TENNIS: PREVIEW- AUSTRALIAN OPEN( Men's draw)

Its January and it means its time for the first grandslam of the year, all the tennis giants will descend to Melbourne Park to battle it out for the Australian Open.

World no.1 Novak Djokovic will start off as the favorite to defend his crown. Djokovic had an unforgettable 2011 winning 3 grandslams and becoming world no.1 in the process, although he faded out towards the end of the year which was mostly due to injuries and fatigue he has got himself a good rest in the off period and will look to show everyone that 2011 was no fluke.

Rafael Nadal had a somewhat quiet year, winning only one grandslam( French open), but he finished the year on a high, winning the Davis Cup with Spain. Despite this, Nadal looked out of sorts in 2011 and was marred by injuries, he'll look to begin the year on a high and a win will be essential if he is to safeguard his no.2 ranking as he is taking a one month break at the end of the open.

Roger Federer won no grandslams last year, but ended the year with a record 6th ATP world tour finals title and showed everyone he still hasn't lost his touch. He was the only player to have beaten Djokovic in a grandslam last year, he has a win loss record of 59-8 at Melbourne Park and will look to continue this to claim his 5th title here.

Andy Murray has been in the shadows of the big 3, and has failed to show that he is champion material. 2012 will be an important year for him to establish his credentials as a serious grandslam contender, with many other players lurking on the fringes to break into the top 4.

Among'st the chasing pack, Jo Wilfried Tsonga and David Ferrer are the ones who can seriously challenge for the title too.

Milos Raonic is another player to look out for, the Canadian has risen from 153 to 25 in the ATP rankings and will look to show the big boys that he is one to reckon with.Kei Nishikori and Alexandr Dolgapolv will be other players to look out for.

The Open begins on the 16th of january!

MANCHESTER CITY 2-3 MANCHESTER UNITED

The red devils went through to the 4th round with a hard fought victory against 10 men City.

City started off the game with the majority off the possession, but then Wayne Rooney broke away and played the ball to the right to Antonio Valencia, who put in an inch perfect cross which was headed in brilliantly by Rooney, United up one nil.

Then came the moment of controversy, Rooney again broke away and played the ball towards Nani, City captain put in a two footed challenge and clearly won the ball without catching the player at all, but referee Chris Foy deemed it to be dangerous and intentional and showed a straight red to Kompany.

City readjusted with Micah Richards going to center back and James Milner moving to right back.United were getting a lot of joy on both the wings, Nani dragged Milner to the center and played the ball to Evra on the left, his cross was half cleared by City and off the clearance Danny Welbeck volleyed into the right corner. United 2-0 up and looking hungry for more.

Then in the 39th minute, Welbeck was brought down by Kolarov in the box and the referee awarded a penalty. Rooney's penalty was saved by City's keeper but he headed the ball in on the rebound. 3-0 and it looked like United were going to take revenge for their 6-1 defeat.

Roberto Mancini made two changes at half time, taking off David Silva and Adam Johnson and bringing on Stefan Savic and Pablo Zabaleta, looked like Mancini was looking for damage limitation.

City were awarded a free-kick 25 yards out, and the ball was curled in brilliantly by Kolarov and it was 3-1. game on? United controlled the possession, and in the 59th minute Paul Scholes made his comeback, coming on for Nani.

Scholes then gifted the ball to Milner, he crossed the ball to Aguero whose first time shot was fumbled by Lindergaard and Aguero pounced on it to make it 3-2.

And that was all City would get, they did come close to equalising but Kolarov's stoppage time free kick was parried away by Lindergaard and Smalling cleared it,3-2 the final score, United avoiding a third consecutive defeat to knock the cup holders out of this year's fa cup!

MAN OF THE MATCH: WAYNE ROONEY

EPL: ROUNDUP OF WEDNESDAY'S ACTION

NEWCASTLE UNITED 3-0 MANCHESTER UNITED


The champions slumped to a second consecutive defeat which saw them stay on second, 3 points behind the leaders City.


