Written By Unknown on Senin, 31 Desember 2012 | 23.06
Updated: Monday, 31 Dec 2012 09:40
Brosnan previously captained Kerry in 2001
Eoin Brosnan from the Dr Crokes club will captain the Kerry senior footballers for the 2013 season.
Crokes, the reigning county champions, had the honour of naming the skipper and went for Brosnan over his club-mate Colm Copper, who captained the Kingdom for the last two seasons.
The 32-year-old Brosnan made his Kerry debut in 2000 and holds three All-Ireland medals.
He was persuaded to come out of retirement by then manager Jack O'Connor ahead of the 2011 season and has assumed a role in the Kingdom half-back line.
Coleman has turned in a more than a few eye-catching performances for David Moyes' side
Everton defender Seamus Coleman has signed a new five-and-a-half-year contract with the club.
It means the 24-year-old Republic of Ireland international and former Sligo Rovers player has extended his stay at Goodison Park until the summer of 2018.
"I'm over the moon. I'm glad to get it all done and to sign for so long at a club like Everton is a great achievement - I want to be here for as long as possible," he told evertontv.
"Signing a contract here is fantastic and I'm really looking forward to the next couple of years.
"I'm going to keep working as hard as I have done since day one and keep improving every day in training to impress the manager.
"I'm really happy to have signed for the length of time that I have."
Coleman, who has missed the last three games through injury, has made 49 Premier League appearances for the Merseysiders.
He made his debut against Benfica in October 2009 and later went on loan to Blackpool in their promotion-winning year.
The Killybegs native was rewarded with a new three-year contract in May 2010 and signed an improved four-and-a-half-year deal in January 2011 in a season in which he made 24 Premier League starts, his best to date.
"I'm over the moon. I'm glad to get it all done and to sign for so long at a club like Everton is a great achievement" - Coleman
Manager David Moyes found a place for him on the right of midfield for many of those early first-team appearances but has since slotted him back into the side on the right of defence.
From the Excel Arena to Croke Park, from Kiawah Island to the Olympic Stadium, from Twickenham to Gdansk, 2012 will live long in the memory for Irish sports fans. But RTE Sport's Darren Frehill experienced a 'high' during the year like no other while attending a Video Journalism course in Hungary back in October.
Frehill was one of 11 journalists from 10 different countries around Europe who attended a ten day mobile and video workshop where they learned the filming, editing and story telling skills necessary for the modern day video journalist.
Each student had to produce a final project and for his exercise, our reporter arranged a feature with Peter Besenyei, a world renowned aerobatics pilot.
Peter Besenyei is one of the biggest names in Hungarian sport and has been thrilling audiences around the world with his free-style flying for over 30 years.
The former world champion developed many of the maneuvers you see at air shows today and is considered one of the most successful aerobatic pilots of all time. Besenyei took our reporter on the flight of his life over the city of Budapest.
Ba helped himself to a brace as Newcastle went down to Arsenal at the weekend
Chelsea's hopes of signing Newcastle striker Demba Ba have suffered an early blow after unproductive discussions over his future.
Press Association Sport understands club officials met the 27-year-old's representatives on Sunday night, but that the deal on the table did not come close to meeting the point where he would consider leaving St James' Park.
However, while the Ba camp has indicated that the Senegal international does not now expect to be playing his football at Stamford Bridge next month, it is likely that the impasse represents only the initial skirmish in a battle which could run and run.
The Blues are among a series of clubs to have been linked with the former West Ham frontman, who scored his 12th and 13th goals of the season at Arsenal on Saturday, with the £7million release-clause in his contract due to become active once again on New Year's Day.
However as yet, the Magpies insist they are yet to receive a bid that would trigger that clause.
The deal Ba signed when he joined Newcastle during the summer of 2011 was intensely complicated as a result of the medical condition of his knee, and they have spent recent months attempting to renegotiate it.
However, the two sides have been unable to reach agreement and with the player's network of representatives clearly active behind the scenes, the waters are becoming increasingly muddied by the day.
What is clear is that any deal would cost significantly more than £7million when signing on and agent fees, as well as a lucrative wage packet, are taken into consideration.
Magpies boss Alan Pardew is keen to retain the services of a man who scored 16 goals last season and insists he has never received any indication from the player that he wants to leave.
But the lure of Champions League football and a significantly more lucrative weekly salary could yet prove decisive.
Gibson's setback adds to the injury list at Goodison Park
Everton are set to be without Darron Gibson for a month after the midfielder was sidelined by a thigh strain.
The Republic of Ireland international missed yesterday's 2-1 home defeat by Chelsea and afterwards manager David Moyes said he expected the player to be out for a while.
This afternoon Moyes was able to put a more specific timescale on Gibson's absence.
"I think he's going to be out for about four weeks," said the Scot.
The 25-year-old spent more than two months on the sidelines earlier in the season with a similar problem.
He missed 10 Premier League matches as a result and a further absence is a significant blow to Everton as he has been one of their key players since arriving in January.
Another injury is the last thing Moyes needed as he still has Kevin Mirallas (hamstring), Tony Hibbert (calf) and Seamus Coleman out, while Phil Neville (knee) had to be rested on Sunday having played two matches in five days on his comeback from surgery.
Lampard was the man in form for the Blues at Goodison
Frank Lampard has held no talks with Chelsea over a new contract, with the England international set to leave the London club either next month or in the summer unless a new deal is agreed.
The 34-year-old was highly influential in the Blues' 2-1 win at Everton on Sunday, netting both goals to move one behind the club's second-top goalscorer of all time, Kerry Dixon.
It has been reported for some time that no new deal will be forthcoming for Lampard, with the player having been linked to the Los Angeles Galaxy, Chinese Super League side Guizhou Renhe and also west London rivals QPR.
Asked by BBC Sport whether he would be around at Chelsea long enough to equal or beat Dixon, Lampard said: "I'm only one behind so hopefully I'll beat that, but you never should count your chickens.
"At the minute there is nothing been said and my contract's till the summer. I'm enjoying playing, I'm working hard in training, I'm loving being part of the team and the ability we've got in the team.
"That's all I can tell you at the minute, and that's fair enough for me, I'm happy just to keep playing well and contributing to winning games."
Chelsea's supporters again called for the club to offer Lampard a new contract, but asked if he had sat down with Blues officials to discuss a new deal, Lampard said: "No."
Interim Chelsea boss Rafael Benitez brushed aside questions about Lampard's future after the win which took his side up to third place in the Barclays Premier League.
"Lampard is a great player, a good professional, who is doing well for us and I will try to bring the best out of him until the end of the season," said Benitez.
"He is one of the players who if he gets in the box he can be dangerous.
"He is under contract. He has shown his full commitment. He is a great player and my job is to keep him fit, happy and scoring goals.
"If he can score goals every game I'll be pleased."
One goalscorer linked with a move to Chelsea is Newcastle striker Demba Ba.
The 27-year-old Senegal international has been widely talked about with regard to a January move to Stamford Bridge to provide added firepower to the Blues attack. Ba has a release clause of #7million in his Magpies contract, but Benitez would not be drawn on the reports when asked about it at Goodison Park yesterday.
"We don't talk about our business in public. My job is to prepare for the games, enjoy them if we win and then after they (the club) will let me know what is going to happen," he said.
"He is a player who is playing for another team so I don't like to talk about other players."
Written By Unknown on Minggu, 30 Desember 2012 | 23.06
Updated: Saturday, 29 Dec 2012 22:21
Leinster's Ian Madigan grabbed the opening try of the game at the RDS
Tries in each half from Ian Madigan and Jack McGrath helped Leinster overcome Connacht 17-0 to record their first victory in four matches.
Joe Schmidt's men ended 2012 on a winning note, with McGrath's 73rd-minute try - his first in this season's RaboDirect PRO12 - confirming the result at the RDS Arena.
Connacht had a strong wind at their backs in the opening half, but failed to register any score to reflect their dominance of territory.
It was left to out-half Madigan to clinically pick off a converted try closing in on the break, profiting from his own quickly taken penalty.
He added a second-half penalty and the extras to McGrath's late score as Connacht suffered their second festive derby defeat in a week.
Eric Elwood's side were unable to build on a fine early break from winger Danie Poolman as Leinster regrouped in a physical first 10 minutes.
Leinster's forwards grew into the contest, carrying well at close quarters, but the Michael Swift-inspired Connacht were finding holes in the hosts' defence.
Poolman just miscued a grubber kick as he latched onto a cross-field delivery from Dan Parks and Leinster snatched a crucial turnover after a dangerous catch and run from Robbie Henshaw.
Having gained ground in a scrum, Parks was presented with his first shot at the posts but pulled the 14th minute penalty to the left and wide.
Lacking any territorial hold, Leinster had to maintain their discipline in defence and Jordi Murphy and Ben Marshall put in some meaty challenges.
Smart running from Andrew Conway and Fergus McFadden got Leinster into firing range near the half hour mark, and they showed the visitors exactly how potent they can be.
Andrew Goodman and Dominic Ryan both barged defenders as the men in blue gained further momentum and a quick tap penalty from Madigan saw him break out of a tackle to score from close range.
