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Paris Masters: Jack Draper beats Taylor Fritz to continue winning run

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Paris Masters: Jack Draper beats Taylor Fritz to continue winning run

Fritz went one better than Draper at Flushing Meadows, reaching the final before losing to Jannik Sinner.

But he was edged out on this occasion in an engrossing match.

A stunning forehand winner after chasing down a Fritz smashed helped Draper sneak the first set on a tie-break but the second set threatened to swing towards the world number six.

At 3-2, Draper failed to take any of six break points in a marathon Fritz service game that included 10 deuces. The American broke to love in the next game en route to taking the set and levelling the match.

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But Draper, who only left the court in Vienna on Sunday afternoon and beat Czech Jiri Lehecka on Tuesday, resisted the swing in momentum and dug deep as his energy levels seemed to waver.

He used his powerful left-handed serve well throughout and capitalised on a wild double fault by Fritz at the end of a tight deciding set to take the contest on his first match point.

“It is the end of season – a lot of people are hurting, not just myself,” added Draper.

“I will keep fighting for every point no matter how I am feeling.”

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Earlier, Russian fifth seed Daniil Medvedev was beaten 6-4 2-6 7-6 (7-4) by Australian Alexei Popyrin.

But third seed Alexander Zverev and eighth seed Grigor Dimitrov both progressed with victories against Tallon Griekspoor and Tomas Martin Etcheverry respectively.

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‘Our aim is to challenge to try to win the WSL, says Manchester United Women’s boss Marc Skinner

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‘Our aim is to challenge to try to win the WSL, says Manchester United Women’s boss Marc Skinner

WHILE  Manchester United have parted company with two senior men’s team bosses in the last three years, one Red Devils gaffer is set to reach a new milestone. 

Today against Arsenal Marc Skinner will oversee his hundredth game at the helm of their Women’s Super League side. 

Man United are currently unbeaten having registered four wins and a draw from their first five WSL games this term

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Man United are currently unbeaten having registered four wins and a draw from their first five WSL games this termCredit: Getty
Marc Skinner hopes to guide his side to victory on his 100th game in charge of the Red Devils' WSL team

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Marc Skinner hopes to guide his side to victory on his 100th game in charge of the Red Devils’ WSL teamCredit: Alamy

It is the first time in a top-flight coaching career, that began at Birmingham City in 2015, that Skinner has reached this mark across all contests at one club. 

And the head coach has another target in his sights – a first WSL title win for the club. 

Skinner, 41, who was appointed in July 2021, said: “There’s been lots of ups and downs as a manager reaching 100 games here. 

“It’s the first club I’ve achieved this for and I’m really proud. I want to be successful and be here for another hundred games.

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“Regardless that it’s a great milestone, we’ve got to try and win this game.

“We’ve got to win trophies and keep progressing this team and that’s what I’m here to do.

“I’ve got to make sure I maintain focus on every single game and see where we go. 

“Our aim is to be challenging to try and win the WSL. 

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“But we also have to understand the competition we’re up against and that it’s not a give-me.”

In May Man United made history under Skinner winning the Women’s FA Cup for the first time following a 4-0 defeat of Tottenham.

The Red Devils boss also faced criticism at times from some supporters following losses to Liverpool and Chelsea preceding a fifth-place finish last term. 

This season his side have got off to a flying start and are currently third and three points off leaders Man City with a game in hand. 

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Along with Chelsea and the Cityzens, they are the only top-flight side yet to lose a league game this term. 

So far they have been defensively solid, conceding just once in four WSL games this term with Phallon Tullis-Joyce impressing in goal. 

However today’s game will see the American shot stopper come up against a side in the top five for the first time this term. 

Skinner adds: “We’re looking to test ourselves. It’s a big test on game five, so we’ll see where we’re at”.

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Arsenal’s visit comes after their return to winning ways before the international break under interim boss Renee Slegers.

