Match of the Day pundits Dion Dublin and Phil Jones look at how Portsmouth were punished by Arsenal’s set pieces as the Gunners secure comfortable 4-1 win to progress to the fourth round of the FA Cup.
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Manager Danny Rohl enthused about many aspects of Rangers’ controlled 2-0 victory away to Aberdeen, including his side’s “clean sheet mentality”.
A fifth successive victory keeps Rangers three points behind Scottish Premiership leaders Hearts.
Since Rohl took over in October, his side have shipped just eight goals in 14 league games, winning 11 of those, while keeping the opposition out on eight occasions.
Rangers kept one just one blank in Russell Martin’s seven Premiership games, a soporific Old Firm derby stalemate.
“We defended until the end and we got a clean sheet,” Rohl told RangersTV.
“This is the basis and if we do this again and again we will be in a fantastic way. Keep on the front foot, stay hungry, stay ambitious, and be humble in the right moments.”
In the wind and rain at Pittodrie, Aberdeen were limited to five efforts on target, with Jack Butland’s only save of note thwarting Leighton Clarkson in the first half.
“Big, big pride in my group, to come to a really tough place,” said Rohl in his post-match media conference. “We showed again different faces, which is what we need.
“We played good men’s football, we were ready in the duels, second balls.
“We understood when to play in behind, then we understand also to keep the ball in the right areas.
“The result was enjoyable, of course, it’s great to see.
“We were really focused until the end and it is outstanding what we have done, five wins in a row.”
Rangers solidity is all the more impressive when you consider first choice centre-backs John Souttar and Derek Cornelius have been missing.
The Canada international has been out since early November, while Souttar was absent for six matches.
However, it is no surprise that the Scotland defender’s return coincides with the current five-game winning run.
Souttar made a great early block from Nicolas Milanovic at Pittodrie and was constantly marshalling the backline, keeping the occasionally errant Emmanuel Fernandez close and focused.
Fernandez may be prone to the odd lapse but the 24-year-old, who was playing in England’s League One last season, is an imposing figure.
He has four goals from his run of 11 successive starts and was denied another by a debatable VAR review in Aberdeen.
Injury denied Connor Barron a return to his former club and the tenacious midfielder is facing up to three months out after an impressive run of form.
Rangers made light of his absence as Nico Raskin and Mohamed Diomande dovetailed to do the dirty work and Thelo Aasgaard knocked in his third goal in five outings to get the ball rolling.
“Danny Rohl is squeezing every ounce out this squad,” remarked Motherwell’s former Ibrox player Andy Halliday on Sportscene.
“They weren’t spectacular but they looked so, so comfortable.”
A few hours before kick-off, Tochi Chukwuani was announced as the club’s first January recruit and he is expected to add muscle and pace in the middle of the park.
“Tochi will bring a good physical side,” Rohl explained. “Big experience also in Europe.
“But it is also very important to understand, we have also a group today on the pitch. They worked really hard.
“They also deserve big, big credit. And this is exactly what we need. We need the challenge in some positions.
“But we have also to understand our development in the last 10-12 weeks. It is outstanding from some players.
“And again, look to Thelo. He scored again and he is the next one who goes in the right direction.”
Reigning champion Shaun Murphy and current UK title holder Mark Selby were both eliminated on a thrilling opening day of the Masters at London’s Alexandra Palace.
Murphy lost 6-2 to China’s Wu Yize in the first round, before Selby, who won the UK Championship last month, was defeated by the same score against another Chinese debutant, Xiao Guodong.
Murphy lost the opening three frames and, despite taking frame four, then lost the fifth on a black-ball finish.
Wu, 22, is ranked 13th in the world and picked up his first ranking title in November when he won the International Championship in Yanjing in his home country, beating world champions Judd Trump, Zhao Xintong and John Higgins along the way.
On his Alexandra Palace debut, Wu made a superb clearance of 137 in frame two and a break of 56 in frame seven.
“I felt a bit of pressure when I entered the stadium because it was the first time I’ve played in such a big stadium and the fans were so enthusiastic,” said Wu.
“After the first frame, I felt a bit more relaxed and I totally enjoyed the atmosphere. It’s definitely a great achievement for myself – my first time playing at the Masters and the first time beating Shaun Murphy.”
For 43-year-old Murphy, who reached the semi-final of the UK Championship last month, it was a disappointing afternoon with him failing to register a single break of 50.
“I’ve been looking forward to today for a year, walking out as champion, but I enjoyed the first 10 minutes,” said Murphy, who beat Kyren Wilson to win the Triple Crown event for a second time a year ago.
“I’m very disappointed. None of it was there. I felt everything I touched was not there. I’ve been working very hard, practising hard, playing a lot of snooker, so I didn’t expect to play like that and I’m as shocked as anyone.
“I didn’t play well, certainly the worst performance of my season, maybe the worst in the Masters.
Wu will now face a quarter-final on Thursday against compatriot Xiao, who played superbly to defeat three-time champion Selby in the evening session.