The out-half added a tricky conversion from the right and boosted by the seven-pointer, Leinster continually got over the gain-line as half-time approached.
On the restart, Brendan Macken went close to intercepting a high pass from Parks as Connacht looked to move the ball wide.
There was no sign of the midfield traffic giving way until Leinster sparked a series of pick and goes with 50 minutes on the clock.
Dominic Ryan, McFadden and stand-in captain Isaac Boss were heavily involved before Devin Toner was held up over the try-line. Connacht held out though, winning a turnover from the resulting scrum.
Madigan did increase Leinster's lead with a well-struck penalty towards the end of the third quarter.
Connacht showed flashes of clever attacking play, most notably when scrum half Kieran Marmion broke from a ruck near halfway and chipped towards the corner.
However, solid Leinster defence and cheap turnovers kept Connacht away from the whitewash and without a score to show for their efforts.
Having turned down a kickable penalty, Brett Wilkinson knocked on a pass from the ensuing lineout.
Marshall then blocked an attempted kick from Parks and Leinster broke downfield.
The hosts pulled Connacht through phases of strength-sapping defence in the closing stages and the pressure told when McGrath, supported by Toner, thundered over to the right of the posts.
Leinster hunted for a third try in the dying minute with teenage replacement Adam Byrne threatening on the right wing, but they had already done enough to get their play-off push back on track.
Paddy Flood on Rare Bob in action at Cheltenham last March
Dessie Hughes is in no hurry to plot a route back to the John Smith's Grand National with his Aintree contender Rare Bob.
The regular Liverpool visitor has had a difficult time over the famous fences, as he was a good fifth in last year's Becher Chase but was brought down at the fifth in the National.
He was tailed off on his most recent outing behind Tidal Bay in the Gold Cup at Sandown.
"I had Rare Bob entered in a Pertemps Qualifier but when we worked him he just wasn't ready," said Hughes.
"I hope to run him somewhere over hurdles in January before he goes back over fences.
"There's no rush with him, his main aim is Aintree and the National again."
Theo Walcott paraded the match ball around the Emirates at full-time
Audio
Arsene Wenger revelled in Theo Walcott's Thierry Henry-esque hat-trick and then reiterated his desire to keep hold of the star forward following yesterday's stunning 7-3 win over Newcastle at the Emirates Stadium.
Wenger deployed Walcott as Arsenal's lone hitman for the third game running and the move paid off handsomely as the 23-year-old bagged three well-taken goals and set up two more to lift the Gunners back up to fourth position in the Premier League.
On Friday Wenger talked up Walcott's ability to convert himself from a winger to a top striker - just as Henry did - and the former Southampton man has now racked up four goals in his last three games in the role.
Walcott's desire to play centrally is thought to be key to his chances of signing an extension to his contract, which expires at the end of the season, and Wenger remains hopeful that the England international will not leave.
The Arsenal manager said: "My desire is to extend his contract. I think he belongs here. Hopefully we can do it.
"I think he loves the club and the club loves him and the reciprocity in love is the most difficult to find."
Henry, who is training with Arsenal ahead of a potential second loan spell, rose to his feet to applaud Walcott after he broke from the half way line and slotted past Tim Krul to put Arsenal ahead.
A glut of goals then followed. Newcastle equalised through Demba Ba, and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain then scored to make it 2-1 to Arsenal before Ba grabbed his second to make it 2-2.
Lukasz Podolski and Sylvain Marveaux then cancelled each other out with their strikes before Walcott set Olivier Giroud up for both his strikes and he added two of his own - the last one a wonderful chip over Krul after the forward was knocked over by Cheick Tiote in the box.
"Today just typifies what I think he can do through the middle," Wenger said.
"The first goal was a Thierry Henry-type goal and he showed great determination with the third."
"I enjoy playing in whatever position but it was just telling the manager to give me the opportunities to play up front" - Theo Walcott
"He has become a good finisher. He has learned a lot because he is an intelligent player and because he is intelligent he will continue to improve."
Walcott has scored four goals and won one decisive penalty in the three games he has started up front and he now has 14 for the season.
"I enjoy playing in whatever position but it was just telling the manager to give me the opportunities to play up front," the former Southampton man told ESPN.
"I'm not saying I'm always going to play up front but it's just showing what I can do but hopefully I've opened a few eyes and it's just a different option.
"Hopefully, I can start to take it a bit more often now."
Paul O'Connell has been severly hampered by injury in recent seasons
Paul O'Connell will undergo surgery on his back injury "at the earliest opportunity", Munster have confirmed.
A statement issued read: "Following consultation between IRFU and Munster medical staff and the player himself, it has been decided that Paul O'Connell will undergo back surgery at the earliest opportunity."
O'Connell hasn't played since October and the 33-year-old will now have surgery which could rule him out of the Six Nations, while also calling in to question his availability for next summer's Lions tour to Australia.
The forward has been dogged by injuries in recent years with groin and back problems, while a knee injury kept him out of Ireland's tour of New Zealand last summer.
Frank Lampard heads Chelsea levelThis Chelsea fan had clear message for the club's owner regarding their first-half goalscorerSteven Pienaar got Everton off to a perfect start with a goal after 63 seconds
Frank Lampard's days at Chelsea are reportedly numbered, but if that is the case he seems determined to go out in a blaze of glory.
Restored to the starting line-up, the England midfielder scored twice to inspire his side to recover from Steven Pienaar's second-minute strike and secure a fourth successive league victory with a 3-1 win at Goodison Park.
The win ensured Chelsea head into 2013 in third place in the table, just four points behind second-placed Manchester City with a match in hand.
But the main focus of debate will be about the 34-year-old Lampard, who is eligible to sign a pre-contract agreement to join a foreign club in the summer on January 1.
If he wanted to make a viable case for a new contract when his deal expires in June he is going the right way about it, although the noises from Stamford Bridge suggest there is little or no inclination to do so.
Lampard is now just one goal short of Kerry Dixon, who is the club's second all-time leading scorer with 193.
But it had looked like being a long afternoon on Merseyside for the visitors after Everton got off to a dream start with just 64 seconds gone.
Phil Jagielka, playing at right-back in recent weeks because of injuries, swung over a cross which Victor Anichebe headed against the far post and Pienaar was quickest to react to the loose ball to drill it past Petr Cech.
That strike ensured Everton recorded their best Premier League goalscoring return in a calendar year, beating the previous best of 64 in 1996.
The same post denied Nikica Jelavic a second from a free-kick, but this time the rebound was not so kind to the Toffees and Chelsea were able to clear.
However, the home side, emboldened by a home record which has not seen them been beaten in the league since late March, continued to press forward with Leon Osman bringing a good low save out of Cech.
By the midway point of the half Chelsea had begun to find a foothold in the game with Ramires and Juan Mata starting to have more influence.
The former produced a driving 50-yard run and shot which was blocked by John Heitinga and Mata's follow-up caught just enough of the Holland defender to take off sufficient pace to allow Howard to block with his legs.
Full-back Ashley Cole was then inches away from sliding in the equaliser from Cesar Azpilicueta's cross but the goal they threatened finally arrived three minutes before the interval.
Lampard, given far too much space, planted a header from Ramires' cross inside the near post to wrongfoot Howard.
Chelsea lost Cech to injury at the interval, giving Ross Turnbull his first league appearance of the season, as the second half started openly but scrappily.
Torres, so often the scourge of Everton in a red shirt, had been relatively subdued but started to get a few more openings and midway through the half brought a good save out of Howard with a shot on the turn.
Osman then did the same to Turnbull at the other end after side-stepping a couple of half-hearted tackles, before Jelavic's flicked header from Leighton Baines' cross beat the goalkeeper but not the crossbar - the 17th time this season they have hit the woodwork.
With 18 minutes remaining Everton were carved open by another driving Ramires run and Howard was desperately unlucky that when he brilliantly denied Mata, the ball fell to Lampard six yards out who could not miss an open goal.
Jelavic had a chance to snatch a draw deep into in added time but could not get enough power on his close-range effort and Turnbull gathered gratefully.
Written By Unknown on Sabtu, 29 Desember 2012 | 23.06
Updated: Saturday, 29 Dec 2012 11:24
Flemenstar (right) was game to the end in the Lexus
Flemenstar is set to have the Queen Mother Champion Chase as his Cheltenham Festival target following his reverse in the Lexus Chase at Leopardstown.
After putting previously unbeaten chaser Sir Des Champs to the sword with a brilliant display in the two-and-a-half-mile John Durkan Memorial Punchestown Chase, Flemenstar had to settle for third in the Grade One event.
Having travelled and jumped with his trademark panache under Andrew Lynch, the seven-year-old looked poised to go on and record an impressive victory rounding the home turn, but the complexion of the race quickly changed.
Flemenstar appeared a weary horse after jumping the final fence and although he stuck to his task well enough to finish third, beaten just three-quarters of a length by Tidal Bay in a barnstorming finish, Casey feels his stable star's stamina limitations were exposed.
The trainer does not feel it would be right to test his charge over an extended three and a quarter miles at Cheltenham in March and with the two-mile-five-furlong Ryanair Chase seemingly of no appeal, he is set to tackle the formidable Sprinter Sacre over the minimum trip instead.
