Manchester United defender Nemanja Vidic could return on Wednesday

Manchester United defender Nemanja Vidic could make a surprise comeback in Wednesday's Champions League game against Cluj.

Vidic has been out of action since September after undergoing knee surgery but is back in full training.
United manager Sir Alex Ferguson revealed his captain could now make an appearance in the low-key game against Romanian outfit Cluj at Old Trafford.
"It would be nice for him to play on Wednesday," said Ferguson. "We are not afraid of that.
"He has started training, which is good news. He has not been involved in the real competitive part but he has done OK.
"The best way is for us to leave it to 'Vida' himself. He has the experience to know what is best for him and when the time is right for him to come back into the team.
"He would be short of match practice but I wouldn't be averse to playing him on Wednesday."

United are already assured of finishing in top spot in Champions League Group H and Ferguson is likely to give a number of his fringe players a run-out on Wednesday ahead of the derby showdown with Manchester City the following Sunday.
Centre-back Vidic, who last played for United in the 1-0 win over Galatasaray on 19 September, could be in contention for the game at the Etihad if he comes through the Cluj tie unscathed.
The 31-year-old was initially not expected back until Christmas after undergoing a meniscus operation on the same knee that he injured last season but his rehabilitation has gone well.
However, winger Nani, who has been missing for United since the beginning of November with a hamstring injury, is facing another month on the sidelines.
"Nani is going to be out for a longer spell, possibly another four or five weeks," said Ferguson.
http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11667/8295184/Manchester-United-defender-Nemanja-Vidic-could-return-on-Wednesday

Chris Robshaw admits England squad have been 'back to the drawing board'

Chris Robshaw admits he and the rest of the England team have had to learn some harsh lessons about international rugby during this year's autumn Tests.

Having suffered back-to-back defeats at the hands of Australia and South Africa, Stuart Lancaster's squad complete their fixtures on Saturday when they take on New Zealand at Twickenham, live on Sky Sports.
However, things could have been very different for England - they turned down several kickable penalties during the 20-14 reverse to the Wallabies and then were pipped by a solitary point by the Springboks last weekend.

"We have learned some hard lessons, myself in particular, but we have to move forward," Robshaw said. "We've been strong. We've gone back to the drawing board and then tried to move forward.
"We've looked at the South Africa game, what worked well and what didn't work quite so well, and how do we try and get a result against New Zealand, which isn't going to be easy in itself.
"But we feel there are opportunities out there for ourselves, if we stick to our processes and how we've trained during the week. Anything is possible.
"We can't be dwelling on what has happened the last couple of weeks and look at every situation in a new light."
Robshaw knows the All Blacks will provided England with their toughest test yet, particularly with fly-half Dan Carter back in the No 10 shirt after missing his nation's win over Wales in Cardiff last Saturday.
"New Zealand are one of the smartest sides," the Harlequins flanker added. "They probably play the best attacking rugby.
"It will be very different from last week, though of course we have to match their physicality at the break down.
"It's our last game in this series and we want to finish on a high."
http://www1.skysports.com/rugby-union/news/12504/8296393/Chris-Robshaw-admits-England-squad-have-been-back-to-the-drawing-board-

Day one report: South Africa strike twice after being dismissed for 225 at the WACA

Australia were held up by a familiar face on day one of the winner-takes-all third and final Test against South Africa at the WACA, but still dismissed the Proteas for 225 to seize the early initiative.

Faf Du Plessis, who batted throughout the entire final day to keep the series level in Adelaide, defied Australia for a second Test match running with an unbeaten 78 before South Africa's seamers struck twice before stumps to raise spirits.
Despite losing Ed Cowan (0) and Shane Watson (10) late on, Australia ended day one the happier side after Michael Clarke lost the toss and was forced to bowl first with a makeshift pace attack.
Recalled trio Watson, Mitchell Starc and Mitchell Johnson and debutant John Hastings responded to the challenge, though, helping reduce South Africa to 75-6 inside the opening 31 overs.
Watson, back from a calf injury, claimed the breakthrough when luring South Africa skipper Graeme Smith (16) into a loose prod outside off stump - opposite number Clarke pouching well at first slip.
After an unsuccessful opening spell, left-arm seamer Starc then returned and removed Alviro Petersen (30) and Jacques Kallis (2) in identical fashion with inswinging, full deliveries which crashed into off stump on the stroke of lunch.
The wickets continued to tumble after the lunch break as Hashim Amla (11), AB De Villiers (4) and debutant Dean Elgar (0) all came and went to leave South Africa in dire straights on 75-6.
But Du Plessis shared half-century stands with Robin Petersen (31) and Vernon Philander (30) to take South Africa past 200 and Steyn and Philander removed Cowan and Watson respectively to see Australia end the day on 33-2.