One win from their first four WSL games was among the results that led to former boss Jonas Eidevall resigning on October 15.

However, Slegers, 35, has backed the Gunners to remain on track following their 2-0 win against West Ham last month. 

Arsenal’s stand-in gaffer said: “I can imagine how you can look at it from the outside. 

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“We know what’s happening on the inside and we’ve seen a lot of positive things

“We’re very positive about what’s ahead of us, but we know a lot of hard work and ownership is going to be needed.”

Slegers hopes to help Arsenal remain unbeaten since the team picked up two wins in the WSL and Champions League before the October international break

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Slegers hopes to help Arsenal remain unbeaten since the team picked up two wins in the WSL and Champions League before the October international breakCredit: Getty

Despite their mixed results in the league Skinner believes Arsenal will be a threat

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He adds: “We’re going to face a team that could either be wounded and really want to show that or hopefully a team we can take advantage of. 

“But they’re a fantastic team and one that will be difficult to play against.”

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UFC Edmonton bonuses: Youssef Zalal’s brutal club-and-sub stoppage earns extra $50K

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UFC Edmonton bonuses: Youssef Zalal’s brutal club-and-sub stoppage earns extra $50K

Youssef Zalal’s return to the UFC has been quite lucrative.

Zalal earned an impressive second-round submission win over Jack Shore after landing a picture-perfect knee at UFC Edmonton to improve to 3-0 in his second stint with the promotion. The incredible finish earned Zalal a Performance of the Night bonus for Saturday’s event — which makes it back-to-back bonus winning submission victories.

The UFC awarded four Performance of the Night bonuses for their latest Fight Night event, with no Fight of the Night honors on the list.

Dustin Stoltzfus took home an extra check for his brutal first-round knockout upset win against Marc-Andre Barriault in a main card middleweight contest. Canada’s own Jasmine Jasudavicius and Charles Jourdain also walked away with bonuses following their submission victories on the card.

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Jasudavicius tapped Ariane da Silva in the third round to pick up her third straight win, and second career UFC post-fight bonus. Jourdain submitted Victor Henry in the second round to cap off a successful debut in the bantamweight division.

All four fighters earned an extra $50,000.

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England 22-24 New Zealand: George Ford focus can’t disguise other failings

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England 22-24 New Zealand: George Ford focus can't disguise other failings

It made sense at the time. In the grey matter and guts alike, the rationale felt right.

With 62 minutes on the clock, and an eight-point advantage on the scoreboard, you tighten the grip, not chance your arm.

Steve Borthwick chose that point to withdraw fly-half Marcus Smith, architect of his team’s only try.

On came George Ford, a 97-cap arch game manager, the hero of England’s World Cup win over Argentina, to snuff the life out of New Zealand and nurse the scoreline through to victory.

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But, that’s the thing: it always feels right at the time.

By the time referee Angus Gardner blew the final whistle, that reasoning, for many, had been exploded.

England had ceded momentum, territory and finally the lead, with New Zealand scoring 10 unanswered points in the final quarter and Ford missing two kicks – one penalty, one drop-goal – that would have snatched back victory.

Ford hasn’t played for more than a month because of a quad injury. He wasn’t ready. Smith was having a fine game. He should have been pulling the strings, not cooling his heels on the bench, when the final stages played out.

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Now, that is the theory that fits. The events seem to bear it out. The narrative of where England lost the game is an easy tale to spin.

But Borthwick and his team will know there were more moving parts to England’s latest defeat than just an exchange of 10s.

Recency bias – the phenomenon that loads greatest importance on the freshest events – doesn’t last long in the video review.

When the tape rolls at Pennyhill Park this week, England’s new defence coach Joe El-Abd will highlight the holes too easily opened by two blind-side darts that led to All Black tries.

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The six replacement forwards – an Anglo-Saxon answer to South Africa’s bomb squad – failed to detonate, falling foul of Gardner at scrums and breakdown.