Asked about whether the Gold Cup was still being considered, Casey said: "We'll have to rule that out. He won't get that extra two furlongs.
"You'd think he was going to win coming to the last fence (in the Lexus), he was cruising. He just found nothing after the last 100 yards.
"The Queen Mother, that will be it. The two-mile Champion Chase.
"That will be the one we'd go for.
Casey is confident that Flemenstar is capable of shaking up the current Champion Chase favourite Sprinter Sacre.
"Our lad is a great jumper and has plenty of speed. He jumped well (on Friday) but every time he landed he was wanting to get going," said the trainer.
"In Cheltenham, if we went for the Queen Mother, he'd have to go there, Andrew would be letting him stride on and we'd give that other lad (Sprinter Sacre) something to think about then!
"We'll have to rule that out. He won't get that extra two furlongs" - Peter Casey says no to a Gold Cup tilt
"That's what we're going to try and do anyway."
Casey will consult Flemenstar's owner before deciding on a next port of call, but is leaning away from another crack at three miles in the Hennessy Gold Cup back at Leopardstown in February.
Casey said: "We'll have to think about where we go next and talk to the owner.
"I don't think we'll go for the Hennessy. There is the Red Mills Chase at Gowran in the middle of February. Whether we'll go down there or not I don't know."
The German giants are chasing glory on three fronts this season
Bayern Munich coach Jupp Heynckes has warned that the season is far from over ahead of his side's return to training for the second half of the season.
The record German champions have a nine-point cushion over Bayer Leverkusen at the top of the Bundesliga at the midway stage of the campaign, but Heynckes says his side must not rest on their laurels in 2013.
They threw away an eight-point advantage over Borussia Dortmund a year ago to end the season empty-handed for the second year in a row.
"We are heading in the right direction, but we have got to carry on this way consistently," he told the club's official website.
"The Bundesliga title is the priority which we are aiming for with all of our strength."
Bayern have not won a trophy since 2010 and will look to end a three-year wait for silverware in May, and the Bundesliga is currently providing their most likely source of glory.
They host Dortmund in the quarter-finals of the DFB-Pokal and face Arsenal in the Champions League, but Heynckes is keeping his focus on the league.
"What happens in the Champions League and the DFB-Pokal, we will just take it as it comes," he said.
Hurricane Fly clears the last to win in fine style
Hurricane Fly swept to a comfortable success in the Istabraq Festival Hurdle at Leopardstown.
The 2011 Champion Hurdle hero showed he will be one to beat back at Cheltenham when following up his victory in this race two years ago.
Willie Mullins' ace took over from stablemate Thousand Stars on the turn for home and the 1-5 shot strode away under Ruby Walsh for a seven-length verdict.
Unaccompanied was second and Thousand Stars stayed on again to claim third from Captain Cee Bee.
Mullins said: "We're delighted with that, not just with the win but by the way he settled.
"He was easier to lead around the ring beforehand and Ruby said he settled beautifully throughout the race.
"If we can get him back to Cheltenham in the same form that he's in now, he'll have a very good chance" - Willie Mullins confident about Hurricane Fly come March
"He's a much more settled horse all round this year, with age and racing. He will come back here for the Irish Champion Hurdle before going to Cheltenham.
"If we can get him back to Cheltenham in the same form that he's in now, he'll have a very good chance."
Bookmakers were suitably impressed with Champion Hurdle sponsors Stan James trimming Hurricane Fly from 9-2 to 5-1 to regain his crown.
Paddy Power make him the outright market leader at 7-2 while BetVictor have Hurricane Fly and Kempton's Christmas Hurdle scorer Darlan the 7-2 joint-favourites.
Aaron Lennon's determination saw him slot home Spurs' second on Wearside
Aaron Lennon kept Tottenham's Champions League challenge alive as his side came from behind to win 2-1 at Sunderland.
Spurs trailed at the break to John O'Shea's first goal for the Black Cats despite having enjoyed the better of a first half during which striker Emmanuel Adebayor hit the bar from just two yards.
However, Carlos Cuellar's own goal three minutes after the restart gave the visitors a foothold, and they took full advantage with 51 minutes gone when Lennon sped through to beat keeper Simon Mignolet.
Had it not been for the Belgian's excellence, Jermain Defoe would have wrapped up the points on the hour with a shot from point-blank range which looked odds-on to end up in the back of the net, and he also kept out Adebayor's late effort.
Martin O'Neill's side battled manfully for a way back into the game, but Spurs held out with little difficulty to claim a second successive Barclays Premier League win on the road.
Sunderland could hardly have headed into the game with any more confidence having dispensed with champions Manchester City on Boxing Day to claim a third victory in four league outings.
On paper at least, today's fixture looked perhaps the more winnable of the two, but O'Neill was under no illusions as to how difficult a contest it would prove to be having seen Spurs dismantle former club Aston Villa in their last outing.
In the event, two sides with a reputations for hitting teams hard and fast on the counter started relatively cautiously and genuine chances were few and far between during the opening 45 minutes.
Adebayor failed to make the most of Gareth Bale's enterprising fourth-minute run and pull-back, and Spurs keeper Hugo Lloris was able to collect Craig Gardner's deflected free-kick with little difficulty seconds later.
As the half wore on, the Black Cats, who had hurt City in wide areas on Wednesday, worked their way into several promising positions, but Stephane Sessegnon and James McClean were able to pick out only Lloris with their final balls.
Tottenham began to shade the game in terms of possession and they created a series of openings.
Sandro could not extend Mignolet with a bouncing 21st-minute shot from distance, and Bale was similarly wasteful when presented with a headed chance by Lennon, who was giving makeshift left-back Matt Kilgallon a tough time.
In the meantime, Mignolet had rushed from his line to block Adebayor's flick after the strike had been played in by Sandro, but the Togo international should have put the visitors ahead on the half-hour.
Cuellar failed to cut out Jermain Defoe's curling shot, although he took the pace off it to allow Adebayor to get to the loose ball before Mignolet.
However, the strike somehow managed to hit the bar from just two yards and Sunderland were able to breathe again.
The home side created their first effort of note seven minutes before the break when Cuellar looped a header over from Adam Johnson's free-kick, and it was they who took the lead two minutes later.
Neither Stephen Fletcher nor O'Shea could make meaningful contact with Sebastian Larsson's free-kick as it sped towards goal, but after the Scot had seen his follow-up blocked by Lloris, the Republic of Ireland international, back in the starting line-up after illness, gleefully swept the ball into the unguarded net.
O'Neill's men returned in determined mood and the way Johnson went past Bale before seeing his cross hacked clear by Sandro might have proved inspirational.
However, their lead and optimism evaporated within six disastrous minutes.
There was an element of fortune about Spurs' equaliser when Cuellar headed a 48th-minute corner into his own net, but things went from bad to worse for the home side just three minutes later.
Lennon attempted to lay the ball off, but saw it hit O'Shea and bounce back to his feet, and he raced in on goal to beat Mignolet despite Kilgallon's best efforts to apprehend him.
Spurs should really have ended the game as contest on the hour when, with the Black Cats in disarray, Bale, who was later booked for diving, sprinted from halfway before picking out Defoe in front of goal.
The England striker had time to control before shooting, but as the entire stadium waited for the net to bulge, Mignolet pulled off a breathtaking save he had no right to make to keep his side's hopes alive.
Sunderland poured forward in the search for an equaliser, in the process leaving themselves vulnerable at the back, but neither side could increase their tally with Mignolet keeping out Adebayor eight minutes from time, and that proved more than satisfactory for the visitors.
Gareth Bale: 'What do you expect me to do if I there is contact and I go over - hit my head on the floor?'
Gareth Bale was clearly frustrated after being booked for diving during Tottenham's 2-1 win at Sunderland today.
The Wales forward is now getting an unenviable reputation as a diver and today he was given a yellow card after going to ground following a tackle by Craig Gardner.
For Bale it overshadowed the victory which saw them move just three points behind second-placed Manchester City in third in the Barclays Premier League.
He told Sky Sports 2: "It's the same thing every time - it's the third time this season I've been clipped.
"There is nothing I can do about it - the referees have to look a bit closer.
"If I get contact there it is a penalty or free kick.
"What do you expect me to do if I there is contact and I go over - hit my head on the floor?
"I am not going to stop going because it is a foul. People can say what they want, it doesn't bother me."
Written By Unknown on Jumat, 28 Desember 2012 | 23.06
Updated: Friday, 28 Dec 2012 15:45
Ireland striker Shane Long will be hoping to maintain West Brom's push for Champions League football as they travel to face Manchester United on Saturday
Sunderland v Tottenham, Saturday, 12.45
Sunderland manager Martin O'Neill will be without full-back Danny Rose for tomorrow's Barclays Premier League clash with Tottenham.
The defender is unavailable under the terms of his loan agreement with parent club Spurs, although John O'Shea could return to the back four after missing the victory over Manchester City through illness.
O'Neill has recalled midfielder David Meyler from his loan spell at Hull after he completed a one-match ban, but will look at how his squad has recovered following the City game before naming his team.