Damage

Amla was sent on his way just after lunch when David Warner swooped athletically at cover and threw down the stumps with the right-hander marginally short of his ground.
De Villiers then became Hastings' maiden Test scalp when another edge was safely pouched by Clarke at slip and Johnson ensured Elgar's first knock in Test cricket was a brief one when he top-edged an attempted pull straight up, where Matthew Wade settled under the catch.
South Africa desperately needed a partnership and Du Plessis and recalled all-rounder Petersen began repairing the damage with a half-century stand before Lyon claimed the first of three lower-order wickets.
When Petersen had edged his attempted cut off the spinner through to Wade, Du Plessis and fit-again all-rounder Philander came together with Australia still in command with the scorecard reading 132-7.
The situation was Du Plessis' cue to up the ante and he went past 50 for the third time in three Test innings', while Philander looked assured at the other end.
The pair had taken the score along to 196 before Philander skied Lyon straight up and Mike Hussey held his nerve under the high ball to claim a spectacular catch.
Du Plessis, who struck 12 boundaries in his 142-ball knock, took South Africa past 200 before Morne Morkel's late fun was ended by Lyon, who finished with 3-41 from 12 overs.
That left Australia with an awkward 40-minute spell to negotiate before the close and they failed to see it out unscathed as Dale Steyn and Philander both struck.
Steyn snared Cowan for a golden duck after another sharp slip catch from Kallis before Philander pinned Watson lbw via the use of DRS. Warner (12no) and nightwatchman Lyon (7no) will return to the middle on day two.
http://www.skysports.com/cricket/match_report/0,19822,11066_13632_1,00.html

England fly-half Owen Farrell says he is not afraid to go up against the All Blacks

Owen Farrell insists he will have no fear when he lines up at fly-half for England in Saturday's clash with New Zealand at Twickenham.

Farrell has been called into the side to replace the injured Toby Flood and will play opposite fellow world player of the year nominee Dan Carter.
The 21-year-old admits his inclusion on the International Rugby Board's shortlist for the award alongside Carter, Richie McCaw and Frederic Michalak came as a surprise.
But although Farrell is honoured to be placed alongside rugby's leading lights, he says he will not be overawed by them at the weekend.
"It is very humbling to be alongside the other players on the list. They are all world class," the Saracens player said.
"I didn't really understand it at first. I was getting all these messages and I didn't know what was going on. The lads have congratulated me and so-on but the main focus is this weekend.
"New Zealand are a world class team. They are unbeaten in 20 matches. That is the challenge to look forward to. There is no point being scared of it.
"It's a game that I love. It's not a game that I'm scared of. It may be a game against the best team in the world but it is still another game of rugby."

Farrell was full of praise for opposite number Carter, who returns for the All Blacks after missing last weekend's win over Wales through injury, and knows England will have a tough time containing him at Twickenham.
He added: "The thing about him is the way he is always in complete control of what he's doing.
"He's always in control of everything going on around him and he almost looks like he could play it in his sleep.
"A lot of work goes into that and the way he puts things behind him as well means nothing really affects him during a game. That is a great quality to have."
http://www1.skysports.com/rugby-union/news/12504/8294568/England-fly-half-Owen-Farrell-says-he-is-not-afraid-to-go-up-against-the-All-Blacks

Sam Warburton desperate to beat Australia in Cardiff on Saturday

Wales captain Sam Warburton is desperate to end the country's repeated failure to claim a major southern hemisphere scalp, starting with Australia this weekend.

The nation have won just one of 20 meetings during Warren Gatland's reign against New Zealand, South Africa and Australia - a 21-18 success over the Wallabies in 2008.
Even Wales captain Warburton, who only made his Test debut in 2009, has experienced 10 losses at the hands of the All Blacks, Springboks and Wallabies, a record he is eager to rectify.
"It has got to the stage now where enough is enough," said Warburton.

 

"I said to the players before the New Zealand game that I've only been involved (with Wales) for three or four years and it is already getting on my nerves, this whole southern hemisphere scalp.
"I don't know how the likes of Ryan (Jones) and Mike (Phillips) - players who have been around the team 10 years or so - must feel. I definitely feel like that, and I'm sure the rest of the squad feel the same way."

Pride

The British and Irish Lions' tour of Australia now just six months away, however, Warburton is just taking it one game at a time and putting his body on the line every times he plays.
"I am not sure if I've been cautious about injuries with my body, but there is no point trying to do that," he continued.
"If I end up burning out early, then that's the way it is. I am just going to go hell for leather from the start. That is the way I played last year, and that is the way I will play this season.
"I don't think it was a form issue. I always thought it was something mentally.
"I did my medial ligament after about 10 minutes against England once, but I strapped it up and played on. In South Africa in 2010 I broke my jaw after a minute and played on, so unless I really have to go off, I never will. It is something I pride myself on, staying on the pitch and toughing it out."
http://www1.skysports.com/rugby-union/news/12507/8294552/Sam-Warburton-desperate-to-beat-Australia-in-Cardiff-on-Saturday

Brendan Rodgers is confident Raheem Sterling will soon sign new deal at Liverpool

Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers is confident Raheem Sterling will soon sign a new deal at Anfield.

