good. The good news is that the hyper-competitive Durant and Westbrook don't wish to spend much time waiting to jell, either.


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Eric Freeman is a writer for Ball Don't Lie on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at efreeman_ysports@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!







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