Soft Swansea goal pushes hapless Villa closer to drop
Swansea hammered another nail into Aston Villa’s Premier League coffin on Saturday with the softest of goals earning the Welsh side a victory that may well secure their safety for another season.Villa keeper Brad Guzan came off his line in the 53rd minute only to flap hopelessly at a free kick curled in by Gylfi Sigurdsson and tip the ball on to a grateful Federico Fernandez’s shoulder and into the net.The woeful defending in a game of poor quality seemed to sum up the visitors’ hapless season as they suffered a sixth successive league defeat, leaving them marooned at the bottom of the table, eight points behind second from bottom Newcastle United.Manager Francesco Guidolin was left celebrating in his first game back on the touchline since he was taken to hospital with a chest infection as the Swans, enjoying two successive home victories for the first time since August, moved 11 points clear of the relegation zone in 15th place.
…conduct for a big manJust when your Eyewitness thought Trump couldn’t surprise us any longer, up comes the testimony on 60 minutes of “Stormy Daniels” about their affair! Now, the claim’s been circulating for the longest while but this was, well…60 MINUTES!! This was the premier investigative journalism putting THEIR reputation on the line to have the one-time porn star tell her story directly!!Well, they certainly grabbed the attention of a lot of folks since it garnered their largest audience in decades!! While quite a chunk of that crowd probably wanted to be titillated (no pun intended!) by the buxom blonde, it was most likely the same demographic who voted for Trump and wanted to revel in the “macho” exploits of their leader.Let’s face it folks – none of these salacious revelations are going to hurt Trump at that sensitive spot – the ballot box! As we say in Guyana, all the Stormy episode proves is “Trump a maan!!” If, after we had Trump caught on tape boasting how he grabs the “p*ssy’ of random young attractive women, the Christian evangelical movement of the States could reaffirm their support for him, what else could make them shift?The revelation that most of Trump’s latest sexual encounters of the weird kind had him sublimating his sexual desires for his daughter?? Naaah! Among the southern, red neck, gun-toting yahoos who follow him, they don’t even BOTHER with any sublimation!! It’s all in the family!! But seriously folks, Trump’s behaviour has done wonders for a democratic world order. Look at it this way…do you think world leaders can take whatever Trump says seriously after all his low-class escapades? Kim Jong Un??But it’s not just Trump, is it folks?? He’s simply the object through which the new America is channelling its angst. Ever since WWI ended and Britain passed its world-straddling hegemony over to the US, they could now tutor us on what was “civilised” and what was not – just as England had done for centuries. But apart from their big guns and big bombs, the Europeans always insisted they were crude, gum-chewing hicks.But your Eyewitness thinks it was just sour grapes and Trump’s crudity and its approval by the majority of Americans is merely a symptom of a changing world order in which the US just won’t be as all powerful as they had been for the last half-a-century. Change is never easy…especially when the change is seen as a “come down”.So, dear reader, let’s not be too harsh on Trump – he’s just a sign of the (US) times. We have a whole lot of relatives over there now.And you’d be surprised how many support Trump!!…and not cricketAs your Eyewitness suggested, maybe Trump has a (structural) excuse for his low-class behaviour. But what’s the excuse of Steve Smith?? Here’s a young man who was being mentioned in the same sentence as Sir Don Bradman…and he condones and even encourages ball tampering?? What the heck’s going on? While the Europeans might’ve suggested the Americans were rough around the edges, having been tutored longer, we in the Empire assumed we knew better.And nothing proved our credentials than cricket!! Which, for the record, the Aussies played at the highest levels long before us, because they were “white”. It was said by the Duke of Wellington that the Battle of Waterloo (the Brits against the Europe-straddling Napoleon) was won on the playing fields of Eton. Meaning it was the discipline and traditions passed on in that quintessentially upper-class game of cricket that held the line.But sadly, Smith is also a symptom of a wider malaise in Aussies. They never understood CLR James’ dictum:“What do they know of cricket who only cricket know?”…and retrogradeSo while we’re arguing about the relevance of Creolese, French is being promoted? What use will this be to us. With China’s ascendancy, shouldn’t we be brushing up our Mandarin?Since 1853, it’s part of our culture!!
