James McClean says Republic of Ireland criticism is 'out of order'

Republic of Ireland midfielder James McClean says his side have been unfairly criticised following their World Cup play-off defeat to Denmark.

Tottenham's Christian Eriksen scored a hat-trick as Denmark came from behind to record a resounding 5-1 win over Martin O'Neill's side in Dublin on Tuesday night, despite Shane Duffy's early opener for the hosts.

O'Neill and his players came under heavy criticism from fans and pundits after the defeat, despite a qualification campaign which saw them finish second ahead of Wales and Austria.

McClean admits Tuesday night's performance was "simply not good enough" but has refused to accept "over the top" comments.

He wrote on Instagram: "Last night is going to hurt deep for a long long time, nothing can change or make what happened last night right, of course everyone is entitled to voice their opinion because it was simply not good enough from us on the night, we know that ourselves.

"But to stick the boot in and kick players and staff when they are down (players and staff [who] have been great servants to this country, players and staff that have qualified for a major tournament and was unlucky to be knocked out to a great team in the last 16, players and staff that were a game from making it to a World Cup, players and staff that would give anything for this great country!) with some over the top beyond football comments is bang out of order, hurting or not.

"And trust me when I say this we hurt every bit as much as you do. I am proud and honoured to be an Irish man and to call every one of these men fellow countrymen and team-mates! Like a said this will hurt deep, we have been written off so many times before and just like before we will bounce back!"

Source = http://www.skysports.com/football/news/12020/11127597/james-mcclean-says-republic-of-ireland-criticism-is-out-of-order

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Marouane Fellaini's future in doubt amid Manchester United talks

Manchester United are facing an uphill struggle to keep Marouane Fellaini at the club.

United have been locked in contract talks with the Belgian since last season with Jose Mourinho determined to keep Fellaini in his squad.

Fellaini, who turns 30 next week, was offered a new contract in September but rejected the deal.

United remain hopeful that they can still reach an agreement with him.

Fellaini's current contract expires at the end of the season and potentially he could sign a pre-contract agreement with another side in January.

It is understood Manchester United will not look to sell Fellaini in the next transfer window, regardless of his contract situation, and are willing to risk him leaving in the summer for nothing.

Source = http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11667/11127384/marouane-fellainis-future-in-doubt-amid-manchester-united-talks

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Tyrrell Hatton: Small chance of Race to Dubai victory

Tyrrell Hatton hasn’t given up hope of making a late challenge for Race to Dubai victory after moving in to contention at the Nedbank Golf Challenge.

Hatton requires at least a top-three finish in South Africa to head to next week's DP World Tour Championship still with a mathematical chance of ending the season as European No 1.

The Englishman - fifth in the standings - posted a two-under 70 in breezy conditions at Gary Player CC to stay in touch with midway pacesetter Victor Dubuisson and keep his hopes alive of a third win of the season.

"This week is going to be the biggest challenge for me," Hatton said. "I sort of struggled here last year, and I think mentally, you have to be quite strong around here.

"Obviously I do struggle with that sometimes, but if I can get through that this week, I'm pretty confident of having a good week next week."I'm a long way behind, but if I can have a great weekend and then have a really good week next week then I've potentially got a really small chance.

"It [Race to Dubai victory] is not something I'm thinking about. I'm just trying to play as well as I can and get as many World Ranking points as I can."

Hatton is joined in the group on three under by Ross Fisher, who requires victories in both of the season-ending events to have a chance to overtake Justin Rose at the top of the standings.

"That's probably one of the toughest rounds around this place I've played since I've played here," Fisher said after his one-under 71. "Today was breezy but it was tricky because it wasn't consistent.

"You look at the scores, and there are not too many low scores. I just needed to stay patient, as the game is in good shape.

"There's some holes out there where if you make pars, you're going to be picking shots up, especially holes like 11 and 13, and even 18. To come out and come away with 71, I'm very pleased with that."

Watch the Nedbank Golf Challenge throughout the weekend live on Sky Sports. Live coverage continues on Saturday from 8am on Sky Sports Golf and Sky Sports Main Event.

Source = http://www.skysports.com/golf/news/12176/11121006/tyrrell-hatton-small-chance-of-race-to-dubai-victory

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Victor Dubuisson opens two-shot lead at Nedbank Golf Challenge

Victor Dubuisson fired a two-under 70 to open up a two-stroke lead at the halfway stage of a weather-affected Nedbank Golf Challenge in South Africa.