Sterling's long-term future at Liverpool has been the subject of conjecture in recent weeks with talks over a new deal ongoing.
The 17-year-old has established himself as a key player in Rodgers' side this term and has also broken into the England squad.
Rodgers is not worried about Sterling's contract situation and expects the winger to pledge his future to the club.
"Raheem's been ongoing, the club and his representatives are in good dialogue and good communication, and hopefully we'll get that resolved fairly soon," said Rodgers.
Sterling has virtually been an ever-present this season and Rodgers admits they will need to give the teenager a break in the future to avoid fatigue setting in.
"There will be at some point and we'll need to give him a breather, there's is no question [about that]," added Rodgers.
"He's a very young man and is still learning the game. He still has technical elements he needs to improve upon and tactical elements.
"But one of the biggest things is psychological at this level - real mental fatigue can set in.
"He's been terrific so far. He's got to this stage at the end of November and been absolutely brilliant, but at some point he will need that breather.
"He's been one of our leading players, but for the benefit of Raheem it'll be something I'll need to consider."
http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11669/8294184/Brendan-Rodgers-is-confident-Raheem-Sterling-will-soon-sign-new-deal-at-Liverpool

Jermain Defoe dismisses QPR link and wants to stay at Tottenham for rest of career

Jermain Defoe has dismissed reports of a January move to QPR and insisted that he wants to see out his career with Tottenham.

Speculation has emerged that the England striker is a top target for new QPR boss Harry Redknapp when the transfer window re-opens on New Year's Day.
But Defoe, Spurs' leading scorer this season with 10 goals in all competitions, claims he has no intention of linking up with Redknapp for the fourth time in his career.
"That's not going to happen. I'm not leaving Tottenham, I love the club and to score goals at a big club like this is fantastic," Defoe told Sky Sports News.

 

"If the opportunity comes to leave the club it won't be happening. I don't want to leave, I'm a Spurs player - and I'm happy. I'd like to finish my career at Tottenham. I want to achieve something special here - it's a great time to be at the club."
Spurs moved to fifth in the Premier League after Wednesday's 2-1 win over Liverpool, and Defoe is confident they can sustain their challenge for a Champions League place.
"I thought the performance against Liverpool was great. It was a massive win," he added. "Character is key and the lads who've come in have been fantastic. With the quality we've got it's important to go on a run and we're capable of doing that."

Defoe also offered his full backing to Spurs boss Andre Villas-Boas, who has struggled to win over the fans since succeeding Redknapp in the summer.
"It's difficult for any manager - when you come in you've got different ideas," said Defoe. "It wasn't the best at Chelsea but that happens. It's part of life and being a manager, but he's a fantastic manager and been fantastic for me.
"There's always a different approach each game and he's such a nice guy. All the lads want to fight and win for him. I'm just enjoying the journey and I'm sure he is as well."
http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11711/8294416/Jermain-Defoe-dismisses-QPR-link-and-wants-to-stay-at-Tottenham-for-rest-of-career

England name Owen Farrell at fly-half for Twickenham Test against New Zealand

Owen Farrell has been named at fly-half for England's final autumn Test against New Zealand on Saturday.

The Saracens star, who has been nominated for the IRB Player of the Year award, replaces the injured Toby Flood in the only change to starting side that lost to South Africa.
Flood's promotion sees the uncapped Freddie Burns named among the replacements, the 22-year-old star rewarded for some superb showings for Gloucester this season.
The only other change sees Courtney Lawes make his return from injury to take Mouritz Botha's place on the bench for the Twickenham clash.
Stuart Lancaster's side have scored just one try in the back-to-back defeats to Australia and South Africa, but the head coach is confident they can deliver a big performance against an All Blacks side that are on a 20-game unbeaten streak.

"We asked for a big response from the players after Australia and we got one last Saturday against South Africa, although ultimately we were denied," said Lancaster.
"That frustration has been channelled this week and the whole squad has reacted with a determination to get a victory against the top team in the world.
"We are delighted that Courtney has got an opportunity. He has worked hard to get back in contention and what better game for him to make an impact.
"The same with Freddie Burns, who has had a great Premiership season so far, and we are looking forward to seeing him contribute should he get his chance."
England: Goode, Ashton, Tuilagi, Barritt, Brown, Farrell, Youngs; Corbisiero, Youngs, Cole, Launchbury, Parling, Wood, Robshaw (captain), Morgan.
Replacements: Paice, Wilson, Vunipola, Lawes, Haskell, Care, Burns, Joseph.
http://www1.skysports.com/rugby-union/news/12504/8293554/England-name-Owen-Farrell-at-fly-half-for-Twickenham-Test-against-New-Zealand

David Beckham not ruling out England move as he prepares for last game with LA Galaxy

David Beckham is not ruling out a move to a Premier League club as he considers the options ahead of his LA Galaxy exit.