0Shares0000McLaren’s Spanish driver Fernando Alonso drives during the second practice session ahead of the Abu Dhabi Formula One Grand Prix at the Yas Marina circuit on November 24, 2017 © AFP/File / Andrej ISAKOVICMIAMI, United States, Jan 26 – Former Formula One world champion Fernando Alonso will fill in another gap on his motor-racing resume on Saturday when he takes part in the 24 Hours of Daytona, giving him vital experience for a possible future crack at the Le Mans 24 Hours.After trying his luck at last year’s Indianapolis 500, the 36-year-old Spaniard will take a spin around another iconic US venue at Daytona International Speedway, best known for hosting NASCAR’s prestigious Daytona 500. Alonso’s participation is part of the McLaren driver’s broader quest to complete the “Triple Crown” of motor-racing — wins at the Formula One Monaco Grand Prix, the Indy500 and Le Mans.Only one other driver — Graham Hill — has successfully achieved that hat-trick. Alonso has two wins in Monaco, and impressed at the Indy500 on his debut last year.This weekend he will be racing a prototype Ligier JS P217 for the United Autosports team, which is owned by his F1 boss Zak Brown. Team-mates will include Phil Hanson and Lando Norris, a long-time reserve driver at McLaren.Alonso meanwhile is looking forward to being pushed out of his comfort zone in the gruelling day-night race.“I know it could be useful for the future, my first time in a prototype car, and some nice experience I’m sure in traffic, night racing,” Alonso said.“The biggest thing is to adapt to this driving style. I’m sure it will be different, different ways of driving, different times of the day, with day and night, and traffic.”Alonso served notice of his ability to adapt to new environments at Indianapolis last year, when he confounded sceptics by leading for 27 laps before withdrawing 20 laps from the finish due to engine failure.The Spaniard got his first taste of endurance racing last year in Bahrain, when he took part in tests for Toyota.He told reporters on Thursday he remains optimistic about racing in Le Mans, rating his chances as 50-50.McLaren have indicated Alonso will be free to race at Circuit de la Sarthe on June 16-17 should he wish to do so as it does not clash with his F1 commitments.“It’s no secret that I would like to race at Le Mans in the future. If it’s this year or not this year, I’m still not 100 percent sure,” Alonso said.“It could happen, yes. (It’s) 50/50. There are many things that you need to put together to make it happen, and we are trying to do everything we can.“Hopefully yes is the answer, but whether it will be yes or no, you will all know at the same time as I do.”0Shares0000(Visited 1 times, 1 visits today)
HealthGrades analyzed 5,000 hospitals across the nation from 2003 to 2005, officials said. “Quality patient care is our top priority,” said Cary V. Kiff, president and CEO of Beverly Hospital. “Our physicians, nurses and staff work hard at Beverly Hospital to achieve the highest quality of care possible for our patients.” According to HealthGrades, patients who are treated at a hospital that receives the award are 28 percent less likely to die under care and 5 percent less likely to endure any major complications. As a result of the HealthGrades study, Beverly Hospital was also rated as among the top 10 percent in the nation for pulmonary, maternity and gastrointestinal services, hospital officials said. “It’s a big accomplishment,” said Corali Nakamatsu, supervisor of women’s services at Beverly. “We have had some previous recognition in the past, but it’s never been in the top 10 percent.” MONTEBELLO – Beverly Hospital has been awarded a 2007 Distinguished Hospital Award for Clinical Excellence by HealthGrades for being among the nation’s best hospitals, officials have announced. Beverly Hospital was among only 266 non-federal hospitals in the United States to receive the award, officials said. “I think it’s significant to everyone, because hard work has earned this,” said Alice Cheng, spokeswoman for Beverly Hospital. “Even though we are a smaller community hospital, our staff is comparable to the other national facilities.” HealthGrades, a leading independent health care company that releases studies on the nation’s hospitals, examined complication and mortality rates. news.wdn@sgvn.com (562) 698-0955, Ext. 3911 160Want local news?Sign up for the Localist and stay informed Something went wrong. Please try again.subscribeCongratulations! You’re all set!
