New Year's Honours list

Andy Murray & David Beckham overlooked in New Year's Honours

Wimbledon champion Andy Murray and former England captain David Beckham have been overlooked in the New Year's Honours list.

Andy Flower wants to continue

Andy Flower wants to continue as England Coach 

Andy Flower says he is "motivated" to continue as England team director and backed Alastair Cook to remain as captain despite a poor Ashes campaign. 

Golf Review of 2013

Golf moments of 2013

Since the turn of the century, odd-numbered years have sometimes been the quieter ones on the golfing calendar.

Europe beaten by USA in tie-break

Duel in the Pool Europe beaten by USA in tie-break

The European Allstars were just edged out by Team USA in a thrilling end to the Duel in the Pool event in Glasgow.

Boasting a 68-54 overnight lead in swimming's equivalent of golf's Ryder Cup, the Americans fought back to tie 131-131 after the scheduled 30 races.

Ray Wilkins Fulham assistant head coach

Fulham have appointed former manager Ray Wilkins as assistant head coach

 

Wilkins, 57, is the second appointment to the club's backroom staff over the festive period after Alan Curbishley was named technical director.

South Africa win test series against india by 1-0

South Africa beat India by 10 wickets in win series 1-0

 NEW DELHI: Chasing a meager 58, South Africa were 19/0 in their second innings before slipping into tea break on the final day of the second Test in Durban.

Jacques Kallis Retirment from Test Cicket

Jacques Kallis bids adieu to Test cricket

DURBAN: Jacques Kallis, one of the greatest all-rounders of the game, today bid adieu to Test cricket after an illustrious 18-year career in a fairytale script as he hit a century in his swansong match in South Africa's 10-wicket thrashing of India on Monday.

Roger Federer I can win Grand Slam singles crown

Roger Federer

 still capable of winning a Grand Slam singles crown  

       BRISBANE: Swiss tennis great Roger Federer insisted on Monday he was still capable of winning a Grand Slam singles crown despite a relatively poor 2013 season which saw him slip to world number six.

The 32-year-old won only one title in an injury-hit 2013, leading many tennis fans to wonder whether he would add to his record tally of 17 Slams.

Jacques Kallis on last Test hundred

 

Jacques Kallis says Special feeling to get hundred in last Test

DURBAN: South Africa's Jacques Kallis got a fairytale hundred against India in his farewell Test and the retiring all-rounder said it was a "special feeling" to reach the three-figure mark in his final appearance in the five-day game for the Proteas.

India all out in 2nd inning South Africa need 58 to win

Rahane misses ton, South Africa need 58 to win 

 Ajinkya Rahane was bowled out by Vernon Philander for 96 as India were bundled out for 223 in their second innings, giving South Africa a target of 58 runs, in the second Test at Kingsmead in Durban on Monday.

Barclays Premier League position and point table

Premier League Point Table

The 2013 action comes to a close with Chelsea beating Liverpool 2-1 in a gripping match at Stamford Bridge, while Spurs cruise past Stoke 3-0. But it's Arsenal who head into 2014 as the Barclays Premier League leaders

Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho accuses Luis Suarez

Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho accuses Luis Suarez of diving

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho says Liverpool striker Luis Suarez should have been booked for diving in a 2-1 win for the Blues over the Reds.

Premier League Fixtures of 2014

Barclays Premier League Fixtures of 2014

Wednesday 1st January 2014

	Barclays Premier League

Michael Schumacher in 'coma'

 Michael Schumacher critical after skiing

 
Michael Schumacher, seven-time Formula 1 world champion, is in a critical condition after a skiing accident, says the French hospital treating him.
The 44-year-old German suffered serious brain trauma, was in a coma on arrival and underwent a brain operation.

Chelsea vs Liverpool

 Chelsea win match against Liverpool

      

 Chelsea 2    -   Liverpool 1

  Hazard 17′      Skrtel 3′

  Eto'o 34′ 

Chelsea reduced the gap between themselves and league leaders Arsenal to two points with a fine performance against a Liverpool side which has now suffered successive league defeats.

Football League's biggest challenges

Match-fixing, names changes, standing - Shaun Harvey's inbox

Match-fixing, name changes, a return of standing, emergency loans and transfer embargoes are just some of the issues facing one of football's busiest men.

Arsenal vs Newcastle

Arsenal on top after win against Newcastle 

Olivier Giroud's header earned a scrappy win over Newcastle as Arsenal overtook Manchester City to regain top spot in the Premier League.