Aston Villa will be without a host of players for tomorrow's visit of fellow Barclays Premier League strugglers Wigan.
Defender Nathan Baker is the latest to be ruled out after he was forced off with a hamstring problem just before half-time in the 4-0 defeat at home to Tottenham.
Baker joins captain Ron Vlaar (calf), Gabriel Agbonlahor (thigh), Charles N'Zogbia (knee), Darren Bent (hamstring), Richard Dunne (groin) and Andreas Weimann (calf) on the sidelines.
Wigan manager Roberto Martinez is considering making changes for tomorrow's trip to Aston Villa.
Apparent Liverpool target Franco di Santo is amongst those who will come into contention.
The game might come too soon for defender Ivan Ramis though, who is still to make an appearance after suffering a hamstring injury at the end of last month, and is likely to be on the bench at best.
Aston Villa squad: Guzan, Given, Lowton, Herd, Clark, Lichaj, Stevens, Bennett, Ireland, Westwood, El Ahmadi, Bannan, Delph, Holman, Benteke, Bowery, Burke, Johnson, Williams.
Fulham's Bryan Ruiz has been passed fit to start against Swansea tomorrow.
The Costa Rica international made his return from a hamstring injury in the 1-1 draw with Southampton, playing the entire second half on St Stephen's Day.
Mahamadou Diarra and Mladen Petric are doubts to face Swansea, while Damien Duff could miss out again.
Top scorer Michu will miss Swansea's trip to Fulham due to the ankle injury he suffered in the draw at Reading.
The 13-goal Spaniard has not recovered in time to face the Cottagers, with Danny Graham, Itay Shechter and Luke Moore all competing to start up front in his place.
Winger Pablo Hernandez and full-back Angel Rangel are set to return from thigh and ankle problems respectively after missing the opening part of the festive period.
Swansea squad: Vorm, Bartley, Flores, Williams, Britton, Lita, Michu, Graham, Hernandez, Dyer, Routledge, Monk, Shechter, Moore, De Guzman, Tiendalli, Rangel, Ki, Tremmel, Agustien, Gower, Richards, Davies.
Man Utd v West Brom
Ashley Young and Danny Welbeck could both be back to bolster Manchester United's attacking options against West Brom tomorrow.
The pair missed the win over Newcastle with minor ailments, but Alex Ferguson expects both men to be available.
Shinji Kagawa (knee) may also be involved for the first time since October, but Wayne Rooney (knee) and Phil Jones miss out and veterans Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes are expected to be rested.
West Brom have a trio of fresh injury doubts ahead of tomorrow's Barclays Premier League encounter with leaders Manchester United at Old Trafford.
Defenders Jonas Olsson (groin) and Goran Popov (hamstring) and midfielder Youssouf Mulumbu (hamstring) all sustained injuries during the win at QPR.
Another midfielder in Claudio Yacob (hamstring) remains sidelined and as a result Albion have recalled George Thorne from a loan spell at Peterborough.
Manchester United squad: Lindegaard, De Gea, Smalling, Vidic, Wootton, Ferdinand Evans, Buttner, Evra, Cleverley, Giggs, Fletcher, Scholes, Tunnicliffe, Carrick, Kagawa, Young, Hernandez, Welbeck, Van Persie.
Norwich manager Chris Hughton has no new injury concerns as he welcomes Barclays Premier League champions Manchester City to Carrow Road on Saturday.
Defender Steven Whittaker will miss out with an ongoing hip injury with Andrew Surman also unlikely to feature as he continues his recovery from a knee problem.
Ryan Bennett is back in contention after returning to the bench against Chelsea, while John Ruddy (thigh) is the only long-term absentee for the Canaries.
Midfielder Samir Nasri (hamstring) could return for Manchester City's Barclays Premier League trip to Norwich and defender Gael Clichy has also recovered from a knock.
Striker Carlos Tevez is available after taking a day off training due to illness and right-back Pablo Zabaleta's cut head is not a problem, but forward Mario Balotelli (virus) remains a doubt.
Full-backs Aleksandar Kolarov and Maicon (both knee) are still out along with the long-term casualties of defender Micah Richards (knee) and midfielder Jack Rodwell (hamstring).
Man City squad: Hart, Pantilimon, Wright, Zabaleta, Kompany, Lescott, Nastasic, K Toure, Clichy, Rekik, Nasri, Milner, Barry, Y Toure, Garcia, Silva, Sinclair, Aguero, Tevez, Dzeko, Balotelli, Razak.
Reading v West Ham
West Ham have striker Carlton Cole available for their trip to Reading tomorrow after his red card against Everton last weekend was rescinded.
Manager Sam Allardyce would have been facing a shortage of attacking options if Cole had been banned with Andy Carroll (knee) still missing and Ricardo Vaz Te only just back in training after recovering from a dislocated shoulder.
Yossi Benayoun has had his loan spell at Upton Park cut short through injury and has returned to parent club Chelsea whilst Mohamed Diame (hamstring) remains sidelined.
Stoke manager Tony Pulis will be forced into a defensive reshuffle against Southampton in tomorrow's Barclays Premier League meeting.
Captain Ryan Shawcross and right-back Geoff Cameron both serve one-match bans for accruing five bookings this season.
It means Matthew Upson is likely to replace Shawcross in the centre of the back four with Ryan Shotton coming in for Cameron.
Adam Lallana will be on the sidelines once again when Southampton travel to Stoke.
The Saints captain picked up a knee problem against Reading on 8 December and has not featured since.
Manager Nigel Adkins revealed one or two unnamed players picked up knocks in the 1-1 draw with Fulham, but expects them to be available at the Britannia Stadium.
Southampton squad: K Davis, Gazzaniga, Boruc, Richardson, Butterfield, Stephens, Clyne, Fox, Shaw, Yoshida, Hooiveld, Fonte, Reeves, Ward-Prowse, Do Prado, Cork, Chaplow, De Ridder, Ramirez, Schneiderlin, S Davis, Puncheon, Lee, Lambert, Rodriguez, Mayuka.
Arsenal v Newcastle, Saturday, 5.30pm
Newcastle boss Alan Pardew faces a fresh selection headache ahead of tomorrow's Barclays Premier League trip to Arsenal.
Midfielder Cheick Tiote returns from a one-match ban, but counterpart Vurnon Anita is out with an ankle injury sustained in the 4-3 defeat at Manchester United, while central defender Mike Williamson is suspended after collecting his fifth booking of the season at Old Trafford.
Jonas Gutierrez (knee) has joined fellow midfielders Yohan Cabaye (groin) and Hatem Ben Arfa (hamstring) as well as central defender Steven Taylor (also hamstring) on the sidelines, while full-back Ryan Taylor and midfielders Dan Gosling and Haris Vuckic (all knee) are still missing.
Everton midfielder Darron Gibson is hoping to prove his fitness in order to feature in Sunday's Barclays Premier League clash against Chelsea at Goodison Park.
Gibson - eligible after his red card in last week's win at West Ham was overturned - was withdrawn at half-time against Wigan with a thigh strain.
Right-back Seamus Coleman could return after a knock but midfielder Marouane Fellaini completes a three-match ban and defender Tony Hibbert (hamstring) and striker Kevin Mirallas (calf) are out.
Connacht will be hoping to do the double on Leinster at the RDS
Leinster will be looking to get back to winning ways when they entertain Connacht in Saturday's RaboDirect PRO12 clash at the RDS, kick-off 7:45pm.
The Donnybrook-based side have lost their last three fixtures and will be looking for revenge on an earlier defeat to Saturday's visitors.
Shane Jennings leads a young Leinster team and the back-row forward is one of six Ireland internationals in the starting line up.
Amongst them is Fergus McFadden who starts on the right wing in a back three alongside Fionn Carr and full-back Andrew Conway.
Ian Madigan lies in third place in the league's accumulators list with 74 points in 11 PRO12 games so far and he will pair up with Isaac Boss at half back.
In the pack, Heinke van der Merwe is named in the front row alongside Aaron Dundon and Ireland prop Michael Bent, with Devin Toner partnering Ben Marshall at second row.
Connacht head Coach Eric Elwood has made four changes to his starting XV as the Westerners pursue a season double over the European champions after defeating Leinster 34-6 at the Sportsground in September.
Winger Matt Healy earns his first start and cap for the province after impressing with the Connacht Eagles in the British & Irish Cup.
Danie Poolman moves to the right wing and makes way for Eoin Griffin who resumes his centre partnership with Dave McSharry.
In the pack, Denis Buckley is named in the front row alongside Jason Harris-Wright and Nathan White, who captains the side.
Michael Swift, who returned from injury last week and came off the bench against Munster, will partner George Naoupu in the second row.