Dubuisson, 73rd in the Race to Dubai standings, mixed four birdies with two bogeys in tricky conditions at Gary Player CC, where play was halted for two and a half hours due to thunderstorms.

Lee Westwood and Darren Fichardt sit in a share of second on four under, with defending champion Alex Noren part of the group three off the pace.

Overnight leader Bernd Wiesberger slipped down the leaderboard with a bogey-filled 77, while Tommy Fleetwood - who can secure Race to Dubai victory with a win this week - lies tied-37th after a two-over 74.

Scott Jamieson birdied the first to briefly move tied for the lead but bogeyed his next two holes, as Dubuisson capitalised on Wiesberger double-bogeying the fourth by holing a 15-footer to grab the advantage.

Wiesberger slipped further down the leaderboard with back-to-back bogeys from the fifth, allowing Dubuisson to double his lead with a long-range birdie at the sixth.

The Frenchman moved three clear after birdieing the 10th but missed from 10 feet to save par at the next, with Jamieson closing the gap to one after beginning his back nine with successive gains.

Westwood birdied the 14th and 16th to also get within one but bogeyed the next, while Jamieson dropped a shot at the par-five 14th to restore Dubuisson's two-shot cushion.

Dubuisson rolled in from five feet at the 15th to go three ahead just before play was halted at 3.22pm local time (5.22pm GMT), but bogeyed the last after missing the green with his approach.

Tyrrell Hatton and Ross Fisher, both still with a mathematical chance of Race to Dubai victory, are joined on three under by Jamieson and Noren, who closed his level-par 72 with a tap-in birdie.

One-time joint-leader Shane Lowry was five under for his first 10 holes but triple-bogeyed the 14th on his way to slipping back to one under, while Fleetwood heads in to the weekend 10 shots adrift.

Source = http://www.skysports.com/golf/news/12176/11120939/victor-dubuisson-opens-two-shot-lead-at-nedbank-golf-challenge

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Marquez' 2017 crash record: down 25 times and not out

 Pushing to the limits - and finding them - is the reigning Champion's MO. That hasn't changed, from premier class rookie to 2017 challenger

Going into the season finale, Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team) holds a 21-point advantage over Andrea Dovizioso (Ducati Team) in the standings, with the rider from Cervera chasing his sixth World Championship and fourth in MotoGP™. It’s a stunning rate of success already for the number 93, but it hasn’t come easy – with Marquez one of the most prolific crashers on the grid. This season, the Championship leader has taken a tumble 25 times so far - the most of any non-rookie.

In 2013, when Marquez himself was a rookie, he fell 15 times. Getting to grips with the premier class and testing the limits, the number 93 nevertheless only suffered one crash out of contention in a race.

That was at Mugello, and it came after a weekend filled with incidents – including one of the most hair-raising crashes in recent times, from which the eventual Champion incredibly escaped unharmed.

2014 again saw Marquez take the crown, beginning the year with his incredible run of ten wins in a row. That’s also the season in which the Repsol Honda rider has crashed the least so far, with only 11 incidents throughout the year. With such a big points gap, the pressure was off by the time he suffered his first crash in a race, at Misano, and even more so once the title was wrapped up at Motegi – leaving Marquez pushing to the limit at Phillip Island to try and make as big a gap as possible. It wasn’t to be, but the reigning Champion was pragmatic: “It’s better that this happened now, so that I gain experience for next year.”

Next year being 2015, when Marquez wholly avoided the same mistake at Phillip Island, winning the stunning Island Battle. But there were a number of DNFs beforehand that saw him dent his title hopes, including a crash at Catalunya and another when trying to stay with leader Jorge Lorenzo at Aragon. Although the Repsol Honda rider only crashed two more times during the season, more incidents happened in races, rather than in practice.

After losing out on the crown the year before, 2016 saw Marquez on a mission to take back the throne. He crashed 17 times, but crucially only one of those came in a race before he wrapped up the title. That was at Le Mans, and it was a mistake mirrored by his title challenger this season - Andrea Dovizioso. Or more, the two were perfectly in sync…

2017 has seen Marquez back in full attack mode, and the crash statistics are his highest yet: 25 for the year so far. The first in a race was in Argentina, before another at Le Mans. The reigning Champion then finished every race up until Silverstone, where he suffered another DNF but this time a mechanical. Although not consisting of crashes alone, if Marquez wins the crown it will be the first time since 1998 that a rider has done so with three or more DNFs.

