MANCHESTER: Harry Kane feels he is already reaping the rewards of a rare month off as Tottenham’s talisman hopes to outgun England teammate Raheem Sterling when Spurs visit Premier League champions Manchester City on Saturday.
Kane was beset by ankle injuries last season after just a three-week break between lifting the Golden Boot as the World Cup’s top scorer and the start of another gruelling Premier League season.
He returned just in time for Tottenham’s first ever Champions League final and England’s Nations League semifinal against The Netherlands in June, but looked well short of match fitness as he ended up on the losing side in both games.
Rejuvenated by a summer off, in which he got married to childhood sweetheart Kate Goodland, Kane got his and Spurs’ season off to flying start with two goals in the final five minutes to beat Aston Villa 3-1 on the opening weekend.
“I had four weeks off, the most I’ve had off in a few years now,” said the England captain.
“I’ve had a good pre-season, been here from the start, worked with the team and everyone’s feeling good.
“We’ve still got work to do, I’ve still got work to do in terms of fitness and things like that, but playing games will only help.
“I feel in a good place and hopefully I can continue doing what we’ve done.”
A double still was not enough to gain an early lead in the Premier League Golden Boot race, though, as Sterling scored a hat-trick in City’s ominous 5-0 demolition of West Ham.
But for Tottenham, City could have celebrated a quadruple of trophies last season as even shorn of Kane for the majority of the tie, Mauricio Pochettino’s men edged a thrilling Champions League quarter-final on away goals.
Son Heung-min was Tottenham’s star then, scoring three of his side’s four goals, but Spurs’ lack of depth slowly caught up with them in the final few months of the season.
With 12 Premier League games of last season to go, Spurs were just five points adrift of City and had a game in hand.
However, they won only three to finish 28 points behind the champions and clinging onto fourth place.
Tottenham’s squad has been bolstered by the signings of Tanguy Ndombele, who scored on his debut last weekend, Giovani lo Celso and Ryan Sessegnon.
Yet, with Son serving the last of a three-match ban, the pressure is on Kane to ensure they do not falter at just the second hurdle in the title race.
“We kept up with them for a while last year but they blew ahead after January,” said Kane on challenging City and European champions Liverpool for the title this season.
“It’s important that we stay in touch as long as we can.
“We have full belief that we can go all the way but there’s a long road ahead and we’ve got to be fully focused.”
However, stopping the City juggernaut on home soil is a huge ask for Spurs, particularly with Sterling continuing the fine form he showed to win the football writers’ player of the year award in England last season.
Tottenham let Kieran Trippier leave for Atletico Madrid last month and did not replace the England international meaning the inexperienced Kyle Walker-Peters has the unenviable task of keeping Sterling quiet.
“Since we started this season in China and the Community Shield he’s scored one goal minimum every game,” said City boss Pep Guardiola on Sterling’s thirst for goals.
“I know the special quality of the player, the consistent physicality and the finishing.”
Refreshed Kane aiming to keep Sterling in the shade
Refreshed Kane aiming to keep Sterling in the shade
- Kane got his and Spurs’ season off to flying start with two goals in the final five minutes
- He returned just in time for Tottenham’s first ever Champions League final
Bahrain shock Oman for Gulf Cup glory
- Win sparked wild celebrations among the Bahrain fans in the crowd of almost 60,000
KUWAIT CITY: Bahrain won the 26th Arabian Gulf Cup on Saturday, defeating Oman 2-1 in a dramatic final in Kuwait City.
With 12 minutes remaining Oman were ahead, but two goals in two minutes late in the game gave Bahrain — with Mohamed Marhoon making the difference — a second triumph in the regional competition, six years after lifting the trophy.
For a long time at the Jaber Al-Ahmad International Stadium, however, it looked as if the prize was heading to Muscat for a third time.
It took Oman, who defeated Saudi Arabia 2-1 in the semifinal on Tuesday, just 17 minutes to take the lead, and it came from a corner.
Ali Al-Busaidi swung over a cross, and there was Abdulrahman Al-Mushaifri to find a little space at the edge of the 6-yard box to head home in emphatic fashion.
Both teams continued to have chances, and it was always going to be the case that the next goal would be crucial.
It went to Bahrain, who leveled after 79 minutes. Marhoon was brought down in the area by Jameel Al-Yahmadi, and the hero of the semifinal win over Kuwait dusted himself down to fire home from the spot.
Just moments later and Bahrain were ahead thanks to more great work from the goal-scorer. Marhoon advanced to the left byline once more, and looked to pull back for waiting teammates in the area.
Instead, however, the ball was diverted into his own net by Mohamed Al-Musalami to spark wild celebrations among the Bahrain fans in the crowd of almost 60,000.
