News sport : SMU avoids winless season with victory over UConn

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For the first time since 2011, there will be no winless team in major college football.


SMU, which entered Saturday at 0-11, went to UConn and won 27-20 on Saturday for the program's first win in 378 days. SMU, was 5-7 last season and last won at South Florida on Nov. 23, 2013.


And the victory resulted in a bath for interim coach Tom Mason.




Former Clemson offensive coordinator Chad Morris was announced earlier in the week as SMU's new coach. June Jones had resigned two games into the 2014 season and was replaced by Mason.



Saturday's winning touchdown was scored with less than 10 minutes left by running back Prescott Line to break a 20-20 tie.


UConn punted the ball back to SMU with 4:13 left in the hopes of using all three timeouts to get the ball back for one more chance to tie the game. However, Line ran for 17 yards on 3rd-and-1 to give SMU a critical first down after UConn used two timeouts. From there, Matt Davis runs of 21 and 16 yards iced the game.


Not only was SMU winless before Saturday, all of its losses had been ugly. The Mustangs entered with an average loss of 42-10. The worst loss was a 56-0 drubbing at the hands of TCU and the closest was a 14-13 loss to South Florida. Had the Mustangs lost, SMU would have been the only winless team at the FBS level.


Now, with Morris taking the reins of the program, SMU has some optimism pointing towards 2015. The rebuilding job may not be any easier because of the game, there's at least a reason to smile about 2014.


For more SMU news, visit HillTopics.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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Give local coaches a chance

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After arrogant VV’s failure at Bucs, it’s time clubs believe that local is lekker and give local coaches a chance, writes Matshelane Mamabolo.


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SO, Irvin Khoza was pained by Vladimir Vermezovic’s resignation as Orlando Pirates coach! Really?


The Buccaneers chairman said in a statement announcing the departure of the Serb this week that he “wished he had stayed longer and had more success at Orlando Pirates”.


Talk about not being in touch with the needs of your club and players … What the chairman clearly missed was that Vermezovic was fast digging the Buccaneers a grave from which there was going to be no getting out.


You saw it in the former Kaizer Chiefs coach’s continued chopping and changing of his line-up that the man just had no clue what he was doing. That Pirates go into this afternoon’s Soweto derby trailing Amakhosi by a massive 15 points should tell Khoza his coach was taking the club on the road to nowhere, fast.


And the reason for this is fairly simple: Vermezovic is not cut out to coach in our country.


Granted, he has won some cup competitions with both Chiefs and Pirates, but those successes were, for me, in spite of him.


I’ve always argued that the best coaches are those who complement their players’ talents, the ones who bring their football knowledge and adapt it to the conditions where they find themselves working.


Not so Vermezovic, and a few of his ilk from Europe. Pretty arrogant, the former Partizan coach failed – no, make that refused – to gain an understanding of the mentality of local players, so he thought he could impose his way on the teams he coached.


At Pirates, they speak of how he rubbed a number of players up the wrong way, his military-style leadership not working at all.


And why would it, in a country where players are generally those who perform best under the inspirational leadership kind?


Not only did VV create enemies with his players, he did so with the media as well.


At a number of his post-match press conferences, the man’s disrespect and poor human relations often came to the fore, VV giving terse and often disrespectful responses to questions – particularly after a defeat. He came across as someone who thought he knew it all and thus needed not to be questioned.


Perhaps he’s in the wrong sport, for football is a team game where even the best of coaches still need the support of their assistants. More importantly, they need their players to buy into their way of doing things. One got the impression that VV didn’t get this right.


One wonders if Khoza consulted with Kaizer Motaung – before he brought the Serb back to the country – to find out why the Chiefs boss fired him. Had he done so, he probably wouldn’t have opted for him as a coach and would have saved his club the embarrassment of losing a coach mid-season on the eve of the country’s biggest match.


The saddest thing about this episode is that we are most likely to see Vermezovic re-surfacing at some Premiership club before the season is over just as it has been the case with some European coaches.


Yet the country is teeming with local coaches who have shown their capabilities but are being kept out in the cold. Surely, what Shakes Mashaba is doing with Bafana Bafana should tell the clubs that local coaches are capable, if only given enough time and space to work their magic.