The 37-year-old former Manchester United midfielder is set to bring the curtain down on his six-year stay in Major League Soccer as his team aim to defend their crown in the MLS Cup final.
And in the build-up to Saturday's showdown with Houston Dynamo, Beckham revealed his thoughts on his next move - on and off the pitch - in an exclusive interview with Chief Sky Sports News Reporter Bryan Swanson.
"I'm lucky. At the age of 37 I've been offered some quite exciting options and there are a few options on the table," said the ex-England star, who insisted last week he wanted to "experience one last challenge" before ending his playing career.
Beckham has been linked with a move to a number of clubs, with new QPR boss Harry Redknapp and PSG manager Carlo Ancelotti taking the time recently to hail the talents of the former Real Madrid player.
"I always said I'd struggle to come back and play in England because I've played for the biggest club in the world and biggest club in England - Manchester United," added the player who ended a 10-year spell at Old Trafford in 2003.

 

"So I couldn't see myself playing for any other Premier League club, but you never know. I've got options on the table.
"I do think I'll be spending more time in England though and it's good for our kids to see their grandparents.
"Over the last six years it's been difficult not seeing them as much as we'd like and they'd like, but we definitely won't be leaving LA for good."
Beckham refused to confirm whether QPR were one of the clubs being considered, but added: "What I am touched about is that I've got great managers - Harry and Ancelotti saying great things about me.
"Not saying they would like to sign me but saying nice things about me. It's nice to see them talking about me in such a nice way."
While his future direction remains uncertain, it may not be the end of his American adventure after telling Sky Sports News that he is close to owning a stake in a Major League Soccer team.
Beckham revealed he had been in talks with a franchise for the last six months and hoped to announce his stake in a club "soon".
http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11711/8293337/David-Beckham-is-not-ruling-out-England-move-as-he-prepares-for-his-last-game-with-LA-Galaxy

Ricky Ponting to quit international cricket after a 17-year career

Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting has revealed he will retire from international cricket at the end of the third Test against South Africa.

The 37-year-old, who is the second highest run scorer in Test history, announced his decision in Perth, drawing to an end a 17-year career at the highest level.
Ponting's future has been the subject of much speculation following poor performances against the Proteas in Brisbane and Adelaide, scoring just 20 runs.
On the fourth morning of the Adelaide Oval Test he admitted that he was unsure about his place in the team, conceding that there was a real chance he would be dropped for Perth.

Coach Mickey Arthur, captain Michael Clarke and senior batsman Mike Hussey all threw their support behind Ponting following the second Test, insisting a return to form was not far away.
But with a three-Test series to come against Sri Lanka later this summer ahead of back-to-back Ashes series away and then at home against England, Ponting has decided to fall on his sword.
"It's a decision I thought long and hard about, put in long consideration about the decision, at the end of the day it was about my results and my output in this series so far," said Ponting.
"It hasn't been to the level required for batsmen and players in the Australian team. My level of performance hasn't been good enough.
"This is not a decision that's been made by the selectors, this a decision that has been made by me. I'm glad I've got the opportunity to go out on my terms."

Debut

The Perth Test will be Ponting's 168th, meaning he will finish his career level with former captain Steve Waugh as Australia's most-capped Test player.
Heading into his final match the Tasmanian, who will turn 38 next month, has scored an Australian-record 13,366 runs at an average of 52.21, including 41 centuries and a highest score of 257.

 

Ponting's retirement comes nine months after he quit the one-day international arena and just under two years after he relinquished the captaincy of the Test squad following the 2010/11 Ashes loss.
His 48 Test wins as captain was another Australian record, although his leadership will also be remembered for three Ashes defeats, the first of them in 2005 coming after his country had held the famous urn for 16 years.
After making his debut in 1995/96 against Sri Lanka, scoring 96 before being given out LBW to a delivery that appeared set to bounce over the top of the stumps, Ponting became Australia's most prolific batsman.
His international career will now wind down at the same ground where it began against Sri Lanka.
Ponting was named ICC Player of the Year twice, in 2006 and '07, the international body's Test player of the year three times - in 2003, '04 and '06 - won the Allan Border Medal in 2004, '06, '07 and '09 and as well as being the Wisden Cricketer of the Year in 2006 was also CricInfo's Player of the Decade for 2000-09.
http://www1.skysports.com/cricket/news/12175/8293282/Ricky-Ponting-to-quit-international-cricket-after-a-17-year-career

Analysis: Why the FIA have given Sebastian Vettel the green light over his overtake

Controversy currently surrounds Sebastian Vettel's third world title amidst claims that he illegally passed Jean-Eric Vergne's car in a yellow-flag zone on lap four of Sunday's Brazilian Grand Prix.