An overall lack of an attacking threat, beyond Smith’s smart intercept, meant that England could never get out of the range of a late All Black surge.

Smith himself had two fluffed drop-goal attempts, both uglier shanks than Ford’s effort.

Ford, who was also shrugged off by Mark Tele’a on the way to a match-winning try, undoubtedly had a day to forget.

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But England’s latest heartbreak – after a string of narrow defeats – has more sources than one man.

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Brandon Moreno def. Amir Albazi at UFC Edmonton: Best photos

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Brandon Moreno def. Amir Albazi at UFC Edmonton: Best photos

MMA: UFC Fight Night – Edmonton – Moreno vs Albazi

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Last-minute winner sees Walsall comeback to beat Bolton

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Last-minute winner sees Walsall comeback to beat Bolton



Watch highlights as League Two high fliers Walsall come from a goal down to stun Bolton Wanderers with a last-minute 2-1 victory in the first round of the FA Cup.



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Harry Redknapp: Why Ruben Amorim should build his new Man Utd around Harry Maguire to drag them up from rock bottom

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Harry Redknapp: Why Ruben Amorim should build his new Man Utd around Harry Maguire to drag them up from rock bottom

WHEN legend Sir Alex Ferguson won the Treble at Manchester United they called it ‘The Impossible Dream’.

But now, 25 years on, Ruben Amorim will walk into Old Trafford with plenty saying it’s become the Impossible Job.

Ruben Amorim should be a success at Old Trafford, says Harry Redknapp

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Ruben Amorim should be a success at Old Trafford, says Harry Redknapp
Harry Maguire should be someone Ruben Amorim turns to, Redknapp added

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Harry Maguire should be someone Ruben Amorim turns to, Redknapp added

Well I’ve got news for all of them — Sir Alex had the last laugh in 1999 and I’m convinced United’s new manager will do the same.

Not by winning everything in sight, before you think I’ve lost the plot. I am not suggesting three trophies and an open-top bus parade around Manchester in May.

But I do see this as the perfect chance for Amorim to make himself a hero.

It is actually the dream job and the perfect time to take on one of the biggest four or five clubs in the world.

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You see, if you’re at an all-time low, like United are now, there’s only one way to go. It was the same for me when I went to Spurs in 2008.

I took over a side that was rock bottom, without a win after eight games, and where chins were on the floor. But I looked around on that first day and knew we wouldn’t be there for long.

Not with the likes of Luka Modric, a young Gareth Bale, Jermaine Jenas, Aaron Lennon. Top talent all over the place.

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Amorim’s got his fair share at United, too.

Alejandro Garnacho — a player I love — Kobbie Mainoo and Marcus Rashford would walk into most sides in the Prem.

Ruben Amorim showed flashes of a young Jose Mourinho is his latest press conference – and teased a big announcement

Obviously results must improve and the manager will want to bring in one or two new faces and make the odd tweak.

But we’re not talking a complete overhaul.

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This isn’t the United David Moyes inherited when he replaced Sir Alex in 2013.

One that may have been champions but — with all due respect — certainly wasn’t anywhere near their finest.

Fergie got them over the line but so many players were nearing the end and a total rebuild was on the cards.

Harry didn’t always have the easiest of rides under Erik ten Hag — and that’s putting it mildly — and a lot of money was spent on new central defenders.

Harry Redknapp

It was nothing like the current squad, one which just needs a bit of fine-tuning. So ignore rubbish about how this season is already a write-off.

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With so many games left, if United go on a run — and there is no reason why not — they could get fourth spot.

Chelsea are probably favourites but no one’s grabbing it by the horns.

Tottenham are in and out and Aston Villa have the Champions League to deal with as well.

The immediate job for Amorim is to bring back the confidence, to make them feel good again, like I had to at Spurs.