After all, they understand our players’ mentality much better than the many Europeans who are simply here to make a quick buck. And most of them can hardly get a job in their own countries.


Methinks it is about time our club chairmen stopped believing in mediocre European coaches and had faith in our own. - Saturday Star






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News sport : Video: Kevin Harvick's banquet speech

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Miss Kevin Harvick's speech from the Sprint Cup Series banquet? We understand if you did. His speech was televised late on Friday night and you might have had other plans.


So we've got you covered right here. Here's Harvick from the stage in Las Vegas, where he was celebrating his 2014 Sprint Cup Series title.


- - - - - - -


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







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News sport : Video: Kevin Harvick's banquet speech

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Miss Kevin Harvick's speech from the Sprint Cup Series banquet? We understand if you did. His speech was televised late on Friday night and you might have had other plans.


So we've got you covered right here. Here's Harvick from the stage in Las Vegas, where he was celebrating his 2014 Sprint Cup Series title.


- - - - - - -


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







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News sport : Watch TCU QB Trevone Boykin grab his first-career TD reception (GIF)

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TCU needed a big effort against Iowa State on Saturday to secure its spot in the College Football Playoff and it got everyone’s attention early with a trick play for its first score of the game.




Quarterback Trevone Boykin took the snap at TCU’s 45-yard line, threw a lateral to receiver David Porter, who threw it back to Boykin. Boykin, who played some receiver last season, had a wall of blockers in front of him and he scampered down the sideline to the end zone.


It was Boykin’s first career touchdown and a nice highlight as he competes for the Davey O’Brien and Heisman Trophy.


For more TCU news, visit PurpleMenace.com.


- - - - - - -


Graham Watson is the editor of Dr. Saturday on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email her at dr.saturday@ymail.com or follow her on Twitter!


And don’t forget to keep up with all of Graham’s thoughts, witty comments and college football discussions on Facebook






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Chiefs take derby honours

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Orlando Pirates had no answers for a dominant Kaizer Chiefs which ran out comfortable victors in the Soweto derby.


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Johaanesburg – Orlando Pirates had no answers for a dominant Kaizer Chiefs which ran out comfortable 2-0 victors in the Soweto derby at the FNB Stadium on Saturday.


Second half goals courtesy of Siphiwe Tshabalala in the 51st minute and Siphelele Mthembu in the 92nd minute were the difference, as the undefeated Chiefs outclassed their perennial foes and stretched their record to 11 wins in 14 matches.


With the defeat, Pirates slumped to a fifth loss in the league -- having drawn three and won five.


The Buccaneers have had an indifferent season where their form fell off after the untimely death of captain Senzo Meyiwa.


Pirates had won only once before in four matches since their number one goalkeeper was shot dead in late October.


Tshabalala operated like a maestro in midfield as the Pirates defence could not contain his mesmerising midfield runs. The tricky winger exploited the open spaces left by the disjointed Pirates defence.


Pirates had the first sniff at goal when Sifiso Myeni beat Siboniso Gaxa with a nifty dummy in the sixth minute, only to miscue his shot wide of the target.


The game came to life in the second half after the pep-talks from the coaches at the interval.


Chiefs came out strongly, with the intention to outplay their arch-rivals with a hard running style of play.


Chiefs opened the scoring after superb tandem play between Bernard Parker and Tshabalala, who drilled an inch-perfect cross to open the scoring minutes after the break.


Pirates defender Rooi Mahamutsa and Happy Jele were exposed with little protection from the midfield against the lacerating opposition formation.


In the 65th minute, Reneilwe Letsholonyane with only a tap-in to make, inadvertently rammed the ball into the crossbar.


A minute later Mandla Masango delivered a splendid through-ball to Tshabalala, who whipped the ball wide of an outstretched Brighton Mhlongo between the posts.


In stoppage time, Mthembu sealed the win, finding the back of the net with the assist coming from George Lebese.– Sapa






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News sport : Injury Wrap: Waiting on the Giants backfield

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Get the copays and clipboards ready, it's time for our Week 14 check-in.


-- Andre Ellington (hip) has been ruled out, which leaves Stepfan Taylor as the new starting back in Arizona. Marion Grice is also expected to get some action against the Chiefs. The KC rushing defense is handing out 4.9 yards a carry.