Michael Schumacher injured in ski accident

PARIS: Retired seven-times Formula One world champion Michael Schumacher suffered a serious head injury while skiing in the French Alps resort of Meribel, French media reported on Sunday.

"He has been taken to a hospital in Grenoble," the resort director, Christophe Gernignon-Lecomte, told radio RMC.

"I can't tell how serious his injury is," he added.

The 44-year-old German quit Formula One last year after a three-year comeback with Mercedes following his earlier retirement from Ferrari

Jacques Kallis hits a century in his last Test

Jacques Kallis hits a century in his last Test

Jacques Kallis marked the end of his test career with an emotive farewell century on Sunday to give South Africa a chance of victory over India going into the last day of their brief two-match series.

Cristiano Ronaldo win Globe Soccer Award

Cristiano Ronaldo win Globe Soccer Award

Happy to win the Globe Soccer Award for Best Player of the Year. Thanks for voting in me.

Barclays Premier League Point Table

Barclays Premier League Point Table 

A remarkable finish to Saturday's action as Sunderland score twice in the last 7 minutes to draw 2-2 at Cardiff. 

Rafael Nadal say, no to celebrity coach

Rafael Nadal not interested in celebrity coach

Abu Dhabi:  Rafael Nadal has no intention of joining the dizzying coaching merry-go-round which has seen Novak Djokovic hire Boris Becker in just one of a raft of changes ahead of the 2014 season.

Jacques Kallis gets guard of honour from Indian Players

Jacques Kallis gets guard of honour from Indian Players

Retiring all-rounder and one of the greats of the game, Jacques Kallis, was given a guard of honour by the Indian team in his 166th and final Test match at Kingsmead, Durban on Saturday. Kallis walked out to bat with South Africa on 113 for two (live updates) and the Indian team arranged themselves in two lines with Mahendra Singh Dhoni at the helm.

Australia win fourth Ashes by eigth wicket

Australia win fourth Ashes by eigth wicket 

 

Australia cruised to an eight-wicket win over demoralised England with more than a day to spare on Sunday to claim a 4-0 series lead and stand on the cusp of an Ashes whitewash.

England bowled Australia out for 204 in 4th Ashes

England bowled Australia out for 204 in 4th Ashes

MELBOURNE: England bowled Australia out for 204 before lunch on the third day of the fourth Ashes Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Saturday to take a 51-run lead.

Virat Kohli retains 2nd position in ODI

Virat Kohli retains 2nd position in ODI ranking

 

DUBAI: Virat Kohli retained his second position to be the highest-placed Indian batsman, while skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Shikhar Dhawan also maintained their respective sixth and 10th spots in the latest ICC ODI rankings issued, on Saturday.

Rafael Nadal lose match against David Ferrer

Rafael Nadal lose match against David Ferrer

ABU DHABI: Rafael Nadal got his season underway with a 6-4, 6-4 loss to fellow Spaniard David Ferrer in the semifinals of the Mudabala World Tennis Championship exhibition tournament in Abu Dhabi on Friday.

Andy Murray loses first match after back surgery

Andy Murray loses first match since recovering from back surgery

 

British number one Andy Murray lost on his return to action after undergoing back surgery in September

The 26-year-old, who was recently named BBC Sports Personality of the Year, lost 7-5 6-3 to Frenchman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in the Mubadala World Tennis Championships in Abu Dhabi.
Murray has not played since Britain's Davis Cup World Group play-off win over Croatia in September.
He will now face Stanislas Wawrinka in the fifth-placed play-off on Friday.
Murray was due to return to action last month at the Dream Cup exhibition in Barbados but the event was cancelled, so he continued training at his Miami base.
"I moved well in the first set [against [Tsonga], especially once I got into the rallies," he told The National newspaper.
"I didn't feel slow at all. In the second I slowed down slightly, but that's something that is going to get better by playing matches.
"I can't expect to feel great for long periods of matches straightaway.
"But it was a good workout. You want to play your best, but you need to be realistic and patient.
He added: "I was hitting the ball OK, moving well for the most part.
"Moving is the most important thing. I just need to be able to do it for a longer period. I just felt like I hadn't played a match for a while."
Tsonga, 28, went into the match with an 8-1 career deficit in competitive matches against Murray.
"It's not often I take two sets off Andy, even in practice," said the Frenchman, who himself has been struggling with a knee injury.
In the other match, Spaniard David Ferrer beat Wawrinka 7-5, 6-1 to set up a meeting with world number one Rafael Nadal.
Tsonga will face world number two Novak Djokovic on Friday also.