Leinster XV: Andrew Conway, Fergus McFadden, Brendan Macken, Andrew Goodman, Fionn Carr, Ian Madigan, Isaac Boss; Heinke van der Merwe, Aaron Dundon, Michael Bent, Ben Marshall, Devin Toner, Rhys Ruddock, Shane Jennings (capt), Jordi Murphy. Replacements: Sean Cronin, Jack McGrath, Mike Ross, Leo Cullen, Dominic Ryan, John Cooney, Noel Reid, Adam Byrne
Connacht XV: Robbie Henshaw, Danie Poolman, Eoin Griffin, Dave McSharry, Matt Healy, Dan Parks, Kieran Marmion; Denis Buckley, Jason Harris-Wright, Nathan White (captain), Michael Swift, George Naoupu, Andrew Browne, Johnny O'Connor, Eoin McKeon. Replacements: Ethienne Reynecke, Brett Wilkinson, Ronan Loughney, Mick Kearney, Eoghan Grace, Paul O'Donohoe, Matthew Jarvis, Tiernan O'Halloran.
The influential Tom Court provides Ulster back-up on the replacement bench for the league leaders' trip to Limerick
Ulster will look to push further clear at the top of the RaboDirect PRO12 table when they travel to Thomond Park to face Munster on Saturday, kick-off 5:30pm.
Mark Anscombe has made eleven changes to the starting XV for the trip south with only Craig Gilroy and Luke Marshall in the backs, and Neil McComb and Robbie Diack in the forwards retained from the team which beat Leinster 27-19 last Friday night.
Despite resting a number of players and having a large contingent involved in an Ireland training camp in Dublin this weekend, Ulster are able to field an all Irish-qualified match-day squad.
Adam D'Arcy will make his first start of the season at fullback and will be joined in the back three by speedy youngsters Chris Cochrane and Gilroy.
Michael Allen will partner Luke Marshall in midfield, with Paul Marshall and Niall O'Connor forming a new half-back combination.
Up front, Callum Black, Rob Herring and Adam Macklin make up an all-new front row, while Lewis Stevenson has returned from an eight-week injury lay off to partner McComb in the engine room.
Roger Wilson will captain the team from number eight and he will be ably assisted in the back row by Mike McComish and Diack.
Experienced prop Tom Court, who enjoyed a fine man of the match performance last weekend, is included in the replacements.
Munster hooker Damien Varley is under no illusions about the strength of the visiting side and knows that Munster will need to be at their best to defeat this, albeit under-strength, Ulster side.
Varley said: "Ulster are on an unbelievable roll, there is no doubt about that. But they have been growing for some time now. It has just clicked for them this season. Their win over Leinster last weekend was very impressive.
"They have some great players up there and they are running away with it at the top of the table.
"But it would be a great way for us to finish 2012 by winning against them. We have a few big weeks ahead of us. Cardiff follow this one and then we have the two Heineken Cup games, two must-win matches with bonus points and all that needed."
Munster XV: D Hurley; D Howlett (capt), C Laulala, J Downey, S Zebo; I Keatley, C Murray; W du Preez, D Varley, BJ Botha; D O'Callaghan, B Holland; P O'Mahony, T O'Donnell, P Butler. Replacements: M Sherry, M Horan, S Archer, Dave O'Callaghan, J Coughlan, P Stringer, R O'Gara, F Jones.
Ulster XV: A D'Arcy, C Cochrane, M Allen, L Marshall, C Gilroy; N O'Connor, P Marshall; C Black, R Herring, A Macklin, L Stevenson, N McComb, R Diack, M McComish, R Wilson. Replacements: N Annett, R Lutton, T Court, A O'Connor, A Birch, M Heaney, S Olding, R Andrew.
Watch Munster v Ulster live on RTÉ Two & RTE.ie on Saturday from 5:15pm.
Ruby Walsh got up late to win the Topaz Novice Chase with Back In Focus
Ruby Walsh conjured a late rally out of Back In Focus to deny Aupcharlie as Willie Mullins claimed a one-two in the Topaz Novice Chase at Leopardstown.
The strong-travelling Aupcharlie was going the better on the run to the final fence but he pecked slightly on landing and could not pull far enough clear of his nearest pursuer.
Walsh kept at the Graham Wylie-owned seven-year-old on the long run-in and the 6-4 favourite battled on bravely to get up close home to score by a head. Texas Jack was third.
Mount Benbulben was pulled up after making a bad mistake as the field went out for the final circuit while Tony McCoy's partner Jenari fell at the following fence and Lyreen Legend came down three out.
Back In Focus is unchanged at 14-1 for the RSA chase at Cheltenham.
Rafael Nadal's comeback has been put on hold once again
World number four Rafael Nadal has pulled out of the Australian Open due to a stomach virus.
The Spaniard has not played since suffering his shock second-round exit at Wimbledon to unheralded Czech Lukas Rosol due to a knee injury.
He had been due to return at this week's exhibition event in Abu Dhabi but the virus forced him to withdraw.
And he has now decided to extend that absence to include the season's opening grand slam event in Melbourne.
Former world number one Nadal, a winner of 11 grand slam titles, including one Down Under in 2009, told the Australian Open's official website: "I am sorry and very sad to announce that I will not play in the Australian Open.
"My knee is coming along okay, but a stomach virus has left me unable to get ready in time to tackle the rigours of a grand slam.
"Because of the virus, I have been unable to get any match practice and simply would not be doing myself or my friends in Australia justice if I went down there so unprepared.
"You need your body to be at its best for the Australian Open.
"It was a difficult decision and I am extremely disappointed to be missing such a great event.
"I love coming to Melbourne and playing on Rod Laver Arena before the Australian crowds. It brings out the best in me.
"It hurts to have to wait another 12 months before I get another chance. In the meantime, the focus is now on desperately trying to get back on the tour."
Ruby Walsh produced a fantastic late run to see off First Lieutenant
Tidal Bay got up in the final strides to land what looked an unlikely victory in a thrilling renewal of the Lexus Chase at Leopardstown.
Ruby Walsh got an amazing run out of the Paul Nicholls-trained gelding to pass several rivals on the run-in to give owner Graham Wylie a second Grade One on the card after Back In Focus took the Topaz Chase.
In a bunch finish, Tidal Bay (9-2) snatched the spoils from First Lieutenant with Flemenstar and Sir Des Champs just behind.
The Neil Mulholland-trained Midnight Chase made the running with Hidden Cyclone and Quito De La Roque on his heels and Tidal Bay held up in the rear.
Hidden Cyclone went on during the final circuit while Flemenstar appeared to be going ominously well as Peter Casey's stable star tried to take his winning sequence to eight, on his first try at three miles.
China Rock led two out, but Flemenstar was still going best and landed over the last with the race to win.
However, his stamina appeared to give out on the soft ground on the run to the line.
Tidal Bay still had a few lengths to find but he found what was necessary as Walsh produced him between horses, getting up to score by a head from First Lieutenant with Flemenstar third.
Sir Des Champs was just behind but his chances of success were not helped by his jumping.
Walsh said: "He jumped the second-last well and I got through the gap going to the last. He was really finishing and I thought I had a chance of getting to them.
"He was a bit flat-footed at the last and he took time to pick up, but when he did he started to fly and I guess 100 yards down I was thinking I was going to get there.
"Everyone was in the same boat. We all knew Flemenstar's stamina had to be tested and Midnight Chase went a good honest gallop and the tempo was upped all the way. It was a real true-run contest.
"He's a different horse this year. He won at Wetherby, was second in the Hennessy at Newbury and has come and won today. It's brilliant."
Written By Unknown on Kamis, 27 Desember 2012 | 23.06
Updated: Thursday, 27 Dec 2012 15:28
Ruby Walsh riding Sanctuaire clear of the last to win the williamhill.com Desert Orchid Chase at Kempton
Sanctuaire returned to winning ways with a spectacular round of jumping in the williamhill.com Desert Orchid Chase at Kempton.
Having been put well in his place by Sprinter Sacre in the Tingle Creek, the Paul Nicholls-trained Sanctuaire was ridden with a bit more restraint in front by Ruby Walsh on this occasion.
He was even headed turning into the straight by Wishfull Thinking and looked to be treading water.
Wishfull Thinking soon began to stop in front, however, and with Sanctuaire deciding to put his best foot forward he regained the lead and powered clear for a 13-length win as the 11-8 favourite from Kumbeshwar.
Nicholls said: "He started to pull himself up on the back straight and I thought that was it, but when the others had gone past him he took off.
"He is quirky and silly, but you can ride him accordingly. If we can ride him with more restraint he could be interesting.
"We are going to have to take on Sprinter Sacre at Cheltenham, so I probably won't take him to Ascot first, we could maybe go to the Game Spirit, Cheltenham and then Sandown at the end of the season."
Sizing Europe won the Paddy Power Dial-A-Bet Chase by two and a half lengths
Sizing Europe, trained by Henry de Bromhead and ridden by Andrew Lynch, won the Paddy Power Dial-A-Bet Chase at Leopardstown.
De Bromhead said: "That was great, we're very lucky to have him, he makes training a lot easier.
"You wouldn't really want him to be taking a hold like he did there over two miles (but) he loves this game, he just loves it.
"I'm very relieved as when you are 1-3 (favourite), second is disappointing.
"It's great to win that race now and we'll work on from there to Cheltenham. I don't know what we are going to do yet.
"He could possibly be entered in the three big chases (Gold Cup, Queen Mother Champion Chase and Ryanair) at Cheltenham.
"For me he's looking far more like a stayer this year so we'll see, it's all a long way away yet. We'll try to get him there first."
