SPORT SPORT | 18 SPORT | 19 MotoGP: Archer available Quartararo storms for third Test to pole in match against season-opener West Indies

SUNDAY 19 JULY 2020

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You have to look hishiis firstfiirrst seasonseasonn withwitth thetht e club.clc ubu . thetthe sisituation.ituation. SSometimesometimess wwee totouch with his former Barca after people around you. You MascheranoMascs herano tthenhen momovedoveed tot wantwwant toto wait.waitt. ThenTThen I foundfouundn team-matete Xavi Hernandez. know, it’s an opportunity to help Europe,Euurope, signingsiggning forfor PrPremierremiei r myselfmmyses lf in a plplaceace wwhereherre I “I have a good friend in one another,” Mascherano, who LeagueLeeague sideside WestWestt HamHama UUnited.niteed. diddid itit.t. ItIt’s’ss llikeiki e a hadhhad to cchangehangge myy posposition.ittiioon. Doha,Do Xavi. We have discussed played 53 matches for Chinese I would like to see In 2007,20007,7 hehe jojoinedinedd LiverpoolLivverpop ol onon homelyhoomeelyy feeling.feeeling. 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AAtt BaBBarcelona,rccellona, On Argentina’s chances Mascherano is one of the us win the World andaannd MascheranoMascheraano diddidd notnoot fforgetorget MaMMascheranoscs heh rar no whowhoo waswasa anan ununder his former team-mate biggest football stars to appear too mentionmenention thatthaat JurganJurgann KKlopp’slooppp ’ss agaggressive,gressive, ballball winningwinnning LionelLi Messi at the Qatar 2022 on @GA4good Instagram Live Cup trophy in Qatar sidesided ddeservedeseerved thethe tititle.tlle.e centralcentraal mimidfielder,dfieldder, chchangedanged WorldW Cup, Mascherano said: “I since the programme launched in two more years: “I’m“I’mm rreallyealll y rereallyally hhappyappyy ttheyheh y hishis poppositionsis tionn ttoo fullfuull centralcentrall wouldwo like to see Messi play as its online series. Its previous Javier Mascherano wonwon ththee PrPremieremmiei r LeLeagueague ttitle.itle. I defender.defender. TheThe positionposition changechangn e longlo as he can. 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REUTERS – HUNGARORING The six-times HUNGARIAN GP STARTING GRID ahead of the McLaren world champion said pair of Lando Norris -- Formula One world champion Lewis he had not realised 1. Lewis Hamilton (GBR/Mercedes), 2. Valtteri third in the champi- Hamilton celebrated a record-extending immediately the signif- Bottas (FIN/Mercedes) onship -- and Carlos and “surreal” 90th career pole position icance of a pole that 3. Lance Stroll (CAN/Racing Point-Mercedes), 4. Sainz. yesterday after a dominant Mercedes leaves him 22 ahead of Sergio Perez (MEX/Racing Point-Mercedes) “I hope this is one-two in Hungarian Grand Prix qual- Schumacher, the next 5. Sebastian Vettel (GER/Ferrari), 6. Charles going to be our worst ifying. best qualifier in the weekend,” said Ver- Leclerc (MON/Ferrari) Championship-leading team mate history of the sport. stappen, who felt 7. Max Verstappen (NED/Red Bull-Honda), 8. Valtteri Bottas will start alongside the “It feels very, very something was Briton on Sunday, with the Mercedes- surreal...it doesn’t seem Lando Norris (GBR/McLaren-Renault) “clearly not working” powered Racing Point cars of Canadian real to have 90 poles,” 9. Carlos Sainz Jr (ESP/McLaren-Renault), 10. with his car. Lance Stroll and Mexican Sergio Perez declared the 35-year- Pierre Gasly (FRA/AlphaTauri-Honda) Former cham- third and fourth. old, who also has 25 11. Daniel Ricciardo (AUS/Renault), 12. George pions Williams, who Hamilton is favourite to triumph for more than his Brazilian Russell (GBR/Williams-Mercedes) finished last overall in the eighth time at the Hungaroring and boyhood idol Ayrton 13. Alexander Albon (THA/Red Bull-Honda), 14. 2019, had something equal a record for most wins at the same Senna managed in his Esteban Ocon (FRA/Renault) to cheer with both grand prix held by retired Ferrari great F1 career. 15. Nicholas Latifi (CAN/Williams-Mercedes), their cars through to Michael Schumacher, who won eight Bottas hailed Ham- 16. Kevin Magnussen (DEN/Haas-Ferrari) the second phase of times in France. ilton for another great 17. Daniil Kvyat (RUS/AlphaTauri-Honda), 18. qualifying for the first The pole was his seventh in job but hoped to Romain Grosjean (FRA/Haas-Ferrari) time since September Hungary, equalling Schumacher’s reverse the positions 19. Antonio Giovinazzi (ITA/Alfa Romeo Racing- 2018. record for that race, and his Mercedes on Sunday. Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton during the qualifying round ahead of the Ferrari) , 20. Kimi Raikkonen (FIN/Alfa Romeo George Russell again looked to be in a class of its own “It’s going to be a Formula One Hungarian Grand Prix in Hungaroring, Budapest, yesterday. Racing-Ferrari) ended up 12th, and after the team won the opening two bit of a drag race into ahead of Red Bull’s rounds in Austria. Turn One between us Alex Albon, with “Hungary’s always been a good tomorrow, so I look forward to that; the forward to a strong race in the ‘pink lining up fifth and Charles Leclerc quali- rookie team mate Nicholas Latifi 15th. hunting ground for me but also I’m first lap will definitely be interesting,” Mercedes’, a controversial car very fying sixth -- a positive after a tough The session was held without spec- aware that qualifying isn’t everything he said. similar to last year’s title-winning afternoon in Austria last weekend where tators, as at the first two races in Austria, here,” said Hamilton, who lapped with Perez was quicker than Stroll in Mercedes and under protest by they collided in the Styrian Grand Prix. due to the COVID-19 pandemic but a track record time of one minute 13.447 final practice but the Canadian got Renault. The Ferraris followed the two- Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, on pole some fans still gathered at vantage seconds, 0.107 faster than Bottas. the lap that mattered and looked by-two team trend, with Sebastian Vettel last year, could only qualify seventh and points on surrounding slopes. 18 SPORT SUNDAY 19 JULY 2020 F1 fans follow MotoGP: Quartararo storms the action from hills around to pole in season-opener Hungaroring

AFP – JEREZ DE LA FRONTERA REUTERS – BUDAPEST

Frenchman Fabio Quartararo powered to The novel coronavirus pandemic may have pole position for the season-opening kept Formula 1 fans away from races this Spanish Grand Prix yesterday, setting a year but at the third grand prix of the season, Jerez lap record time to edge out Yamaha’s in Hungary, diehard followers dotted the Maverick Vinales. hills around the Hungaroring. The 21-year-old Quartararo, who rides Zoltan Toth, a mechanic from eastern for the Yamaha satellite outfit, posted a Hungary, checked into his usual campsite, time of one minute and 36.705 seconds donned his old blue-and-white mullet wig to claim his seventh MotoGP pole in only on a bald scalp, a traditional Magyar his second top-class campaign. costume, with a black “Formula 1 fan” vest, He will be bidding for his maiden and on Thursday began celebrating the race victory today, having ended his rookie as he has done for the past 20 years. season in 2019 with four runner-up fin- “I have followed (Finnish driver) Kimi ishes in the last seven races. Raikkonen ever since he began to race and “I didn’t feel like it was a perfect lap became a huge fan,” Toth said. because I made a mistake,” said “I have seen every race here in every Quartararo. year, and I won’t stop just because the Ring “I saw that someone had fallen on the is closed.” 11th turn so I was a little careful.” Vinales Kamaras Ring House and Camping is was 0.139sec slower than Quartararo, on a steep hill next to the arena, with a who will replace Italian veteran Valentino Petronas Yamaha SRT’s French rider Fabio Quartararo competes during the MotoGP qualifying session decent view of the track. The campsite oper- Rossi at the Yamaha factory team next of the Spanish Grand Prix at the Jerez racetrack in Jerez de la Frontera, yesterday. ators and some guests have set up TV sets year. to follow the race and feel the unique atmos- The 41-year-old Rossi struggled and phere -- one even brought a 20-metre ele- could only qualify 11th, 1.036sec slower day I am on the bike I want to improve MOTOGP: SPANISH GRAND PRIX STARTING GRIDS vated platform. As Mercedes’ Valtteri Bottas than Quartararo. and learn new things -- tomorrow will be Front row won the third practice session inside, fans Reigning world champion Marc a good opportunity to do this. 1. Fabio Quartararo (FRA/Yamaha-SRT) 1min 36.705sec, 2. like Toth savoured every loud whine of the Marquez will complete the front row for “The goal is to finish the race but still Maverick Vinales (ESP/Yamaha) at 0.139sec, 3. Marc Marquez passing engines. Honda as he starts his tilt at a seventh to push as hard as possible. We saw many (ESP/Honda) 0.157 The camp site’s history is interwoven MotoGP title. positives today but there’s still some room with the circuit’s. The Kamaras family had “I knew even before we left the garage to push a little more.” Andrea Dovizioso 2nd row owned part of the land that was given over that my target was to try and be on the was eighth quickest before falling in the 4. Francesco Bagnaia (ITA/Pramac) 0.250, 5. Jack Miller (AUS/ to the Hungaroring in the early 1980s. front row,” said Marquez. dying seconds of qualifying. Pramac) 0.748, 6. Cal Crutchlow (GBR/LCR Honda) 0.749 Once Communism fell and the state Marquez’s younger brother Alex, Spaniard Alex Rins also suffered a 3rd row offered compensation, the Kamaras family making his MotoGP debut as his sibling’s heavy fall and his Suzuki team said he was 7. Pol Espargaro (ESP/KTM) 0.788, 8. Andrea Dovizioso (ITA/ knew just which plot they wanted - on the Honda teammate, failed to even make it taken for medical tests. Ducati) 0.830, 9. Alex Rins (ESP/Suzuki) 0.931 hilltop next to the track. into the second qualifying session. This year’s MotoGP world champi- “My parents loved the view, how you The 2019 Moto2 champion will start onship finally gets underway today, 4th row can see a hundred kilometres form here,” from 21st on the grid. behind closed doors and more than four 10. Franco Morbidelli (ITA/Yamaha-SRT) 0.969, 11. Valentino said Kamaras, also a huge Raikkonen fan. “Everything is so close in MotoGP,” months late due to the coronavirus Rossi (ITA/Yamaha) 1.036, 12. Joan Mir (ESP/Suzuki) 1.079 “Me, I look closer, just down the hill, at said the 24-year-old Alex Marquez. “Every pandemic. the race cars.” NBA MVP, Former world junior skating Rookie of Year champion races are over Ryan Palmer of the United Ekaterina dies AGENCIES – LOS ANGELES States walks MOSCOW with his AFP – There is nothing more Giannis Antetok- caddie on ounmpo can do in his bid to win his second the 15th The Australian Olympic consecutive NBA Most Valuable Player hole during Committee has confirmed the award. the second death of former world junior That is because the league informed all round of The pairs figure skating champion 30 teams on Friday that none of the games Memorial Ekaterina Alexandrovskaya in played once competition restarts on July 30 Tournament Moscow. will count toward individual awards, at Muirfield The cause of the 20-year- according to multiple publications. Only 22 Village Golf old Alexandrovskaya's death on of the clubs are resuming play. Club in Friday has not yet been Statistical awards still will be up for Dublin, Ohio. disclosed. grabs, but all the awards that are voted on She was born in Russia but will be based on stats through games of in 2016 obtained Australian cit- March 11. That was the night the season was izenship and competed for her suspended after Utah Jazz center Rudy adopted country at the 2018 Gobert tested positive for the coronavirus Finau and Palmer share lead, Pyeongchang Olympics with in Oklahoma City. skating partner Harley “The decision to exclude seeding games Windsor. from awards voting ensures a fair process Woods makes cut at Memorial The pair won the 2017 in which players and coaches from all 30 world junior title. Alexan- teams will have the same opportunity to be drovskaya retired from the honored as top performers for the regular REUTERS – OHIO sport in February after sus- season,” the NBA wrote in the memo to taining several injuries. teams. Tony Finau and Ryan Windsor, Australia's first So any chance of New Orleans Pelicans Palmer overcame slow Indigenous athlete to compete star Zion Williamson catching Memphis starts to share the lead at at a Winter Olympics, said he Grizzlies front-runner Ja Morant for Rookie the halfway point of the was "devastated” by the news of the Year honors is over. Williamson has Memorial Tournament in of Alexandrovskaya's death. played in just 19 games due to a knee injury, Ohio on Friday while Tiger "The amount we had and he recently left the “bubble” envi- Woods narrowly made the achieved during our partnership ronment in the Orlando area due to a family cut thanks to a seven-foot is something I can never forget medical situation. par putt on his final hole of and