Ferrari have written to the FIA, the sport's governing body, seeking clarification about the legality of the overtake. However, it's understood that the FIA are content that the move was legal.
Here's the situation explained and how the drama unfolded...
Why are Ferrari seeking clarification from the FIA?
Because since Sunday's race, forensic examination of the on-board footage from Vettel's car, which was broadcast by Sky Sports F1's Race Control during the grand prix, has generated a considerable amount of online debate amid suspicion that the Red Bull driver overtook Vergne under yellow flags.

Had Vettel committed any such offence then it could, if he was to be found guilty, trigger a twenty-second time penalty to be added on to his result, demoting him to eighth and crowning Alonso World Champion in his place.
Quite the big deal then.
What do the FIA say?
Although Ferrari are yet to receive an official response, the governing body has briefed journalists that Red Bull have "no case to answer" as Vettel had passed a green flag to reconvene racing before he overtook the Toro Rosso mid-way down the backstraight.
What green flag?
It is far from obvious, not least because the flag and marshal are partially obscured on the footage by the throttle map graphic from Vettel's RB8, but as the Toro Rosso and Red Bull pass the Interlagos pit exit there is a steward positioned on a green-coloured gantry to the left of the race track waving a green flag. The more times you watch the footage, the more visible he becomes.
The track would have gone 'green' the moment Vettel passed the flag, meaning that his overtake was legal.
But why was his dashboard light still yellow at the time of the move?The dashboard warning light features in all F1 cockpits, officially known as a GPS Marshalling System, to make it more obvious for drivers the relevant colour flag waving as they go through the affected zone.
However, the light is only there to help the drivers as a way of a precaution and is not the be-all-and-end all in terms of signalling and only extinguishes when the car passes a green light. However, a prior green flag via a marshal, as in this case, takes precedence.
So just why was the light yellow at the exit of Turn Three?
Ahh. We admit, we're a bit stumped by this. We've reviewed the footage and found that the light was green when Vettel passed Pic on lap three, presumably because Pastor Maldonado had left the track further back. Yet the light had turned yellow one lap later. Why? We're not sure, although it's certainly possible that debris was on the track.
Did Vettel use his KERS during the yellow flag zone?
Again, we've reviewed the evidence, and the German only used the first burst of his KERS boost once passed the now established green flag. Prior to then, the on-screen graphic showed he still had his full allocation for the lap. In any case, there is no penalty for using a burst of the recycled energy in a yellow flag zone.
http://www1.skysports.com/formula-1/news/12433/8293852/Did-Sebastian-Vettel-overtake-Jean-Eric-Vergne-illegally-during-the-Brazilian-Grand-Prix- 

Andy Farrell: England have the quality to cause a shock against the All Blacks

Andy Farrell has dismissed suggestions that England lack enough of a cutting edge to beat the best teams in the world.

England face world champions New Zealand at Twickenham on Saturday, with their attacking game coming in for criticism after scoring just one try in the defeats to Australia and South Africa.
Despite those back-to-back defeats at Twickenham, Farrell insists England are in a 'great place' ahead of their final autumn Test against the All Blacks.
"They have played against two very good teams and the reality of the South Africa game was that we were the best team," he said.
"You can't not be in a good place when you review the game in its entirety.
"There were a couple of places we would like to improve but in the (wet) conditions and in the circumstances we were taking the game to a side who were in good form and had won games recently at a canter.
"We were piling on the pressure and making inroads. Of course there were errors because of the conditions but they made errors too. We were pushing right to the end."
The challenge for England to attack off quick ball will be even tougher this weekend with the All Blacks, and Richie McCaw in particular, masters of competing at the breakdown.
"They have grown up massively in the last three or four years," said Farrell. "They don't just pile into the breakdown and make it difficult, they are very accurate in that area.

Fast ball

"Richie McCaw is the master of biding his time, letting it all unfold and then pouncing to make it accurate.
"We have to make sure we are on the ball because, like any other team, if we get fast ball, if we get over the gain-line and continuity then we can do some damage."
England will finalise their 23-man squad on Tuesday night and there is one decision still to take, namely whether Courtney Lawes returns in place of Mouritz Botha.
Lawes has been training with England since last week and made his comeback from a knee injury with 60 minutes for Northampton on Saturday.
"Courtney has come through well so we have a decision to make there," Farrell said.
Alex Corbisiero did not train with the team on Tuesday as the England medics manage his return from a knee injury, but Farrell is confident the loosehead prop will be fit.
http://www1.skysports.com/rugby-union/news/12504/8289892/Andy-Farrell-England-have-the-quality-to-cause-a-shock-against-the-All-Blacks

Arsene Wenger: Arsenal future lies with youngsters like Jack Wilshere

Arsene Wenger says Arsenal's future lies with the team's young players, such as Jack Wilshere.