1 Jack Wilshere has refused to change his all-action approach – despite recent injury problems.The Arsenal midfielder is likely to line up for England in their final European Championship qualifier of the season in Slovenia on Sunday afternoon.But, whilst a number of his international colleagues will be going into the game in Ljubljana having played 12 months of non-stop football, Wilshere will be fresh, fit and ready after another stop-start season with the Gunners.The 23-year-old made just 15 starts for Arsenal as a number of serious ankle injuries kept him on the sidelines but Wilshere insists he knows only one way to play.“When I was injured, I read a few people who said that,” he replied when asked if he had thought about making changes to his approach.“I thought ‘maybe they are right. Maybe I should just change it a little bit’. But in my first game back, naturally I just want to pick the ball up and run with it.“I can’t change that. I can work on a few things maybe. If you look at the best dribblers in the world, (Lionel) Messi, (Andreas) Iniesta, when they are running with the ball it is always close to them so maybe I could work on that. But I definitely won’t be changing my game.”Wilshere has yet to score for England but his performance in Sunday’s forgettable goalless draw with the Republic of Ireland was one bright note for Roy Hodgson.The England manager has converted Wilshere into a deep-lying midfielder in his new system at the base of a diamond and, although the Arsenal man is still adjusting to the role, he enjoys the challenge of playing there even if he was anxious when first tasked with job.“I have not played many games for Arsenal since coming back from injury and I have not played many games in my new role for England,” he said.“So it (the Ireland friendly) was another game for me, it was a different test. It was against players that I know well and it was tough. But looking back, I felt I did okay, personally.“I’ve said before I really enjoy playing in that position. Before the Switzerland game when the manager said he wanted me to play in that role and he saw it as the new position, I was a bit nervous, naturally because it was our first big game since the World Cup and we lost a few big names in that position in midfield.“So the whole team was nervous going into that game but personally I was a bit nervous because it was a big position for the team. But since that game, I feel I’ve come a long way. I’ve learned a lot and I’m getting better every game.”As well as his own improvements, Wilshere believes the England team as a whole has now moved on from a disappointing and winless World Cup.The 2-1 defeat to Uruguay in the second group game was the last time Hodgson’s side lost and England travel to Slovenia looking to keep their perfect European Championship qualifying record in tact.“I think we have come a long way,” added Wilshere, who is waiting to face an FA disciplinary hearing as he accepted a charge after singing anti-Tottenham songs during Arsenal’s FA Cup trophy parade.“After the World Cup, people were writing us off and we went to Switzerland with a new team, a young team, with a new formation and we won. It was a big step for us and even though we played well in that game, I still feel we have come a long way since then.“We are unbeaten since then, we want to finish the season unbeaten. But we will go into this game as we do any other game. If you look at the group, Switzerland and Slovenia are the two teams that can cause use real problems.“We know it could be one of those games that could be 0-0 until 60-70 minutes but we have got to keep going, keep doing the things we have been doing up until now.“We still feel we have got a long way to go before we are where we want to be. We have got another year to do it and if we win on Sunday, it’ll be a big step towards qualifying.” Jack Wilshere 