Manchester City beat Liverpool on Boxing Day match

Manchester City beat Liverpool on Boxing Day match

Manchester City closed to within one point of Premier League leaders Arsenal with a comeback victory over Liverpool in an enthralling encounter at The Etihad.

Arsenal beat West Ham

Arsenal beat West Ham

West Ham 1 - Arsenal 3

Cole 46′         Walcott 68′, 71′ Podolski 79′

 

Theo Walcott struck twice and Lukas Podolski a third as Arsenal came from behind to win at troubled West Ham and move back top of the Premier League.

Ind vs SA Day 1 India score 181/1 before bad light stop

Ind vs SA Day 1 India score 181/1 before bad light stop

DURBAN: Opener Murali Vijay marked his return to form with a fluent unbeaten 91 as India gained early control of the series-deciding second Test against South Africa with a solid batting display on Thursday.
The 29-year-old Vijay, who had not managed to get a big score for some time now, was just nine runs short of what could be his fourth Test century as the visitors reached a comfortable 181/1 before bad light stopped play at the Kingsmead.

Manchester United win match against Hull City on Boxing Day

Manchester United win match against Hull City on Boxing Day

Hull 2        -    Man Utd 3

Chester 4′      Smalling 19′

Meyler 13′     Rooney 26′  

                     Chester 66′ (og)  

                

James Chester's own goal completed Manchester United's comeback from two goals down to win at Hull.

India 76/1 at lunch on Day 1 India vs South Africa 2nd test

India 76/1 at lunch on Day 1 India vs South Africa 2nd test 

    

NEW DELHI: Murali Vijay and Cheteshwar Pujara took the Indian first innings score to 76/1 on the first day of the second Test against South Africa at Kingsmead in Durban on Thursday.

Morne Morkel gave South Africa their first breakthrough when he dismissed Shikhar Dhawan.

After electing to bat first, India got off to decent start courtesy Dhawan and Murali Vijay who looked determined to face the South Africa pacers by putting up a bright 41-run stand for the opening wicket.

India elect to bat - India vs South Africa in 2nd Test

 India elect to bat - India vs South Africa in 2nd Test

NEW DELHI: Indian skipper MS Dhoni won the toss and decided to bat against South Africa in the series-deciding second and final Test at Kingsmead in Durban on Thursday.
India make one change for this match as they bring in Ravindra Jadeja in place of R Ashwin. On the other hand, South Africa bring in Robin Peterson for Imran Tahir

Zinedine Zidane says,Brazil has always inspired me

Zinedine Zidane says,Brazil has always inspired me

 Brazil have figured prominently on Zinedine Zidane's path to greatness. His brace against A Seleçao in the 1998 FIFA World Cup™ Final and his performance in the quarter-final classic versus the same opposition in 2006 helped secure him a special place in the footballing pantheon.

Zizou renewed acquaintances with his old foe during the Final Draw on 6 December 2013 in Costa Do Sauipe, when Brazil's fate and their chances of lifting the FIFA World Cup on home soil rested quite literally in the France legend's hands. FIFA.com had the opportunity to chat to the former midfield maestro about his World Cup memories and his unique relationship with the land of Pele.

Fifa World Cup 2014 Fixtures, Time Table

Fifa World Cup 2014 Fixtures, Time Table

Fixtures
also see(Fifa world cup Teams & Group )

Group A

12 June 2014

Brazil v Croatia, Arena de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, 21:00 (ITV)

13 June 2014

Mexico v Cameroon, Arena das Dunas, Natal, 17:00 (ITV)

Fifa World Cup 2014 Teams and Groups

Fifa World Cup 2014 Teams and Group

The opening game of the 2014 Fifa World Cup will see hosts Brazil play Croatia on 12 June, 2014. 

also see(Fifa World Cup Fixtures,TimeTable )

Group A

Brazil, Croatia, Mexico, Cameroon

Group B

Spain, Netherlands, Chile, Australia

Group C

Colombia, Greece, Ivory Coast, Japan

Group D

Uruguay, Costa Rica, England, Italy

Group E

Switzerland, Ecuador, France, Honduras

Group F

Argentina, Bosnia-Hercegovina, Iran, Nigeria

Football Association charge Watford

Football Association charge Watford

 

Watford have been charged by the Football Association following an incident during their 1-1 draw with Ipswich on 21 December.

