Britain’s Breathless Nicola Adams Nadal, Serena turns15 pro in q-finals18

TUESDAY, JANUARY 24, 2017

Disappointing exit for Nations Cup hosts Gabon Page 19

FOXBOROUGH: New England Patriots wide receiver Chris Hogan (15) makes a reception during the first half of the AFC championship NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday in Foxborough, Mass. — AP Falcons, Patriots to clash in Super Bowl

LOS ANGELES: Tom Brady led the New England Patriots series of clever plays which often left Pittsburgh’s The Falcons surged into a 24-0 half-time lead after into Green Bay territory. into the seventh Super Bowl of his career on Sunday defense chasing shadows. After a field goal from overwhelming the Packers defense with their varied Mohamed Sanu scored the opening touchdown with a clinical 36-17 defeat of the Pittsburgh Steelers Stephen Gostkowski opened the scoring for New running and passing game as Green Bay quarterback from a flipped shovel pass from Ryan before the Atlanta after the Atlanta Falcons routed the England, Brady picked out wide open receiver Chris was never able to get going. quarterback grabbed his team’s second six-pointer with to reach the NFL showpiece. Hogan for the first touchdown with a 16-yard pass. “We’ve got some more business at Houston in two a 14-yard run into the end zone. Brady, 39, will now be chasing a record-equalling The Steelers responded with a five-yard touchdown weeks,” Ryan said after the Falcons were presented the Ryan punished a Rodgers interception with a pass to fifth Super Bowl crown in Houston on February 5 after run from DeAngelo Williams which reduced the deficit NFC Championship trophy. find Julio Jones from five yards, leaving the Falcons 24-0 throwing three for 384 yards in a convinc- but Brady found Hogan once again with a clever play- “We showed up. We did exactly what we’ve been ahead at the break. ing defeat of the Steelers at Foxborough’s Gillette fake that left the Patriots defender in acres of space to doing all year. It feels really good,” added Ryan, who Jones then galloped away for a 73-yard touchdown Stadium. make it 17-6. completed 27 out of 38 pass attempts for 392 yards and in the opening minutes of the third quarter to put Brady’s latest Super Bowl appearances comes a fully Chris Boswell and Gostkowski traded field goals to four touchdowns. Atlanta 31-0 ahead. 15 years after he led the Patriots to victory over the St. keep the score respectable but New England took full Green Bay star Rodgers said Atlanta had just been Further Atlanta touchdowns came from Devonta Louis Rams in the 2002 championship game. control with two quick touchdowns in the third quarter too good. “We played a hot team. You’ve got to give Freeman and Tevin Coleman and although Green Bay “It’s incredible. The team showed a lot of mental from running back LeGarrette Blount and receiver Julian them credit,” Rodgers said. attempted to give the scoreline some respectability toughness over the course of the year,” added Brady, Edelman which propelled the hosts into a 33-9 lead. “Matt is playing incredible right now, and that’s a with touchdowns from Jordy Nelson, Davante Adams, who was suspended for the first four games of the Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger endured a very good offense.” Rodgers was left frustrated as the and Jared Cook, the result was never in doubt. season over for his role in the long-running frustrating evening, unable to get any change out of a Packers squandered vital early scoring opportunities Ryan said the Falcons had been determined not to ‘Deflategate’ saga. dominant Patriots defense until finding Cobi Hamilton through a missed Mason Crosby field goal and a fumble let up on Green Bay despite building their massive first “I’m just happy for the team,” Brady added. “I know with a 30-yard pass for a consolation score late in the from Aaron Ripkowski near the Atlanta line with a half lead. we’re playing a great team in a couple of weeks, but it’d fourth quarter. touchdown begging. “We knew going in against Green Bay and going be great to finish it off.” Earlier Sunday, Matt Ryan led a dominant offensive “I feel like we hurt ourselves in the first half more against Aaron (Rodgers) it’s never over,” Ryan said. “He’s Brady was at his deadly best on Sunday as the Bill display as Atlanta crushed Green Bay 44-21 in their last than they really stopped us,” Rodgers said. The Falcons such a great player. We just kept at them the entire four Belichick-coached Pats outsmarted the Steelers with a ever game at the Georgia Dome. meanwhile looked threatening whenever they ventured quarters. I’m proud of the way we competed.” — AFP Wenger hit with misconduct charge

LONDON: Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger charged by the FA on Monday. “Arsene know if I was sent to the stands but I was sent was charged with misconduct by England’s Wenger has been charged for misconduct fol- out. I thought I could watch it from the corri- governing Football Association yesterday lowing Arsenal’s game against Burnley on dor, you know. I went inside and watched it after an alleged altercation with the fourth Sunday (22 January 2017),” said a statement on television. official during Sunday’s 2-1 Premier League issued by the FA. “It is alleged that in or “Look, it was nothing bad. I said something win over Burnley. around the 92nd minute, he used abusive that you hear every day in football. Overall The veteran French boss was dismissed and/or insulting words towards the fourth nine times out of 10 you are not sent to the from his technical area by referee Jon Moss official. “It is further alleged that following his stand for that. “If I am, I am (suspended), and I after being angered by the award of a stop- dismissal from the technical area, his behav- should have shut up completely. I was quite page-time penalty to Burnley, having alleged- iour in remaining in the tunnel area and mak- calm the whole game, more than usual, but ly verbally abused fourth official Anthony ing physical contact with the fourth official just (not) in the last two or three minutes.” Taylor. Wenger, 67, then tried to watch the amounted to improper conduct. “He has until Wenger, who faces the prospect of a fine closing minutes of the match in the tunnel at 6:00pm (1800 GMT) on 26 January 2017 to and a touchline ban, was not the only mem- north London club Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium respond to the charge.” ber of the Arsenal set-up in disciplinary trou- and television pictures then showed him ble on Sunday. Gunners midfielder Granit pushing Taylor when asked to move back. ‘NOTHING BAD’ Xhaka was sent off for a reckless lunge on Arsenal eventually won the match 2-1 after Following the victory, which saw Arsenal Steven Defour that left Arsenal a man down Alexis Sanchez scored an even later stoppage- move up into second place in the Premier for the final 25 minutes against Burnley. It time penalty following Andre Gray’s spot-kick League, Wenger expressed “regret” for his was the ninth time the Swiss international has equaliser that cancelled out Shkodran behaviour. Asked in particular about televi- been sent off for club and country since 2014. Mustafi’s opening goal for the title-chasing sion pictures that showed him pushing Taylor, Xhaka, having already been shown a red Gunners. Wenger, Arsenal’s manager since Wenger replied: “I regret everything. I should card while on Arsenal duty against Swansea LONDON: Referee Jonathan Moss, centre left, sends Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, 1996, apologised for his behaviour after the have shut up, gone in and go home. I apolo- earlier this season, will now miss the Gunners’ centre right, to the stands during their game against Burnley, during their English match but that did not prevent him being gise for that. “I was sent to the stands. I didn’t next four games through suspension. — AFP Premier League soccer match at The Emirates Stadium in London, Sunday. — AP