Lynch said: "Sizing Europe has been a very good horse to me. He was very fresh in the race early on and was running a bit keen.
"Rubi Light was jumping great alongside us and both of them are in fact very good horses to jump.
"He started to idle a bit out in front on his own but at least he won. He felt the ground very dead, he's way better on good ground but he got away with it today. He stays well, he did it well."
Stan James and Paddy Power left Sizing Europe unchanged at 7-1 for the Queen Mother.
Flaxen Flare jumps the last to take victory in the opening race of day 2 at the Leopardstown Christmas Festival
Gordon Elliott's Flaxen Flare made a winning start to his jumping career with a smart display in the Paddy Power On Your Mobile 3-Y-O Maiden Hurdle at Leopardstown.
Last seen winning on the Flat at Nottingham in October, when trained by Andrew Balding, the three-year-old was an 11-1 shot for what looked a warm race on paper.
Hot favourite Diplomat moved smoothly rounding the home turn, but fluffed his lines at the final flight and Flaxen Flare quickened up best on the flat.
Davy Condon's mount came home two and a quarter lengths ahead of outsider Ibsen, with Diplomat well held.
Call Me Bubbles was the disappointment of the race.
Elliott said: "We always thought he was nice and he beat Diplomat in a schooling race at Fairyhouse.
"It's hard to really fancy one in these three-year-old hurdle races as they can be a bit rough and ready.
"We have been quite lucky with three-year-old hurdlers. He is probably not as fast as Shadow Catcher but he might keep going a bit better."
Supporters of odds-on favourite Mumbo Jumbo were made to sweat before he eventually got on top close home to win the Paddy Power Maiden Hurdle.
The Margaret Mullins-trained dual bumper winner was a 4-6 favourite having been narrowly beaten on his hurdling bow at Listowel in September and was sent straight into the lead by the trainer's son, Danny Mullins.
He led until the home turn, when he was passed by Celtic Cailin, but Mullins appeared happy to bide his time.
It almost backfired at the final flight as the smooth-travelling Mumbo Jumbo got in tight, which handed his rival the initiative.
But Mumbo Jumbo picked up for pressure on the run-in and was good value for his length-and-a-half victory.
The winning trainer said: "He was just beaten in Listowel and Barry (Connell, owner) wanted to come back here with him.
"He is a nice horse and it has worked out well.
"We will find a winners-of-one race for him now."
The mother and son combination went on to complete a double as 12-1 shot Cairdin made every yard of the running in the Paddy Power Handicap Hurdle.
Returning to the smaller obstacles following a stint over fences, the six-year-old was fitted with blinkers for the first time and galloped along merrily at the head of affairs.
The challengers were queuing up to have a pop at him rounding the home turn, but Cairdin then kicked clear and skipped over the final flight to seal a four-and-a-quarter-length verdict over Forty Foot Tom.
Margaret Mullins said: "I'm delighted with the horse. We put the blinkers on him today as he just looks around a bit and it's great that it came right for him.
"It's great for Danny too, it's great to have your own doing it! I don't give him instructions, I just leave it to him."
Jezki ridden by Robbie Power clears the last to win the Paddy Power Future Champions Novice Hurdle
Jezki maintained his unbeaten record over hurdles with a hugely impressive performance in the Paddy Power Future Champions Novice Hurdle at Leopardstown.
Jessica Harrington's four-year-old was sent off the 11-8 favourite on the strength of his win in the Royal Bond Novice Hurdle at Fairyhouse and was always travelling powerfully in the hands of Robbie Power.
He cruised to the lead halfway up the home straight, safely negotiated the final flight and then powered clear on the run-in to beat main market rival Waaheb by six lengths.
"That's the best ground he's [Jezki] had all year and that's the best performance he's put up all year" - Robbie Power
Harrington said: "I was absolutely thrilled. He won more impressively there than he did in Fairyhouse, he never even came off the bridle.
"Probably that slightly better ground helped him and he just loves going left-handed, he's definitely better left-handed.
"They went a right good gallop, which was brilliant.
"Cheltenham is the plan, we need to get him there in one piece.
"He will probably take in the Deloitte Novice Hurdle on his way there. The better the ground, the better for him."
Power said: "That was very easy. The went very quick early on and I didn't get into my stride until halfway down the back.
"I wasn't happy with him on the softest part of the track but from three or four out I always cantering and I was taking a pull the whole time.
"I ended up in front a bit soon but in fairness to the horse, as soon as I gave him a squeeze he lengthened away and I couldn't believe the turn of foot he had.
"He's a very good horse. The better the ground, the better he's going to be. That's the best ground he's had all year and that's the best performance he's put up all year."
Stan James make Jezki their 6-1 clear favourite for the Supreme Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham, clipping him from 10-1.
Spokesman Joseph Burke said: "I have no doubt that when people have had more time to digest this performance the 6-1 about him winning the opener at this year's Festival will contract and if he gets there in one piece, he'll take all the beating."
Manchester United's Bebe has joined Rio Ave on loan
Manchester United forward Bebe has joined Rio Ave on loan, the Portuguese side have announced.
Bebe moved to United in a surprise £7.4million deal from Vitoria Guimaraes in 2010 but struggled to make an impact at Old Trafford and joined Turkish side Besiktas on a season-long loan in June 2011.
Bebe, who Alex Ferguson later admitted was the first player he had signed without having even seen him play on television, made just a handful of appearances for Besiktas before suffering a serious knee injury on Portugal Under-21 duty that sidelined him for most of last season.
The Portuguese forward, now 22, insists he is fully fit and raring to go at Rio Ave, telling club website www.rioave-fc.pt: "I'm ready to play and pleased to wear the Rio Ave shirt.
"I'll give it everything while I'm here and try to help the team to continue occupying the places that they have been in the table."
He added: "Obviously something went wrong in the last phase of my career, I had a serious injury which thankfully I have fully recovered well from.
"I'm fine physically, I was always training and playing. It's good to come here and I want to show what I can do."
Rio Ave are fifth in the Portuguese top flight on 18 points, 14 behind leaders Benfica.
Prince De Beauchene secured victory by three and a quarter lengths
Prince De Beauchene, ante-post favourite for last season's Grand National before injury intervened, made a successful reappearance in the Woodlands House Hotel Hurdle at Limerick.
The Graham Wylie-owned nine-year-old had his last start in the Bobbyjo Chase in February but despite the testing conditions, he looked in control throughout.
Trainer Willie Mullins attempted to replace his nephew Emmet Mullins in the saddle with his son, Patrick, who still needs one more victory to break the record for number of winners in a calendar year by an amateur, but the Limerick stewards vetoed the move.
Emmet Mullins tracked Clonbanan Lad for much of the race before taking up the running half a mile.
The 3-1 shot then cruised to a three-and-a-quarter-length victory over Venture Capital.
"He travelled and jumped great. He got free for the first time turning in" - Emmett Mullins
Emmet Mullins said: "He was very impressive and he was always going very easy. He travelled and jumped great. He got free for the first time turning in.
"I would imagine Aintree is the plan for him now and hopefully he will get there in one piece."
There was agony for backers of Harpsy Cord in the Tim Duggan Memorial Handicap Chase as after leading all the way he came down at the last when five lengths clear.
That left course specialist Jack Absolute (16-1) in front and he had to be kept right up to his work to hold off Tullintain.
It was not what Harpsy Cord deserved as he had jumped brilliantly in the hands of Keith Donoghue but after pecking on landing at the second-last he got in too tight to the final fence to gift victory to John Walsh's nine-year-old in the hands of Brian O'Connell
Written By Unknown on Rabu, 26 Desember 2012 | 23.06
Updated: Wednesday, 26 Dec 2012 13:56
Serbian supporters racially abused Danny Rose at the Mladost Stadium
UEFA is to appeal against all the sanctions imposed in relation to the controversial Serbia v England Under-21 play-off in October, including the punishments imposed for racist abuse by Serbian supporters.
Serbia's Under-21 side were ordered to play one match behind closed doors and the national federation were fined €80,000 in relation to the racist behaviour of their supporters during the match at the Mladost Stadium in Krusevac on 16 October.
The punishment, imposed by UEFA's independent control and disciplinary panel on 13 December, was widely criticised for being too lenient.
"UEFA, via the UEFA disciplinary inspector appointed to the case, has decided to appeal all the sanctions," read a statement on UEFA's official website.
The 2013 European Under-21 Championship play-off second leg was marred by racist chanting and scenes of violence.
England were also censured, with Steven Caulker and Tom Ince receiving two and one-match bans respectively for their involvement in the brawl sparked by racist abuse directed at Danny Rose.
UEFA president Michel Platini was understood to be considering an appeal to increase the severity of the sanctions against the Serbian team given the nature of the incidents.
Today's statement continued: "As per the UEFA disciplinary regulations, the UEFA disciplinary inspector has the right to open disciplinary investigations and to lodge appeals against decisions taken by the control and disciplinary body.
"Having reviewed the motivated decisions for the sanctions imposed in this specific case, which have also been provided to all parties, the UEFA disciplinary inspector felt it necessary to immediately confirm his intention to appeal on UEFA's behalf."