Wilshere, who has been at the Gunners since the age of nine, has just returned from a lengthy spell on the sidelines and is thought to be negotiating a contract extension.
And Wenger, while also praising fellow England internationals Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Kieran Gibbs, is confident the 20-year-old will commit to the club.
"He has two-and-a-half years left - that's quite a long time," said Wenger.
"We have built a team where we have a lot of young English players, or British players like Gibbs, Chamberlain, Wilshere.
"We still have the case of Theo Walcott, Aaron Ramsey. You want them all on long-term contracts.

 

"Jack has always been very committed to this club and I hope he will show that. There is only one way to show it and that is to commit your long-term future to the club."
Meanwhile Walcott has yet to commit himself past the end of the season, with Wenger revealing 'unfortunately, I cannot give you any news.'
Arsenal are now benefiting from their home-grown recruitment policy, which Wenger feels will make a strong bond between the developing players and their club.
"If the quality is local, it is of course even better because it gives you more guarantee of stability because the players who are English who play for Arsenal are more likely to stay for a longer term than foreign players, but we look first at quality, that is the most important," he added.
Wenger came in for criticism from some of the travelling support during the goalless draw at Villa Park on Saturday - with chants of "you don't know what you're doing" greeting the second-half substitution of striker Olivier Giroud for defensive midfielder Francis Coquelin.
However, the focus of the French coach remains unmoved.
"My job is to give full commitment to this club, with integrity. That's what I always do without expecting any return," he said.
"I don't want to comment on that [fans]. I just make sure that I do my job properly - that's what I do."
http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11670/8289150/Arsene-Wenger-Arsenal-future-lies-with-youngsters-like-Jack-Wilshere

Chris Froome set to lead Team Sky at the Tour de France according to Dave Brailsford

British Cycling supremo Dave Brailsford has confirmed that Chris Froome is likely to lead Team Sky's bid for next year's Tour de France.

Froome had to play second fiddle in support of victorious team-mate Bradley Wiggins during this year's Tour, sometimes to his obvious frustration, but he will be the main man in the saddle next year under Brailsford's plan.
With this summer's Tour victor Wiggins seemingly set to focus on the Giro d'Italia, Brailsford, speaking to reporters at UK Sport's world class performance conference in Leeds, said: "We are just getting back into training now and need to do quite a lot of planning.
"But it does look as though the plan going into next year, which has still not completely been signed off, is that the Tour of Italy would be a very good target for Bradley and leave Froomey then to focus on the Tour de France."

 

Team Sky boss Brailsford is also British Cycling's performance director and he admitted the poaching of top staff has to be expected after the success of the team at the London Olympics - but that it could help the organisation stay at the top.
Three have gone to the Rugby Football Union - including this month the head of marginal gains Matt Parker, who worked closely with Wiggins - while psychologist Steve Peters has been snapped up by UK Athletics, though he will retain some involvement with cycling.
Brailsford insisted their replacements would bring new thinking into British Cycling and move the organisation forward.

New ideas

He added: "It's inevitable, but it means you get fresh people and new ideas.
"Matt Parker and our two performance analysts went off to rugby, but Matt had been there 10 years and if you carry on with the same group at some point in time you are going to get myopic.
"So I think bringing in people with new ideas that we listen to is healthy."
Brailsford also warned UK Athletics not to have unrealistic expectations about Peters.
He said: "If people buy into his ideas then they are the ones that can change the culture - but he can't do it on his own."
http://www1.skysports.com/cycling/news/15264/8290013/Chris-Froome-set-to-lead-Team-Sky-at-the-Tour-de-France-according-to-Dave-Brailsford

Courtney Lawes named in England squad for Saturday's clash with New Zealand

England have been boosted by the return of Courtney Lawes to the 23-man squad for this Saturday's clash with New Zealand at Twickenham.

