Aberdeen substitute Duk hit a double as the Dons came from three goals down to claim a 3-3 draw against Motherwell in Neil Warnock’s first league match at Pittodrie.
The visitors looked set to bounce back from their cup defeat by Morton as Theo Bair’s double and Adam Devine’s strike put them in a commanding position inside 26 minutes.
But Duk soon netted 30 seconds after coming on as part of a double substitution and the attacker levelled five minutes after the break after Stefan Gartenmann had pulled another goal back.
Both sides went on to have goals disallowed and both will no doubt be disappointed with a point, which leaves each of them three points outside the cinch Premiership top six.
With Pascal Jensen dropping out through illness, Warnock started with three defenders – Gartenmann, Nicky Devlin and Jack MacKenzie.
His side looked vulnerable at the back and Motherwell were ahead inside five minutes after Shayden Morris clumsily brought down Georgie Gent inside the box. Bair hit the penalty into the roof of the net.
Aberdeen had their moments in the opening half hour. Bojan Miovski got in behind and forced a save from Liam Kelly, while Connor Barron and Morris threatened from outside the box.
But Motherwell came closer when Kelle Roos tipped Jack Vale’s volley on to a post and stopped Bair’s follow-up.
The visitors doubled their lead in the 22nd minute when Bair tapped home Gent’s cross from five yards for his eighth goal in his last six league games.
They were three up and apparently cruising four minutes later when Devine marked his first start for the club by steering home Blair Spittal’s blocked shot after some direct running from Harry Paton had left Aberdeen’s back three exposed.
Boos rang round Pittodrie and Warnock started plotting changes which came on the half-hour mark as attacker Duk and centre-back Angus MacDonald came on for midfielders Dante Polvara and Morris.
Duk instantly made his mark, turning home after Motherwell had lost possession from their own throw-in deep in their half.
The deficit was further reduced in the 37th minute following Barron’s inswinging corner. Devlin was allowed a free header and Gartenmann converted the rebound following Kelly’s save.
The Dons continued to exploit Motherwell’s vulnerability from set-pieces. Leighton Clarkson, twice, and MacDonald threatened before the equaliser came following a throw-in. Graeme Shinnie was allowed space to cross and Duk outmuscled Devine to head into the far corner.
Aberdeen thought they had completed the turnaround midway through the second half when Miovski bundled the ball home from close range. The striker was flagged offside and a lengthy VAR check confirmed the decision, although he looked level to the naked eye.
Warnock’s side kept knocking on the door and Gartenmann headed against the crossbar from another Barron inswinger.
Motherwell were struggling to retain possession long enough to relieve the pressure, but they were celebrating in the 80th minute after Paton turned the ball home after a corner led to a goalmouth scramble.
The home side claimed for at least one foul and referee Kevin Clancy disallowed the goal after seeing Calum Butcher push Jamie McGrath with two hands on his VAR monitor.
Preston moved to within goal difference of the Sky Bet Championship play-offs after beating Middlesbrough 2-1 to claim a third consecutive win.
Emil Riis scored the winner in the 60th minute after Finn Azaz’s superb strike cancelled out Liam Millar’s first-half opener.
The victory secures a vital three points for Preston on a night when the club marked the 10th anniversary of the death of Sir Tom Finney with a rousing seventh-minute applause.
The visitors started well and nearly took the lead in the 11th minute, when Sam Greenwood’s deflected shot forced a good save out of Freddie Woodman after an interception from defender Greg Cunningham – an early substitute for the injured Andrew Hughes – fell into his path.
The pressure kept on building thereafter and it was completely against the run of play that the Lilywhites, sporting a special edition kit in memory of Finney, went in front in the 23rd minute.
Millar brought down Matt Clarke’s attempted clearance with his right foot and fired a left-footed shot past Tom Glover from just outside the box.
Leeds loanee Greenwood came close to equalising just beyond the half-hour mark, but his well-struck effort from distance went narrowly wide.
Shortly after the half-time interval, January signing Azaz’s attempt deflected wide as Boro continued to push for the leveller.
And it arrived through the same player in the 57th minute, opening his account for the club with a rocket of a shot into the top corner from 20 yards out.
Boro soon found themselves behind again, though, with Riis tapping home on the hour-mark – his sixth goal in as many games for Preston against Boro – after Will Keane’s shot fell very kindly to him.
Michael Carrick’s side did not let their heads drop and came close to equalising once more moments later, with captain Jonny Howson’s attempt only being directed off target by a defensive header.
Woodman had to be alert again in the 70th minute to keep out Marcus Forss’ volley from close range.