Oman did their utmost to get back on level terms, but Bahrain held on for the next 10 minutes of regular time and the 15 added on at the end, to start the new year in the happiest of fashions.
Erling Haaland doubles up in Manchester City stroll as Spurs fume
- Defending champions City beat Leicester last week for just their second win in 14 games
- Spurs have slumped to 12th in the table after five defeats in seven matches
LONDON: Erling Haaland scored twice as Manchester City pummelled West Ham 4-1 in the Premier League on Saturday while in-form Newcastle inflicted another painful defeat on Ange Postecoglou’s struggling Tottenham.
Chelsea’s recent woes continued with a 1-1 draw at Crystal Palace, meaning they have taken just two points from four games over the festive period.
Defending champions City beat Leicester last week for just their second win in 14 games but they have now won successive matches for the first time since October and Pep Guardiola will hope they have turned the corner.
The home side took the lead in the 10th minute when West Ham’s Vladimir Coufal deflected City winger Savinho’s cross past goalkeeper Alphonse Areola.
City tightened their grip three minutes before the break when Haaland headed home at the back post from Savinho’s deep cross.
The Norwegian claimed his second 10 minutes after the interval, dinking the ball over Areola after a fine pass from Savinho, to take his league haul to 16 goals, one behind Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah.
Phil Foden made it 4-0 before Niclas Fuellkrug grabbed a consolation for Julen Lopetegui’s men, who suffered a 5-0 mauling by Premier League leaders Liverpool last week.
Despite their shocking run of results, sixth-placed City are just two points behind fourth-placed Chelsea.
But Guardiola said his team were still not back in the groove.
“We have struggled with results recently but the last two victories are good and we did not lose for three,” he told the BBC.
“I would say a month and half (of poor form) compared with eight years is not bad.”
In the early kick-off at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Newcastle came from behind to clinch a fifth straight Premier League win and heap more misery on injury-hit Spurs.
The home side went ahead in the fourth minute through Dominic Solanke.
Newcastle levelled two minutes later when Antony Gordon arrowed an effort into the bottom corner but Postecoglou stood in disbelief on the touchline looking at referee Andrew Madley after Joelinton intercepted Lucas Bergvall’s pass with his hand in the build-up.
VAR deemed Joelinton’s arm to be in a natural position and the contact to be accidental, which provoked a furious reaction from Tottenham’s bench and they were up in arms midway through the first half when the already-booked Dan Burn avoided a second yellow card for handball by the center circle.
In-form Alexander Isak scored what turned out to be the winner toward the end of the first period.
The 2-1 victory, watched by new England manager Thomas Tuchel, leaves Newcastle in fifth spot, which may yet prove enough to secure a place in the Champions League next season
But Spurs have slumped to 12th in the table after five defeats in seven matches.
Postecoglou said he was proud of his players but was the “angriest I think I have ever been in my career.”
“I think it’s clear,” said the Australian. “Now whether people agree with me or not whether it wasn’t handball or it was accidental, I’m just not interested in any of that discussion.
“I know what everyone wants me to say, but all I’ll say is that on any other day, on a fair and even playing ground, we would have won that game. Simple as that.”
Enzo Maresca’s Chelsea were breathing down Liverpool’s necks just two weeks ago but are now nine points behind the Reds, having played two games more.
The Italian, who has always insisted his team are not in the title race, made six changes for the match at Selhurst Park.
Chelsea took the lead when Jadon Sancho drove down the left and found Cole Palmer, who calmly finished in the corner.
The visitors enjoyed the bulk of possession but they could not capitalize and Jean-Philippe Mateta levelled in the 82nd minute.
Aston Villa beat relegation-threatened Leicester 2-1 at home, with goals from Ross Barkley and Leon Bailey.
Brentford recorded their first league win on the road, smashing bottom side Southampton 5-0, and Bournemouth beat Everton 1-0.
Second-placed Arsenal are in action at Brighton in the 1730 GMT kick-off while Liverpool host crisis-hit Manchester United on Sunday.
‘I love that team’: Arab fans turn out in force to cheer on AC Milan and Juventus in Riyadh
- A 2-1 win saw Milan reach EA Sports FC Italian Supercup final where they will meet Inter on Monday
RIYADH: AC Milan fans from across the region were celebrating a famous win over Juventus as their team bounced back from a goal deficit to claim a 2-1 victory in the EA Sports FC Italian Supercup semifinal at Al-Awwal Park in Riyadh.
The match was watched by a large contingent of local Saudi supporters and many others who had traveled from across the Gulf to cheer on the two Italian giants.
Milan striker Tammy Abraham, who had a big impact after coming on for the last half-hour, thanked supporters for inspiring the players in their comeback win, describing Saudi Arabia as “a beautiful country.”