The fit-again Northampton lock replaces Mouritz Botha, while Freddie Burns comes in for the injured Toby Flood in an otherwise unchanged squad from the one which took on South Africa last Saturday.
Flood suffered an injury to his toe in the 16-15 defeat to the Springboks, which means Owen Farrell is likely to start at fly-half against the world champions, with Burns - in superb form for Gloucester - providing back-up on the bench.
Saints star Lawes is yet to feature in the autumn internationals because of a knee injury.
England coach Stuart Lancaster said: "Firstly to those guys who won't be coming back in on Wednesday, their attitude over the last five weeks has been first-rate with the energy and enthusiasm they have brought to the squad both on and off the field.
"Unfortunately we can only pick 23 but they have all pushed hard for selection and I know they will go back to their clubs hungry to force their way into the Elite Player Squad in January.
"For those in Saturday's squad the message is clear - last week we went toe to toe with the second best team in the world and felt we should have won.
"Now we have a chance to take on the number one side in front of a passionate Twickenham crowd, who have been fantastic throughout the QBE Internationals, and it is a challenge we will meet head on."
Forwards: Alex Corbisiero, Dan Cole, James Haskell, Joe Launchbury, Courtney Lawes, Ben Morgan, David Paice, Geoff Parling, Chris Robshaw, Mako Vunipola, David Wilson, Tom Wood, Tom Youngs
Backs: Chris Ashton, Brad Barritt, Mike Brown, Freddie Burns, Danny Care, Owen Farrell, Alex Goode, Jonathan Joseph, Manusamoa Tuilagi, Ben Youngs
http://www1.skysports.com/rugby-union/news/12504/8290543/Courtney-Lawes-named-in-England-squad-for-Saturday-s-clash-with-New-Zealand

Lance Armstrong must confess so cycling can move on, says Tyler Hamilton

Lance Armstrong must admit to doping so cycling can move on from its past, Tyler Hamilton told Sky Sports News.

Hamilton was one of 11 former teammates to testify against Armstrong in the recent USADA investigation into drug use in cycling. That led to Armstrong being stripped of his seven Tour de France titles and banned for life by the sport's governing body, the UCI.
Armstrong has never failed a drugs test and continues to deny the accusations - but Hamilton says it is time for him to come clean for the good of the sport.

 

"I do believe we will see some sort of truth come out from Lance Armstrong eventually," he said.
"I know it will do him a lot of good personally and it will do the sport of cycling a lot of good. We're in a tough spot right now and with Armstrong coming clean we could put an end to this chapter and we could move forward.
"The peloton today are suffering for our past and that's not fair."

Time for change

Hamilton, who was banned for failing drugs tests in 2004 and 2009, has won the William Hill Sports Book of the Year award for The Secret Race, his tell-all story about his time in the peloton. He hopes his tale can deter others from following the same path and has also called for changes to be made within the UCI.
"[Writing the book] was the hardest thing I've ever done, harder than any Tour de France," he said. "I had a lot of secrets I was prepared to go to the grave with but this story had to be told.
"Back when I was racing I'd say at least eighty per cent of the peloton were doping to some degree. There are still bad apples in the sport and the governing body has a lot of questions to answer.
"I love cycling from the bottom of my heart and it kills me to see it where it is today. I believe the sport would benefit from a fresh face, a new look, a new attitude because it's getting dragged down from the past and that's unfortunate."
http://www1.skysports.com/cycling/news/15264/8289045/Lance-Armstrong-must-confess-so-cycling-can-move-on-says-Tyler-Hamilton

What a race, what a year

What a race. I have the fullest respect for any driver who got to the end of those 71 laps of chaos at Interlagos, and many who didn't.

If Fernando Alonso can face watching a re-run of Sunday's Brazilian GP he will simply shake his head in total amazement that he is not the World Champion.
Sebastian Vettel was both amazing and truly lucky. After a reasonable start he found himself squeezed gently towards the inside wall into turn one by his team-mate Mark Webber which I suspect didn't impress Red Bull. Forced to lift off and understandably rather cautious he found himself falling back into the pack.
As his rival Alonso did his usual dragster start and banzai around the outside, Vettel arrived at Turn Four under pressure. His first stroke of luck was the brilliance of Kimi Raikkonen who, on a damp track, realised he was going to squarely thump the champion-elect in the gearbox with some force and so drove his Lotus off the track with great presence of mind.