Luke Thomas worked space for a shot inside the final 10 minutes, but the Leicester loanee dragged his attempt past the post and that proved to be their last real opportunity.
Preston are now in ninth place on 48 points – level with sixth-placed Coventry, seventh-placed Norwich and eighth-placed Hull – while Boro are seven points back.
Stoke secured a first home win since October as they beat fellow strugglers QPR 1-0.
A Wouter Burger strike on the cusp of half time was enough to end a run of four straight defeats in the Championship.
The visiting Hoops, who could have moved out of the relegation zone with a victory, failed to extend their four-match unbeaten run.
It could be an important first home win for Potters’ boss Steven Schumacher, with his new side moving six points clear of the dreaded dotted line.
Following two wins and two draws, a resurgent QPR started promisingly and nearly opened the scoring inside three minutes.
The visitors carefully crafted a pocket of space and found Paul Smyth, but the winger’s venomous strike was pawed away by Daniel Iversen.
Stoke heeded their opponents’ early warning sign and gradually grew into the fixture, with new forward Niall Ennis trying to instigate a response.
The hosts had only scored two goals in their last eight home league games – with only one from open play – and their wastefulness in front of goal was on show again.
Lewis Baker’s outswinging corner was headed goalwards by Michael Rose, but the defender’s effort was tipped over by Asmir Begovic.
And the former Potters’ stopper – who made 173 appearances in six years at the club – was in inspired form against his old employers.
Fierce strikes from Burger and Ennis before the break had the same outcome, with Begovic twice coming to QPR’s rescue.
However, there was nothing the ex-Bosnian international could do just on the stroke of half time as Stoke took the lead with a goal that had been coming.
A Baker corner again wreaked havoc with Luke McNally’s flick-on finding the onrushing Burger, who converted a simple tap-in.
It was a second league goal of the season for the Dutch youngster, whose only other second tier strike also came against the Rs in the reverse fixture in November.
The home side’s momentum was not swayed by the interval, with the Potters continuing to dictate the fixture.
And they should have doubled their lead following a moment of pinball, but valiant QPR defending and another Begovic stop ensured the game remained within reach.
Substitute Lyndon Gooch also came close to providing a Stoke second, yet his rifled strike whistled beyond the post.
A late Hoops onslaught ensued with the influential Ilias Chair trying to unlock a resolute home defence.
Ultimately, the hosts’ slender lead was preserved as they avoided suffering a fifth successive league defeat for the first time since January 2005.
Meanwhile, Marti Cifuentes’ outfit remain entrenched in the relegation zone, four points from safety with 14 games still to play.
Gun shots were fired near the parade route where the Chiefs celebrated their latest Super Bowl title in downtown Kansas City on Wednesday.
Minutes after the conclusion of the rally, eight to 10 people were injured, according to multiple reports.
The Kansas City Police said shots were fired near Union Station, where players had just addressed fans moments earlier.
The KC Police also said two armed individuals were taken into custody.
City officials estimated that around 1 million people gathered in Kansas City to celebrate the Chiefs' third Super Bowl title in the last five seasons.
Three days after their come-from-behind 25-22 overtime win over the San Francisco 49ers, Chiefs players and coaches rode on double-decker buses along the parade route as confetti cannons exploded and jubilant fans screamed and applauded.
Gun shots were fired near the parade route where the Chiefs celebrated their latest Super Bowl title in downtown Kansas City on Wednesday.
Minutes after the conclusion of the rally, one person was shot and nine were injured, according to multiple reports.
The Kansas City Police said shots were fired near Union Station, where players had just addressed fans moments earlier.
The KC Police also said two armed individuals were taken into custody.
City officials estimated that around 1 million people gathered in Kansas City to celebrate the Chiefs' third Super Bowl title in the last five seasons.
Three days after their come-from-behind 25-22 overtime win over the San Francisco 49ers, Chiefs players and coaches rode on double-decker buses along the parade route as confetti cannons exploded and jubilant fans screamed and applauded.
Kansas City police said multiple people were struck after shots were fired as the Chiefs celebrated their Super Bowl success in front of a large crowd.
A video on social media showed armed officers rush into Union Station on a day supporters gathered near the building at the end of the NFL side’s parade route.
The Kansas City Police Department confirmed two armed people had been taken into custody following the incident.
A statement said: “Shots have been fired around Union Station. Please leave the area.
“Shots were fired west of Union Station near the garage and multiple people were struck. We took two armed people into custody for more investigation.
“Anyone nearby needs to leave the area as quickly and safely as possible to facilitate treatment of the shooting victims. Please avoid the Union Station parking garage area to allow first responders through.”