Newcastle started the match on top, but it was United who first came closest to scoring, DIMITAR BERBATOV'S deflected header hitting the post. Then DEMBA BA made a run into the box and he was clearly tripped by RIO FERDINAND, but no penalty was awarded.
This seemed to have inspired BA, and he opened the scoring finishing brilliantly to put them in the lead.

United looked to get back in the second half but then DEMBA BA once again ran at United's defence and he was fouled resulting in a free kick. YOHAN CABAYE smashed the ball in to the top corner to send the crowd into a frenzy.

United for their part tried their best, a WAYNE ROONEY shot was cleared off the line by DANNY SIMPSON and this was the closest they came to scoring a goal. In the final stages a mix-up between PHIL JONES and the keeper led to an own goal from the defender, and it summed up United's performance. The win sees Newcastle move to 33 points, just 4 behind 4th placed Chelsea

MAN OF THE MATCH: DEMBA BA


EVERTON 1-2 BOLTON WANDERERS


The win took Bolton off the bottom and into 18th place. LANDON DONOVAN and GARY CAHILL both started the game.


The first half was dismal, with neither side able to create anything and the horrendous weather in Merseyside wasn't helping.

The second half started off more positively and TIM HOWARD of all people opened the scoring, his clearance took an awkward bounce and the wind seemed to have given the ball extra flight leaving the Bolton keeper stranded, this was HOWARD'S second premier league goal.


The lead did not last for long though, some good work from CHRIS EAGLES on the right wing was rounded off by an impressive left foot finish from DAVID NGOG.

GARY CAHILL then struck a low shot into the bottom corner to send Bolton into the lead. Everton did come close to equalising late in stoppage time, but LEIGHTON BAINES free kick came off the cross bar.


MAN OF THE MATCH: GARY CAHILL


LEAGUE STANDINGS

EPL: ROUNDUP OF TUESDAY'S ACTION

MANCHESTER CITY 3-0 LIVERPOOL


The leaders got back to winning ways to open up a 3 point lead at the top with their 15th consecutive home win.
Liverpool started the game positively, and in the initial stages STUART DOWNING was put through by JORDAN HENDERSON but the winger failed to score as his shot was blocked off by JOE HART. City then went into the lead after SERGIO AGUERO'S snap shot from outside the box crept under PEPE REINA'S body( a costly mistake from the keeper indeed!).

Inspite of going down one nil it was liverpool who dominated possession and were looking likely to get the equaliser, but then some poor marking and another mistake from REINA meant they were 2-0 down, YAYA TOURE scoring from a corner.

The second half was again all Liverpool possession, but the reds failed to create any clear cut chances and when GARETH BARRY received his marching orders for a second yellow, it looked like the reds could get back into the game, but then YAYA TOURE made a swashbuckling run into the box and was brought down by MARTIN SKRTEL resulting in a penalty.JAMES MILNER expertly put the ball in the back of the net and sealed the win for City.


MAN OF THE MATCH: YAYA TOURE


TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 1-0 WEST BROMWICH ALBION


Spurs laboured to a win at White Hart Lane, which saw them move within 3 points of second placed Manchester United.

The first half was dismal with either side failing to create anything, the second half was better though and JERMAINE DEFOE got the decisive goal, his tenth of the season.
Albion did try to mount a comeback, but they just couldn't find a way past BRAD FRIEDEL. And in the end Spurs held on to a secure a vital victory.


MAN OF THE MATCH: JERMAINE DEFOE


WIGAN 1-4 SUNDERLAND


Sunderland's incredible revival under MARTION O' NEIL continued as they thumped Wigan to move to 10th place.


Wigan went close to opening the scoring, first DAVID JONES shot came off the upright and immediately off the rebound BEN WATSON'S shot came off the right side upright.