Veteran Tottenham goalkeeper Brad Friedel has signed a new deal with the club, keeping him at White Hart Lane until 2014.
Spurs announced that the American had signed the contract on their official website this morning, with the news meaning Friedel, now 41, will be 43 when the deal expires.
The Premier League's oldest player, Friedel is the only man in the history of the division to make in excess of 300 consecutive starts.
His new contract comes at a time when he has lost his place as Spurs' number one, with summer signing Hugo Lloris having replaced him as manager Andre Villas-Boas' first choice.
Friedel came to England in 1997 with Liverpool, but moved to Blackburn three years later after failing to make an impression at Anfield and made in excess of 300 appearances for Rovers.
Aston Villa bought him for £2.5million in 2008 and stayed with them for three seasons, before heading to Tottenham last year.
Argocat won the Greenmount Park Novice Chase by eight lengths
Tom Taaffe's Argocat ran out a wide-margin winner of the Greenmount Park Novice Chase at Limerick.
The Willie Mullins-trained Mikael D'Haguenet was sent off the odds-on favourite for the Grade Two contest after finally breaking his duck over fences at Punchestown earlier this month, but he and Emmet Mullins hit the turf at one of the fences going down the back straight.
Previous course winner Argocat (9-4) moved sweetly into contention rounding the home turn and swept clear under Andrew McNamara, who could afford to ease down on his mount after a slight mistake at the final fence.
Snooze was eight lengths back in second, just denying Far Away So Close the runner-up spot.
Tony McCoy riding Darlan clear of the last to win the williamhill.com Christmas Hurdle
Darlan staked a massive claim for top honours with an emphatic win in the williamhill.com Christmas Hurdle at Kempton.
The Nicky Henderson-trained five-year-old, owned by JP McManus, became a major contender for the Champion Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival as he beat several other leading players in tremendous fashion.
The winner's stablemate Punjabi set a steady pace after no-one wanted to make the running.
There was all to play for as they turned for home with two flights to jump and it was Darlan who quickened impressively for Tony McCoy to stride away on the run to the last.
Darlan (3-1) went on to win on his seasonal debut by four and a half lengths from Raya Star (8-1) with Dodging Bullets third and the Fighting Fifth winner Countrywide Flame only fourth.
BetVictor slashed Darlan from 10-1 to 7-2 favourite for the Stan James Champion Hurdle
Tom Scudamore riding Dynaste clears the last to win The Kauto Star Feltham Novices' Steeple Chase at Kempton
Dynaste maintained his 100% record over fences with an impressive display in the Kauto Star Feltham Novices' Chase at Kempton.
Already favourite for the RSA Chase after wins on his first two starts over fences at Cheltenham and Newbury, Dynaste cemented his position at the head of the ante-post market for the staying novice chase championship with an impeccable performance.
Tom Scudamore held up the David Pipe-trained runner at the rear in the early stages but moved the 8-13 shot into a more prominent spot as the race progressed.
Jumping into the lead four out, Dynaste had the opposition at full stretch as he powered to a nine-length win over Hadrian's Approach.
Both Paddy Power and BetVictor cut Dynaste to 5-2 from 5-1 for the RSA Chase.
Scudamore told Channel 4 Racing: "He's run very, very well again. You couldn't fail to be impressed with him.
"As boring as it sounds, it's just straight forward with him."
Pipe was similarly pleased, adding: "He was very impressive, very good.
"The step up to three miles obviously did him no harm. He's improving quickly."
Sam Waley-Cohen riding Long Run (right) clear of the last to win the William Hill King George VI from Captain Chris (left) at Kempton
Long Run got up in the final strides to collar Captain Chris and regain his crown in the William Hill King George VI Chase at Kempton.
Captain Chris looked like going two better places than last year when he came through to head the winner of two years ago, who was also the runner-up 12 months ago.
However, Long Run, the 15-8 favourite trained by Nicky Henderson, rallied for amateur Sam Waley-Cohen, to get back up and score by a neck.
Junior was rousted to get to the front but was harried all the way by Champion Court with Long Run perfectly placed just behind.
Six fences from home, Champion Court and Long Run appeared to have the field at full stretch in the three-mile heat run in the rain and testing conditions.
Champion Court put up a great performance until his stamina finally gave way in the straight.
Just as Long Run looked like he was going to have things all his way, Richard Johnson produced Captain Chris to put up a stern challenge.
Although Philip Hobbs' revitalised performer led after the last, Long Run came back for more to gain a narrow success.
Grands Crus was 14 lengths away in third place with Champion Court fourth.
"That was racing at it's best for me. I can't put it into words. It's an honour and a privilege" - Sam Waley-Cohen
The winning rider said: "He was so brave. I had to keep asking him - I asked him early and maybe I asked too much as he was tired but so brave.
"This is his fifth year of competing at this level and he means an enormous amount to us.
"That was racing at it's best for me. I can't put it into words. It's an honour and a privilege."
Long Run is owned by Waley-Cohen's father Robert, who added: "He's come here four times now and won three Grade Ones and been second to Kauto Star.
"I wasn't absolutely sure that we had got back up but as I came down the stairs from the stand, I saw his name go up and that was fantastic."
Henderson was similarly thrilled to see his former Cheltenham Gold Cup victor return to winning form.
He said: "It was a brave call to go on when he did and it was the right call to make.
"It was a battle out there today and not the best ground for any of them. He's young but has been doing everything right.
"You would have to say last year was a disappointment but he's been running good races all the time."
Henderson continued: "We had it in our minds that Bobs Worth would run in the Cheltenham race in January (Argento Chase), leaving Long Run free to run in the Denman (Aon) Chase at Newbury, but we'll have to discuss things with connections.
"I'd love to see Long Run back on better ground and I'm so pleased Sam and the horse have proved a point to people today."
Jockey Richard Johnson said of the runner-up: "I thought coming to the last I was going to win, but the other horse is a proven Gold Cup winner and he's just outstayed me.
"It was a great run and I'm just looking forward to riding him on better ground."
Scudamore said of third-placed Grands Crus: "He ran a great race and I'm most pleased he looks a lot more like his old self."
Written By Unknown on Selasa, 25 Desember 2012 | 23.06
Updated: Monday, 24 Dec 2012 16:54
Junior will run at the William Hill King George VI Chase
Junior will attempt to drag the stamina out of the opposition when he aims to justify a late entry for the William Hill King George VI Chase at Kempton on St Stephen's Day.
Owners Middleham Park Racing stumped up £10,000 to add the David Pipe-trained nine-year-old to the field at the confirmation stage and believe they can a get run for their money.
Junior, a rare winner at both the CheltenhamFestival and Royal Ascot, showed his well-being when winning the Rehearsal Chase at Newcastle on his first run since he fell at the second fence in the John Smith's Grand National at Aintree in April.
"I don't think it's a classic King George - no Kauto Star, no Denman - and I fancy our chances," said Nick Bradley, spokesman for owners Middleham Park Racing.
"There is no obvious front-runner in the race, other than ourselves. He'll get a tap in the belly and away we go.
"Newcastle was a confidence-building run. He wasn't quite 100% fully tuned up.
"I've seen the race a few times and I don't think Conor (O'Farrell) really went for him. I think there's plenty left in the tank.
"David (Pipe) says he has never had him as good as he is now.
"The plan was to go for the Rowland Meyrick (at Wetherby) and try to build-up for his confidence for the end of the season.
"Then myself and Tim (Palin, Middleham racing manager) were looking at the King George and we couldn't think of any three-mile horses in there.
"When you are told the ground is going to be heavy or soft, personally I would have doubts about a few of them staying. That was in the back of our minds as well.
"Junior stays all day and if we go a good pace we might get one or two at it early doors."
Middleham specifically asked for Conor O'Farrell to be on the horse after his fine performance at Newcastle and on the other occasion he was in the plate.
"Conor rode him on New Year's Day at Cheltenham a couple of years ago and I had never seen Junior jump and travel as well as he did that day," said Bradley.
"He looked so professional and I've been a Conor fan from that day onwards.
"Obviously Tom (Scudamore) is the stable number one and he always gets the choice. We asked for Conor to ride in the King George and Tom would have been on Grands Crus anyway.
"I think he's the right man for the horse as he just gets on so well with him. The horse is a bit of a character and can be playful down at the start.
"Sometimes he wants his own way but when he's happy, and in the right mood, he can certainly go."
Karl Lacey fires a shot past Ciaran Sheehan of Cork
Donegal's footballers have received a blow ahead of the start of the new season with the news that Karl Lacey is facing up to 14 weeks on the sidelines through injury.
The Footballer of the Year underwent hip surgery last Saturday and is not expected to return to action with the All-Ireland champions until the latter stages of the Allianz Football League.
There has not been an official date given by the Donegal County Board for Lacey's return; however, it has been suggested that he may be back in time for the final round of the Allianz League.
Hopefully Robin Van Persie will have recovered from a 'potentially fatal' football blow, to feature against Newcastle
Everton v Wigan (3.00pm) Midfielder Darron Gibson will be eligible to play against Wigan on St Stephen's Day as his appeal against his red card at West Ham cannot be heard until later in the week.
