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Andrew Cesare Richardson

Agencies

Liverpool slumped to a stunning 1-0 defeat against the second tier’s bottom side, Plymouth Argyle, in the FA Cup fourth round to end their Quadruple hopes.
The English Premier League and Uefa Champions League league phase leaders were red-hot favourites, but fell to a second-half Ryan Hardie penalty in what has to go down as one of the biggest shocks in the modern history of the old competition.
Manager Arne Slot likened his opponents’ performance to that of his side’s arch rivals in a meeting earlier in the campaign.
“Constantly long ball, second ball, long balls, second balls. It’s difficult for every team,” the Dutchman said afterwards. “We had it with [Manchester] United at home for example as well.
“They had a similar playing style going to a very low block [then] kick every ball long, and then we played with our starters.”

Elsewhere in the FA Cup, Tottenham went down 2-1 to an Aston Villa side, who gave a debut to Marcus Rashford.
Spurs new boy Mathys Tel’s stoppage-time consolation goal was his first for the club.
It means Tottenham’s hopes to salvage anything from this campaign rest on the Uefa Europa League.
With two ties still to go, the fifth-round draw will take place in the early hours of Tuesday morning without Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool or Spurs.
Euro round-up

In La Liga, Barcelona stormed to a 4-1 win away at Sevilla despite playing the last 30 minutes with 10 men after Fermin Lopez’s red card.
The result saw them close the gap on the Madrid clubs, who drew 1-1 at the Bernabeu the previous day.
Serie A leaders Napoli stumbled to a 1-1 draw at home to Udinese, despite Scott McTominay getting on the scoresheet.
Inter can close the gap to two points when they host a Fiorentina side who beat them 3-0 in the rearranged reverse fixture just three days ago.
Claudio Ranieri’s Roma won 1-0 at Venezia, while Lazio beat bottom side Monza 5-1.
Threepeat?

Ireland took a huge step toward an unprecedented third straight Six Nations title by securing a bonus-point 32-18 win over Scotland at Murrayfield.
The Irish backed up an opening-round victory over England and lead on a maximum 10 points – having met two of their toughest opponents already.
With a trip to rock-bottom Wales next in two weeks and a closing match at Italy, only France – in Dublin in Round 4 – might be able to stop Ireland winning a third successive outright title.
That has not been achieved in the 142-year history of the tournament.
England beaten

India claimed an unassailable 2-0 lead over England after captain Rohit Sharma’s rapid hundred secured a four-wicket win in the second one-day international.
Not even a floodlight failure that stopped play for half an hour during India’s innings could affect Rohit, who hit seven sixes and 12 fours in his 119 off 90 balls as the hosts chased down a 305-run target in 44.3 overs.
Earlier, England’s 304 all out, with one delivery left in their innings, appeared a strong total and seemed to vindicate their decision to bat first at Barabati Stadium.
Ben Duckett (65) and Joe Root (69) smashed half-centuries and England looked poised for a big total when cruising at 219-3 in the 39th over.
“It was good and I really enjoyed being out there, scoring some runs for the team,” Rohit said after collecting the player-of-the-match award.
“Obviously it was an important game with the series on the line but I broke it down into pieces about how I wanted to bat.”
Alcaraz celebrates another title

Carlos Alcaraz said he had not missed Jannik Sinner at this week’s Rotterdam Open, seizing on the world No 1’s absence to clinch his first indoor title.
Sinner pulled out at the last moment from the Rotterdam draw after triumphing at last month’s Australian Open.
Asked if he had missed his Italian rival after overpowering Australia’s Alex de Minaur 6-4, 3-6, 6-2 in Sunday’s final, Alcaraz quipped: “Not really!”
“Now that I’m holding the trophy, I’m going to say that I didn’t miss him in the tournament,” he added.
“It could have been great having him and me in the same tournament. Probably we could have played a great final.”
Meanwhile, Emma Raducanu was beaten 6-3, 7-5 by Ekaterina Alexandrova in the first round of the Qatar Open.


Chelsea beat Tottenham, Barcelona receive boost, tennis elite’s grand slam appeal

Liverpool win derby, Mourinho the nose pincher, Clasico cup final, Raducanu withdraws

Arsenal win, Man United lose while Real Madrid keep treble hopes alive in epic thriller

England’s routine World Cup qualifying win, Osaka out, Raducanu through in Miami

While you were sleeping

Liverpool stunned in FA Cup, India’s ODI win v England; Ireland march on in Six Nations

Liverpool’s Kostas Tsimikas (right) looks dejected after his side’s stunning defeat to Plymouth in the FA Cup. Photo: Reuters

Plymouth players celebrate after their historic victory over Liverpool in the FA Cup fourth round. Photo: AFP

Scott McTominay (front, left) was on the scoresheet again as Napoli drew against Udinese. Photo: Reuters

Ireland’s players celebrate with the Centenary Quaich trophy after their Six Nations win over Scotland. Photo: AFP

India’s Rohit Sharma celebrates after reaching his century during the ODI victory over England. Photo: Reuters

Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz celebrates after winning the final match of the ATP Tour Rotterdam Open. Photo: AFP

Asian Winter Games: Hong Kong ice hockey players hurt in shocking attack by Turkmenistan rivals

Turkmenistan’s Begench Dovletmyradov (right) throws a punch during the incident at the Asian Winter Games in Harbin. Photo: Xinhua

Hong Kong Marathon: disqualified runners may face more action over bib swaps, officials say

He Yingbing was one of three athletes disqualified from the Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon. Photo: Edmond So

Runners competing in the 10km race pass through the Island Eastern Corridor in North Point. Photo: Eugene Lee

Sport

Football

Rugby

One of the biggest shocks in modern-day history of cup competition, while Irish are seeking history


One of the biggest shocks in modern-day history of cup competition, while Irish are seeking history.


Six Nations Championship