Liam Smith says people got too carried away with Chris Eubank Jr’s chin and he knew he was good enough to knock him out.
Tag: Gray
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Riyad Mahrez completes sensational 12-minute City comeback!
Riyad Mahrez finds the net to complete a sensational 18-minute Manchester City comeback.
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Ref Watch: Was Marcus Rashford interfering with play? Why didn’t it go to VAR?
The Ref Watch panel debate whether Marcus Rashford did interfere with play from an offside position that saw Bruno Fernandes equalise against Manchester City.
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Scores & Schedule
Scores & Schedule
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ATP World Tour / Men’s Singles / Round of 128
WTA Tour / Women’s Singles / Round of 128
Brasil Tennis Challenger
ATP Challenger Tour / Men’s Singles / Qualifying Final
ATP Challenger Tour / Men’s Singles / Round of 32
Tenerife 1
ATP Challenger Tour / Men’s Singles / Qualifying Final
ATP Challenger Tour / Men’s Singles / Round of 32
Bangkok Open 3
ATP Challenger Tour / Men’s Singles / Qualifying Final
ATP Challenger Tour / Men’s Singles / Round of 32
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Full Focus: Ja Morant leads Grizzlies to 9th straight win
Ja Morant continues his great form after another Grizzlies win!
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‘Inches away from a slam dunk ace’ | Tommy Fleetwood comes close to hole-in-one
Tommy Fleetwood was inches away from dropping his tee shot at the fourth straight into the hole at the Hero Cup in Abu Dhabi.
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Hearts 1-0 St Mirren | Scottish Premiership highlights
Highlights from the Scottish Premiership match between Hearts and St Mirren.
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Damian Lillard drops season-high 50 points on Cleveland Cavaliers
Damian Lillard goes off for a season-high 50 points, while shooting 57% from the field in Portland’s tough loss to Cleveland Cavaliers
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Graham Potter: Joao Felix loss disappointing, he will learn from red card
Following his sides 2-1 defeat to Fulham, Chelsea head coach Graham Potter says the loss of Joao Felix for three games following a red card is really disappointing.
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England vs Jamaica: Vitality Roses win opening game in three-match series with impressive performance
England trailed by 10 goals against Jamaica before eventually clawing their way back into the match to seal an emphatic 73-52 victory in World Cup year; Netball World Cup takes place this summer from July 28- August 6, all live on Sky Sports
By Raz Mirza
Last Updated: 11/01/23 9:18pm
Jo Harten was on target for England as they dominated Jamaica in the final quarter
England’s Vitality Roses made an impressive start to 2023 by seeing off rivals Jamaica with a ruthless 73-52 display at Manchester’s AO Arena on Wednesday.
England began the first of their three-match series by dismantling the Commonwealth Games silver medallists in the final quarter to seal a fabulous victory.
Head coach Jess Thirlby admitted the matches against Jamaica are all geared towards the Netball World Cup this summer.
She told BBC Sport: “It’s definitely about the longer-term but everything we do, you have to have intent to do both. Part of learning how to be better at the World Cup is learning how to win these games. We’ve ticked off so many new things there.
“World Cup always has to be our destination but we want to win as well.”
Helen Housby (left) and Malysha Kelly in action at Manchester’s AO Arena
The Sunshine Girls made a storming start, producing neat court transition through to goal shooter Jhaniele Fowler for a 19-13 lead at the end of the first quarter.
Thirlby’s side worked hard in a fast-paced encounter, with Jo Harten and Helen Housby gelling neatly together to enable England to stay in contention.
Jamaica’s lead was cut to three goals by half-time following another lively quarter in which they began to show a few signs of nerves.
With the visitors losing momentum, the Roses took advantage to close the gap to 34-31.
The tide turned England’s way midway through the third quarter with the home side moving ahead and building a slight cushion, leading 49-47 in a roller-coaster ride heading into the final quarter.
The Roses went on to show all their experience to run away with the contest in the last 15 minutes.
Natalie Metcalf, Harten and Housby toyed with the Jamaican defence to add to their tally and close out an emphatic win between the teams who are ranked third and fourth in the world, respectively.
What’s next?
The teams travel down south to the Copper Box Arena in London for back-to-back games on January 14 and 15.
The series forms part of the Roses’ preparations for July’s World Cup in South Africa – live on Sky Sports.