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Amorim's first job will be to install confidence in his squad

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Amorim’s first job will be to install confidence in his squad
Maguire had a difficult time under sacked boss Erik ten Hag at Man Utd

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Maguire had a difficult time under sacked boss Erik ten Hag at Man Utd

I remember looking at Jonathan Woodgate, Ledley King, Vedran Corluka and the rest and thinking, ‘If I can’t get this lot playing better, something really is wrong’.

They didn’t need me to tell them it hadn’t been good enough — even though I did!

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I also told everyone it was a level playing field as they were all starting from the same point.

Whoever was out of favour before, it didn’t bother me. This was a fresh start and I’d pick a side based on who impressed me in training.

That was the challenge, and they all took it on.

It’s a tough job, for sure, as tough as it comes. But an impossible one? Not a chance.

Harry Redknapp

I wanted to find the players I could rely on, just as Amorim has to at United. And I’d be amazed if Harry Maguire isn’t top of that list.

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Harry didn’t always have the easiest of rides under Erik ten Hag — and that’s putting it mildly — and a lot of money was spent on new central defenders.

But Maguire kept his head down throughout it all, didn’t cause a fuss, waited for his chance and always gave 100 per cent when it arrived.

There might be more glamorous names at United, but no one gives more, wants to win more, or cares quite as much.

Maguire has had his ups and downs at Old Trafford during his career

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Maguire has had his ups and downs at Old Trafford during his career

Ruben Amorim leaves Sporting on a high

By Charlie Wyett

RUBEN AMORIM would have preferred to leave Lisbon in a blaze of glory after winning a third Primeira Liga title.

Yet football does not work like that. And in what was surely his final game before taking charge of Manchester United, Amorim prepared to say his goodbyes at a half-empty Estadio Jose Alvalade in a League Cup quarter-final against Nacional.

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Sporting won 3-1 thanks to  second-half goals by captain  Morten Hjulmand and Viktor Gyokeres, who scored two.

Luis Esteves pulled back for Madeira-based Nacional.

The stadium  will be a good deal more lively on Tuesday when Manchester City are here for  a Champions League match — although Amorim should by then have his feet firmly under his desk at Old Trafford.

Liverpool and Aston Villa were both interested in Europe’s most sought-after coach. Even City could have been a possible destination post-Pep Guardiola.

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Yet the United job is one Amorim, 39,  could not turn  down — even if not everyone saw it that way at Sporting last night.

There is clearly a huge split in the Portuguese club’s fan base over their coach leaving at this stage of the season with many believing he should have seen the job through.

Yet Amorim, along with the three-man coaching team who are expected to follow him, leaves a club in a much better state than when he arrived here in 2020.

Inside the stadium, there was applause — albeit muted — when his name was read out before the game along with the line-ups.

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And there did not appear to be any jeers when Amorim shuffled out from the tunnel awkwardly towards the dugout.

So, while his departure is hard to take for some, none of the fans will forget his legacy.

This is a club which is back as the dominant force in Portugal. Even this term, Sporting have won their first nine league games, scoring 30 goals and conceding just two.

They are also eighth in the Champions League table, which is one hell of an effort.

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In contrast, Lisbon was not exactly hit by League Cup fever last night.

Amorim made lots of changes, which saw Sporting’s star man Gyokeres, the former Coventry striker, start on the bench.

There was, however, a first appearance in six weeks for former Tottenham winger Marcus Edwards.

He is certainly one player who has been transformed by Amorim since arriving at the club from Vitoria in 2022 and will be sorry to see the coach leave.

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While he changed his team, Amorim stuck with his tried and trusted formation of a back three.

It will certainly be something Manchester United’s fans will have to get used to over the  coming months.

But looking at the Premier League table, none of them will be complaining about the change.

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Maguire’s the sort of player every new manager needs and I’m sure it won’t take Amorim long to realise that.

He’ll soon discover the Premier League is a world away from the one he leaves behind in Portugal and there’s a lot of hard work ahead.

It’s a tough job, for sure, as tough as it comes. But an impossible one? Not a chance.

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