Several Hornets players surrounded referee Graham Scott after he judged Gabriele Angella had handled Frank Nouble's cross in the area.
Watford defender Joel Ekstrand was booked for his protests before David McGoldrick scored from the spot.
Watford have until 18:00 GMT on Monday to respond to the charge.
"Watford have been charged for failing to ensure its players conducted themselves in an orderly fashion and/or refrained from provocative behaviour," read a statement on the FA website.
Troy Deeney levelled for Watford in head coach Giuseppe Sannino's first match at the helm following the departure of Gianfranco Zola.‬

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho keeps Chelsea in the title race

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho  keeps Chelsea in the title race

In his regular BBC Sport column, Robbie Savage looks at Chelsea's 0-0 draw against Arsenal and assesses how both teams are shaping up in the title race.
 

I was at the Emirates Stadium on Monday night for BBC Radio 5 live and, beforehand, I thought the stormy conditions would suit Arsenal.

Fourth Ashes Test Australia elect to bowl against England

Fourth Ashes Test Australia elect to bowl against England

In Summary

• England 135-3 at tea - Pietersen 20/Bell 11
• Last wkt: Root out for 24 - Eng 106-3
• Carberry out for 38 and Cook 27
• Bairstow in for Prior; Panesar for Swann
• Unchanged Australia won toss (lead 3-0)

Virender Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir fail again in Ranji Trophy

Virender Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir fail again in Ranji Trophy

New Delhi:  Gautam Gambhir and Virender Sehwag couldn't stand up and be counted when it mattered the most as Punjab recorded one of the most inspiring victories in recent times beating Delhi by 98 runs in a Ranji Trophy group league game to keep their quarterfinal hopes alive.

Chasing a target of 327, Delhi were all out for 228 on the final day with Rajat Bhatia scoring a gutsy hundred on a difficult track.

Jacques Kallis to quit Tests after India series

Jacques Kallis to quit Tests after India series

South Africa's workhorse and one of the best all-rounders to have graced the game, has decided to call it quits from Tests after the ongoing series against India. The Boxing Day Test at Durban will be his last for South Africa.
The broad shouldered, mentally strong Kallis has been one of the most crucial figures in South Africa's rise in Test cricket over the last few years. He has played alongside some of the former greats like Allan Donald, Gary Kirsten and S2haun Pollock to name a few.

With runs in excess of 13,000 and close to 300 wickets, Kallis has been one of the most influential characters in the longest format of the game, with credentials solid enough to find him a place in any world-class side.

According to the Cricket South Africa press release, Kallis spoke about his decision and said, "It's been an honour and a privilege to have been part of the South African Test team since making my debut 18 years ago. I have enjoyed every moment out in the middle but I just feel that the time is right to hang up my Test whites.

"It wasn't an easy decision to come to, especially with Australia around the corner and the success this team is enjoying, but I feel that I have made my contribution in this format."

Kallis, who made his international debut at the age of 20 in 1995, will finish with 166 Tests to his name. Talking about South Africa's ascent in the last couple of years, Kallis said, "The last two years specifically have been a memorable journey with an exceptional group of cricketers. I am fortunate enough to have ended my Test career amongst a group of talented cricketers but more importantly, friends whom I will cherish for years to come."

Fans all over the world will be deeply saddened by the news but Kallis assured that this wasn't the end of his playing days.

"I don't see it as goodbye because I still have a lot of hunger to push South Africa to that World Cup in 2015 if I am fit and performing."

One can also not rule out the high level of hunger for success that has often been associated with the veteran as he said, "Winning an IPL title with the Kolkata Knight Riders was a special achievement, and I am still determined to taste that success with South Africa at an ICC event."

South African coach Russell Domingo shared his view on Kallis' big decision and said that the team will miss the big South African's impact and said that it will be tough to find another player of his stature.

"The impact Jacques has made on South African cricket has been immense, not just as a player but as a human being. I am not sure we will ever see another player of that stature very soon. "


Talking about Kallis' traits that will be badly missed in the dressing room, Domingo said," Jacques calmness, maturity and presence in the change room will sorely be missed and hopefully he will still be able to play a role in this team's success in the near future.

Domingo was also optimistic of seeing Kallis in prime form in coloured kit for the World Cup 2015.

"He has ambitions of playing in the 2015 World Cup and it will be important for us to manage him accordingly so that he is in prime form leading into the tournament," he said.

