Check out the photos from the UFC 308 official weigh-ins at the UFC host hotel in Salt Lake City (Images by Mike Bohn, MMA Junkie)
Sport
Tottenham 1 AZ Alkmaar 0: Richarlison maintains 100 per cent Europa League start after penalty row with James Maddison
RICHARLISON maintained Tottenham’s 100 per cent Europa League start – but only after winning a penalty ROW with captain James Maddison.
On an evening when Tottenham’s teenage trio shined, it was the returning Brazilian that proved the match-winner despite a bizarre on-field argument with his teammate.
On his first start of the season, having recovered from a calf strain, the No.9 striker scored a Panenka-style spot-kick that broke the AZ Alkmaar resistance.
Yet after summer signing Luca Bergvall had been decked by Maxim Dekker, Maddison negotiated at length with Richarlison, 27, and actually took the ball OFF the disappointed South American.
Moments later, it was back in Richarlison’s hands and with a steely gaze, he managed to poke fun at goalkeeper Rome-Jayden Owusu-Oduro with a straight-down-the-middle strike on 53 minutes.
Maddison, who wore the skipper’s armband for the night following the absence of Son Heung-min, did not bear any grudges with the episode.
And the England playmaker was the first to rush over and hug Richarlison, who did his pigeon-dance celebration that was a hallmark of the 2022 World Cup.
In a year in which he revealed his mental health struggles, this was a welcome sight for him and everyone connected with the player.
His coolly-taken goal means it is now three wins out of three and Spurs are on course to qualify for the top eight spots in this revamped, money-grabbing new format.
Postecoglou made NINE changes to the side that thrashed West Ham 4-1 on Saturday and that selection gamble did not backfire.
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Spurs ratings vs Alkmaar: Kids Bergvall impresses on rare start but Dragusin has uncomfortable night
TOTTENHAM made it a hat-trick of Europa League wins thanks to Richarlison’s penalty against ten-man AZ Alkmaar.
The Brazilian converted from the spot on 53 minutes in an opening goal that eventually separated the sides.
Here is how Dan King rated Spurs’ players from the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Fraser Forster – 7
Brilliant save and good rush from line in first half to stop Spurs falling behind. A spectator for most of the second half but made smart stop in last 20 minutes.
Archie Gray – 5
Unable to team up with fellow teenager Moore in first half to match threat from Tottenham’s other flank and struggled with pace of Ernest Poku.
Radu Dragusin – 5
Another mixed display. Good on the ball one moment, not so much the next. Sometimes looked strong, but then vulnerable, especially when Alkmaar ran at him.
Ben Davies – 7
Tottenham’s Mr Dependable was their most convincing defender, thanks mainly to good positioning and calmness. Although even he showed signs of tension late on.
Destiny Udogie – 6
Did a bit of everything in the opening 45 minutes, although as usual his work in opposition half tended to be better. Less adventurous in the second half.
Rodrigo Bentancur – 6
After a commanding start, was unable to stop Alkmaar from gaining a first-half foothold. Apart from occasional lapses, maintained his authority better after the break.
Mikey Moore – 7
Missed golden early chance and looked uncomfortable on right. Immediate, massive improvement when switched to left, running at defence and creating chances..
Lucas Bergvall – 8
Impressive display with everything but a goal. Full of running, composed, and found killer passes that should have become assists. But had to go off injured.
James Maddison – 7
Skipper for the night had some lovely moments without finding a decisive contribution – until he let Richarlison have the penalty.
Timo Werner – 5
Superb cross for Moore chance but woeful finish when played through by Bergvall told you everything about his confidence levels. Hooked at half time.
Richarlison – 6
Busy and committed in first half, but ball wasn’t sticking much. Really wanted to take the penalty and converting it should be a morale boost. Lasted just over an hour.
SUBS
Brennan Johnson (for Werner, half time) – 5
Failed to make most of a Bergvall pass. Quieter than usual.
Dominic Solanke (for Richarlison, 65) – 6
Worked hard without having a sight of goal.