It’s also the season that has seen Marquez pull off what may be his most impressive save yet – somehow staying upright in this stunner at Sepang.



On his approach and the amount he crashes, Marquez gave one of his quotes of the year following the San Marino GP, succintly standing his ground:

    “I crash because I am pushing. I give 100% from FP1 until the race, and try to do my best. This is my style, and it’s given me five World Championships.”

With a 21-point lead, that may be six at Valencia – so tune in to see if Marquez can take the crown on Sunday 12th November.

Source = http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2017/11/02/marquez-2017-crash-record-down-25-times-and-not-out/245164

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The ‘Doctor’ and teammate Maverick Viñales debrief a difficult Malaysian GP

Movistar Yamaha MotoGP duo Valentino Rossi and Maverick Viñales had a more difficult Sunday at Sepang after the weather changed just ahead of the race, with the M1 a tougher prospect in the wet as they work on some issues that have plagued the squad this season.

“We were a bit unlucky with the weather,” said Rossi, “because I think in the dry we could have been competitive. We needed a good race because we arrived from a podium at Phillip Island and it’s good to try to stay at the top.” After topping FP3 in the dry and heading the second row of the grid, the race saw the rider from Tavullia only able to fight to seventh - finding most of the going tough: “Unfortunately today we were not strong enough on this bike in the wet, we had a lot of problems. I was struggling and slow for three quarters of the race. We need to understand it and try to improve.”

Viñales had a similar struggle in the rain, and crossed the line in ninth after dropping out of the points at one point. The Spaniard believed his wet weather woes to have been solved in Warm Up at Phillip Island and backed that up with good pace in FP2 at Sepang but come race day, it was a different story. “I was thinking in the wet we made a big step in Phillip Island, and here in FP2 we were third. Every lap was good,” shrugged the rider from Roses. “But in the race it as a totally different feeling, losing the rear at every corner and it was hard to get a rhythm or confidence.”

The pace on race day for many was different to that of FP2, and Viñales says he’ll focus more on the result in Warm Up in Australia and his feeling on Friday afternoon. Then, it’s on to Valencia: “I have to keep FP2 in mind and not think to much about the race. We know it was a problem but we know we were fast in practice, and in Valencia we have a good opportunity. It’s a track I like and somewhere I’ve always been fast.”

That fires up mid-November as Viñales returns to the venue at which he first rode the M1, with one more chance at a win.

Source = http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2017/10/30/rossi-in-the-dry-we-could-have-been-competitive/245097

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Jose Mourinho was surprised Man Utd were offered Nemanja Matic

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has admitted he was surprised when he received a call from Nemanja Matic's agent offering him the chance to buy the player during the summer transfer window.

Matic has been one of United's standout players since joining from Chelsea for £40m in July. The midfielder has played every minute in the Premier League this season.

The move raised many eyebrows at the time and it seems none more so than with Jose himself.

"I was surprised when [Matic's] agent called me to say 'do you want him?' " Mourinho told Sky Sports News.

"I was surprised, but he's an agent I know well. Normally he's very direct and objective, he doesn't waste time, he doesn't try to get people to be interested in his players to improve their situation at their club.

"Normally he's very straightforward, so when he told me 'you can have him if you want', of course I want."

Matic will be back at Stamford Bridge for the first time this weekend when Chelsea host Manchester United on Super Sunday, live on Sky Sports Premier League.

He'll be one of three former blues to make the trip alongside the manager and Juan Mata, but Mourinho is playing down the significance of their return.

"I think it's something normal," said Mourinho

"I promise you I go to Stamford Bridge the way I go to the Emirates, the way I go to any big match. It's a big match because of the opponents, not because it's a team where I was the manager.

"Maybe the first time I went back to Stamford Bridge in 2009 with Inter, then in 2016 last season after the second spell with Chelsea, ok.

"But then it becomes something normal. I think it's a big game because it's a big game not because I've been at Chelsea or Matic or Mata. It's just because Chelsea are Champions and Manchester United are Manchester United."

Mourinho's men go into Sunday's game second in the table, five points behind leaders Manchester City and four ahead of Chelsea in fourth, and Mourinho thinks his former employers are very much in contention for the title.

"Chelsea are the champions and one of the top teams in the country and I consider them and they consider themselves too, a big contender for the title.

"I think six (teams are in the race) because Everton, in spite of their huge investment, didn't manage to follow the group.

"I think in the table now you can already feel the four or five are there. If Liverpool are a couple of points behind I'm pretty sure in a couple of weeks they'll be close to us too."