Kallis is currently placed fourth in the list of cricketers with most runs in Test cricket, behind Sachin Tendulkar, Ricky Ponting and Rahul Dravid. The Durban Test will give him an opportunity to usurp the last two of the three names and go second behind Tendulkar. He needs 115 runs to go past Dravid and 205 to go past Ponting. Kallis also has 292 wickets and 199 catches to his name.

 

 

Sunil Gavaskar says, on india vs south africa test series

Sunil Gavaskar says, on india vs south africa test series 

Former India skipper and  cricket expert Sunil Gavaskar says that India have the upper hand ahead of the Boxing Day Test against South Africa in Durban.

"India will be more confident than South Africa ahead of the Durban Test. India have done well at Durban, so South Africa will be a little nervous," said Sunil Gavaskar

Gavaskar also felt that there was no need for skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni to tinker around with his team composition."India must go in with six batsmen and one wicketkeeper. There is no need to make any changes in the bowling," he said.

Talking about Jacques Kallis' decision to retire after the India series, Gavaskar said he was very much surprised by Kallis' call.

"To be very honest, his decision to retire has surprised me," he said.

When a veteran like Kallis decides to quit, comparisons with legends of different eras are bound to crop up. Gavaskar, however, has said that he would not do that, while reacting to the parallels being drawn between the South African veteran and West Indian legend Sir Garfield Sobers.

"I would not compare Jacques Kallis with Sir Garfield Sobers or any other players from different eras," Gavaskar said.

Jaques Kallis greatest all-rounder of the game cricket

Jaques Kallis greatest all-rounder of the game cricket

DURBAN: Jaques Kallis, one of the greatest all rounders of the game, on Wednesday announced his retirement from Test cricket.

The 38-year-old Kallis had made his debut against England in December 1995 and is third big player to quit Test cricket this season after Australian Ricky Ponting and Indian batting icon Sachin Tendulkar.

Going through a lean patch of late, Kallis has featured in 165 Tests for South Africa, scoring 13174 runs at a stunning average of 55.12. He also took 292 wickets and 199 Test catches, proving what a quality cricketer he has been for his team in the last 18 years.

With 44 hundreds under his belt, Kallis was closest to Tendulkar's record of 51 Test centuries and the possibility of surpassing incredible figure by any batsman has diminished further.

He is the greatest all-rounder the game has seen, atleast in terms of statistics, leaving behind Sir Garfield Sobers (8032 runs, 235 wickets, 109 catches in 93 Tests) and Sir Ian Botham (5200 runs, 383 wickets, 120 catches in 102 Tests.)

Kallis is currently fourth on the list of leading run-getters in Test cricket, behind Tendulkar (15921 runs in 200 Tests), Ricky Ponting (13378 runs in 168 Tests) and Rahul Dravid (13288 runs in 164 Tests).

"It wasn't an easy decision, with Australia around the corner and the success this team is enjoying, but I feel the time is right. I don't see it as goodbye, I still have a lot of hunger to push South Africa to that World Cup in 2015 if I am fit and performing," Kallis said in a statement.

Following Kallis' retirement, Sri Lanka's Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene will remain the only active players, who feature in the top-10 century scorers in the Test cricket.

Tendulkar leads the list with 51 centuries and is followed by Kallis (44), Ponting (41), Dravid (36), Sunil Gavaskar (34), Brian Lara (34), Sangakkara (33), Steve Waugh (32), Jayawardene (31) and Matthew Hayden (30).

Both Sangakkara and Jayawardene are already 36 years of age and their chances to surpass Tendulkar in the list look remote.

Kevin Pietersen will not stop attacking ,ashes 13-14

Kevin Pietersen will not stop attacking ,ashes 13-14

Kevin Pietersen insists he will not change his risk-taking batting style, despite a run of failures resulting in Geoffrey Boycott branding him a "mug".

England's leading batsman by Test average and reputation, 33-year-old Pietersen has struggled badly on this disastrous tour so far, scoring only 165 runs in his six innings.

On five occasions he has been caught on the leg side playing attacking shots, but with the Ashes already lost he says he will play the same way in Melbourne's Boxing Day Test.