Xiao, 36, made breaks of 95, 62, 76 and 77 as he won the opening four frames, with Selby’s highest break at that stage only being 21.
But the four-time world champion threatened a superb comeback as he made breaks of 101 and 76 to bring it back to 4-2.
Xiao had not potted a ball in 46 minutes but then made an excellent break of 118 to move one frame away from victory, which he clinched by edging a scrappy eighth frame.
“The venue is good, the people watching are good and everything is perfect – this was my first time playing in the Masters,” said Xiao.
“We both played good and I won the first four frames and gave Mark a bit of pressure but then he came back so it was a good game.
“Nobody thought I could win. I just told myself ‘enjoy, be more relaxed and not think about winning or losing’. A lot of people were supporting me and that gives me confidence.”
Selby, 42, had no complaints about the result and said: “In the first four frames I didn’t have many chances. Every time Xiao came to the table, I made it easy for him.
“I did well to make it 4-2 and felt I had some momentum, then I missed and Xiao punished my mistakes.
Reigning champion Shaun Murphy and current UK title holder Mark Selby were both eliminated on a thrilling opening day of the Masters at London’s Alexandra Palace.
Murphy lost 6-2 to China’s Wu Yize in the first round, before Selby, who won the UK Championship last month, was defeated by the same score against another Chinese debutant, Xiao Guodong.
Murphy lost the opening three frames and, despite taking frame four, then lost the fifth on a black-ball finish.
Wu, 22, is ranked 13th in the world and picked up his first ranking title in November when he won the International Championship in Yanjing in his home country, beating world champions Judd Trump, Zhao Xintong and John Higgins along the way.
On his Alexandra Palace debut, Wu made a superb clearance of 137 in frame two and a break of 56 in frame seven.
“I felt a bit of pressure when I entered the stadium because it was the first time I’ve played in such a big stadium and the fans were so enthusiastic,” said Wu.
“After the first frame, I felt a bit more relaxed and I totally enjoyed the atmosphere. It’s definitely a great achievement for myself – my first time playing at the Masters and the first time beating Shaun Murphy.”
For 43-year-old Murphy, who reached the semi-final of the UK Championship last month, it was a disappointing afternoon with him failing to register a single break of 50.
“I’ve been looking forward to today for a year, walking out as champion, but I enjoyed the first 10 minutes,” said Murphy, who beat Kyren Wilson to win the Triple Crown event for a second time a year ago.
“I’m very disappointed. None of it was there. I felt everything I touched was not there. I’ve been working very hard, practising hard, playing a lot of snooker, so I didn’t expect to play like that and I’m as shocked as anyone.
“I didn’t play well, certainly the worst performance of my season, maybe the worst in the Masters.
Wu will now face a quarter-final on Thursday against compatriot Xiao, who played superbly to defeat three-time champion Selby in the evening session.
Xiao, 36, made breaks of 95, 62, 76 and 77 as he won the opening four frames, with Selby’s highest break at that stage only being 21.
But the four-time world champion threatened a superb comeback as he made breaks of 101 and 76 to bring it back to 4-2.
Xiao had not potted a ball in 46 minutes but then made an excellent break of 118 to move one frame away from victory, which he clinched by edging a scrappy eighth frame.
“The venue is good, the people watching are good and everything is perfect – this was my first time playing in the Masters,” said Xiao.
“We both played good and I won the first four frames and gave Mark a bit of pressure but then he came back so it was a good game.
“Nobody thought I could win. I just told myself ‘enjoy, be more relaxed and not think about winning or losing’. A lot of people were supporting me and that gives me confidence.”
Selby, 42, had no complaints about the result and said: “In the first four frames I didn’t have many chances. Every time Xiao came to the table, I made it easy for him.
“I did well to make it 4-2 and felt I had some momentum, then I missed and Xiao punished my mistakes.
The NFL play-offs continued with another nail-biting game as the Buffalo Bills claimed a 27-24 win at the Jacksonville Jaguars.
A late interception by Buffalo safety Cole Bishop allowed the Bills to clinch victory after Josh Allen, the league’s reigning Most Valuable Player, put them back in front with one minute four seconds of the game remaining.
Buffalo were the pre-season Super Bowl favourites but have had to hit the road in the play-offs having failed to retain the AFC East title, while Jacksonville won the AFC South.
The Jaguars ended the regular season on an eight-game winning streak to secure the AFC’s third seed, while Buffalo are the sixth, and most of Sunday’s Wildcard Weekend game was a tight affair.
Buffalo led 10-7 at half-time, then 13-10 heading into the fourth quarter, when the lead changed hands four times in a nerve-racking finale.
Quarterbacks Trevor Lawrence and Allen then produced a shootout, with former number one draft pick Lawrence making touchdown passes to Parker Washington and Travis Etienne.
Buffalo replied with Allen finding Dalton Kincaid for a score before barging over for his second rushing TD, which ultimately proved decisive.
There was enough time for Lawrence to lead a game-winning drive but he was picked off by Bishop to keep alive Allen’s hopes of reaching his first Super Bowl.