The Republic of Ireland international will not serve a suspension - if any - until the Football Association have had time to consider his case.
Fellow midfielder Marouane Fellaini serves the second of a three-match ban while Seamus Coleman, Tony Hibbert and Kevin Mirallas have all been kept out recently by injury.
Wigan captain Gary Caldwell could make his return to action.
Caldwell, recently sidelined by a hamstring problem, was back in the squad for Saturday's 1-0 home defeat to Arsenal as an unused substitute and will be assessed by manager Roberto Martinez ahead of the short trip to Merseyside.
Fellow centre-back Ivan Ramis, who has also been nursing a hamstring complaint, has a chance of featuring as well, while midfielder James McCarthy (ankle) is a doubt. Antolin Alcaraz (groin), Adrian Lopez (hamstring), Albert Crusat (knee), Ryo Miyaichi (ankle) and Ben Watson (broken leg) remain on the Latics' lengthy casualty list.
Fulham v Southampton (3.00pm) Bryan Ruiz could return for Fulham's clash against struggling Southampton.
The 27-year-old has been out since coming off in the 3-1 defeat to Sunderland on November 18 with a hamstring injury, but is rated 50-50 by manager Martin Jol for a return.
Mahamadou Diarra and Mladen Petric are doubts and Damien Duff is definitely out. Simon Davies (hip) is also unavailable, while Steve Sidwell returns from suspension.
Forward Clint Dempsey is a doubt for Tottenham's fixture at Aston Villa after he missed Saturday's draw against Stoke with a groin problem.
Benoit Assou-Ekotto may make his long-awaited comeback from a knee injury while Scott Parker could also make his first start of the season after coming off the bench in the last two games following his recovery from an Achilles injury.
Younes Kaboul is expected to return from his knee injury next month.
Southampton squad: K Davis, Gazzaniga, Boruc, Richardson, Butterfield, Stephens, Clyne, Fox, Shaw, Yoshida, Hooiveld, Fonte, Reeves, Ward-Prowse, Do Prado, Cork, Chaplow, De Ridder, Ramirez, Schneiderlin, S Davis, Puncheon, Lee, Lambert, Rodriguez, Mayuka.
Manchester United v Newcastle (3.00pm) Alex Ferguson is certain to make changes for Manchester United's encounter with Newcastle.
United's failure to beat Swansea yesterday saw their advantage in the Premier League title race trimmed to four points.
Danny Welbeck, Javier Hernandez, Chris Smalling and Darren Fletcher will be amongst those hoping to be involved, whilst Rafael needs to shrug off the hamstring injury that kept him out of the Liberty Stadium encounter.
Newcastle boss Alan Pardew will be without midfielder Cheick Tiote.
The Ivory Coast international collected his fifth booking of the season during Saturday's 1-0 Barclays Premier League victory over QPR and is suspended.
Otherwise, Pardew will have only his long-term absentees missing for the game at Old Trafford, with Hatem Ben Arfa, Steven Taylor (both hamstring), Yohan Cabaye (groin) and Ryan Taylor (knee) sidelined.
Newcastle United squad: Lindegaard, De Gea, Jones, Smalling, Vidic, Ferdinand Evans, Buttner, Evra, Cleverley, Giggs, Fletcher, Scholes, Carrick, Young, Hernandez, Welbeck, Rooney, Van Persie.
Norwich City v Chelsea (3.00pm) Grant Holt is back in training after overcoming a hamstring injury and is set for a return to the Norwich side for their clash with Chelsea.
But City will be without defender Steven Whittaker, who suffered a recurrence of a hip injury when the Canaries' 10-match unbeaten run in the Barclays Premier League was ended at West Brom on Saturday.
Russell Martin is in line to replace Whittaker at the back while Holt is expected to return up front in place of Steve Morison.
Ryan Bennett is also back in training and manager Chris Hughton is positive about his chances of featuring against either Chelsea or Manchester City on December 29.
Rafael Benitez looks set to be without Chelsea captain John Terry again.
Terry is still suffering inflammation on his knee following surgery and is unlikely to be fit for the Barclays Premier League match at Carrow Road.
Ryan Bertrand also remains a doubt after he was forced off in Wednesday's Capital One Cup quarter-final at Leeds and was not included in Sunday's line-up for the 8-0 demolition of Aston Villa.
QPR v West Brom (3.00pm) Goalkeeper Julio Cesar (back) should be fit to return to QPR's squad for their home game against West Brom.
Full-backs Nedum Onuoha and Armand Traore are doubtful due to hamstring injuries.
Park Ji-sung (knee) is another player sidelined, while strikers Andrew Johnson (knee) and Bobby Zamora (hip) remain absent.
West Brom's Youssouf Mulumbu is available after suspension.
The midfielder was unavailable for the weekend home win over Norwich after incurring five bookings this season.
Baggies boss Steve Clarke will check on the fitness of defender Steven Reid (ankle) and midfielder Claudio Yacob (hamstring) before finalising his side.
Reading v Swansea City (3.00pm) Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany (groin) could return for the trip to Sunderland after being kept on the bench as a precaution last weekend.
Striker Mario Balotelli (illness) could also come back into contention while left-backs Aleksandar Kolarov and Gael Clichy will hope to overcome niggles.
Forward Samir Nasri is out with a hamstring injury while right-back Micah Richards (knee) and midfielder Jack Rodwell (hamstring) remain on the long-term casualty list.
Swansea manager Michael Laudrup may shuffle his pack for the meeting with Reading.
The Dane hopes to have winger Pablo Hernandez available after a thigh injury, but Angel Rangel is set to miss out again with a calf problem.
Ki Sung-yueng could come back into the side after Kemy Agustien was handed a starting role against Manchester United on Sunday.
Swansea squad: Vorm, Bartley, Flores, Williams, Britton, Lita, Michu, Graham, Hernandez, Dyer, Routledge, Monk, Shechter, Moore, De Guzman, Tiendalli, Ki, Tremmel, Agustien, Gower, Richards, Davies.
Sunderland v Manchester City (3.00pm) Sunderland winger Adam Johnson is a doubt for the clash with former club Manchester City.
The England international limped out of Saturday's 1-0 Barclays Premier League victory at Southampton with a dead leg, while fellow midfielder Sebastian Larsson has a knee problem, although manager Martin O'Neill is hoping both will make the game.
Skipper Lee Cattermole (knee) remains on the long-term casualty list along with defender Wes Brown (also knee), but David Meyler has been recalled from his loan spell at Hull to bolster O'Neill's midfield resources.
Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany (groin) could return for the trip to Sunderland after being kept on the bench as a precaution last weekend.
Striker Mario Balotelli (illness) could also come back into contention while left-backs Aleksandar Kolarov and Gael Clichy will hope to overcome niggles.
Forward Samir Nasri is out with a hamstring injury while right-back Micah Richards (knee) and midfielder Jack Rodwell (hamstring) remain on the long-term casualty list.
Manchester City squad: Hart, Pantilimon, Wright, Zabaleta, Maicon, Lescott, Kompany, K Toure, Nastasic, Rekik, Kolarov, Clichy, Milner, Barry, Y Toure, Garcia, Silva, Sinclair, Aguero, Tevez, Balotelli, Dzeko, Razak.
Aston Villa v Tottenham (5.30pm) Aston Villa manager Paul Lambert will assess the fitness of striker Gabriel Agbonlahor, winger Charles N'Zogbia and captain Ron Vlaar ahead of the home encounter with Tottenham.
Agbonlahor (thigh) and Vlaar (calf) have missed three and six games respectively while N'Zogbia suffered a knee injury in training ahead of Sunday's 8-0 mauling at Chelsea.
Striker Darren Bent is again ruled out with a hamstring injury while centre-back Richard Dunne will undergo rehab work after a third groin operation.
Forward Clint Dempsey is a doubt for Tottenham's fixture at Aston Villa after he missed Saturday's draw against Stoke with a groin problem.
Benoit Assou-Ekotto may make his long-awaited comeback from a knee injury while Scott Parker could also make his first start of the season after coming off the bench in the last two games following his recovery from an Achilles injury.
Younes Kaboul is expected to return from his knee injury next month.
Aston Villa squad: Guzan, Given, Lowton, Herd, Clark, Vlaar, Lichaj, Baker, Stevens, Bennett, Ireland, Westwood, El Ahmadi, Bannan, Delph, Holman, Agbonlahor, Benteke, Bowery, Weimann, Burke, Johnson, Williams, N'Zogbia.
Stoke City v Liverpool (7.45pm) Stoke striker Michael Owen could make his first-team comeback against his old club when Liverpool visit the Britannia Stadium.
Owen, who has not played for the Potters since October 27 due a hamstring problem, has been working on his fitness and may be ready to feature in the 7.45pm Barclays Premier League kick-off.
It remains to be seen whether or not another former Red, midfielder Charlie Adam, will be involved after he missed Saturday's 0-0 draw at Tottenham having been granted compassionate leave following the death of his father.
Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has no new injury problems and is unlikely to make any changes.
Winger Raheem Sterling may come back into the side having been rested for the victory over Fulham.
Midfielder Joe Allen, however, may remain on the bench as Rodgers said they were managing a pelvic problem with the Wales international.