You can see Chelsea v Manchester United LIVE on Sky Sports Premier League and Sky Sports Main Event this Sunday from 4.15pm

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Dereck Chisora is a complex man who throws tables but also enjoys fine art, says trainer Don Charles

Chisora resumes his eventful ring career this Saturday night as he challenges Agit Kabayel for the European heavyweight title in Monaco, live on Sky Sports. The darker side of 'Del Boy' is documented in a long list of controversial incidents but Charles has tried to supply a calming influence amid the mayhem, and offers his own insight into the fighter he calls his 'first child'.

My goodness where do I start? Basically the trick I've learned from the greats - I've taken it out of football and put it in into boxing. Sir Alex Ferguson, I've taken extracts of his skills, how to manage these crazy individuals.

Don't kill that fire in them. Recognise it and nurture it. If you take that out of them, you lose their personality as an athlete. Leave that wildness that's in there and try and mould it in a way to allow him to perform.

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Deontay Wilder insists he, not Anthony Joshua, is the baddest heavyweight on the planet

Wilder (38-0-37KO) will take on Stiverne (25-2-1-21KO) - live on Sky Sports from Brooklyn's Barclays Centre in the early hours of Sunday morning - for the second time in his career, after claiming a unanimous decision victory over the Haiti-born fighter in January 2015.

A win would keep Wilder on course for a blockbuster bout with IBF and WBA Super champion Joshua in 2018 and a chance to prove he is the world's premier heavyweight.

"It's been a long road for me. I've had my ups and my downs. The ups I've celebrated, but the downs have hurt the most. It's all led me to here," Wilder said at the pre-fight press conference.

"All I ever wanted to do is prove to the world that I am the best. I am the baddest. I hit the hardest. I am the most feared. My record speaks for itself.

"This will be an electrifying fight. That belt isn't going anywhere. I will unify the division.

"I will be the undefeated, undisputed heavyweight champion of the world."

Stiverne is the only one of the 38 opponents Wilder has faced who has been able to withstand his devastating knockout power.

But the Tuscaloosa, Alabama native insists the judges' scorecards will not be required this time around.

"Stiverne was the only man to survive the 'Alabama Slammer' and avoid a knockout," Wilder said.

"When I knock him out, then nobody will be able to say they made it through against me. He was nothing but a lot of lumps and excuses after the first fight.

"There's nothing different that he can bring to the table. He brought everything he could bring the first time. He brought all his tricks - all his power.

"There's nothing he's going to be able to do this time. The only thing he's going to be able to do is pick his spot on the ground where he's going to lay at."

Stiverne insists he is much improved from their first fight and is confident he can not only last the distance once against 'The Bronze Bomber' but also derail his dreams of becoming the undisputed heavyweight king.

"Deontay Wilder has been trying to duck me. He's been giving a lot of excuses about my career. He should be happy if I've been inactive," Stiverne said.

"He should be jumping in the air. Everyone knows that means he's scared. He knows what time it is.

"He already gave me his best. I had nothing last fight. But now I'm a very dangerous man. Everyone here knows what time it is."

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Paul Casey targets Ryder Cup return with Europe in France 2018

Arizona-based Englishman Casey had to give up his Europe membership after deciding to focus on competing in the PGA Tour to try to make the world's top 50.

His gamble paid off as the 40-year-old rose quickly through the rankings from 75th at the end of 2014 to his current position of 15th.

Concentrating on the PGA Tour meant Casey was ineligible for the Ryder Cup. However, he is set to rejoin the European Tour at the start of the 2017-18 season and will appear at the Abu Dhabi Championship - an event he has won twice - in January.

"I've missed it and it's always bothered me slightly not being a member," Casey said.

"I think ultimately the biggest thing about making this decision is I'm avoiding the regret of not doing this.

"I want to play another Ryder Cup and that's why I need to do this. I genuinely can't tell you how excited I am and how cool it is to think about the possibility of that next September, for multiple reasons.

"I feel I can make a massive contribution on the golf course. I still feel I've got another very good three, four, five years in me, of really good stuff."

Casey was part of the European team for the record nine-point Ryder Cup wins in 2004 and 2006 along with the defeat at Valhalla in 2008 where he was unbeaten in his last three appearances.

However, Casey was not picked as the wild card by Colin Montgomerie in 2010 despite being ranked seventh in the world at the time and has not played in the Ryder Cup since.