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Fallon Sherrock through to Final Stage at Q-School after brilliant run in Milton Keynes
Fallon Sherrock into Final Stage at Q-School; tournament will be played each day from Thursday to Sunday, with the winner receiving a PDC Tour Card; There will also be an Order of Merit with points available for wins with nine more players receiving a PDC Tour Card for 2023 and 2024
Last Updated: 11/01/23 4:49pm
Fallon Sherrock has confirmed her place in the Final Stage at UK Q-School
Fallon Sherrock has made it through to the Final Stage at UK Q-School following a brilliant run in Milton Keynes on Wednesday.
The Women’s World Matchplay winner joins 104 players in qualifying for the final stage, which, supplemented by the 24 players who were automatically qualified, means that a total of 128 players will compete for the 13 available Tour Cards from Thursday.
Sherrock, who made history by becoming the first woman ever to win a match at the PDC World Darts Championship in 2019, is pleased with her progress but is also aware of the hard work ahead to earn her Tour Card.
She said on Twitter: “Very pleased with my game the past 3 days, especially today – but nothing won yet as the hard work starts tomorrow.
“But win or lose I’m just pleased to be part of QS and playing my game the best I can. Good luck and well done to everyone else who plays tomorrow.”
Sherrock says the ‘hard work’ starts on Thursday when she will look to earn a PDC Tour Card
Sherrock joins the likes of Christian Perez, Jamie Lewis, Josh Payne, Andy Hamilton, Nick Kenny, former UK Open runner-up Corey Cadby and Arron Monk in managing to secure a spot for the remainder of Q-School.
Meanwhile, Jelle Klaasen, Nico Kurz, Diogo Portela and Ronny Huybrechts will feature in the final stage at European Q-School.
What’s next?
Sherrock said she was getting used to this ‘history-making thing’ after winning the Women’s World Matchplay Sherrock said she was getting used to this ‘history-making thing’ after winning the Women’s World Matchplay
A total of 32 PDC Tour Cards will be on offer in Final Stage from January 12-15, with each of the daily winners in the UK and Europe receiving an automatic Tour Card.
The remaining 24 Tour Cards will be allocated to players from the UK and European Q-School Final Stage Orders of Merit, and split on a pro-rata basis of total participants in each region.
Any ties in the Q-School Orders of Merit will be split as follows based on all match results: Leg Difference, Legs Won, then DartConnect average. If players still cannot be split, a play-off would be organised.
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Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates Al Nassr win in dressing room
Cristiano Ronaldo’s new club Al Nassr had to do without their new signing as the former Manchester United forward served out a suspension. Ronaldo chose to watch the game on television while cycling topless in the dressing room.
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Subs Grealish and Mahrez link up to give City the lead!
Jack Grealish and Riyad Mahrez come off the bench and make an immediate impact for the visitors.
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World Darts Championship: Michael van Gerwen hails ‘phenomenal’ Michael Smith victory in epic final
Michael Smith fired a nine-dart leg on his way to a 7-4 win over Michael van Gerwen in incredible final at the Alexandra Palace; Victory is the Englishman’s maiden world title and moves him to world No 1 for the first time
By Ali Stafford at Alexandra Palace
Last Updated: 03/01/23 11:57pm
New world No 1 Michael Smith has set his sights on dominating darts after following his Grand Slam of Darts victory with an elusive maiden World Darts Championship title at Alexandra Palace.
Smith fired a sensational nine-darter in the second set of his 7-4 victory over three-time champion Michael van Gerwen, who almost produced a nine-darter of his own in the same leg, before winning four of the last five sets to secure the biggest victory of his career so far.
The Englishman’s success is revenge for his loss against Van Gerwen in the 2019 final, with Smith – who also finished runner-up in last year’s contest – expecting the pair to clash in many more Alexandra Palace finals in the years ahead.
Michael Smith produced a phenomenal final leg to win the World Championship Final against Michael van Gerwen. Michael Smith produced a phenomenal final leg to win the World Championship Final against Michael van Gerwen.
“I thought [we would] give the crowd what they deserve and they got a magical night,” Smith told Sky Sports. “I told you when I got the Grand Slam, I will eventually be a world champion and I want to do what this man [Van Gerwen] has done – I want to take over this sport, but he’s still there.
“It is 1-1 now in the Worlds and I took my chances, but he knows and I do that it is not going to be the last one here where we play each other. I have said it for years, he is the best player in darts and we have got to take our chances and I finally took it.”
Michael Smith says the crowd got a magical night after he beat Michael van Gerwen in the World Championship Final. Michael Smith says the crowd got a magical night after he beat Michael van Gerwen in the World Championship Final.