Then late in the second half CRAIG GARDNER blasted the ball from 25 yards(freekick) and it appeared to be missing the target, but then it moved back in sharply and was into the net, a quite stunning freekick i must say!

Wigan came out in the second half with some purpose, but then they gifted the ball to DAVID VAUGHAN who crossed brilliantly to JAMES MCLEAN, his initial header was saved by AL-HABSI but the youngster headed the ball in on the rebound.


Wigan were given some hope of getting back into the game after HUGO RODALLEGA'S deflected shot crept in to make it 2-1. As Wigan pressed for the equaliser, they were found wanting on the counter attack, NICKLAS BENDTNER'S cross was tapped in by SESSEGNON and Sunderland seemed to have sealed off a win. DAVID VAUGHAN then struck an unstoppable shot to make it 4-1 and add gloss to a fine win.


MAN OF THE MATCH: JAMES MCLEAN

EPL: ROUNDUP OF MONDAY'S ACTION

WOLVES 1-2 CHELSEA


The Londoners were in desperate need of 3 points to keep their top 4 aspirations alive and in the end they did enough to see off Wolves.

LAMP'S TO THE RESCUE!

RAMIRES opened the scoring for the blues early into the second half, but after that Chelsea failed to get the 2nd and Wolves pegged them back through a brilliant finish from STEPHEN WARD. As the minutes passed by it looked like it would be yet another 1-1 draw for Chelsea, but in the last minute of regulation time TORRES put ASHLEY COLE through and he put in an inch perfect cross into the box which was tapped in by FRANK LAMPARD.


In the end, all though Wolves had a pretty decent game themselves, they didnt create enough opportunities and Chelsea just deserved the win. They however will have to sort out their defensive issues if they are to assure themselves a top 4 finish come the end of the season.

TORRES PUT IN A GOOD SHIFT!

MAN OF THE MATCH: RAMIRES


ASTON VILLA 0 -2 SWANSEA


The swans earned their first away win of the season after they saw off a Villa side who put in a performance that was nowhere close to the one they had put up against Chelsea.

NATHAN DYER scored the first goal in the 4th minute after he capitalised on STEPHEN WARNOCK'S casual back pass. WAYNE ROUTLEDGE then made it two finishing handsomly into the bottom right corner( his 1st premier league goal). VIlla did try to get back in the game but Swansea were just too good for them.


MAN OF THE MATCH: NATHAN DYER


BLACKBURN 1-2 STOKE CITY


Blackburn were on a high after they beat the champions in their own backyard, but once again they failed to continue their good work as they succumbed to defeat at home.

Stoke played really well and were deserved victors courtesy of a brace from PETER CROUCH who tormented the Blackburn defense.
DAVID GOODWILLE did pull one back for BLACKBURN but they couldnt get the equaliser in the end.


MAN OF THE MATCH: PETER CROUCH


QUEENS PARK RANGERS 1-2 NORWICH CITY


QPR captain JOEY BARTON went from hero to zero in a matter of minutes as Rangers miserable home form continued.

BARTON CANT SEEM TO KEEP HIMSELF OFF CONTROVERSY!

BARTON opened the scoring in the 11th minute with a smashing shot, but later he had an off the ball altercation with Norwich's BRADLEY JOHNSON which earned him a straight card. Norwich took advatage of being a man up, and leveled matters through ANTHONY PILKINGTON'S neat finish into the bottom corner.They finally got the winner in the closing stages, STEVE MORISON the scorer,

MAN OF THE MATCH:  ANTHONY PILKINGTON


FULHAM 2-1 ARSENAL


The cottagers struck late to snatch all 3 points from Wengers men.


LAURENT KOSCIELNY put the gunners on top in the 21st minute as he headed in AARON RAMSEY'S cross. But after going in the lead Arsenal failed to get the killer second goal and were wasteful in the final third.

THE 90TH RED CARD UNDER WENGER!