AC Milan supporter Alhasan Alghanim, from Saudi Arabia, said: “I’m here today supporting my team in the semifinals. Hopefully, on Monday we will win against Inter.”
Issa Tayei, from Qatar, told Arab News that he traveled to the Kingdom for the first time to attend the Supercup and support his favorite team, Juventus.
Assim Abu Ibrahim attended the event to support his son, who is a part of the Juve Academy, but is a devoted Milan fan.
“I am a big supporter of AC Milan, controversially. Since I was a child, I loved that team, and I am still committed to them. I love football,” he said.
The 37th edition of the Supercup began on Thursday with Inter Milan beating Atalanta 2-0.
The event aligns with Saudi Arabia’s Quality of Life program and the country’s plan to continue hosting major global sporting events.
The Ministry of Sports organized the event, which is being hosted by the Kingdom for the fifth time, as part of its commitment to achieving the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030.
Pakistan in trouble after Ryan Rickelton leads South African run feast
- Pakistan were 64-3 at the close after double centurion Rickelton led his team to 615 in the first innings
- Kyle Verreynne says Saim Ayub’s absence due to a broken ankle has made South Africa’s task easier
CAPE TOWN: South African wicketkeeper Kyle Verreynne said his side “need nine more big wickets” after the Proteas dominated Pakistan on the second day of the second Test against Pakistan at Newlands on Saturday.
Pakistan were 64-3 at the close after double centurion Ryan Rickelton led South Africa to a first innings total of 615.
Verreynne, who hit 100 in a 148-run partnership with Rickelton, said the absence of Pakistan opening batsman Saim Ayub, out for up to six weeks with a broken ankle, made South Africa’s task easier.
“We are focusing on taking nine more wickets, then it will be their tailenders to come,” said Verreynne of the task of bowling out Pakistan twice.
South Africa, already assured of a place in the World Test championship final in England in June, are seeking a seventh successive Test win.
“We have three days to go,” said Verreynne. “We have to stay nice and patient, stay in the channel and the loose shots will come.”
Kagiso Rabada struck twice and Marco Jansen once when Pakistan started their innings.
Babar Azam, forced to open the batting in Ayub’s absence, was 31 not out at the close with his side still 551 runs behind.
Left-handed opening batsman Rickelton made a chanceless 259, South Africa’s joint seventh highest Test score, before he was seventh man out with the total on 557.
South African captain Temba Bavuma opted to keep Pakistan in the field until the last man, 18-year-old debutant Kwena Maphaka, was out 40 minutes after tea.
By then, South Africa had added 299 runs to their overnight 316-4, scoring at almost five runs an over.
Resuming on 176, Rickelton was content to play the anchor role while Verreynne hit 100 off 147 balls in a sixth-wicket partnership of 148 off 222 deliveries.
“It was so nice batting with him,” Verreynne said of his partnership with Rickelton. “I thought he would be really tired after batting the whole day yesterday but he was so calm, it just felt like he could do this for ages. It put me at ease and I could just bat normally.”
A rapid seventh-wicket stand of 86 was ended when Rickelton was caught at mid-on going for a big hit after batting for 607 minutes. He faced 343 balls and hit 29 fours and three sixes.
Jansen made 62 off 54 balls and Keshav Maharaj hit 40 off 35 deliveries as the bowlers continued to take a pounding.
South Africa’s innings ended when Maphaka was bowled second ball for nought to become the 100th Test wicket for Mohammad Abbas.
At 18 years 270 days, Maphaka became South Africa’s youngest Test player when the match started on Friday.
Abbas took three for 94, while wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan held six catches in the South African innings.
With ten wickets, Abbas is the leading wicket-taker in the series after being recalled to the team after a three-year absence.
“I am glad to be back,” 34-year-old Abbas said. “I would enjoy it more when my team was winning but I am satisfied with my effort.”
India’s Jasprit Bumrah leaves with possible injury in decisive Test against Australia
- India need to win to retain the Border-Gavaskar trophy
- Bumrah has taken 2-33 so far in Australia’s first innings
SYDNEY: Pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah left the Sydney Cricket Ground midway through the second session on day two of the final Australia Test on Saturday, possibly heading for hospital scans in a big setback for India.
The visitors need to win the match to retain the Border-Gavaskar trophy, with Bumrah their key strike bowler and skipper.
He left the field shortly before lunch, but reappeared after the break and bowled one over. But his speed was clearly down and he went off again.
TV pictures showed him in his training kit with medical staff, getting in a car and driving out of the ground.
Commentators suggested he was going for scans for an unknown injury.
Bumrah has taken 2-33 so far in Australia’s first innings with the match finely poised.