Smith immediately ran to his family to celebrate victory with them, with ‘Bully Boy’ admitting it will be tough to better the experiencing of winning the World Championship for the first time.
“The two greatest moments in my life are sat over there, both my kids, but if I didn’t have kids that would be!” Smith added. “From a sporting memory it’s the greatest ever, I don’t think that will ever be topped. Even if I won a second, it will never top how I just felt then.”
Take a look back at the 2023 World Championship as Michael Smith was crowned the winner. Take a look back at the 2023 World Championship as Michael Smith was crowned the winner.
Van Gerwen: Smith ‘deserved’ victory
Smith claimed Van Gerwen “let him off” and gave him a chance he “didn’t deserve” during his victory, although the Dutchman was quick to pay tribute to his playing partner for his impressive win.
“At this moment he is not giving his game any justice!” Van Gerwen told Sky Sports. “This man played absolutely phenomenal – we all know that!
Michael van Gerwen was full of praise for Michael Smith after losing the World Championship Final. Michael van Gerwen was full of praise for Michael Smith after losing the World Championship Final.
“Of course, I didn’t take my chances, but he was there at the moments he had to be. He deserved it, he played well there and fair play to him.”
Van Gerwen posted 15 maximums and fired a 99.58 average during a pulsating final, where he led 3-2 before losing four of the next five sets, with the Dutchman frustrated at the opportunities he squandered during the tight contest.
“I had two darts in the second set, when he [Smith] threw the nine-darter,” Van Gerwen added. “There were a few darts in the seventh set and in the ninth set I had three darts to win and when you don’t hit them, he’s going to throw everything at you.
“I wasn’t playing to well in the last few sets, but you can only blame yourself for that. It doesn’t take anything away from Michael, because I think he played brilliantly the whole game.
“I wasn’t what I wanted to be but that’s part of the game unfortunately and you have to take it on the chin.”
Watch Michael Smith and Michael van Gerwen both in action at the 2023 Cazoo Premier League darts, exclusively live on Sky Sports. Live coverage begins on February 2 and runs every Thursday until the play-offs at The O2 in London on May 25.
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Transfer Centre: Tuesday’s club-by-club round-up
Dharmesh Sheth and Kaveh Solhekol round up the latest transfer news from all 20 Premier League clubs.
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World Darts Championship: Michael van Gerwen to face Michael Smith in Alexandra Palace final
In a repeat of the 2019 final, Michael van Gerwen will face Michael Smith for World Championship glory! Watch the 2023 PDC World Darts Championship – live on Sky Sports Darts. We’re back on Tuesday night at 7.45pm for the final at Alexandra Palace
By Raz Mirza at Alexandra Palace
Last Updated: 03/01/23 12:00am
Michael van Gerwen and Michael Smith will clash in the World Darts Championship final on Tuesday night at Alexandra Palace
Michael van Gerwen set up a dream World Championship final against Michael Smith as the two best players on planet darts stormed through their respective semi-finals.
Van Gerwen was utterly relentless in his pursuit of a fourth World title and first since 2019 with a 6-0 demolition job on Dimitri Van den Bergh, while Smith surged past surprise-package Gabriel Clemens 6-2.
Monday, January 2 – Results from the semi-finals at Ally Pally
Gabriel Clemens 2-6 Michael Smith Dimitri Van den Bergh 0-6 Michael van Gerwen 
Van Gerwen has his say on his semi-final bust-up with Van den Bergh and looked ahead to his date with Smith in the final Van Gerwen has his say on his semi-final bust-up with Van den Bergh and looked ahead to his date with Smith in the final
Van den Bergh came out for this match with Van Gerwen looking all-business and he immediately made a mark by reeling in the fifth 170 checkout of the tournament for a 2-1 lead in legs, but the Dutchman levelled before nailing an 11-darter to take the opening set on throw.
Aggro at the darts! Van den Bergh wasn’t happy with Van Gerwen’s positioning while he was throwing Aggro at the darts! Van den Bergh wasn’t happy with Van Gerwen’s positioning while he was throwing
‘Mighty Mike’ then reeled off three unanswered legs to break for the first time and double his lead with 55 per cent on the doubles before the pair exchanged words at the start of the third set with Van Gerwen appearing to encroach his opponent’s space on the stage.
The three-time world champion stayed focused to crash in his own 170 finish and he soon cleaned up an eighth straight leg on his way to extending the lead to 3-0 with a set record of 128.83 – throwing just 35 darts in the process.