1 Chelsea have signed Tiemoue Bakayoko from Monaco on a five-year deal, the Premier League champions have announced.The once-capped France international, 22, is reported to have cost the Blues around £40m following his superb season in Ligue 1.Bakayoko helped ASM win their domestic title and reach the semi-finals of the Champions League; he played 51 games in all competitions, scoring three goals.An all-round central midfielder, Bakayoko is expected to partner N’Golo Kante at the heart of Antonio Conte’s 3-4-3 system, with Nemanja Matic set to depart Stamford Bridge this summer as his game time will now be limited.So, how do Chelsea fans feel about the signing of Bakayoko? talkSPORT have collected some of the best social media reaction, which you can see below… Tiemoue Bakayoko has officially signed for Chelsea 
BEST OF 3 Oxlade-Chamberlain suffers another setback as Klopp confirms serious injury Alongside Tony Adams in defence, Southgate played every minute for England as they reached the semi final of Euro ’96 and it was his penalty that was saved in the shoot-out defeat to eventual winners Germany.However, Southgate, who exclusively joined Adrian Durham and Darren Gough on Thursday’s edition of Drivetime, admitted the 4-1 victory over Holland in the group stages was his favourite match to have been a part of. ADVICE Which teams do the best on Boxing Day in the Premier League era? Paul Gascoigne is the best player Southgate has played alongside Son ban confirmed as Tottenham fail with appeal to overturn red card huge blow Every time Ally McCoist lost it on air in 2019, including funny XI reactions Forbes list reveals how much Mayweather, Ronaldo and Messi earned this decade Where Ancelotti ranks with every Premier League boss for trophies won Southgate answered questions for talkSPORT 3 Ronaldo warned Lukaku how hard scoring goals in Serie A would be before Inter move REVEALED “Holland in Euro 96 was a great game to play in,” he said when asked what his best memory for England was, before adding: “To manage England to a World Cup semi-final was very special.”He went on to say the original Wembley, which was demolished in 2000 was his favourite ground to play at. 3 MONEY no dice RANKED Southgate in action at Wembley during Euro 96 Top nine Premier League free transfers of the decade Paul Edwards REVEALED LATEST FOOTBALL NEWS “Old Wembley, I used to love the walk up the old tunnel and come out like gladiators out of the tunnel, very special, not so great as a fan, I’ve done that as well.The Three Lions boss also admitted Paul Gascoigne was the most talented team-mate he played alongside, while naming a legendary Brazil duo as the best he has come up against.“Ronaldo and Romario were a good pair, one of the last times I was in Paris facing them, although the other one (Cristiano Ronaldo) is not bad either,” he said. England manager Gareth Southgate was in a nostalgic mood as he revealed his favourite stadium to play in was the old Wembley and that famous win over Holland at Euro 96 was his best memory as an player.Southgate, who starred for Crystal Palace, Aston Villa and Middlesbrough, represented his country 57 times as a player between 1995 and 2004. When asked which three guests he would have round for dinner, Southgate gave a considerate answer.“Nelson Mandela would be one. Unfortunately, we went to South Africa (for England in 2003 a match he scored in) and there was a photo opportunity arranged and I didn’t go and that was taken as a snub years ago and that absolutely wasn’t the case.“You would need some humour so, Eric Morecambe would have been on the list for that and for music, and Bono.”
