Sport

The Morning Sports Briefing

Tottenham close the gap to five points, Barry Geraghty wins his appeal and what to watch out for

Shay Given closes in on Tottenham Hotspur’s Danny Rose at the Britannia stadium in Stoke. Photograph: EPA
Tue Apr 19 2016 - 08:30

Soccer

Shay Given didn't enjoy the best of Premier League debuts for Stoke City last night, as the Irish international goalkeeper had four goals put past him by a Tottenham team who have now closed the gap on league leaders Leicester to five points.

Just two days shy of his 40th birthday, Given became Stoke City's oldest ever Premier League player, with the veteran goalkeeper still having a keen eye on claiming a place on Martin O'Neill's Euro 2016 squad. The Donegal native though could do little about the result last night as an in-form Spurs breezed to a 4-0 win with two goals apiece from Harry Kane and Dele Alli.

It wasn't the best of days all round for Leicester City then, with the London club beginning to breathe down their necks, while talisman Jamie Vardy was charged by the FA with improper conduct for his reaction to being sent off for diving on Sunday - he now faces an extra game ban.

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Tonight Manchester City look to continue their fine form of late when they travel to relegation battlers Newcastle United. Club captain Vincent Kompany will be fit and available after recovering from his latest calf injury.

Racing

Barry Geraghty is free to ride at next week's Punchestown festival after successfully appealing a 30 day 'non-trier' suspension at the Turf Club last night.

After a lengthy hearing, Geraghty won his appeal and trainer Tony Martin’s appeal was also successful, as was owner JP McManus’s appeal against Noble Emperor’s suspension from racing.

Rugby

Gerry Thornley's column this morning questions the current Sportsground's place as the home of Connacht rugby - "Akin to Leinster at Donnybrook, Munster at the old Thomond Park or Ulster at Ravenhill, Connacht are outgrowing their home...

“The Sportsground is simply not adequate in terms of its existing facilities for an organisation that aspires to be regular contenders in the Guinness Pro12 and dining at European rugby’s top table in the form of the Champions Cup.”

What to watch out for

The World snooker Championship action continues at Sheffield this afternoon.

BBC 2, 10am-noon, 1pm-6pm

Eurosport, 10am-1.30pm, 2.30pm-11pm

Newcastle Utd and Manchester City is the sole Premier League fixture tonight and that kicks off at 7.45pm.

Sky Sports 1 from 7pm