Last season’s gallant beaten finalists Bradford City fell in the first round of the English League Cup on Tuesday, while there were shock exits for four Championship teams.
Bradford sensationally beat Arsenal, Aston Villa and Wigan Athletic en route to February’s Wembley Stadium final, where they lost to Swansea City, but the third-tier side stumbled at the first hurdle this season after losing 2-1 at Huddersfield Town.
Newport County of fourth-tier League Two pulled off the biggest upset of the night by recording a 3-1 extra-time win at Brighton and Hove Albion, who reached last season’s Championship playoff semi-finals.
Welsh side Newport only returned to the Football League this year after 25 years in the non-league wilderness.
Brighton’s second-tier counterparts Middlesbrough, Ipswich Town and Sheffield Wednesday also tasted defeat in the opening round.
League Two Accrington Stanley, now coached by former England striker James Beattie, pulled off a 2-1 win over Middlesbrough at the Riverside Stadium.
Ipswich fell 2-0 at third-division Stevenage, while Wednesday lost 2-1 to local rivals Rotherham United.
Championship favorites Queens Park Rangers enjoyed a more straightforward outing, with new signing Charlie Austin netting an early opener in a 2-0 success at Exeter City.
However, there was fresh misery for fallen giants the Wolverhampton Wanderers, relegated to the third tier last season, as they lost 1-0 at Morecambe via a fine free-kick from Ryan Williams in the 84th minute.
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
The sacred flame for the Paris Olympics was lit yesterday in Olympia, Greece, the birthplace of the ancient Games, in a ceremony inspired by antiquity and marked by messages of hope amid multiple global crises. “In ancient times, the Olympic Games brought together the Greek city states, even — and in particular — during times of war and conflict,” International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach said. “Today, the Olympic Games are the only event that brings the entire world together in peaceful competition. Then as now, the Olympic athletes are sending this powerful message — yes, it is possible to compete fiercely