will always hold close to my Balloting for All-NBA teams and the day. heart,” he said in an Instagram Defensive Player of the Year honors are Starting on the back post. among the other awards that are affected. nine, overnight leader Ian Chesterman, chef de Antetokounmpo is averaging 29.6 points, Finau struggled out of the mission for the Australian team 13.7 rebounds and 5.8 assists for the NBA- gate with bogeys on two of in Pyeongchang, said the news best Milwaukee Bucks (53-12). Houston his first three holes. was a terrible blow for all those Rockets guard James Harden, Los Angeles But momentum shifted who knew the skater. Lakers forward LeBron James and Dallas his direction when he saved "It is enormously sad to lose Mavericks point guard Luka Doncic were par with a greenside bunker Katia, who was a vibrant and considered in the mix for MVP when play shot out of an awkward talented person and an was halted in March. stance on the par-three incredible athlete," Chesterman Milwaukee Bucks Mike Buden- fourth that rolled within said. "She was quiet and humble holzer doesn’t think there should be much inches of the hole. in her manner but incredibly debate over whether Antetokounmpo should He went on to birdie determined to be the best she repeat as MVP. three of his final five holes could be. Life since the Games On the statistical side, Harden leads in and sits atop the leader- has not been easy for her and scoring with a 34.4 average. Washington board with Palmer at nine- this is another timely reminder Wizards guard Bradley Beal is second at 30.5, under-par 135 heading into of just how fragile life is." but he recently pulled out of the restart due the weekend. Tiger Woods of the United States plays his It is the second death of an to a shoulder injury. “I was very pleased to second shot on the 15th hole yesterday. Australian Winter OIympian in Cleveland Cavaliers center Andre finish that way,” said the 10 days. Alex Pullin, a two-time Drummond is the current rebound leader 30-year-old Finau, who is world champion snowboarder at 15.2 per game, but his club isn’t part of the looking to capture an sunny skies at the Muir- “Well, not very good,” mightily on Friday, posting and three-time Olympian, restart. Portland Trail Blazers big man elusive second win after field Village Golf Club. Woods said, when asked to his second consecutive drowned while spearfishing on Hassan Whiteside (14.2) is the closest claiming victory at the Woods, competing on assess his round. round of 80 for an unsightly July 8 on the Gold Coast north pursuer. Puerto Rico Open in 2016. the tour this week for the “I three-putted two 16-over par for the tour- of Brisbane. James (10.6) leads in assists. Second- “At the end of the day, first time in five months, holes early and, whatever nament after winning the "Katia’s death is another place Trae Young (9.3) of the Atlanta Hawks still at the top of the lead- made two late birdies to kind of momentum I was Travelers Championship in blow to our winter sports com- is also on a team that won’t be on the floor erboard. Pretty salvage a four-over-par 76 going to create, I stifled that his last start last month. munity who are still reeling in the Orlando area. satisfied.” that left him three over on early and fought it the rest Bryson DeChambeau’s from our loss of ‘Chumpy' The league resumes play on July 30. In His countryman the week. of the day.” Woods added second-round 76 included Pullin," Chesterman said. addition to the Hawks and Cavaliers, the Palmer suffered his first The cut line settled at that his range of motion a quintuple-bogey 10 on the Geoff Lipshut, chief exec- others teams not participating are the Char- bogey of the tournament three over, giving the was limited on Friday by his par-five 15th as he joined utive of the Olympic Winter lotte Hornets, Chicago Bulls, Detroit Pistons, on his second hole but 44-year-old a chance to surgically repaired back. Johnson, Rickie Fowler and Institute of Australia, said Alex- Golden State Warriors, Minnesota Timber- went error-free the rest of win a record-breaking 83rd World number four Justin Rose in missing the androvskaya has a special place wolves and New York Knicks. the way to card a 68 under tour title this weekend. Dustin Johnson struggled cut. in the country’s sports history. SUNDAY 19 JULY 2020 SPORT 19 England and West Indies frustrated Archer is available by Manchester washout on day 3 for third Test match