Dejan Kulusevski (for Bergvall, 73) – 6
Gave the Spurs midfield the legs it needed to see out game.
Pape Sarr (for Maddison, 73) – 6
Also brought an injection of energy to dampen Alkmaar hopes of a comeback.
Only full-back Destiny Udogie and Maddison – a half-time sub against the Hammers – retained their places.
Three teenagers were given a run-out – Bergvall, Mikey Moore and Archie Gray – and what a special occasion this was for them all, playing in a European clash under the lights in front of a packed home crowd.
What a dream start it could have been for the 17-year-old forward Moore on his first appearance in the starting XI in N17.
The left-wing cross on five minutes from Timo Werner was delivered perfectly but the header from close range by the academy graduate, who had wriggled free of his marker, was wasted.
Later on, though, he would be serenaded by the Tottenham faithful for his industry and work-rate with that old Harry Kane song: “He’s one of our own…”
One of the other youngsters given a go was the blond-haired, 18-year-old Bergvall, a £8.5million recruit, whose night was unfortunately cut short due to a knock.
On 27 minutes, the Swedish midfielder’s beautiful outside-of-the-boot ball dissected the AZ defence and this could have led to the opening goal of an otherwise tedious first half.
The problem was the lovely pass fell to Werner and the German loanee – not the most prolific of strikers – produced a typically tame finish that the AZ goalkeeper easily saved.
Werner’s wastefulness was punished and he was hooked off at half-time for Brennan Johnson, who had a half-chance to score inside a minute of coming on.
AZ – who had a first-half header by Alexandre Penetra brilliantly saved by back-up goalkeeper Fraser Forster – had some chances but were unable to breach the home defence.
There were several times that Tottenham gave away the ball and lived dangerously and they were lucky that the electric Ernest Poku did not punish them – and that Forster’s concentration did not falter.
The Dutch side’s night got worse when David Moller Wolfe received a second yellow for a silly foul and watched the rest of the match from inside the bowels of the stadium.
Maddison cleared up the penalty row in his post-match interview, telling TNT Sports: “Initially we both wanted to take it. I am a senior player, I was the captain today, I was going to take the penalty.
“hen a little thought in my head, when I was stood there, I had a little conversation with myself. Richy has come back from an injury, it can be difficult, especially for a striker.
“I knew that last year as well when I had a long injury. It took me a while to get my first goal. That gives you confidence.”
MMA
UFC 308 official weigh-ins from Abu Dhabi
Sport
Shock moment Argentina legend steps in to stop chaos in Boca Juniors clash after riot police deployed tear gas
ARGENTINIAN legend Juan Roman Riquelme has intervened to stop warring football fans during a wild stadium brawl.
The Boca Juniors president stepped in as chaos broke out during his team’s Copa Argentina quarter-final against Gimnasia.
Riquelme spent the majority of his playing career with Boca, who are based in a district of Buenos Aires.
The 46-year-old won 51 caps for Argentina and became president of the club last year.
Gimnasia and Boca fans have a history of violence, with one spectator dying following an altercation in 2022.
On Wednesday night, with Boca leading 1-0, fans began to clash in the stands at Rosario’s Estadio Marcelo Bielsa.
Seats were thrown from the Boca end into the Gimnasia fans before skirmishes broke out among rival supporters.
The game was halted as fans attempted to break down barriers, with police firing tear gas into the crowds.
Riquelme, along with board members Chicho Serna, Raul Cascini, and Marcelo Delgado, dashed from their private box to intervene.
The former midfield maestro was caught on camera begging with Bocas ultras to stop, with one hugging their hero.
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Riquelme’s pleas were eventually heeded by Boca fans who retreated away from the barriers, preventing further trouble.
One fan gasped on X in response to the footage: “Never seen a club president do this, at least not for a big club. His actions probably prevented things from escalating.”
Another said: “Boca’s situation is already unsustainable.”
While a third added: “This is actually crazy.”
On the field, Boca had taken an early lead in the tie thanks to Aaron Anselmino.
But they were pegged back in the second period as
Pablo De Blasis levelled up for Gimnasia.