Vettel then, from the extreme outside of the track, swept into the apex of T4 on a normal racing line, but frankly there must have been close to a 100% chance that another gripless desperado would be slithering into that space. The fast-starting Bruno Senna was under control and accurate in his aim for the apex and would be eliminated on the spot after a double contact with Vettel - as would Sergio Perez who collected Senna.
The first contact spun Vettel around and damaged his bodywork, and the second gave his right rear suspension a serious thump. Through this Vettel was brilliantly freewheeling his car backwards in a straight line trying to help the rest of the pack avoid him. He was now running last - but, incredibly, still in the race. The team had been worrying about a potential alternator failure but now they had a car which looked as if it had suffered a shark attack.
The first 20 laps of the race were the most exciting I have ever had the privilege to commentate on. The wheel-to-wheel action between Button and Hamilton was thrilling, masterful, respectful, risky, and mesmerising. And all watched by Nico Hulkenberg who then impressively made his way to the front of the race.
I happened across Force India Sporting Director Andy Stevenson before the race who clearly stated that he felt Hulkenberg was out of position on the grid - because he was faster than some of those in front. I turned around to see just two Red Bulls and two McLarens and said I thought that was quite a bold statement. Less than an hour later they were leading in a car which had been set up with a nod towards a wet race.
As the light rain eased and then returned it seemed impossible to find the right tyre. It was a day to stay on the track but that was much easier said than done. Some stuck with their original slicks, most notably Hulkenberg and Button, others grabbed the safety and comfort of intermediates. The lap times ebbed and flowed so much it was impossible to initially say which was the right choice.
Hulkenberg looked comfortably in charge at the front leading from laps 18 to 47 but made two critical errors. The first was a half spin which cost him the lead, the second a slightly impetuous charge down the inside of turn one to regain the lead from Hamilton who had been wrong-footed in traffic. He lost the rear and collected Hamilton, ending up off the ground flying along at 45 degrees. Incredibly his car was intact although his drive-through penalty seemed to have been announced before he landed. It also signalled a sad end to Hamilton's McLaren career.
Hulkenberg's penalty was tough in such track conditions although he had clearly wiped out Hamilton while losing control of his car. The stewards, I believe, treat the first lap differently in the general chaos and didn't choose to take a look at Vettel's contact with Senna who was similarly wiped out. As Vettel was also under control and on the racing line, it would have been deemed a racing incident.
Vettel's difficult afternoon endured. He was caught napping on the safety car restart which had been deployed because there was carbon fibre spread all around the track like confetti. His radio failed and so although he could hear the team they couldn't hear him. He went for a new set of slicks just before he needed intermediates. On arrival for those inters his unannounced stop meant they were still in blankets. And yet he still remained in championship-winning position providing he stayed on track and nothing happened to Button who was now leading from Fernando Relentless.

Paul di Resta lost his Force India in standing water on those apparently easy but ultimately treacherous gentle left kinks heading up to the startline. In the rain it's so scary through there you can take a bite out of your seat...
The resulting safety car neutralised the end of the race and everybody's race positions were crystallised. Vettel was champion, Button the race winner, and Caterham would crucially take the lucrative 10th place off Marussia, passing the baton on financial pressure.
We can forgive Felipe Massa 'crying like a baby' as he put it on the podium. His emotions would flood back from 2008 here when he was World Champion for a few seconds in his own back yard. He's had a largely awful season but is now surely on his consistently best form since the clout to his head back in 2009. He helped Ferrari ace McLaren - who, like Red Bull, won seven races - for second in the Constructors' Championship, thereby partly easing the pain for many at Ferrari.
Comedy moment of the race was Kimi Raikkonen who ran wide into Juncao, the treacherous left hander before climbing the hill. He had done this back in 2001 and knew the old Interlagos track offered a route back onto the racetrack. Except this time it was firmly gated. His 180 degree U-turn in a confined space under pressure was worthy of Strictly Come Dancing, although another time he might take the Tarmac road back to civilisation rather than charging across the grass. After his many adventures he cruised over the line in 10th place. He has been truly impressive in his comeback year.
My driver of the year is Fernando Alonso, the man who scored most podiums - thirteen - without the benefit of the fastest car. His sheer grit and determination along with sublime car control meant that the racer in me wanted him to steal the championship.

Instead, at just 25 years and 124 days of age, Sebastian Vettel's majestic skills and mature head ensured that he became the youngest triple World Champion in Formula One history. He has the potential to smash even Schumacher's achievements and many men of a certain age like me will reflect on how much they had achieved before 26. Don't try to tell me that he's not the real deal or that he's not yet a great driver.
Jenson Button won the first and last race of the season and looks very ready to lead McLaren forward. If he can deliver more consistently there's another championship in him yet.
Regulation consistency means that 2013 should bring us more of the same. I've thoroughly enjoyed being part of the Sky Sports F1 team this year and can't wait for the new season. We look forward to your company to share all the thrills and spills.
http://www1.skysports.com/formula-1/news/22058/8288998/What-a-race-what-a-year

Transfer news: Everton are plotting a swoop for former Sunderland goalkeeper Craig Gordon

Sky Sports understands Everton are lining up a move for former Sunderland goalkeeper Craig Gordon.

Scotland international Gordon is available on a free transfer after leaving Sunderland in the summer.
Everton boss David Moyes admitted after Saturday's draw with Norwich that a lack of competition was harming Tim Howard's form at Goodison Park and he is now thought to be ready to bring in Gordon to add to his goalkeeping options.
Moyes is keen to bring in a new goalkeeper with Howard's deputy Jan Mucha out of contract at the end of the season and he has had several trialists in over the last few weeks to cast an eye over possible reinforcements.
Gordon joined Sunderland from Hearts in 2007 for £9million but his time at the Stadium of Light was blighted by a series of injuries.
A number of clubs have been linked with Gordon, but Everton are now ready to offer the keeper the chance to get his career back on track.
http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11671/8285384/Transfer-news-Everton-are-plotting-a-swoop-for-former-Sunderland-goalkeeper-Craig-Gordon