Fulham slowly started getting into the game and in the second half they created many chances, and then JOHAN DJOUROU received his marching orders for a second yellow card. Fulham took advantage of it and leveled matters through a STEVE SIDWELL header and in injury time BOBBY ZAMORA volleyed into the bottom corner to give them the win.

SIDWELL WAS EXCELLENT IN MIDFILED!

MAN OF THE MATCH: STEVE SIDWELL

EPL: WEEKEND REVIEW

This was the weekend of upsets as only 2 teams in the top 5 secured victories with 3 of them succumbing to defeats.

Liverpool eased past Newcastle United 3-1 on friday night.

Newcastle took the lead through a DANIEL AGGER own goal but CRAIG BELLAMY equalised for Liverpool almost immediately with a low driven shot into the bottom corner.

The second half saw the introduction of STEVEN GERRARD, and all of a sudden Liverpool were dominating and creating many chances.CRAIG BELLAMY'S free kick put them in the lead, MARTIN SKRTEL put in a brilliant goal line clearance to deny DEMBA BA and when STEVEN GERRARD slotted the ball past TIM KRUL there was no doubt of the result.

MAN OF THE MATCH : STEVEN GERRARD


The odds in England favouring a Blackburn win at Old Trafford were 33/1 but it didn't stop them as they pulled off a dramatic 3-2 win over the champions.

DIMITAR BERBATOV brought down CHRISTOPHER SAMBA in the box to gift Blackburn a penalty and AIYEGBENI YAKUBU coolly slotted the ball in to the net to give them the lead.

United had a majority of the posession but they struggled to create many clear cut chances. The second half started with United dominance again but then some shoddy defending from MICAHEL CARRICK and PHIL JONES saw YAKUBU through, and he finished brilliantly to give the visitors a 2 goal lead.
United however responded brilliantly, and they leveled the match 2-2 with a brace from BERBATOV. There was late drama as GRANT HANLEY capitalised on DAVID DE GEA'S mistake to net the winner for Rovers.

MEN OF THE MATCH: AIYEGBENI YAKUBU AND CHRISTOPHER SAMBA


Aston Villa thumped Chelsea 3-1 to move into the top half of the table.

The blues went ahead through a DIDIER DROGBA penalty( his 150th goal for the club), but once again their defending lacked any conviction and were pegged back minutes later through a STEPHEN IRELAND goal.
The second half was all about Chelsea trying to get the winner, FERNANDO TORRES came close, but his effort came off the bar.
There was late drama as some poor marking saw STYLIAN PETROV through and he finished brilliantly to give Villa the lead. FRANK LAMPARD then gifted the ball to IRELAND who was one on one with the keeper and he unselfishly passed the ball to DARREN BENT who passed the ball through the keeper to seal the victory for Villa.

MAN OF THE MATCH: STEPHEN IRELAND


Spurs failed to capitalise on Chelsea's and United's slipups as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Swansea.

They took the lead through a deflected shot from RAFAEL VAN DER VAART late in the first half, the second half was all Swansea as they looked to get an equaliser and they were finally rewarded as SCOTT SINCLAIR tapped in to earn the Swans a deserved point.

MEN OF THE MATCH: JOE ALLEN AND YOUNUS KABOUL


Manchester City had the chance to go 3 points clear on top, but they blew that oppurtunity as they failed to score for a second consecutive game to succumb to a 1-0 victory at the hands of Sunderland.

Since the arrival of MARTIN O' NEIL the black cats have looked a different side altogether, and they put up a sterling performance to beat the leaders.

City rested DAVID SILVA and KUN AGUERO and it showed in their performance as they lacked any flare and even though SILVA tried his best after coming on in the second half, city couldnt manage a goal and in the dying minutes DONG -WON JI struck the ball past JOE HART to send the Sunderland fans into a frenzy.

MAN OF THE MATCH: LEE CATTERMOLE


HERE ARE ALL THE RESULTS

LEAGUE TABLE