-- The Giants have a super rushing matchup against Tennessee, but who gets to take advantage? Rashad Jennings (ankle) did some work Friday after two missed sessions. He's questionable, no sure thing to go. Andre Williams is next in line and makes for a recommended option if Jennings is ruled out Sunday.


-- Justin Forsett (knee) had limited sessions Thursday and Friday, but should be able to go Sunday at Miami. Nonetheless, he's listed as questionable, so make sure you check in with him before kickoff.


-- DeAngelo Williams (hand) won't play at New Orleans, if you want to talk yourself into Jonathan Stewart.


[Join FanDuel.com's $2.25M Week 14 fantasy league: $25 to enter; top 20,675 teams paid]


-- Isaiah Crowell (hip) had a limited practice week and needs to be cleared Sunday. Terrance West is the fallback option, though he was in the doghouse last week after a fumble. Someone should see reasonable rushing lanes against the Colts.


-- Montee Ball (groin) and Ronnie Hillman (foot) remain out, not that you need any push towards C.J. Anderson.


-- Latavius Murray (concussion) has been cleared for action, but how much will the silly Raiders use him against San Francisco? It's not hard to see why that teams keeps losing, year in and year out.


-- Although Reggie Bush (ankle) is merely listed as probable, he's difficult to trust after weeks of inaction. Tampa Bay comes calling on Sunday.


-- With Bobby Rainey (ankle) dinged up, the Bucs will probably focus on Doug Martin and Charles Sims at Detroit. Good luck against the league's nastiest defensive line.


-- Julian Edelman (thigh) and Brandon LaFell (shoulder) are both listed as questionable. Context clues point to them playing Sunday night against the Chargers, but you never really know what's going on with any Patriots team. It would be nice to have a caddy, if needed.


-- Roddy White (ankle) didn't practice Thursday or Friday, so we need to watch him closely for one more day. He's told us in the past, when he doesn't practice, he's a poor fantasy start. The Falcons have an extra day of prep in advance of Monday's game at Green Bay.


-- Julius Thomas (ankle) did some work this week but remains questionable for the home date against Buffalo. It's a late start, of course, which makes Thomas especially risky. Jacob Tamme (ribs) is also questionable.


-- Greg Olsen (knee) was hobbling last week and had limited practice this week, but nonetheless is expected to play at New Orleans. The Panthers list him as questionable.


-- Jimmy Graham is playing through a shoulder injury but should go against Carolina.


-- Dwayne Allen (ankle) is ready to return for the Colts, and man have they missed his blocking. Coby Fleener has made some downfield plays of late, though he also had one horrendous drop against Washington.


[Week 14 rankings: Quarterback | Running Back | Receiver | Tight End | Kicker | DST]


-- Jordan Cameron (concussion) continues to work at practice but until he actually returns for a game, it's awfully hard to trust him. His status probably won't be known until Sunday. The Colts are without cover ace Vontae Davis, which figures to help Josh Gordon.


-- Brandon Marshall (ribs/lung) is likely out for the year after getting injured in Thursday's loss to Dallas. Marquess Wilson is the next receiver up.


-- DeSean Jackson (leg) didn't practice all week but still might be able to play Sunday against the Rams. It figures to be a game-time decision.


-- It's another game-time decision for Larry Fitzgerald (knee). I don't think he's rosterable in most pools, let alone a credible starter.


-- Charles Clay (hamstring/knee) did some work Friday and has a shot to play this week, though he's listed as questionable.


-- Zach Mettenberger (shoulder) will try to go against Houston, though he's listed as questionable. The receiving corps could be spotty: Justin Hunter is out for the year, while Kendall Wright is trying to play through a cracked bone in his hand. Nate Washington is the team's third receiver.


-- Geno Smith is expected to start for the Jets again, not that you care. That offense looks sunk, no matter who's under center. Jace Amaro (concussion) won't play.






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Newcastle ends Chelsea’s unbeaten run

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Newcastle United ended Chelsea's 23-match unbeaten run as Papiss Cisse scored two second-half goals.


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London - Newcastle United ended Chelsea's 23-match unbeaten run as Papiss Cisse scored two second-half goals in a tense 2-1 win over the Premier League leaders on Saturday.