Pietersen said: "I don't think I've helped myself. But that's the way I play. I don't know how many articles have been written about the fact that I've got myself out, but I'm there to dominate, I'm there to take risks.
"If I see a ball to hit for six or a ball to hit for four, there's something in my body that tells me to hit it. I'm not the kind of guy who can think about knocking the ball down the ground."
As England were beaten by 150 runs in the third Test in Perth to go 3-0 down in the five Test series, Pietersen was caught on the long-on boundary trying to clear Ryan Harris, who had just been placed there for precisely that shot.
With England fighting to save the Test and Ashes it led many to bemoan the attitude of their star batsman, who had earlier passed 8,000 Test runs in his 102nd Test.
Pietersen told BBC Sport: "The other day was a mistake. Clearly I've made a few mistakes - and that's been highlighted - but I won't change the way I play for anybody because I think I've been pretty successful.

"It's not a case of can't, it's just there's something in me that says if there's a ball to hit then you've got to hit it. And it works.

"On the good days, at Adelaide on the last trip down here, I scored 227. On nought, the first ball I hit from Doherty landed just over point's hands, yet everyone says it's one of the greatest innings I've ever played. You take the rough with the smooth. That is what happens.
Pietersen insisted he did not view the shot he got out to in Perth as a risk.
"I should have hit it for six," he said. "As long as I play, I'm going to try to hit sixes."
Pietersen also brushed off the controversy over Graeme Swann's comments following the spinner's retirement, which some misinterpreted as a criticism of the South African-born batsman.
He also insisted that, at just a year younger than the departed Swann, he had no plans of his own to end his international career.
Swann has denied that he was referring to any of his team-mates when he claimed that some cricketers had their heads up their own backsides.

“I'm fully committed to do my best to help us win in Melbourne and help us win in Sydney”Kevin Pietersen

Pietersen said: "I have heard bits and pieces, but my family arrived on Monday and I haven't seen my little boy for two months, so my interest levels in what the media were talking about were less than zero.

"It's fairly weird. In every press conference I do, people ask how long I'm going to play for. I'm fully committed to do my best to help us win in Melbourne and help us win in Sydney.
"The dressing room isn't happy about the results at all. We set higher standards than we have produced on this trip so far.
"With the Ashes now gone, we can hopefully sort ourselves out, reinvent ourselves, do something positive and finish the tour off positively.
"I know a lot of fans come over for the Melbourne and Sydney Test matches. We owe it to everyone and those guys who spend a lot of money coming to watch us to produce something."

Liverpool face Man City title test on on Boxing Day

Liverpool face Man City title test on on Boxing Day  

 Liverpool may be top of the table at Christmas but they face a test of their title credentials when they travel to Manchester City on Boxing Day.

Third-placed City are a point behind the Reds and have a 100% league record at Etihad Stadium so far this season.
Only two points separate the top five.
Second-placed Arsenal are at West Ham, while Chelsea, who are fourth, host Swansea. Everton, in fifth, entertain Sunderland, while Manchester United travel to Hull.
Reigning champions United are eighth, six points off the top four and eight points adrift of Liverpool.

Striker Robin van Persie and midfielder Michael Carrick have respective thigh and Achilles injuries but the Old Trafford club's boss David Moyes hinted the pair could be back soon.

"This is the time when miracles happen," said the Scot. "Let us hope there is one for Robin van Persie and Michael Carrick."
All 20 Premier League teams will be playing on Boxing Day. The game at Hull gets proceedings under way at 12:45 GMT, while the match between City and Liverpool at 17:30 GMT concludes the action.
City have won all eight league games at home and scored 35 goals in the process, including six against both Tottenham and Arsenal and four in the Manchester derby.
But the Reds have the Premier League's top scorer, Luis Suarez, in their ranks. The Uruguayan, who missed the start of the season because of suspension, has 19 goals from 12 games so far.
Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers played down his side's title chances after a win over Cardiff and thinks Manchester City are the favourites.
Arsenal, who make a trip across London to Upton Park, drew 0-0 with Chelsea on Monday have now gone three league games without a win as they go for a first title since 2004.
Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho, meanwhile, says this season's title race is "unbelievable" as he prepares to pit his wits against Swansea counterpart Michael Laudrup.

Tottenham appoint Tim Sherwood as head coach

Tottenham appoint Tim Sherwood as head coach

 LONDON: Tim Sherwood was on Monday appointed head coach of Tottenham with a contract to the end of the 2014-2015 season, the Premier League club announced. 

Sherwood had been named as interim coach after Andre Villas-Boas was sacked earlier in December following a 5-0 defeat to Liverpool.

The 44-year-old Sherwood had overseen a 3-2 over Southampton on Sunday. Chris Ramsey, Les Ferdinand and Steffen Freund will work alongside the former England international midfielder.

"We were extremely reluctant to make a change mid-season, but felt we had to do so in the club's best interests," said Spurs chairman Daniel Levy.