Both Van Den Bergh and Van Gerwen hit ‘The Big Fish’ in their semi-final Both Van Den Bergh and Van Gerwen hit ‘The Big Fish’ in their semi-final
Van den Bergh squandered two at tops in the deciding leg on the fourth set to allow Van Gerwen back for double 5 to go further clear and he moved a step closer to his sixth final by romping through the fifth set thanks to legs of 13, 11 and 11.
It was job done in the next with MVG completing a whitewash of Van den Bergh with a 108.3 average and nine 180s.
Only 74 Darts needed! Michael van Gerwen averaged 121.86 in the last two sets. In the last four sets (14 legs) his average was 112.62.
“It feels phenomenal to have played the game I played tonight,” said Van Gerwen. “I gave it everything and I played out of my skin.
“It cost so much energy but I am able to do it and that is the most important thing. With the crowd behind me again today, it feels phenomenal.
“Games can get tense but you need to focus yourself and that is exactly what I did.”
Smith through to third final in five years
Smith was in superb form during his semi-final win, hitting five ton-plus checkouts in the match! Smith was in superb form during his semi-final win, hitting five ton-plus checkouts in the match!
Smith is hoping a few episodes of Catchphrase will help him prepare for his third attempt at becoming a world champion after booking his spot in Tuesday’s final with a brilliant victory over ‘The German Giant’ Clemens.
Both players came out slinging some serious arrows but it was ‘Bully Boy’ who edged a blistering first set 3-2 with a 110.7 average, four 180s and a 106 checkout in the deciding leg.
Smith won the opening set with this spectacular 106 finish Smith won the opening set with this spectacular 106 finish
The St Helens thrower was left kicking himself in the next after moving 2-0 up and seemingly in control. Clemens, who has been christened ‘Gaga’ by his German fans, levelled with finishes of 68 and 70 to take it 3-2 despite Smith averaging just shy of 110.
‘Bully Boy’ piled in this huge 144 in the second set against Clemens ‘Bully Boy’ piled in this huge 144 in the second set against Clemens
Smith took a 2-1 lead in the third set thanks to a monstrous 144 checkout but once again he was pushed to a deciding leg. Clemens wired tops for a 116 finish, allowing Smith to return for tops to regain the lead.
Smith, last year’s runner-up to Peter Wright, pinned the bull for a gargantuan 161 to raise the Ally Pally roof in set four. However, Clemens held his nerve to clinch it 3-2 and restore parity in what was turning into a real tungsten battle.
The St Helens thrower struck with this gargantuan 161 checkout on the bullseye in the fourth set The St Helens thrower struck with this gargantuan 161 checkout on the bullseye in the fourth set
In a pulsating semi-final, the 32-year-old newly-crowned Grand Slam of Darts champion swept through the fifth set in consecutive legs to regain the upper-hand with a stunning 112.73 set average.
Smith put some daylight between himself and Clemens with a stunning 83 on the bullseye Smith put some daylight between himself and Clemens with a stunning 83 on the bullseye
And Smith struck in the fifth leg of the next with a brilliant 83 on the bullseye to move 4-2 up before claiming the next in another decider to make it make it three sets on the spin to close in on a place in the final.
Michael Smith finished more than one third of his 22 legs in four visits to the oche.
The Grand Slam of Darts champion revealed his preparations on Tuesday after booking his place in the final… The Grand Slam of Darts champion revealed his preparations on Tuesday after booking his place in the final…
He completed a handsome win in the end after breaking with a cool 81 for a 12-darter and then ending things with his first match dart on tops.
Smith said: “This is my third World final in five years now and I have just got to keep going. If I do get darts to win the Worlds, if I miss it, I miss it, if I hit it, I am world champion. I will never dwell on it and I will keep coming back fighting every year. Let’s see what happens tomorrow.
Asked how he will spend Tuesday ahead of the final, he added: “I’ll probably lie in bed tomorrow and watch a few episodes of Catchphrase.”
Watch the PDC World Darts Championship Final – live on Sky Sports Darts – from 7.45pm on Tuesday.
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Premier League Juniors | ‘Goal!’ – Wissa doubles Brentford’s lead!
Wissa doubles Brentford’s lead in their Premier League clash with Liverpool.
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Bizarre scenes as huge dunk breaks rim and delays Celtics vs Nuggets game!
Robert Williams throws down such a massive alley-oop it broke the rim and caused a 35-minute delay in the Celtics against Nuggets game.