Casey has praised the European captain Thomas Bjorn for influencing his return to the tour.

"Thomas has been a massive support," Casey added. "He's assisted in me making the decision with his confidence and his backing of me and my game, but he also hasn't crowded me.

"I sent Thomas a congratulatory message on his appointment and our conversations haven't stopped since."

Source = http://www.skysports.com/golf/ryder-cup/news/26733/11105503/paul-casey-targets-ryder-cup-return-with-europe-in-france-2018

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Tiger Woods to return to competitive golf at next month's Hero World Challenge

The 14-time major winner, who hosts the tournament in the Bahamas, is to return following back surgery which has kept him out of competitive action since he withdrew from the Dubai Desert Classic at the start of February.

Woods announced his participation in his own tournament with a social media post which read: "I'd like to thank the committee of 1 for picking myself and Daniel Berger to play in this years #HeroWorldChallenge."

Woods underwent a fourth back operation in three years in April and earlier this month the 41-year-old's agent Mark Steinberg said he had been cleared to resume full golf activity following a check-up with his surgeon.

"I am excited to return to competitive golf at the Hero World Challenge," Woods said ahead of the November 30 start.

"Albany is the perfect setting and it will be great to join this outstanding field. I want to thank Pawan Munjal and Hero MotoCorp for their continued support of this tournament and my foundation.
"I would also like to thank the fans for their unwavering support during my injury."

The tournament host is joined in the field of 18 by Daniel Berger, who won his second PGA tournament this year and represented the United States in the Presidents Cup.

The field also includes the world's current top four ranked players - Dustin Johnson, Jordan Spieth, Hideki Matsuyama and Justin Thomas.

He was also ordered to undergo a diversion programme after being found by police officers passed out in his car with prescription drugs in his system on May 29.

Woods appeared at Palm Beach County Courthouse on October 27 where he was fined US$250 (£190), ordered to pay the same amount to Palm Beach County Victim Services, told to attend a driving under the influence school and complete 50 hours' community service.

Source = http://www.skysports.com/golf/news/12176/11106400/tiger-woods-to-return-to-competitive-golf-at-next-months-hero-world-challenge

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Roger Federer opens with victory at Swiss Indoors in Basel

The world No 2 continued his superb form in front of the local crowd by making quick work of American Tiafoe 6-1 6-3 on Tuesday.

The 36-year-old Swiss, who has competed in a dozen Basel finals, wasted no time in establishing domination of the young gun by quickly rolling 4-0 ahead before his 19-year-old opponent managed to get a game on the board.

Federer then produced a love game and closed out the set in 29 minutes on his first set point.

Tiafoe's resistance stiffened slightly in the second set, with Federer achieving the break in the eighth game for 5-3 before wrapping up victory in 61 minutes.

Home favourite Federer will next face France's Benoit Paire, a 6-3, 7-6 (7-4) winner over American Steve Johnson.

Two more seeds joined Federer in the second round, with number three David Goffin defeating German Peter Gojowczyk 6-2 7-5, and fifth seed Jack Sock rallying past Vasek Pospisil 3-6 7-6 (9-7) 7-5 while Argentine Leonardo Mayer knocked out number eight seed Mischa Zverev 7-5 7-5.

Defending champion and second seed Marin Cilic advanced in just 30 minutes after German Florian Mayer was forced to retire injured when trailing 6-3.

Juan Martin del Potro, the winner in 2012 and 2013, is hoping to build on his recent momentum as the Argentine bids to snatch a place for next month's ATP Finals in London. He starts his Basel campaign against Portugal's Joao Sousa on Wednesday.

"I just want to keep winning events," Del Potro said. "I'm not thinking of London, it was not one of my goals this year. I know I'm getting closer, I'm just fighting to win all my matches.

"My goal is to play a good tournament here. I will see how far I can move (in the points race to London).

"I must also see how I feel for Paris (next week's final Masters tournament of the season). I will be playing for four straight weeks, that's something I've not done for three or four years."

Source = http://www.skysports.com/tennis/news/12110/11096980/roger-federer-opens-with-victory-at-swiss-indoors-in-basel

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Lewis Hamilton hails Valtteri Bottas' impact on Mercedes harmony

Lewis Hamilton has praised Valtteri Bottas "exceptional" human qualities and backed his team-mate to rediscover his early form at Mercedes.

As part of a revealing insight into the reasons Hamilton believes his relationship with Mercedes is "stronger" this year and why he stands on the verge of a fourth world title, the championship leader spoke warmly of his relationship with Bottas.

