Everton remain without a win at Anfield since 1999, after they were beaten 1-0 by a youthful Liverpool side in the FA Cup third round yesterday evening. Carlo Ancelotti picked a strong XI for the trip across Stanley Park but the scale of the task facing him at Goodison was laid bare as a much-changed home team ran out comfortable winners - a second-half wonder goal from 18-year-old Curtis Jones proving the difference. Elsewhere Lucas Moura ensured Tottenham would be joining Liverpool in the hat for the fourth round, after his header gave Jose Mourinho's side a 1-1 draw away to Championship Middlesbrough. Among the day's other fixtures Chelsea beat Nottingham Forest 2-0 at Stamford Bridge, Derby County beat 10-man Crystal Palace 1-0 at Selhurst Park and West Ham won 2-0 at Gillingham. The draw for the fourth round will be made at 7.35pm this evening (BBC One) ahead of Arsenal's clash with Leeds at the Emirates.
Borris-Ileigh are through to the All-Ireland club SHC final after they saw off St Thomas' 1-21 to 1-14 in a thrilling clash in Limerick yesterday afternoon. The Tipperary champions led their Galway counterparts by two points heading into the final minute of normal time, before county star Brendan Maher weaved his magic and pulled his side clear - the 31-year-old ending the match with 0-10 to his name. Borris-Ileigh are into their first All-Ireland final since 1987 - their sole success - and defending champions Ballyhale Shamrocks now stand between them and a second title. Henry Shefflin's side were to made to work for their victory over Ulster champions Slaughtneil yesterday afternoon, running out 2-24 to 2-19 winners after delivering a resilient display in Newry. Meanwhile Corofin are bidding for a third All-Ireland football title on the bounce after they beat Nemo Rangers 1-10 to 0-7 on Saturday. They will meet Kilcoo in the final, after the Down side beat Dublin's Ballyboden St Enda's 2-8 to 0-11.
The Champions Cup returns this weekend, with both Connacht and Munster heading into the fifth round of fixtures off the back of chastening interpro defeats over the weekend. Johann van Graan saw Andrew Conway and Niall Scannell forced off with injury as his side were beaten 38-17 by an in form Ulster side in Belfast on Friday night. Meanwhile beleaguered Connacht's injury-count is now past the 20-man mark after the Fiztgerald brothers, Stephen and Conor, both picked up serious injuries during the sobering 54-7 defeat to Leinster in Dublin on Saturday. Andy Friend's side face the mighty Toulouse in Galway at the weekend, but he remains defiant despite the parlous state the province find themselves in. He said: "No, I'm not [worried] because we have a lot of fight and character in the group, and we do have some bodies coming in."
Elsewhere Justin Thomas edged Patrick Reed and Xander Schauffele in a three-way play-off to land victory in the Sentry Tournament of Champions in Hawaii last night. The American had a one-stroke lead heading into the 18th but a wayward second shot saw him lose his ball, and he needed a further three play-off holes to get his hands on the trophy with light quickly fading. Afterwards, he said: "For some reason I was supposed to win this week. Through 15 holes it was one of the best rounds I've ever played. I was in such control, tee to green, putting beautiful, my irons were awesome and then 18 was a disaster. It worked out so I can't complain."
And England are in firm control of the second Test against South Africa in Cape Town after they moved into a second innings lead of 264 following a strong batting display on Sunday. Opener Dominic Sibley finished the third day on 85 not out, with captain Joe Root falling late on for 61. Play resumes this morning with the tourists looking to press home their advantage at Newlands.
