Southampton’s stunning start to the season continued against Stoke City, as they won 1-0 at home to leapfrog over Manchester City into second place, three points behind Chelsea.
Fresh from last week’s 8-0 home thrashing of Sunderland — their record win in the English top flight — Southampton needed only one goal at St Mary’s on Saturday, when Senegal winger Sadio Mane followed up in the 33rd minute after Graziano Pelle’s shot came back off the post.
“We will enjoy being second because it isn’t normal, because there are other teams with maybe more qualities,” Southampton manger Ronald Koeman said. “But the team deserves this position because they work hard every day.”
Sunderland conceded just two goals on Saturday, but both were from defensive errors as Alexis Sanchez’s double saw Arsenal to a 2-0 win at the Stadium of Light.
Sanchez struck in the 30th minute following a poor back pass by Wes Brown and then latched on to a “gift” clearance from former Gunners keeper Vito Mannone in the closing seconds.
“We tried hard, the players gave everything,” Sunderland boss Gus Poyet said. “We did not create enough, but you cannot concede goals like we did today.”
Liverpool, fresh from their thumping 3-0 Champions League loss at home to holders Real Madrid in midweek, were held to a goalless draw by Hull City.
Underfire Reds striker Mario Balotelli, who could have scored with the last kick of the game, was left with a return of just one goal in 11 appearances since his £16 million (US$26 million) move from AC Milan.
Crystal Palace squandered a 2-0 lead in a 2-2 draw away to West Bromwich Albion.
Brede Hangeland put Palace ahead in the 16th minute at the Hawthorns before Mile Jedinak doubled the London club’s lead with a penalty at the end of the first half after Yannick Bolasie was brought down in the box.
However, the Baggies hit back in the 51st minute when halftime substitute Victor Anichebe headed in from a corner before Saido Berahino rescued a point in stoppage-time with a penalty after Jedinak fouled Anichebe.
Ivory Coast striker Wilfried Bony scored either side of halftime as Swansea beat Leicester 2-0 in Saturday’s late kick-off at the Liberty Stadium.
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