Kansas City Chiefs players and staff were celebrating beating the San Francisco 49ers in Las Vegas on Sunday to become the first back-to-back Super Bowl champions in 19 years.
Organizers of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 recently held high-level meetings with various stakeholders as the preparations for the global sporting event intensify. Officials from regional organizations – The Caribbean Community Implementation Agency for Crime and Security (CARICOM IMPACS), The Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA), Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA), and the Organization of American States (OAS) were just some of the main agencies in attendance, in addition to the Chief Medical Officers and Commissioners of Police from CARICOM member states hosting the historic cricket event.
The two-day summit was held at the Hilton Trinidad & Conference Centre on February 7 and 8, with over 60 delegates discussing and contributing to the primary topics of security, safety, medical and public health for the world event, in addition to related areas of accreditation, logistics, venue preparedness, technology, cyber-security, and match-day management.
Based on the outcomes from the summit, the partnerships between medical, health, safety, and security will be crucial elements towards the successful hosting of the tournament which will be played from June 1-29. Fans from around the world will be in attendance for what will be the biggest event ever staged in the region.
K.J Singh, Head of Operations for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 in the West Indies and USA, said he was extremely pleased with the level of participation, information sharing, and commitments made by national, regional, and international agencies, which will be left as a legacy not only for the hosting of cricket but other major events in the region.
“Coming out of the summit, we are all unified on what is required and next steps to be taken to ensure that we meet all the minimum requirements to host this mega event. Commitments have been garnered by the host nations and supporting regional and international agencies to provide essential resources, joint training exercises, and other collaborative preparedness initiatives to host member countries and tournament stakeholders. With these next steps and commitments in place, we are confident that the region will be ready to deliver international-standard safety, care, and service to all tournament contingents, including the thousands of spectators, both visiting and local, positioned to attend the match at this historic world cricket event," he added.
West Indies, who hosted the event in 2010, will hold matches at Sir Vivian Richards Stadium (Antigua and Barbuda), Kensington Oval (Barbados), Guyana National Stadium (Guyana), Daren Sammy Cricket Ground (Saint Lucia), Arnos Vale (Saint Vincent and The Grenadines) and Brian Lara Cricket Academy (Trinidad and Tobago).
Cricket West Indies is the official host of the event, with an entity T20 World Cup Inc. established to administer local delivery within the USA to support the growth of the sport in the country.
This year's ICC Men’s T20 World Cup will be the largest in the tournament’s history, with 20 international teams playing 55 matches across nine host locations. It is the first time USA will host matches at a T20 World Cup, with 16 First Round matches split between Nassau County International Cricket Stadium (New York), Grand Prairie Cricket Stadium (Dallas), and Broward County Stadium (Lauderhill).Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce admits his outburst toward coach Andy Reid during the Super Bowl on Sunday was “unacceptable”.
Kelce got into Reid’s face and shouted at the 65-year-old in the first quarter of the game against the San Francisco 49ers, which the Chiefs went on to win to become the first back-to-back Super Bowl champions in 19 years.
Reid was knocked off balance but made little of the incident and, when Patrick Mahomes threw the match-winning touchdown pass to Mecole Hardman Jr to secure a 25-22 overtime success, all was forgotten.
Kelce’s high-profile relationship with pop superstar Taylor Swift meant there was even greater focus on him heading into the Super Bowl.
The 34-year-old says he was unhappy with being taken off, jokingly telling ESPN: “I was just telling him how much I love him.”
Kelce grew frustrated after Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco fumbled the ball from eight yards out while he was off the field.
On his New Heights podcast alongside brother Jason, he added: “It’s definitely unacceptable and I immediately wished I could have taken it back. Coach Reid actually came right up to me after that and didn’t even have harsh words for me.
“I’m a passionate guy. I love coach Reid. He knows how much I love to play for him, how much I love to be a product of his coaching career.
“It came in a moment when we weren’t playing very well and I wasn’t playing very well.”
Co-host Jason, who plays for Philadelphia Eagles, said: “The yelling in his face, too, was over the top.”
The Chiefs celebrated their successive Super Bowl crowns with a trophy parade in Kansas City on Wednesday.
Star quarter-back Patrick Mahomes has already turned his focus to winning a hat-trick of successive Super Bowls.
“We’re going for that three-peat. Don’t get it twisted, we’re doing it. Three times, first time in NFL history. We’re doing it,” Mahomes told the crowd.
Rafael Nadal has withdrawn from next week’s Qatar Open after announcing he is “not ready to compete”.
The 22-time grand slam singles winner, who missed the Australian Open due to a hip injury, had been hoping to feature in the ATP 250 event in Doha.