"Valtteri is an exceptional human being," said Hamilton.

"You can see he gets it from his dad. His dad's a lovely man, very polite, and comes over and says hi. Valtteri wants to win through merit and through hard work.

"There's never a moment when he's hiding anything from me. In actual fact, it's unusual where he will ask me something or I'm actually just offering it.

"Before the race [in Austin] I was like 'hey, I'm doing this with the car before the start' and he's like 'oh are you?' and then he therefore went and changed as well."

After being signed at the start of the year to replace the retired Nico Rosberg, Bottas ran Hamilton surprisingly close in the season's first half with the Finn claiming the first two wins of his career and outqualifying the Englishman five times in 11 races.

But Hamilton has dominated the Mercedes battle since the summer break, qualifying and finishing ahead in all six races amid his surge to the brink of a world championship crown he can clinch in Sunday's Mexican GP.

"Valtteri naturally wants more and he has more to come," added Hamilton, who leads Bottas by 87 points in the standings.

"It's not an easy car to drive and to come into a new team with a new aero car is definitely tough. But he'll go from strength to strength and I will work with him.

"I don't mind if he wins some races, I don't want him to win them all, but I like that he can push me.

"Particularly at the beginning of the year that was what he was doing, but I've just been able to take the car to another level in the second part of the season. But he's working hard and positive things will come."

Although Hamilton did not draw a direct comparison between his current and former team-mate, it is clear that Rosberg's retirement at the end of 2016 served to diffuse an increasingly intolerable.level of tension at Mercedes.

With Mercedes' pace advantage from 2014 to 2016 such that their two drivers were the only championship contenders, Hamilton likened the effects of the internal head-to-head as being "like a hurricane" with the energy "stuck in the room" rather than being directed at a rival team.

That has changed this year with Ferrari's return to title contention, while Mercedes chief Toto Wolff also believes Bottas' arrival has helped Hamilton.

"You can see also the relationship with Valtteri is an important factor," said Wolff.

"The spirit is great within the team and, through all the difficult moments, that was an essential piece of the jigsaw."

Source = http://www.skysports.com/f1/news/12433/11097509/lewis-hamilton-hails-valtteri-bottas-impact-on-mercedes-harmony

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Eddie Nketiah stars for Arsenal: Who is Norwich’s cup conqueror

Arsenal were heading for Carabao Cup defeat at home to Championship side Norwich City before his intervention. The teenager came off the bench late on and equalised within 15 seconds to take the game into extra time.

Not content with that, Nketiah went on to secure a 2-1 win for the Gunners with his 96th-minute header.

The 18-year-old forward was not even born when Arsene Wenger took over as Arsenal manager and had played just one minute of senior football prior to Tuesday night but he now has Arsenal supporters abuzz about his potential. So, who exactly is Eddie Nketiah?

Arsenal signed up Nketiah after he was released by Chelsea in the summer of 2015. The youngster had been on the Blues' books since he was spotted playing for his local team in south London as a nine-year-old, but the Gunners were quick to pounce when he was told he would not be offered a scholarship.

Nketiah was invited to train with Arsenal just a few days after Chelsea confirmed his release, and their youth coaches liked what they saw. Within a week, Nketiah accepted a scholarship from Arsenal. He's been rising through the ranks ever since.

Nketiah is a quick and skilful frontman who is known for his clever runs in behind opposition defences.

Wenger put him in the squad for the recent third-round tie against Doncaster, praising Nketiah back then. "I like the quality of Eddie's movement, the quality of the areas he gets into, his strength, his determination to finish things off and his work rate as well," said the Arsenal boss.

That assessment echoed the player's own assessment of his game. "My game is mainly pace, movement and finishing," he said in March, before prophetically adding: "I have also worked on my heading." That has paid off in spectacular fashion for Wenger's side.

Of course, Nketiah goalscoring prowess is nothing new to those at the club as he has been doing it for the past two years. He was Arsenal Under-18s top scorer with 24 goals in 28 appearances in the 2015/16 season and passed the 20-goal mark again for the various age-group sides last term.

Nketiah was given his first professional contract in September of last year and confirmed his development with a place on Arsenal's pre-season tour in the summer. His first taste of first-team action came in the 4-2 Europa League win against BATE Borisov last month.

With much of the focus on the big names who want to leave the club, this was a reminder that there are youngsters at Arsenal eager to impress if given the chance. Nketiah will now be hoping to be involved in the quarter-finals. His team would not be there without him.

