Premier League: Arsenal in pole position
Arsenal remain in charge of the Premier League title race after a dramatic 3-2 victory over Manchester United. The Gunners are five points clear at the top. An Erling Haaland hat-trick gave second-placed Manchester City a comfortable win over Wolves. Newcastle United stretched their unbeaten run in the league to 15 matches with a goalless draw at Crystal Palace. The Magpies are third in the table, above Manchester United on goal difference. A 2-0 home victory for West Ham over Everton in a key game at the bottom of the table saw the Hammers move out of the relegation zone. Everton are second from bottom as manager Frank Lampard comes under increasing pressure.
Boxing: Smith stops Eubank Jr
Underdog Liam Smith stopped Chris Eubank Jr in four rounds in their middleweight bout in Manchester. Eubank Jr had been undefeated since 2018, however, he suffered the first stoppage defeat of his career. Liverpool’s Smith knocked Eubank down twice in quick succession in the fourth round before the referee brought the contest to a halt.
Tennis: Djokovic into last eight, Swiatek bows out
Fourth seed Novac Djokovic raced past Álex de Miñaur in the round of 16 at the Australian Open, winning 6-2, 6-1, 6-2. The nine-time champion will play fifth seed Andrey Rublev in the quarter final. Third seed Stefanos Tsitsipas came through an five-set thriller against Jannik Sinner to claim a place in the last eight yesterday.
In the womens’ singles first seed Iga Swiatek and seventh seed Coco Gauff both exited in the round of 16. The number three seed Jessica Pegula and fifth seed Aryna Sabalenka are the highest ranked players in the quarter final line-up.