"We have a great squad and we owe them a head coach who will bring out the best in them and allow them to flourish and enjoy a strong, exciting finish to the season.

"We are in the fortunate position of having within our club a talented coach in Tim Sherwood.

"We believe Tim has both the knowledge and the drive to take the squad forward."

Sherwood played 93 matches for Spurs between 1999 and 2003 and also turned out for Blackburn, Norwich, Portsmouth, Watford and Coventry before hanging up his boots in 2005.

He made his mark on Sunday when recalled striker Emmanuel Adebayor, left out in the cold by Villas-Boas, scored twice.

The win left Tottenham in seventh place, four points off the Champions League places. Sherwood had said after Sunday's game that he wanted his future sorted out as soon as possible.

"What would be ideal for me would be to have a chat with the chairman and see what's best for the football club moving forward," he said.

"I need to know what they're thinking. I don't want this job for five minutes. That's no interest to me. Are we going to move it forward or not?

"It's a massive club with history and tradition. But whatever happens needs to be right for me, too.

"Andre has left the club in a good state. There's nothing wrong with the job he's done. Top of the league in the European competition (Europa League)." 

David Moyes - Wayne Rooney has turned into a selfless player

 David Moyes - Wayne Rooney has turned into a selfless player

MANCHESTER: England and Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney has turned into a selfless player who is now playing for the team, United manager David Moyes said on Tuesday.

The 28-year-old -- who was given his Premier League debut by Moyes when he was at Everton -- has scored 10 goals this term but it has been his all-round play that has pleased the manager.

"What Wayne is doing is making the others play well because he is playing well. He has turned himself into a real team player," Moyes said.

"With the assists for the team and the goals, his all-round contribution has been fantastic."

Rooney, who has scored 207 goals in 423 games for United, had been thought to be on the verge of leaving in the close season after a rocky end to last term when his relationship with Moyes's predecessor Alex Ferguson deteriorated.

However, Moyes believes that now his future has been settled the sometimes fiery Rooney can play a role in setting an example for the younger players at United.

"He (Rooney) needs to show the young players," Moyes said. "He has a big responsibility to show the next generation the standards that Manchester United set.

"You go through the years and look at people like Ryan Giggs and the advice he gave to Wayne Rooney. Wayne has now to give it to Adnan Januzaj and the new players coming up."

Liverpool rises to the top of the Premier League

Liverpool rises to the top of the Premier League

LONDON: Through financial turmoil, court battles and humbling setbacks in recent years, Liverpool has risen to the top this season and reached a noteworthy milestone in England.

Ahead of Arsenal on goal difference, the Reds lead the Premier League heading into the traditional Boxing Day games on Thursday.

"It is a nostalgic time and people always want to know where the team is at around Christmas Day," Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers said Tuesday. "It is brilliant for supporters. I am not going to deny them a dream."

The last four Christmas Day leaders went on to lift the trophy in May. The last not to was Liverpool in the 2008-09 season under Rafa Benitez.

So much has changed since then.

"It has been a hard period in this club for four or five years and (being top) was probably a distant thought," Rodgers said. "They have to enjoy it."

Staring into the financial abyss in 2010, bankruptcy was looming until the owners were ousted in court and new American investors, headed by John Henry, rescued the club.

But the Reds still seemed to be a team in decline. A return to the lucrative Champions League by finishing in the top four seemed unlikely, let alone a 19th English title _ and the first since 1990.

Even after former great Kenny Dalglish was replaced as manager by Brendan Rodgers in 2012, Henry's heavy investment in the squad didn't seem to be paying off.

Rodgers' first season ended in May with Liverpool 28 points behind champion Manchester United and 12 points adrift of fourth place.

Since then, Luis Suarez was denied a move to Arsenal, and has scored 19 goals in 12 matches since missing the opening five games while completing a biting ban.

The Uruguay striker has been devastating up front in December _ with no new disciplinary problems. Four goals against Norwich were followed by doubles against West Ham, Tottenham and Cardiff as the team scored 17 while rattling off four wins.

Only 2012 champion Manchester City can match such lethalness, with a league-leading 51 goals.

On Thursday, Liverpool visits Man City, which is in third place and has won three of its last four league games by scoring 14 goals.

The game at the Etihad Stadium should show how ready Liverpool is to retain its place among the elite.

Players once dismissed as Anfield misfits have come to the fore, and now expensive flops including Andy Carroll have been offloaded.