Cisse, who came on as a substitute after the break, tapped in Newcastle's first after 57 minutes and struck again on the break 20 minutes later, seconds after Eden Hazard had been denied an equaliser by the woodwork.


Newcastle were reduced to 10 men shortly afterwards when Steven Taylor was shown a second yellow card for a foul on Andre Schuerrle before substitute Didier Drogba gave Chelsea hope of a comeback with a majestic header after 83 minutes.


Chelsea applied late pressure in a nerve-jangling six minutes of stoppage time but their hopes of stretching their unbeaten run to a new club record were thwarted by dogged Newcastle resistance and a brilliant fingertip save by substitute keeper Jak Alnwick on his competitive debut.


Defeat for Jose Mourinho's side, their first since the second leg of last season's Champions League semi-final against Atletico Madrid, means champions Manchester City can close the gap to three points if they beat Everton at home later. – Reuters






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Van Gaal avoids Koeman issue

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Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal has played down talk of a rift with Southampton boss Ronald Koeman.


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Manchester, United Kingdom – Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal has played down talk of a rift with Southampton boss Ronald Koeman before the Dutch pair face each other for the first time in the Premier League.


Van Gaal employed Koeman as his assistant at Barcelona from 1998 to 2000 and they combined to lead the Catalan club to the Spanish league title.


Their next working relationship wasn't so happy, though, when van Gaal was appointed director of coaching at Ajax where Koeman had also become a title-winning manager.


Following a number of disagreements, van Gaal left 12 months later in 2005, to take charge at AZ Alkmaar and they have swapped barbs since.


With Koeman now manager of Southampton, the pair are preparing to lock horns at St Mary's Stadium on Monday as they compete for a top-four place in the Premier League.


But van Gaal refused to fan the flames of the dispute and praised the work his compatriot has done since taking over in the close season and surprising many by leading the Saints into the race for Champions League places.


“I don't have to describe my relationship with the trainer of the opponent,” said van Gaal.


“That's more private I think. We play against Southampton and we have to speak about Southampton and not the coach.


“It's the same in every country. Every country always has a surprise at the beginning of the season.


“Zwolle - a club in the Netherlands - was leading the competition in the Dutch league for six or eight matches. It's always like that.


“But as I have said earlier, what always matters is the end of May. That counts. Now it's not so important.


“Southampton have a very good squad. I know a lot of players and a lot of players were offered to us.


“They are able to come in the first four, but that's also because I believe in the management of Ronald Koeman and his brother (Erwin). When the cohesion is good he can manage.”


Southampton's impressive start to the season came despite the sale of a number of high-profile players, including Luke Shaw to United and the trio of Adam Lallana, Dejan Lovren and Rickie Lambert to Liverpool.


Lallana was linked with a move to Old Trafford but van Gaal looked elsewhere.


“I don't think money is the question in this. When Manchester is coming, clubs are always asking more money and we have to pay because we are Manchester United,” van Gaal said.


“Do you think Southampton pay too much for players? I don't think so, because they are Southampton.


“There is always a relationship between Real Madrid and Manchester United and teams like Aston Villa and Southampton.”


After a run of eight wins in nine games, Southampton have taken only one point from their last three and lost their last two to Manchester City and Arsenal.


United will provide another acid test of their staying power and van Gaal's side will be helped by the return of captain Wayne Rooney after the England striker missed one game with a knee injury as they look for the win that would take them above Koeman's side into third.


Defender Jonny Evans is also fit to return but winger Angel di Maria remains an absentee with a hamstring problem.– Sapa-AFP






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Baxter cautious ahead of derby

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Despite his side leading the league by 11points, Kaizer Chiefs coach Stuart Baxter is wary ahead of the Soweto derby.


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Stuart Baxter had a spring in his step and his sense of humour to the fore.


At the Carlton Centre on Thursday, the day after he had led Kaizer Chiefs to an emphatic 3-0 win over Bidvest Wits, with the runaway Absa Premiership leaders stamping their authority on the game following two successive draws, the Englishman was coolness personified.


So relaxed was the Amakhosi coach that an uninformed observer would not have picked up that he was facing a match with the potential to stall his team’s unbeaten run – today’s clash against Orlando Pirates at the FNB Stadium (3.30pm).