AP - MANCHESTER against West Indies

Rain prevented any play on the third day of the second cricket AFP - MANCHESTER Test between England and West Indies in Manchester yesterday. Jofra Archer will be available for England’s third and final Test England, trailing 1-0 in the three-match series, now has against the West Indies next week after being ruled out of the only two days left to force a victory. second match for a breach of coronavirus protocols, it was West Indies will resume today on 32-1 in reply to Eng- announced yesterday. land’s first innings 469-9 declared, with Kraigg Brathwaite The England and Wales Cricket Board’s statement came as six not out and nightwatchman Alzarri Joseph unbeaten on the hosts’ quest to level the three-match series at 1-1 was frus- 14. trated by rain washing out the whole of the third day’s play in Opener John Campbell fell for 12 on Friday, trapped leg Manchester. before by Sam Curran. Both teams have been living in “bio-secure bubble” sites at Ben Stokes top-scored in England’s innings with 176 - his the Ageas Bowl, the venue for last week’s first Test, and Old 10th test century - while Dom Sibley hit 120, his second ton. Trafford, where the final two matches of a series that marks inter- Jos Buttler also made 40 and Dom Bess finished unbeaten national cricket’s return from lockdown are taking place. on 31. Off-spinner Roston Chase was the most effective West Fast bowler Archer broke the rules by going home to Hove on Indies bowler. He took 5-172 and paceman Kemar Roach Monday, during which time he met with an unnamed individual picked up 2-58. following England’s four-wicket loss in the series opener at South- West Indies won the first test in Southampton by four ampton before the team travelled north to Manchester. wickets. He was then left out of the ongoing second Test that started The third and final match is also in Manchester. Thursday, with Archer self-isolating in an onsite hotel room at for five days. But the 25-year-old could yet feature in the finale after a dis- ciplinary hearing chaired by England managing director Ashley England’s Sam Curran carries an umbrella as rain delays start of play on the third day of the second Test cricket match between England Giles on Friday decided an “undisclosed” fine, believed to be in and the West Indies at Old Trafford in Manchester, northwest England, yesterday. the region of £30,000 ($38,000) and a written warning amounted to sufficient punishment. Archer’s “impeccable record” was said to have counted in his favour, with the paceman “full of remorse”. Cricket returns to SA after race controversy He will now undergo two COVID-19 tests, which have to produce negative results, before his self-isolation period is lifted. AFP - CENTURION COVID-19 virus followed by all the players evidence when they were on air together The ECB said Archer was due to rejoin the squad on Tuesday taking a knee in solidarity with the BLM yesterday. -- three days before third Test starts on Friday, July 24. A week of race controversy for South movement. “A very important message is being put “Jofra Archer has been fined an undisclosed amount and African cricket ended yesterday with the Makhaya Ntini, the former Test fast out today," Smith said on air, and Ntini received an official written warning after admitting to breaching sport’s return to live action in the country. bowler who played in 101 Test matches, agreed, calling it “one of our greatest the team’s bio-secure protocols on Monday 13 July when he made An unusual match involving three teams was one of the commentators. He did not moments”, while also echoing the call for an unauthorised visit to his home in Hove,” said an ECB statement. was played in an empty SuperSport Park refer to an emotional television interview unity. “Everyone can see that, as South Former England spinner Giles said Thursday that Archer’s in Centurion, making it difficult to judge on Friday in which he said he felt lonely Africans, we all stand up and plough the breach of the regulations was a potential “disaster” that could whether the new form of the game, branded during his international career because he same furrow together. We stand together," have cost “tens of millions of pounds” amid fears it could scupper 3T Cricket, had the potential for major