Source = http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11670/11097489/eddie-nketiah-stars-for-arsenal-who-is-norwichs-cup-conqueror

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Max Verstappen signs new Red Bull contract to the end of 2020

The 20-year-old is the youngest-ever winner in F1 having debuted in the sport at the age of 17 in 2015.

Both Ferrari and Mercedes, who only gave Kimi Raikkonen and Valtteri Bottas one-year contract extensions for 2018 earlier this summer in the apparent expectation that Verstappen would become available, were thought to be keen on signing a driver considered to be F1's superstar-in-waiting.

However, in a move that caught the paddock by near-total surprise, Verstappen has opted to commit the next three years of his career to Red Bull despite the ongoing uncertainty about the team's engine supply future.

As Verstappen's previous deal ran until 2019, his new contract effectively amounts to a one-year extension - but on what is likely to be on a vastly increased salary.

"Red Bull has always shown their faith and belief in me with actions," Verstappen said.

"They have always backed me and my ambition and I know we share that ambition. I'm very happy to commit further to Red Bull Racing and I'm looking forward to working together to enjoy more success in the years to come."

Red Bull have struggled to keep pace with Ferrari and Mercedes this term but are currently enjoying a late-season revival. Verstappen's contract extension also spares the team from a nightmare scenario in which both the Dutchman and team-mate Daniel Ricciardo, whose contract expires at the end of next season, would leave in the near future.

"Every team would be trying to sign Max Verstappen, because of his age, speed and the upside potential," said Sky F1's Martin Brundle.

"You've got to remember that Lewis [Hamilton] is 32 years old now, Fernando [Alonso] is 36. Max is so young and has so much potential so for Red Bull to lose him would be crazy.

"I'm sure they've had to dip their hands a long way into their pockets and they'll be telling him what's happening with their engines for the future, what's happening with Aston Martin, and the development of the car. They would have made him a series of promises fro the performance of that car."


Verstappen's retention represents a major coup for Red Bull and a welcome fillip following months of speculation about their driver line-up and future engine plans.

"We gave him his first chance in Formula 1 and now we want to be, together with Max, the youngest world champion. We saw his potential, he is still developing, he believes in the team and we extended the contract until 2020," said Red Bull team advisor Helmut Marko.

It's understood Renault, Red Bull's current power providers, have informed the team they will cease to be their suppliers at the end of next season. But Marko revealed that Verstappen had been reassured by the plans outlined to him.

"Of course we discussed everything with Max. He knows what our plans are, he knows what are alternatives are, and this convinced him to extend the contract," he said.

Red Bull team boss Christian Horner added: "We are delighted that Max has agreed to extend his contract with Red Bull Racing.

"We had a phenomenal start together in Spain last year and Max has only pushed on from th

"Max is right to be hungry for success and we are looking forward to extending that journey with him in our hunt for Formula One World Championships. As we now look to the long term with Max he is in the best place in the sport to build a team around him to deliver our shared ambition."

ere. It was a great moment for the whole team to see him put the frustrations of this season behind him in taking that fantastic victory in Malaysia last month.

Source = http://www.skysports.com/f1/news/12433/11089963/max-verstappen-extends-red-bull-contract-to-end-of-2020

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Decisions of the Grand Prix Commission at Motegi

The Grand Prix Commission, composed of Messrs. Carmelo Ezpeleta (Dorna, Chairman), Paul

The Grand Prix Commission, composed of Messrs. Carmelo Ezpeleta (Dorna, Chairman), Paul Duparc (FIM), Herve Poncharal (IRTA) and Takanao Tsubouchi (MSMA), in the presence of Carlos Ezpeleta (Dorna), Mike Trimby (IRTA, Secretary of the meeting) and Corrado Cecchinelli (Director of Technology), in a meeting held in Motegi on 14 October 2017, made the following decisions:

Technical Regulations - effective season 2018

Airbag Systems

All rider’s race suits must be fitted with an Airbag system designed with the purpose of minimising injuries. The technical specifications of the systems and the testing methods were also approved.

Moto2™ Testing with Triumph Engines

Each manufacturer of Moto2™ chassis who is supplying teams in the 2018 season may test chassis fitted with Triumph engines for a maximum of ten days per manufacturer. Testing may be conducted using any rider and the number of riders who may participate on each test day is not limited.

