Arsenal extended its lead at the top, Manchester United lost again, new teenage prodigy James Milner made his name and "old" teen sensation Wayne Rooney was sent off, in a frenetic program of Premier League matches on Thursday.
Thierry Henry scored Arsenal's late winner in a 2-1 success at West Bromwich Albion, lifting Arsene Wenger's champions four points clear of second-placed Chelsea, who were held 0-0 at home by Southampton.
Manchester United lost further ground when they succumbed 3-1 at Middlesbrough, their second straight defeat, while Liverpool's poor run continued with a 1-1 draw at home to Blackburn Rovers.
PHOTO: REUTERS AND AP
After 20 games Arsenal have 42 points, Chelsea 38 and Manchester United 35. Everton are fourth on 34 points with Liverpool on 33.
Rooney, the 17-year-old who has taken English soccer by storm this season, was harshly sent off for a high tackle with nine minutes left of Everton's 1-1 draw at Birmingham City.
The striker was given his marching orders by referee David Elleray for showing his studs in a tackle on Birmingham's Steve Vickers.
PHOTO: REUTERS AND AP
The 17-year-old had come on as a substitute after City's US international Jovan Kirovski had cancelled out Canadian Tomasz Radzinski's opener for Everton.
West Brom took a third-minute lead against Arsenal when lanky striker Danny Dichio powerfully headed home a corner, and the champions struggled to create openings for the rest of the half.
But they were level three minutes into the second period when striker Francis Jeffers, making a rare start, pounced from close range.
PHOTO: REUTERS AND AP
Jason Roberts then struck the post for West Brom but France striker Henry, having missed one sitter, made no mistake with five minutes to go after Patrick Vieira charged down Adam Chambers's attempted clearance.
Manchester United captain Roy Keane made his first start since Aug. 31 at the Riverside but fine finishes by Croatian Alen Boksic and Slovakian Szilard Nemeth either side of halftime put Middlesbrough into a deserved 2-0 lead.
Ryan Giggs's close range effort on the hour gave United hope but five minutes from time Joseph Desire Job killed off the visitors, who also lost at Blackburn on Sunday having won their previous eight games.
At Anfield John Arne Riise, who earlier this week feared he might have to return to Norway to carry out military service, fired a deflected 17th-minute opener for Liverpool against Blackburn.
But a wonderful Andy Cole volley from 30m 13 minutes from time gave Blackburn a point and doused the Liverpool manager Gerard Houllier's festive spirits. Liverpool have now taken only three points from the last 24.
Leeds's 16-year-old midfielder James Milner beat Rooney's record as the premier league's youngest goalscorer by five days when he netted at the Stadium of Light to cancel out Michael Proctor's goal for Sunderland, as Leeds won 2-1.
US track and field athletes have about four dozen pieces to choose from when assembling their uniforms at the Olympics. The one grabbing the most attention is a high-cut leotard that barely covers the bikini line and has triggered debate between those who think it is sexist and others who say they do not need the Internet to make sure they have good uniforms. Among those critical or laughing at the uniforms included Paralympian Femita Ayanbeku, sprinter Britton Wilson and even athletes from other countries such as Britain’s Abigail Irozuru, who wrote on social media: “Was ANY female athlete consulted in
Four-time NBA all-star DeMarcus Cousins arrived in Taiwan with his family early yesterday to finish his renewed contract with the Taiwan Beer Leopards in the T1 League. Cousins initially played a four-game contract with the Leopards in January. On March 18, the Taoyuan-based team announced that Cousins had renewed his contract. “Hi what’s up Leopard fans, I’m back. I’m excited to be back and can’t wait to join the team,” Cousins said in a video posted on the Leopard’s Facebook page. “Most of all, can’t wait to see you guys, the fans, next weekend. So make sure you come out and support the Beer
Former US Masters champion Zach Johnson was left embarrassed after a foul-mouthed response to ironic cheers from spectators after a triple bogey at Augusta National on Friday. Johnson, the 2007 Masters winner, missed the cut after his three-over-par round of 75 left him on seven-over 151 for 36 holes, his six on the par-three 12th playing a big role in his downfall. Television footage showed Johnson reacting to sarcastic cheers and applause when he tapped in for the triple bogey by yelling: “Oh fuck off.” Such a response would be considered bad form in any golf tournament, but is particularly out of keeping
Taiwan’s Lee Jhe-huei and Yang Po-hsuan on Saturday won the men’s doubles bronze medal at the Badminton Asia Championships in Ningbo, China, after they were bested by the hosts in their semi-final. The Taiwanese shuttlers lost to China’s Liang Wei Keng and Wang Chang, who advanced to yesterday’s final against Malaysia’s Goh Sze Fei and Nur Izzudin. The Chinese pair outplayed Lee and Yang in straight games. Although the Taiwanese got off to a slow start in the first game, they eventually tied it 14-14, before Liang and Wang went on to blow past them to win 21-17. In the second game, Lee and