Manchester United loanee Chris Smalling conceded a late penalty in Roma’s draw with Borussia Monchengladbach – despite the ball hitting his face.The 29-year-old went to head a free-kick away in the third minute of second half injury time, but referee Willie Collum awarded a penalty to Monchengladbach for handball in the Europa League clash on Thursday. Smalling joined Roma on loan from Manchester United in August.The £80million arrival of Harry Maguire meant the defender became surplus to requirements at Old Trafford.Smalling has helped Roma keep two clean sheets in five appearances so far, and the Italians are said to be keen on signing him permanently when the transfer window reopens in January. Chris Smalling was unjustly penalised Replays showed the ball clearly hitting Smalling’s face, rather than his hand.Despite protests from Smalling and his team-mates, the decision stood and Lars Stindl converted the spot-kick to cancel out Nicolo Zaniolo’s 32nd minute opener.A stunned Smalling tweeted after the game: “Disbelief that this decision went against us…“We deserved the 3 points, so disappointed…” #ASRoma’s management spoke to the match officials after the game and they admitted that the decision to award the penalty was a mistake. We respect and thank them for their genuine honesty and now we focus on the next game. #ForzaRoma pic.twitter.com/tyPZlJxMxE— AS Roma English (@ASRomaEN) October 24, 2019
Disbelief that this decision went against us…We deserved the 3 points, so disappointed… https://t.co/8MDLyhu4HX— Chris Smalling (@ChrisSmalling) October 24, 2019Afterwards, Roma’s management team spoke to the match officials, who admitted the penalty decision was a mistake.VAR will not be introduced to the Europa League until the final, which will take place in Gdansk, Poland next May.The Italian club wrote on Twitter: “#ASRoma’s management spoke to the match officials after the game and they admitted that the decision to award the penalty was a mistake.“We respect and thank them for their genuine honesty and now we focus on the next game. #ForzaRoma.” 1 Getty Images – Getty 
A man died after he came off his motorbike during an off-road event near Cranford at the weekend.The man was from Northern Ireland and is in his 50s.The man was found unconscious by colleagues at around 1.45pm on Saturday and was lying beside his motorcycle on a mountainside dirt track. He was taken to Letterkenny University Hospital by helicopter, but was pronounced dead.Gardai say a post morten examination will determine the direction of the investigation.Garda investigation launched after man dies in motorbike accident was last modified: February 13th, 2017 by StephenShare this:Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window)Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window)Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)Click to share on Skype (Opens in new window)Click to print (Opens in new window) Tags:CranforddeathGardaiinvesttigaitonmotorbike
Johannesburg, Monday, 6 July 2015 – Brand South Africa in partnership with the Nelson Mandela Foundation launched the Play your Part for Madiba campaign earlier today to encourage citizens to make everyday a Mandela Day. This is aimed at building a spirit of active citizenship among all South Africans which is required to drive the implementation of the National Development Plan.• Download press releaseThe Play your Part for Madiba month-long campaign seeks to uphold the ideals, values and actions of President Nelson Mandela’s legacy by encouraging South Africans to play their part towards the creation of positive change by building their communities and upholding a spirit of Ubuntu and social cohesion.Speaking at the launch of the Play your Part for Madiba campaign Brand South Africa’s board member Mr Geoffrey Rothschild said: “We acknowledge and thank all South Africans who commit themselves to ensure that Mandela Day is a huge success.”These sentiments were shared and also expressed by LeadSA’s Yusuf Abramjee who added: “Every day should be a Mandela Day. No action is too big or small. Active citizenship is an ongoing activity and we need to continue to embrace Madiba’s legacy.”In support of this commemorative month and as part of its mandate to build pride, patriotism, and a spirit of active citizenship, Brand South Africa, has also partnered with the GEM Project who have developed an app which contains a number of organisations needing assistance from South Africans. These include, amongst others, the provision of clothing, assistance with homework, job shadowing and skills development, which all South Africans will be able to support.Once an individual has participated in assisting a cause, they are eligible to receive a reward via the app, termed “a GEM”, which can be converted into a number of products such as airtime/data, pre-paid electricity, or even movie tickets.David Shields, GEM Project Co-Founder said: “The app is a social development drive, that aims to mobilise communities within themselves so that they can help each other rise. Volunteers are encouraged to donate their GEMs back to the needy causes during Mandela Month. In order to ensure continuity and mobilise support even beyond Mandela Month, corporates are also encouraged to donate GEMs so that they can be allocated towards causes on an ongoing basis.”Brand South Africa’s Acting Chief Marketing Officer Ms. Sithembile Ntombela said: “This partnership is an extension not only to the commemorative month’s activities and actions of goodwill by South Africans, but we hope that the nation will continue to contribute to positive change because a nation of people who care deeply for one another, and the environment in which they live, is beneficial for everyone. This is our call to action so that everyday can become a Mandela Day!”Follow the conversation during Mandela Month @Brand_SA #MandelaMonth2015 and #TimeToGive