Uncharacteristically dressed down in jeans, sneakers and a shirt, Baxter was aware that most of the media gathered at the pre-Soweto Derby press conference found his dress code strange. He was quick to put them at ease.


“Let me just apologise for being dressed in this way,” he said as he sat down for interviews at a popular restaurant in the heart of the centre that boasts the continent’s tallest building. “My suits are at the dry cleaner’s and he is (an Orlando) Pirates supporter.”


Earlier on, asked a question on Twitter by a Chiefs fan, Baxter’s response drew laughter all round.


“I don’t think I can say anything that assures you we will get the three points,” he answered. “If you want assurance, I suggest you take an insurance policy.”


Such are the benefits of being in charge of a side on a roll – little stress and plenty of laughter.


Yes, it is too early in the season for anyone associated with the Chiefs to start thinking the title is theirs. But when you are enjoying an 11-point lead at the top of the table and have been unbeaten in 13 league matches, you are bound to be at ease. That your arch-rivals, whom you are facing next, are two points further behind and have just lost their coach no doubt adds to the sense of nonchalance.


What it doesn’t do, however, is give Baxter an undue sense of confidence that success is guaranteed.


Far from it, for the former Bafana Bafana coach has been in the game long enough to know that they don’t come as great a leveller as the country’s biggest football match.


It is for this reason that he pointed out that his team would take a different approach from that which brought them their biggest league win of the season on Wednesday.


“The Derby is an extremely emotional affair. Often the unexpected occurs and makes a mockery of preconceived notions,” he said after the Wits match.


“We will take note of this in our planning and prepare accordingly as best we can.”


Team captain Tefu Mashamaite spoke of the need to stick to what they knew best, the stature of this afternoon’s clash at the FNB Stadium notwithstanding.


“For us, the key is to keep defending as we always have – to defend our box and our goal as a unit. We just need to stick to the basics. There’ll be nothing special for this match,” said Mashamaite.


That the Pirates come into the match on the back of turmoil that saw coach Vladimir Vermezovic resign following Tuesday’s 2-1 reversal against Maritzburg United doesn’t give Chiefs any false sense of a guaranteed victory.


“It doesn’t matter what happened at Pirates. They won’t be thinking about what has been happening at their club. In fact, they are wounded and because of that they will be dangerous to play against.”


Fortunately for Chiefs, their coach is in a good frame of mind and will no doubt ensure that the players keep their cool, too. - Saturday Star






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Furman savours Afcon draw

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Bafana skipper Dean Furman says the side can do well at the continental showpiece in Equatorial Guinea early next year.


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Bafana Bafana’s superb unbeaten qualifying campaign for the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) has laid the foundation for the squad to go on and do well at the continental showpiece in Equatorial Guinea early next year.


This is the opinion of recently-appointed South Africa football captain Dean Furman, after hearing the news that Bafana had been drawn in Group C for the event, alongside Ghana, Algeria and Senegal. It’s a really tough group, which has already been touted as the tournament’s “group of death”.


Furman, who plays his football for Doncaster Rovers in League One in England, was born in the Mother City before leaving for England at a young age.


He has been, without doubt, the country’s most consistent footballer over the last year.


Despite the difficult group, with Algeria ranked number one on the continent, Senegal fourth and Ghana fifth, Furman believes Bafana have what it takes to give a good account of themselves at Afcon.


The event will be held in Equatorial Guinea from January 17 to February 8 next year in the cities of Bata, Ebebiyin, Malabo and Mongomo.


“It is a great draw,” said Furman. “It is without doubt very tough, but also exciting at the same time. We are really looking forward to the tournament. We are thankful that we went through the qualifiers without a loss and that really has enhanced our character. We need to continue from where we left off in the qualifiers.


“We put in a lot of hard work in all those matches, now we have to double our efforts because there are three good teams we are taking on and they have different styles of play. But we are confident that we can do well. We will take some lessons from the qualifiers where we finished without defeat, and improve on them heading to the tournament. Good preparations will give us a head start to the tournament.”


Bafana defender Anele Ngcongca, also from the Mother City, originally from Gugulethu, and who plays for Racing Genk in Belgium, echoed the thoughts of his teammate.


“It is indeed the group of death, but, on the field, it is 11 versus 11,” said Ngcongca. “If we go there with a positive mentality, we will get positive results. I saw all three teams in the qualifiers and they did very well, just like us, which means it is going to be tough for every team in the group.


