Sport news in brief
West Ham recover to earn point at Newcastle
Lucas Paqueta dented Newcastle’s Premier League charge as West Ham came from behind to draw at St James’ Park. The 25year-old Brazilian, a summer target for the Magpies, clinched a 1-1 draw with a 32nd-minute equaliser after Callum Wilson had ended his 10-game drought with an early strike. A point was no more than the Hammers deserved after recovering from a dreadful start in front of a crowd of 52,256 to deny Eddie Howe victory in his 600th game as a manager.
Joe Willock had already seen a first-minute strike ruled out by VAR after the ball had run out of play during the build-up when Wilson latched on to Sean Longstaff’s defence-splitting pass to fire confidently past Lukasz Fabianski, his first goal in 11 appearances in all competitions.
However, as they grew into the game, the Hammers started to threaten on the break and Sven Botman had to make an important block after Michail Antonio had worked his way into a promising position on the edge of the box. West Ham might have been level with 28 minutes gone had Said Benrahma not spooned his shot high over Nick Pope’s crossbar after the Magpies had surrendered possession inside their own half, and Paqueta went close twice within seconds, seeing his first attempt blocked and his second deflected wide, with the home side guilty of sloppiness. The South American was not to be denied, however, and stabbed home at the far post after the Newcastle defence had failed to deal with the excellent Declan Rice’s corner. PA
Saints fans turn on Jones as Brighton leave it late
Southampton fans turned on manager Nathan Jones during a limp 3-0 defeat at Brentford in the Premier League. Goals from Ben Mee, Bryan Mbeumo and Mathias Jensen condemned the visitors to their eighth loss in the last nine, and fans made their feelings known as they sang “You’re getting sacked in the morning” and “Nathan Jones, get out of our club” at their own dugout. Brentford, by contrast, are seventh and the top dogs in west London after neighbours Chelsea and Fulham drew on Friday night.
Leicester started the day outside the bottom three on goal difference alone but moved away from immediate trouble with a 4-2 win away to Aston Villa. An Ollie Watkins strike and an own goal from Harry Souttar on his Leicester debut twice had Unai Emery’s Villa ahead - but they were pegged back by James Maddison and Kelechi Iheanacho. Tete, also making his Leicester bow, put the visitors in front at the break before
substitute Dennis Praet wrapped up the win – with all four goals coming from poor Villa defending.
Kaoru Mitoma’s 87th-minute header gave Brighton a 1-0 win over Bournemouth which kept them sixth. PA
Hoggard: ECB racism process has failed everybody
Former England internationals Tim Bresnan and Matthew Hoggard have criticised the disciplinary process relating to the Azeem Rafiq racism investigation after withdrawing their cooperation. The case is due to be heard in public by a Cricket Discipline Commission panel at the start of next month. Both Bresnan and Hoggard face charges from the England and Wales Cricket Board but became the latest witnesses to pull out on Friday.
Ex-Yorkshire all-rounder Bresnan told The Times: “I am willing to release everything because I’m out of the process. But they just charged me. How is that possible without even speaking to me? “It’s like being charged and tried without even being arrested. That’s how it feels.” Hoggard agreed with Bresnan’s sentiments and insisted the investigation had failed everyone. “The process has failed everybody. Every party involved has a problem with the way this process has been dealt with,” he told BBC Sport. “I’m pulling out because I don’t think it’s a fair process,” he added. PA
McGregor makes offer to deliver Taylor v Serrano at Croke Park
Conor McGregor has offered to sponsor the rematch between Katie Taylor vs Amanda Serrano to ensure the fight takes place at Croke Park. Taylor edged out Serrano at New York City’s Madison Square Garden last April with the second fight destined for Ireland. But despite Taylor keen on the historic Croke Park, promoter Eddie Hearn maintains the 82,000capacity stadium in Dublin is not an option due to spiralling costs.
But McGregor is eager to step in and provide the funds to ensure Taylor’s homecoming can be staged at the iconic venue. “The extra security bill is 500k to have Katie Taylor fight at croke park? I will sponsor the event to see this happen,” said the former UFC champion. “Let’s talk,” Hearn replied.
Conor McGregor is also set to make his long-awaited UFC comeback against Michael Chandler, it has been confirmed. McGregor has not fought since breaking his leg against Dustin Poirier in July 2021 but it has been revealed that the Irish star will coach against lightweight Chandler in the next season of “The Ultimate Fighter”.
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