spec- did not feel included in off-field activities Ntini said. “The more we do this the more an international programme taking place amid the coronavirus tator appeal. involving groups of team-mates. change will happen. Here's Lungi. He was pandemic. It was the first major televised sporting Ntini said his loneliness extended to the first one to voice it, and everyone (who But Giles added: “Young men make mistakes... Jof will learn event in South Africa since the coronavirus sitting alone in hotels at breakfast time. He has since supported BLM) stood by him." from it. He is a fine young man, incredibly polite, works hard and lockdown in March, and came days after also said his much-publicised habit of Yesterday’s match featured three teams is a great asset to this team.” 30 black former South African international running between hotels and grounds rather of eight players each, with no regional Meanwhile England star Ben Stokes said on Friday: “We really players alleged in a letter that racism still than travelling with other players on the identity. The Eagles, a team captained by need to be there to support Jofra right now.” affected the sport. team bus stemmed from his feeling of AB de Villiers, were the winners with a total Thursday saw an apologetic Archer say he was “extremely The 24 players involved yesterday were exclusion. of 160 for four from 12 overs, with six overs sorry”, adding: “I fully accept the consequences of my actions.” united in wearing Black Lives Matter arm- Graeme Smith, South Africa’s director each bowled by the other two teams. Barbados-born Archer burst onto the international scene last bands. Before play started there was a of cricket, was one of Ntini’s captains but De Villiers hit 61 and Aiden Markram year, when he bowled the decisive Super Over in England’s World minute of silence for victims of the if there was any ill feeling it was not in scored 70. Cup final win over New Zealand at Lord’s. Leeds crowned QFA President Man United’s meets Italian Solskjaer hits champions as Ambassador back at to Qatar Lampard over Brentford lose VAR narrative THE PENINSULA - DOHA Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa REUTERS - LONDON at Stoke City bin Ahmed Al Thani, Pres- ident of the Qatar Football Manchester United manager Association (QFA), Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has hit REUTERS - LONDON yesterday received in his back at Frank Lampard after office H E Alessandro his Chelsea counterpart Leeds United were crowned champions of the second-tier Cham- Prunas, the Italian Ambas- suggested Video Assistant pionship after third-placed Brentford lost 1-0 at Stoke City in their sador to the State of Qatar. Referees (VAR) have favoured penultimate game of the season yesterday. The meeting was United his season. Leeds secured promotion to the on Friday attended by Mansoor Al Lampard said United ben- after second-placed West Bromwich Albion’s loss at Hudders- Ansari, Secretary-General efited from contentious VAR field Town guaranteed a top-two finish and ’s side of the QFA, and Ali Dawood, decisions and poor on-pitch now have an unassailable five-point lead with a game in hand. Executive Director of the decisions, commenting on how Stoke took the lead in the first half when Sam Clucas’s shot President’s Office. a “clear and obvious decision” Arsenal’s Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang celebrates scoring with from range was parried by goalkeeper David Raya into the path The two had discus- went their way on Thursday Hector Bellerin during the FA Cup semi-final against Manchester of striker Lee Gregory who scored with a simple tap-in. sions on matters of when Crystal Palace’s Wilfried City at , London, Britain, yesterday. Brentford remain a point behind West Brom and the fight for common interest. The QFA Zaha was fouled but no penalty the second automatic promotion spot will go down to the final President noted the existing was awarded. day of the season where Brentford take on bottom side Barnsley relations between the Ahead of today’s FA Cup while West Brom host Queens Park Rangers (QPR). Qatar’s and the Italian fed- Aubameyang sparkles as semi-final against Chelsea, Fourth-placed Fulham also joined the hunt for automatic pro- erations are paving the way Solskjaer suggested United motion after a 5-3 win over Sheffield Wednesday moved the