The penultimate round of pool matches in this season’s European Champions Cup brought high-scoring games, last-minute heroics and more teams qualifying for the knockout stages.
Glasgow Warriors, Sale Sharks, Leinster, Harlequins, Bordeaux, Bristol Bears and Northampton Saints are all into the last 16.
But with the likes of six-time winners Toulouse, three-time champions Saracens, English champions Bath and United Rugby Championship leaders Stormers yet to secure their places, the final round of pool fixtures next weekend should feature plenty more drama.
What were the key moments from round three? And how do things currently stand?
The top four teams from each pool qualify for the last 16, with the top two qualifying with home advantage.
Fifth in each pool drops down to the Challenge Cup, while the bottom side are eliminated.
Three-time winners Saracens have underachieved in Europe over the past few seasons and found themselves needing points from their final two tricky pool games.
But a hard-fought 20-14 victory over six-time winners Toulouse at home on Sunday boosted their chances.
Rotimi Segun scored twice and Tom Willis crossed to put France’s Top 14 league leaders under pressure to qualify.
Toulouse will still be favourites to claim a win over Sale Sharks at home on Saturday (17:30 GMT), but the pressure is on.
Sale booked their spot in the last 16 by beating Sharks in Manchester on Saturday.
The South African outfit now welcome Clermont Auvergne, who are unable to qualify, on Saturday (13:00 GMT).
Victory for the Durban side would mean Toulouse would fall out of the qualification spots before they kick off.
Mark McCall’s Saracens travel to pool leaders Glasgow, who are yet to drop a point, on Sunday (17:30 GMT).
Franco Smith’s side produced an outstanding bonus-point win at Clermont on Saturday, backing up their victories over Sale and Toulouse.
Saturday, 17 January
Sharks v Clermont Auvergne (13:00 GMT)
Toulouse v Sale Sharks (17:30 GMT)
Sunday, 18 January
Bath clinically dispatched Castres on Friday to retain their spot at the top of the standings.
Despite heading into the final round top of the pool, the English champions are still yet to officially qualify.
Number eight Alfie Barbeary showed off his powerful ball carrying skills in a standout performance that showed Johann van Graan’s side can go deep in the tournament.
A bonus-point win in France, especially by managing wet and windy conditions, was a proper European performance from the 1998 winners.
Every side is still within a chance so points difference could be crucial.
Bath face Edinburgh, who are second after beating Gloucester, on Friday (20:00 GMT) and know a bonus-point win will secure home advantage until at least the quarter-finals, which would be vital if they are to be contenders.
With the top two teams playing each other, Toulon’s late win over Munster on Sunday kept their home knockout dream very much alive.
The Irish province host Castres on Saturday (17:30 GMT) before Toulon travel to Gloucester on the same day (20:00 GMT).
Friday, 16 January
Bath v Edinburgh (20:00 GMT)
Saturday, 17 January
Munster v Castres (13:00 GMT)
Leinster remain in pole position to qualify as pool winners, but only just.
Replacement Harry Byrne nailed a match-winning penalty with the last kick of the game to defeat La Rochelle 25-24 in Dublin on Saturday.
It is the fixture that keeps on giving and is known for late drama, with back-to-back Champions Cup finals in 2022 and 2023 between the sides coming down to the last play.
An away win on Saturday (15:15 GMT) against winless Bayonne wraps up the pool for the Irish province, while La Rochelle host Harlequins (Sunday, 15:15 GMT), who thrashed Stormers and have a home last-16 spot as it stands.
Victory will confirm a knockout spot for Ronan O’Gara’s Top 14 side.
Leicester Tigers sit outside the qualification spots, but stayed alive thanks to a Billy Searle-inspired win over Bayonne, and know a bonus-point win in South Africa on Saturday (15:15 GMT) is likely needed to stand any chance.
Saturday, 17 January
Bayonne v Leinster (15:15 GMT)
Stormers v Leicester Tigers (15:15 GMT)
Sunday, 18 January
Bristol Bears produced the eye-catching performance of the round by winning a 16-try contest against South Africa’s Bulls in Pretoria
Bears wing Noah Heward completed a first-half hat-trick as the 110-point game finished 61-49.
The result leaves Pat Lam’s side with three wins from three, but their hardest challenge will come in the final round against holders Bordeaux next Sunday (13:00 GMT).
Given the Top 14 side put 50 points on Prem leaders Northampton Saints on Sunday, the game at Ashton Gate should make for another high-scoring thriller.
Not only will the entertainment value be high because of the attacking style of both teams, but it will decide who tops the pool and get home advantage.
Defeat will open the door for Saints to jump into second spot, with their game coming against qualification hopefuls Scarlets on Sunday (15:15 GMT).
Top 14 side Pau, who are playing in Europe’s elite competition for the first time since 2001-02, host Bulls (Friday, 20:00 GMT) and know backing up their win over Scarlets would see them through.
Friday, 16 January
Pau v Bulls (Friday, 20:00 GMT)
Sunday, 18 January
Bristol v Bordeaux (13:00 GMT)