Captain Steven Gerrard being sidelined could previously have derailed the team. Now Jordan Henderson, who seemed to be burdened by a huge price tag after arriving from Sunderland in 2011, is providing the dynamism and assured touches in midfield.

Raheem Sterling is another young English player establishing himself as a regular starter, with the winger scoring three times in the last four games.

"He has shown he is back to that level where he is really aggressive and direct," Rodgers said.

The ownership puts the team's re-emergence down to Rodgers, who became an easy target for derision during the club's potentially misguided foray into reality television last year but whose man-management skills are being lauded once again.

"He has great communication skills," Liverpool chairman Tom Werner said. "He's very articulate in his strategy and the players have responded to him."

There are, however, 19 games to go and the most open title race the Premier League has seen since its inception in 1992.

Even though the Arsenal-Chelsea derby proved to be a 0-0 outcome on Monday, there is little to separate them in the standings from Liverpool.

Liverpool and Arsenal are the only teams in the top five with the same managers as last season, with Manuel Pellegrini now at City, Jose Mourinho back at Chelsea and Roberto Martinez in charge at neighbor Everton.

"It is a transition period for a lot of teams so maybe we have the extra year on a few and the way things are going at the moment ... we can be dangerous," Liverpool defender Glen Johnson said.

And, as for the reigning champions?

Manchester United is in eighth place nearly a half season into the post-Alex Ferguson era. But the Red Devils are only eight points behind Liverpool, and the standings could look very different at the start of 2014 with nine points up for grabs over the next week or so.

Steven Gerrard says Suarez is best player in world

Steven Gerrard says Suarez is best player in world 

England captain Steven Gerrard has acclaimed Liverpool team mate Luis Suarez as the best player in the world on current form.

In 12 appearances this season the red-hot Uruguay striker has scored 19 goals to fire Liverpool to the top of the Premier League. That is six more than his nearest rival, Argentina and Manchester City forward Sergio Augero.

Suarez's prolific streak has earned him a new long-term contract at Anfield where he has overcome widespread misgivings after several controversial incidents including one last season when he bit the arm of Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic.

"On current form he's the best player in the world," Gerrard said of Suarez.

"Lionel Messi's out injured and Cristiano Ronaldo's had a bit of an injury of late," the Liverpool skipper told Sky Sports television, referring to the number one players at Barcelona and Real Madrid respectively.

"He (Suarez) is certainly the best striker out there. He's proving that with his minutes-to-goals ratio."

The Ivanovic incident resulted in a 10-match domestic suspension that meant the Liverpool striker missed the start of this season.

The 27-year-old Suarez has this season become the first Liverpool player to score at least twice in five consecutive home matches.

He is on course to surpass the Premier League record of 34 goals shared by former England strikers Andy Cole and Alan Shearer.

Cole achieved his haul with Newcastle United in 1993-94. Shearer's was with Blackburn Rovers in 1994-95.

"He will certainly push it close," said Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers after Suarez bagged two goals in a 3-1 win over Cardiff City on Saturday. "He looks like he can score a hat-trick in every game."

Liverpool visit Manchester City, who are one point behind the leaders in third place, on Thursday.

IPL 7 auction to be held 12th February

IPL 7 auction to be held 12th February

  NEW DELHI: IPL franchises will be allowed to retain five cricketers during the 2014 Indian Premier League auction to be held on February 12 with the option of buying back a limited number of players through the newly introduced 'right to match' provision.

After a series of discussions, the IPL Governing Council today came up with a number of regulations related to Players' Contracts, Squad Compositions and the Retention of Players in advance for the 2014 Auction.

"The Pepsi IPL 2014 Player Auction will be held on 12 February, and if necessary, 13 February 2014. The venue of the auction will be announced soon," BCCI said in a release.

"A franchise may sign up to a maximum of 5 players (either capped or uncapped, no more than four of whom may be capped Indians) who were in its squad in 2013, including those who were unavailable during the season and those who were taken as temporary replacements."

Regarding the Salary cap, the Governing Council said the franchises will be charged Rs 12.5 crore, Rs 9.5 crore, Rs 7.5 crore, Rs 5.5 crore and Rs 4 crore for respectively the first, second, third, fourth and fifth capped players retained and it would be "irrespective of the IPL league fee that is agreed between the two parties and which is set out in the player contract."

Apart from the cricketers who are retained in advance, all other players will have to enter the 2014 player auction process if they want to play in the IPL in 2014, the release said.