MotoGP™ Class Wildcard Machines

Each wildcard entry is restricted to the use of three engines for their exclusive use. The technical specifications of the engine, ECU hardware, other electronics. etc., must be as those for the manufacturer of the machine

Sporting Regulations

MotoGP™ Class Testing Restrictions - effective Season 2018

Current arrangements for official tests are unchanged, being a two day test after Valencia, three of three day tests at the beginning of 2018 at circuits outside of Europe and three, one day tests on Mondays after events.

Teams are restricted to five days of private tests with their contracted riders. After the winter test ban period only three days of testing are permitted prior to events and other tests can only take place on a circuit where the event has already taken place.

No testing can take place within 14 days of the event at the same circuit. No testing with contracted riders is permitted in the “summer break”. In 2018 this means between Monday 16 July and Thursday 02 August.

Test teams of Manufacturers may nominate three current Grand Prix circuits at which they may test at any time except within 14 days of the event at that circuit. They may also test during the three days preceding the first official test after the winter test ban period. Such teams may also participate at all official tests.

MotoGP Class Testing Restrictions - effective Season 2019

Regulations will be as per season 2018 above with the following changes:

The number of official, three day tests outside of Europe is reduced to two.

Teams will continue to be restricted to five days of private tests with their contracted riders. However, at least two days of private testing must take place between the last event of the season and 30 November. Remaining tests can take place at any time but not within 14 days of the event at the same circuit.

Wildcard Entries in the MotoGP™ Class - effective Season 2018

Each Manufacturer is permitted to enter a maximum of three wild cards per season. With the exception that Manufacturers who benefit from concessions are permitted to enter a maximum of six wild card entries per season. Entries from any single Manufacturer cannot be at consecutive events.

Duparc (FIM), Herve Poncharal (IRTA) and Takanao Tsubouchi (MSMA), in the presence of Carlos Ezpeleta (Dorna), Mike Trimby (IRTA, Secretary of the meeting) and Corrado Cecchinelli (Director of Technology), in a meeting held in Motegi on 14 October 2017, made the following decisions

Source = http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2017/10/18/decisions-of-the-grand-prix-commission-at-motegi/242916

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Antonio Conte hits back at Jose Mourinho after Chelsea draw with Roma

Mourinho, speaking after United's 1-0 Champions League win over Benfica in Lisbon on Wednesday

night, did not name names but it was clear he was thinking of his former club Chelsea and Conte, his successor as boss, when he talked of other managers who "cry and cry and cry" about injuries.

And, when the subject was broached after Chelsea's 3-3 draw with Roma at Stamford Bridge, Conte retaliated.


"A lot of time Mourinho has to see what happens at Chelsea," Conte said.

"A lot of time, also last season. I think he has to think about his team and stop... to look at himself, not the others."

Chelsea are already without N'Golo Kante, Victor Moses (both hamstring) and Danny Drinkwater (calf).

And David Luiz suffered a calf injury against Roma which could make him doubtful for Saturday's Premier League clash with Watford, when Chelsea will be seeking to avoid three straight Premier League losses after defeats to Manchester City and Crystal Palace.

Tiemoue Bakayoko, meanwhile, played on despite a groin problem, while Conte played down concerns over captain Gary Cahill after the defender finished the game with a heavily bandaged head, saying it was "nothing serious".

Chelsea had surrendered a two-goal lead, earned through strikes from David Luiz and Eden Hazard, to trail 3-2 with 20 minutes remaining.

Edin Dzeko's quick-fire double, after fellow former Manchester City man Aleksandar Kolarov's strike, looked like handing the visitors victory before Hazard headed in an equaliser.

It meant Chelsea avoided what would have been the first three-match losing streak under Conte's stewardship.

Conte, who deployed defender Luiz in midfield, admitted his tactics contributed to Chelsea being second best.

When Luiz went off for Pedro, Chelsea reverted to their usual 3-4-3 formation.

"I didn't like the type of football we did for a lot of the game, but it's right to take the responsibility for this," Conte said.

"I tried on one hand to protect my team, to become more solid and to move our central defender into midfield. On the other hand we lost totally our style of football.

"Sometimes you have to find the right solution to try to protect your team. Sometimes it's good, sometimes it's bad. But you know very well our situation.

"It was good to draw. Roma deserved this result. I have to praise my players, because my players showed me a big effort, a big commitment tonight. Otherwise, we lose the game."

Sources = http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/11087496/antonio-conte-hits-back-at-jose-mourinho-after-chelsea-draw-with-roma

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