Liverpool landed a major blow in the Premier League title race with a controversial and ultimately comfortable 3-1 win over Manchester City at Anfield yesterday. The hosts took an early lead through Fabinho after a Trent Alexander-Arnold handball in his own box went unpunished, before Mohamed Salah doubled the lead. Sadio Mane made it 3-0 in the second half with Bernardo Silva bagging a late consolation, meaning Pep Guardiola's side are now nine points off the pace in fourth place. Earlier in the day a youthful Manchester United side continued their mini-revival at home to Brighton, with 19-year-old Brandon Williams among the standout performers in a 3-1 win at Old Trafford. There was concern for Ireland ahead of the international break after Aaron Connolly was substituted at half-time with a groin injury - Mick McCarthy confirmed last night he would undergo a scan on Monday before the friendly against New Zealand and the crunch Euro 2020 qualifier at home to Denmark. Elsewhere, Wolverhampton Wanderers claimed West Midlands bragging rights as they beat Aston Villa 2-1 at Molineux.
The Heineken Champions Cup returns this weekend, with all four provinces in action in Europe's elite club competition. However Connacht head into Sunday's clash against Montpellier in Galway in the middle of an injury crisis - particularly up front. Andy Friend's side were hammered 42-11 by Leinster at The Sportsground on Friday night, with Finlay Bealham and Sean O'Brien both being forced off. O'Brien joins Quinn Roux, Gavin Thornbury and Ultan Dillane on the sidelines, leaving the province's secondrow cupboard looking decidedly bare. Meanwhile Munster have injury problems of their own following Saturday evening's 22-16 win over Ulster at Thomond Par. An update is expected on the injured Dave Kilcoyne today but Johann van Graan's main headache comes at outhalf after JJ Hanrahan suffered a suspected hamstring tear. Tyler Bleyendaal is now the province's only established number 10 ahead of Saturday's trip to play the Ospreys.
There was plenty of club GAA action yesterday, with the provincial championships starting to come towards the business end. In the Leinster SFC Ballyboden St Enda's are through to the semi-finals after they beat Louth's Newtown Blues 1-11 to 0-5 in Drogheda, with the Dublin champions pulling clear at the death in a competitive encounter. Elsewhere, Corofin are into yet another Galway SFC final after they beat Mayo's Ballintubber 1-10 to 0-11 in Tuam yesterday, Liam Silke's goal proving crucial. Meanwhile Ballygunner are into the Munster SHC final after they thrashed Patrickswell 0-17 to 0-9 at Walsh Park, keeping up their momentum after lifting the title last year. They will play Boris-Ileigh in the final, after they beat Glen Rovers 1-17 to 3-8 to reach their first provincial showpiece in 33 years.
Tyrrell Hatton was the last man standing in Turkey yesterday, as he edged a six-way play-off to secure victory in the Turkish Airline Open. He and five others were tied on 20 under par after 72 holes, with another four needed for the English golfer to prove victorious, after a loose putt from Austria's Mathias Schwab. The tournament made history, as it became the first on the European Tour to be played under floodlights. Shane Lowry finished 19 shots off the pace, after he ended his week with back-to-back 75s.
And Apple's Jade was beaten on her seasonal bow at Navan yesterday, with Willie Mullins's Bacardys taking the Lismullen Hurdle in smart fashion. Afterwards, Gordon Elliott reported his star mare to be healthy despite her disapponting showing. Monday's card at Fairyhouse has been cancelled, after a further 15mm of rain fell at the track overnight.