But the 37-year-old will now target next month’s BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells for his return to competitive action.
Nadal posted on his social media: “I would have loved to play in Doha, where the tournament team, as well as the amazing Qatar fans have always supported me greatly.
“Unfortunately I am not ready to compete and I won’t be able to come to Doha where I really wanted to be and play again after that unforgettable win in 2014.
“I will focus on keep working to be ready for the exhibition in Las Vegas and the amazing Indian Wells tournament.”
Nadal made his comeback at the Brisbane International in January after spending a year on the sidelines due to a long-term hip problem.
The Spaniard sustained a muscle tear near his hip in his quarter-final defeat to Jordan Thompson in Brisbane, but scans revealed it was not in the same area.
Manchester United have made an approach to Newcastle sporting director Dan Ashworth, according to reports.
The Athletic has reported the 52-year-old has notified Newcastle he has been approached by the Red Devils but there has been no formal contact between the clubs.
Various media outlets have said the Old Trafford club want Ashworth to be in place this summer in time to oversee their transfer business.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s proposed deal to buy a 25 per cent stake in the club has been approved by both the Premier League and Football Association and is expected to be completed next week.
Ratcliffe has wasted little time in making his mark as his chemicals company Ineos takes control of United’s football operations.
Ineos sporting director Sir Dave Brailsford has been an increasing presence around the club since Ratcliffe’s deal was announced in December.
And last month United confirmed the appointment of Manchester City’s Omar Berrada as their new chief executive.
As Ineos continues to look at strengthening United’s football leadership team, with recruitment a particular area of focus, Ashworth is an ideal candidate.
He has built an impressive CV in previous roles as sporting and technical director at West Brom and Brighton and spent four years as the FA’s director of elite development.
At Brighton, Ashworth oversaw the signings of Moises Caicedo, Alexis Mac Allister and Marc Cucurella among others, while at Newcastle his incomings include Alexander Isak, Sven Botman and Anthony Gordon.
Adam Peaty bounced back from individual disappointment to help Great Britain clinch bronze in the 4x100m mixed medley relay at the World Championships in Doha.
The quartet of Medi Harris, Peaty, Matthew Richards and Anna Hopkin finished third in a time of three minutes 40.22 seconds.
Victory went to the United States in 3:40.22, with Australia second in 3:43.12.
Peaty and Hopkin were part of the British 4x100m mixed medley team which won gold and broke the world record at the Tokyo Olympics.
Three-time Olympic champion Peaty, 29, earlier missed out on the medals by finishing fourth in the men’s 50m breaststroke, having claimed bronze over 100m on Monday as he gears up for this summer’s Games in Paris.
Also on Wednesday, Daniel Wiffen made history by becoming Ireland’s first world swimming champion after taking gold in the 800m freestyle final in Doha.
The 22-year-old from County Armagh topped the podium in a time of seven minutes 40.94 seconds.
Wiffen, who was second quickest in qualifying, took the lead with 50 metres to go to claim his first global title ahead of Australia’s Elijah Winnington and Italy’s Gregorio Paltrinieri.
“Obviously the goal coming into this meet was to win a world medal and make the podium for Ireland, win Ireland’s first ever medal at a world championship level,” he said, as reported by swimireland.ie.
“It’s just really cool to say and I’m really happy.”
Wiffen returns to the pool on Saturday morning for the heats of the 1500m freestyle.
England are ready to thrust Manu Tuilagi straight into their Calcutta Cup clash with Scotland following his recovery from a groin problem.
Tuilagi has been added to Steve Borthwick’s squad for their fallow week training camp in London having missed the opening two Guinness Six Nations rounds because of the injury sustained in December.
If the 32-year-old centre plays at Murrayfield on February 24 it will be his first appearance for nine weeks, but England are confident he would rise to the occasion.
Defence coach Felix Jones said: “Manu had little bit of a run around out there today (Wednesday). It wasn’t anything too intense but he looked good.
“He’s done it a number of times where he’s come back from injury with low levels of game time but still been able to perform at a very high level. Experience accounts for a lot in those situations.”
If Tuilagi proves his fitness in training over the coming days, Borthwick must decide whether to break up the centre partnership of Fraser Dingwall and Henry Slade that started the victories over Italy and Wales or confine him to a bench role.
Tuilagi provides the ability to punch over the gainline currently lacked by the back division and England know that Scotland will build much of their attack around their own muscular carrier Sione Tuipulotu.
The prospect of Ollie Lawrence being available for the round three showdown in Edinburgh is less certain as he overcomes a hip injury.