“We will have to be ready for everything the other teams throw at us because we want to make South Africa proud at the tournament.


“We know the strength of west Africans, with their physique, so we will have to stick to what we know best, and not get into a physical battle with them.


“We must concentrate on our passing game and quick counter-attacks. Judging from the qualifiers, we could be the team to beat as we finished unbeaten compared to the other three who each lost a match.” - Weekend Argus






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Mourinho wants titles, not records

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Jose Mourinho doesn't care about the prospect of setting an impressive new record because he is firmly focused on bringing the Premier League title back to Stamford Bridge.


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London – Jose Mourinho doesn't care about the prospect of setting an impressive new record with Chelsea because he is firmly focused on bringing the Premier League title back to Stamford Bridge.


Mourinho's side maintained their six-point lead at the top of the table with a 3-0 win over Tottenham in midweek and visit Newcastle on Saturday looking to set a new club record by extending their unbeaten run in all competitions to 24 matches.


But that significant milestone doesn't impress Blues boss Mourinho.


He was quick to insist he prioritises the chase for Chelsea's first top-flight crown since 2010, while also suggesting his players are probably not even aware of the fact they could break new ground if they return from Newcastle unbeaten.


“They don't know the record and if you don't tell me 20 times I wouldn't know. I don't care about records,” Mourinho said.


“The record I want is to win the Premier League three times at this club, that's all I want.


“I'm not looking for records, I'm looking for points, victories and points, and if possible at the end of the season, titles.


“The only thing that matters for me in the Premier League is that I've won the title twice.”


The Blues will welcome back top scorer Diego Costa at Newcastle after he sat out the Tottenham game through suspension.


Newcastle have gone two games without victory, having previously won five matches in a row, but they have been beaten only once at home this season – by champions Manchester City on the opening weekend.


Following a poor run of results, second-placed City appear to have rediscovered the form that swept them to last season's title, having won their last four games in all competitions, scoring 12


goals in the process.


The second game of that run was a rousing 3-2 win at home to Bayern Munich in the Champions League that gave Manuel Pellegrini's side a fighting chance of reaching the last 16 going into next week's showdown with Roma.


Ahead of Saturday's home match with Everton, Stevan Jovetic said that the victory over Bayern could prove a turning point in City's campaign.


“Honestly, in the Champions League we have not played well this season, but the game against Bayern helped us a lot,” the Montenegro forward told the club website.


“Now we are in a very good moment, but we must continue like this because we are playing every three days and that can change.”


Third-place Southampton lost ground on the top two after going down 1-0 at Arsenal on Wednesday and now find Manchester United breathing down their necks ahead of the two sides' confrontation at St Mary's on Monday.


United currently trail Chelsea by 11 points but although midfielder Marouane Fellaini is eager to bridge that gap, he acknowledges that Louis van Gaal's side must first safeguard their position in the top four.


“I think we wait for a mistake (from the leading teams), but we have to look after us,” he said after his side's 2-1 win at home to Stoke City.


“After Boxing Day (December 26), we have a lot of games and we have to keep winning. Southampton as well, they are better in the table than us and we'll see on Monday as well.”


Arsenal's victory over Southampton kept them within two points of the top four ahead of their trip to Stoke on Saturday.


Alexis Sanchez continued his fine start to life in England with an 89th-minute winner against Southampton and team-mate Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain believes the Chilean forward's will to win is becoming contagious.


“He has brought that winning mentality to the side and I think it definitely rubs off on a lot of players,” said the England midfielder.


“He has been brilliant for us and a breath of fresh air, so hopefully he can stay in the form that he is in and we can help him out to keep producing goals like he has been.”


Liverpool, five points adrift of the top four after a 3-1 win at Leicester City, welcome Sunderland to Anfield on Saturday.


Fixtures


Saturday (1500 GMT unless otherwise stated):


Hull City v West Bromwich Albion, Liverpool v Sunderland, Manchester City v Everton (1730 GMT), Newcastle United v Chelsea (1245 GMT), Queens Park Rangers v Burnley, Stoke City v Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur v Crystal Palace


Sunday:


Aston Villa v Leicester City (1600 GMT), West Ham United v Swansea City (1330 GMT)


Monday (2000 GMT):


Southampton v Manchester United – Sapa-AFP






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Barca await verdict on transfers appeal

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Barcelona are awaiting the result of an appeal against a Fifa sanction for an alleged breach of rules on the transfer of foreign under-18 players after a hearing at the Court of Arbitration for Sport.