for future cooperation. QFA Arsenal reach FA Cup final have also been unlucky with London side to within two points of West Brom. President said Qatar looks decisions. However, they will be without Harrison Reed in to enhancing the existing REUTERS - LONDON “I can sit here for hours their last game against Wigan Athletic after he was sent off in relations between two now and try to talk about this. stoppage time for a second yellow card. federations. Arsenal ambushed holders Manchester City as Pierre-Emerick It looks like there’s a narrative, Cardiff City’s 3-1 win at Middlesbrough means they only need The Italian ambassador Aubameyang scored twice in a 2-0 victory in the FA Cup semi- it looks like people want to a draw on the final day to keep their seventh-placed Welsh rivals pointed out that Qatar has final at an empty Wembley Stadium yesterday influence whoever is making Swansea City at bay in the race for the final playoff spot. taken urgent and timely A few days after beating Premier League champions Liverpool, the decisions,” the Norwegian Millwall are out of the running for a playoff place after a 4-3 measures to protect the Arsenal gave another gritty and disciplined display to set up a final told reporters yesterday. loss at QPR left them in ninth, five points behind Cardiff. health of citizens and resi- against Manchester United or Chelsea, who meet today. “I hear people talking At the bottom of the standings, Luton Town claimed a pre- dents alike in the face of the City dominated the early exchanges, pinning Arsenal back, but about luck, that we’ve been cious three points against relegation rivals Hull City with a 1-0 COVID-19 pandemic. were stopped in their tracks when Aubameyang produced a neat lucky more than unlucky. If win at the KC Stadium. The Ambassador finish in the 19th minute following a flowing end-to-end move. you look at the factual deci- While Luton moved up to 22nd with 48 points -- behind praised efforts made by the 's City side never fully recovered and, just when sions - I don’t want to sound Charlton Athletic on goal difference -- Hull are three points behind. QFA for implementing the they were beginning to exert some real pressure after the break, like a certain manager talking Hull’s plight looks bleak, but the situation at the foot of the MOPH measures put in Aubameyang produced another sublime finish, racing through to about facts but if you’re offside, table is complicated by 13th-placed Wigan, who are facing a place for the safety of all fire past goalkeeper Ederson in the 71st minute. you’re offside, that’s clear.” 12-point deduction for going into administration. those involved with football Arsenal soaked up desperate City pressure in the final stages Solskjaer listed incidents in The Latics, who drew 2-2 with Charlton yesterday, plan to in the country. He also but never looked like being opened up as they ended a miserable which he felt United were hard appeal this month, but on the current standings the deduction praised the level of rela- run of seven successive defeats against Guardiola's City, includ- done by, describing how a late would drop them into the relegation zone on 46 points. tions between the two ing a 3-0 away league defeat a month ago. penalty against Tottenham A 2-0 defeat by Preston North End also leaves Birmingham countries. Mikel Arteta's Arsenal side are now one win from securing a Hotspur was overturned and City two points above the drop zone. record-extending 14th FA Cup title for the north Londoners. how Southampton’s Oriol Romeu and West Ham’s Mark Leeds United supporters Noble should have been sent gather outside their Elland off for rash tackles. Road ground to celebrate the “So it’s actually me that club’s return to the Premier should be complaining that we League after a gap of 16 years, get decisions against us on the in Leeds, northern England pitch by the on-pitch referee,” on Friday. Leeds United were Solskjaer added. “There’s a promoted to the Premier narrative there but we have to League on Friday after West focus on our games, we let Bromwich Albion’s 2-1 defeat other people talk about that. I at Huddersfield ensured the don’t want to go too much into Championship leaders will end it because I might be in trouble. their 16-year exile from the I’m pretty relaxed on these and top-flight. referees are going to be making objective decisions.”