The tie eventually went to penalties, with Boca winning 2-1 after a host of misses from the visitors.
Sport
David Warner’s lifetime leadership ban reversed by Cricket Australia
Meanwhile, Australia skipper Pat Cummins appeared to rule out Warner reversing his Test retirement to fill the side’s vacant opener position against India in the upcoming series.
Warner has offered to come out of retirement for the series, with Australia needing an opener after Steve Smith’s move back to the middle order.
But, speaking to The Grade Cricketer podcast, external, Cummins said: “I did speak to Dave a couple of days ago and he said. ‘What do you think?’
“I’m like, ‘Good luck with the Thunder this year.’”
Warner was given an emotional send-off in January this year after announcing the New Year’s Test against Pakistan at the Sydney Cricket Ground would be his last.
It ended his 112-match Test career, in which he scored 8,786 runs and 26 centuries.
Football
El Clasico: Explaining Real Madrid’s La Liga unbeaten run
Barcelona need to beat Real Madrid on Saturday to keep their outright crown.
The La Liga leaders’ record run started with a 3-2 win against Real Sociedad in April 2017 and ended when they lost 5-4 to Levante in May 2018, two games shy of going unbeaten for a full season.
When you compare the two runs, offensively Barcelona’s side of six years ago has the edge.
Barca forward Lionel Messi was in sublime form during the 43-game streak, managing 58 goal involvements. For comparison, Vinicius and Bellingham have so far combined for 48.
Barcelona also recorded more wins (34 to Real’s 31) and took more points (111 to 104); although Real have played that one game fewer.
In defence, Real Madrid boast more clean sheets, with 23 compared to Barcelona’s 19, and fewer goals conceded (27 for Real and 33 for Barca).
Plus, Real have continuity on their side with Ancelotti having overseen all of their run, whereas Ernesto Valverde replaced Luis Enrique as Barcelona manager at the end of the 2016-17 season.
Sport
Arsenal boost as Newcastle NOT in contract talks with star striker Alexander Isak amid fears he could quit
ALEXANDER ISAK is not in talks with Newcastle over an extended contract as Arsenal continue to lurk and potentially pounce.
The Swede, 25, became the first Toon star since Alan Shearer two decades ago to hit 20 Premier League goals.
He has now scored 32 in his 58 top-flight appearances since arriving in a club-record £63m deal from Real Sociedad in 2022.
That form caught the eye of some of Europe’s biggest clubs, with Arsenal believed to be keen.
Isak remains under contract until 2028 and preliminary discussions between the Magpies and the star over a new package were held before the summer.
SunSport understands that more talks are NOT currently taking place and there are none pencilled in due to him still having three years left.
Neither party believes that a new contract is a top priority currently, while it is also understood the forward’s camp want to see how this season pans out.
Isak, who has only scored once for Newcastle so far this term, has ambitions to keep playing in the Champions League after having a taste at Toon a year ago.
But if Eddie Howe’s side miss out on a top four finish then he could potentially look to leave, with a lack of an extended deal increasing that possibility.
And despite his poor form in front of goal, Arsenal remain keen and Toon would still easily be able to demand £100m plus for the hitman.
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Newcastle are set to be in action this Sunday in the Premier League.
Isak and Co travel south to face Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
MMA
Ilia Topuria vs. Max Holloway title fight official
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ABU DHABI – One of the most anticipated title fights of the year is now official after Ilia Topuria and Max Holloway made weight for the UFC 308 headliner.
Reigning featherweight titleholder Topuria (15-0 MMA, 7-0 UFC) and former champion Holloway (26-7 MMA, 22-7 UFC) had no issues on the scale on Friday at the UFC host hotel, locking in Saturday’s main event at Etihad Arena on Yas Island (ESPN+ pay-per-view, ESPN+).
Topuria registered at 145 pounds during his weigh-in, while Holloway was also 145 pounds.
Check out the video above to see Topuria and Holloway make weight for their UFC 308 title fight.
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 308.
Be sure to visit the MMA Junkie Instagram page and YouTube channel to discuss this and more content with fans of mixed martial arts.
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