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Barcelona - Barcelona are awaiting the result of an appeal against a Fifa sanction for an alleged breach of rules on the transfer of foreign under-18 players after a hearing at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).


Barca's lawyers, as well as Carles Folguera, the director of the club's academy, Esther Balmana, the head of a local school many academy recruits attend, and B team youngsters Joseph Fabrice Ondoa from Cameroon and Elohor Godswill of Nigeria helped present the club's case at the court in Lausanne.


CAS has said it will publish the verdict before the end of the year.


Soccer's world governing body FIFA announced in April it had banned Barca from the transfer market for two consecutive windows and fined them 450,000 Swiss francs (460,217 US dollars).


Barcelona denied any wrongdoing and the ban was suspended pending an initial appeal to FIFA, meaning the Catalan club were able to buy and sell players in the close season.


FIFA rejected the initial appeal in August and if CAS do not admit the latest and final challenge, or reduce the sanction, the club will be barred from conducting any business in the January window and the 2015 summer transfer window.


Barca president Josep Bartomeu has fiercely defended their “La Masia” academy, which has produced the likes of Lionel Messi, Xavi and Andres Iniesta, saying the club have been the victims of a “grave injustice”.


“With this sanction, FIFA is punishing a model that has existed for 35 years and which is the essence of this club,” he told reporters in April.


“FIFA knows that we do things well and we look after the children and give them an education that perhaps they wouldn't get in their own country,” he added.


“We are not prepared in any way to give up our educational model. We have defended, continue to defend and will always defend the rights of minors.” – Reuters






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Hart set to sign new City deal

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Manchester City goalkeeper Joe Hart is set to sign a new contract with the Premier League champions.


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London – Manchester City goalkeeper Joe Hart is set to sign a new contract with the Premier League champions.


City manager Manuel Pellegrini revealed on Friday that the England international is ready to commit his long-term future to the club and the improved deal is expected to be confirmed in the next few days.


Hart had reportedly been in discussions with the club over a five-year contract since the close-season.


His present contract, worth a reported £80,000 ($124,604) per week, is due to expire in 2016.


The 27-year-old has been in fine form this season, underlining his status as first choice for club and country after a spell out of Pellegrini's side last year.


Pellegrini, speaking on Friday at a press conference to preview Saturday's home clash with Everton, said: “I always said it is important for this club to keep Joe with us.


“He is a very good goalkeeper and not only a very good goalkeeper, he is a very important player for the squad also. So Ä maybe Ä in the next day you will have good news.”


Asked if that meant within 24 hours, Pellegrini said: “I can't say exactly the amount of hours, but the next day.”


Hart was axed by Pellegrini in favour of then number two Costel Pantilimon in October 2013 after a series of high-profile mistakes and did not regain his place until December.


He went on to finish the season well, but Pellegrini decided to increase the competition for his place by signing a new goalkeeper in Willy Caballero from his old club Malaga.


“Joe is having a very good season. The arrival of Willy Caballero was very important for the club, for Joe, for Willy, for everyone Ä because he is a very good goalkeeper,” Pellegrini added.


“I think the best way for players to have high performance is when they have important competition. I think that was very useful for him and I am very happy about that.” – Sapa-AFP






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Wenger fears Sanchez burnout

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Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger says striker Alexis Sanchez is in danger of burnout.


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London – Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger says striker Alexis Sanchez is in danger of burnout.


The Chile forward has been Arsenal's standout player this season, scoring 14 goals in 22 matches in his first year at the London club.


But Wenger says he is “in the red zone” in terms of his fitness after playing in all but one of the team's games this season.


Sanchez, who joined from Barcelona in July, has also been playing for Chile, increasing his workload.


Wenger says “unfortunately you never know how far you can push (a player). We're not scientific enough to predict that completely, but he has great recovery potential.”


Arsenal plays Stoke in the Premier League on Saturday.– Sapa-AP






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