The Bath powerhouse, another midfield option, was involved in training on Wednesday and a clearer picture of his readiness will emerge over the coming days.
Hooker Luke Cowan-Dickie and lock George Martin are both in contention against Scotland after being added to Borthwick’s 36-man training squad.
Cowan-Dickie was forced to withdraw from the original Six Nations squad after an undisclosed medical condition materialised when he was on club duty for Sale.
His availability will relieve the pressure on captain Jamie George, whose workload has been increased by the lack of experienced alternatives in the position.
Martin’s fitness will be welcomed by England, who benefited from his menacing display against South Africa in the semi-final of last autumn’s World Cup – his most recent international appearance.
The 22-year-old had tweaked his knee, ruling him out of the start of the Six Nations, but will look to secure a place in the second or back row against Scotland.
Adam Beard says Wales will relish the size of their challenge against Guinness Six Nations title favourites Ireland in Dublin.
Wales have not won a Six Nations game at the Aviva Stadium since 2012, drawing one and losing four of the subsequent meetings.
And they face an Ireland side firmly on course to achieve an historic feat of winning Six Nations Grand Slams in successive seasons.
Having accounted for France and Italy in bonus-point fashion, Andy Farrell’s team will be backed by many to inflict similar pain on Wales on February 24.
Wales lost their opening games to Scotland and England – albeit by a combined total of just three points – so a tall order awaits them.
“Physicality is going to be one of the key components of the game,” 53-cap Wales lock Beard said.
“You see the way Ireland play their rugby. It is all about speed, winning collisions and the breakdown.
“Defensively, we have to match up with that physical battle, and in attack it’s about being clinical and physical. It will be a tough game, but one we are looking forward to.
“Ireland are a team that are playing with confidence, and it helps when a lot of them play club rugby together. We are excited to get stuck into them.”
Wales have a new look about them in this season’s Six Nations, with Leigh Halfpenny and Dan Biggar having retired from Test rugby, Louis Rees-Zammit now concentrating on a possible American football career and the likes of Jac Morgan, Taulupe Faletau and Dewi Lake all injured.
It has meant Six Nations opportunities for others, including players like Cameron Winnett, Ioan Lloyd, Archie Griffin and Alex Mann, while 21-year-old Exeter lock Dafydd Jenkins is Wales’ youngest captain for 56 years.
Beard added: “We are not far away. This squad is fairly new and boys are experiencing Six Nations rugby for the first time.
“These narrow losses (27-26 against Scotland and 16-14 against England) are disappointing, but can be good for us because it is a learning curve for a lot of players.
“If we keep working hard and developing our game, we are going to be a tough squad to beat and winning a lot more games than we are losing.
“It has probably been two great 40-minute performances from each game. We are a young squad, but Daf Jenkins hit the nail on the head after the (England) game that we can’t use that as an excuse.”
Beard has been impressed with Jenkins’ leadership, a quality he has carried into the tournament after skippering Exeter this season to strong positions in the Gallagher Premiership and Investec Champions Cup.
“He is doing great,” Beard said.
“There are a lot of leaders in this squad, and we are trying to help him out as much as possible and not have too much weight on his shoulders.
“He has had a lot of experience captaining Exeter, and he has taken things in his stride.
“It has not affected his performances in any shape or form. He has been playing some of his best rugby.
“He speaks when he needs to speak, and people listen.”
Jaden Philogene has been credited with Hull’s opening goal at Rotherham on Tuesday night for his rabona which set the Tigers on their way to a 2-1 win.
With Hull trailing 1-0 at the New York Stadium with 20 minutes left, midfielder Philogene produced a fine bit of skill to beat Ollie Rathbone twice in the right side of the penalty area.
Philogene, 22, then clipped the ball goalwards with a rabona kick, which glanced off Millers’ defender Cameron Humphreys and into the top corner of the net.
Initially, Philogene’s improvised effort had been credited as an own-goal for Humphreys.
However, on Wednesday afternoon a post on Hull’s official X account, formerly known as Twitter, read: “It’s official. It’s JP23’s goal!”
Speaking after the match, Hull boss Liam Rosenior said: “We should give him the goal, we need to appeal to the FA for the outrageous piece of skill.
“He is trying to beg it in the dressing room that it’s his goal. I said to him that at least it’s an assist. That is Jaden’s goal, it’s what we pay money for.
“Ridiculous, it’s ridiculous, his ability is something we have missed for a long time. He is only going to get better the more games he plays.”
Noah Ohio went on to score the winner just four minutes after Philogene’s goal as play-off chasing Hull completed the comeback.
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