Sports

Arteta: Arsenal 1st-half display ‘one of the best’

Published

6 months ago

November 2, 2025

Arteta: Arsenal 1st-half display ‘one of the best’

Mikel Arteta said his side’s first-half display in a comfortable 2-0 win at Burnley was “one of the best we have played” as they extended their lead at the top of the Premier League.

Viktor Gyökeres and Declan Rice struck first half goals as the Gunners racked up a ninth straight win all competitions and fifth in the top flight.

Their half-time lead would have been more commanding but for two saves from goalkeeper Martin Dúbravka, who twice denied Bukayo Saka.

Arteta said: “We started the game exceptionally well. I think the first half is one of the best that we’ve played, scored two goals, generated another two or three big chances and conceded nothing.

“And that was a platform, because in the second half we dropped the standards, especially with the ball, and with our intentions to play more forward. But again, defensively, we were exceptional.”

Burnley failed to lay a glove on the Londoners, with their first effort on goal coming through Florentino Luis’ header in the 73rd minute before substitute Marcus Edwards’ free kick hit a post deep in stoppage time.

Gyökeres, who struck the opener from a corner as Arteta’s side also extended their league-leading set-piece goals tally this season, excluding penalties, to 12, was singled out by the Spaniard for special praise.

But the Sweden striker could be doubtful for Tuesday’s Champions League game in Prague after being replaced at half-time due to a muscle strain.

Arteta added: “I think it was one of the best games that he’s played [for us].

“Overall, his performance was exceptional, apart from the goal, and we had to take him off because he was feeling a little niggle, muscular.

“His high press, his positioning and his touches, his threading in behind, the way he linked play, the way he gets us from this situation to transition.

“He was in a really good moment. It’s a shame that he felt something.”

Burnley remain five points clear of the bottom three after their fifth league defeat of the season and boss Scott Parker felt the first goal was decisive.

Parker said: “We understood what we were up against, a top, top team with huge quality, and I thought we started the game really well.

“The [first] goal took the wind out of us a little bit in terms of the set-play goal, and we had worked a lot this week on that. But I think it took the edge off us a little bit.”

Parker said it was “so hard” to defend the Gunners at set-pieces, with Rice’s deliveries “on the money” and the likes of Gabriel a huge physical threat.

“If you don’t have those players, you probably don’t score as many as what Arsenal are scoring,” Parker added.

“You’ve got a delivery-taker that every single time you ask for it to be put back post, and the runs will be there, it goes back post.

“You ask it to be put front post, and the runs are there, and it gets put there. You’ve then also got the other element, the timing of the runs and the physicality of those runs.”

Source link

Sports

2025-26 NBA Title Odds: Thunder, Spurs Favored; Knicks Rising

Published

23 minutes ago

May 12, 2026

cineplex360

2025-26 NBA Title Odds: Thunder, Spurs Favored; Knicks Rising

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!

It’s NBA playoff time.

Let’s take a look at the latest NBA title futures at DraftKings Sportsbook as of May 12.

This page may contain affiliate links to legal sports betting partners. If you sign up or place a wager, FOX Sports may be compensated. Read more about Sports Betting on FOX Sports.

NBA Finals winner 2025-26 season

Oklahoma City Thunder: -175 (bet $10 to win $15.71 total)
San Antonio Spurs: +390 (bet $10 to win $49 total)
New York Knicks: +600 (bet $10 to win $70 total)
Detroit Pistons: +2500 (bet $10 to win $260 total)
Cleveland Cavaliers: +3500 (bet $10 to win $360 total)
Minnesota Timberwolves: +7000 (bet $10 to win $710 total)

Here is what to know about the NBA title oddsboard:

West Update: The two teams favored to win the title both reside in the Western Conference: OKC and San Antonio. The Thunder swept the Suns in Round 1 and swept the Lakers in Round 2, while the Spurs gave up just a single game to Portland in the first round and are tied 2-2 with Minnesota in the second round. While the Thunder pulled off a second straight sweep, the Spurs are in a dogfight.

East Update: The Knicks have become the class of the conference, having won seven consecutive playoff games. They finished off a sweep of Philly in the second round, and apparently can’t be stopped. As for the East’s top seed, the Pistons, they are tied with the Cavs 2-2. Neither team has been able to get a win in the others’ home arena in that series.

Source link

Sports

Noman Ali becomes oldest player to complete 100 Test wickets

Published

8 hours ago

May 12, 2026

cineplex360

Noman Ali becomes oldest player to complete 100 Test wickets

Pakistan’s Noman Ali celeberate after taking a wicket during first Test against South Afica at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on October 14, 2025. — AFP

Pakistan left-arm spinner Noman Ali completed 100 Test wickets, becoming the oldest player in history to reach the milestone during the first Test against Bangladesh at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium on Tuesday.

He claimed the milestone by dismissing Mehidy Hasan Miraz, joining an elite group of Pakistan bowlers and becoming the ninth spinner and 20th overall to achieve the feat.

The left-arm spinner also picked up the crucial wickets of Bangladesh skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto and Taijul Islam.

At 39 years and 217 days, Noman became the oldest player in Test history to reach the 100-wicket milestone. He surpassed former England spinner Bobby Peel, who reached the mark in 1896 at the age of 39 years and 180 days.

The 39-year-old also reached another landmark by becoming the joint fourth-fastest Pakistan bowler to claim 100 Test wickets, achieving the feat in his 22nd Test match.

England great George Lohmann holds the world record for the fastest to 100 Test wickets, having reached the milestone in just 16 matches, while several Pakistan bowlers also feature among the quickest to the landmark.

Oldest players to reach 100 Test wickets

Noman Ali (Pakistan) – 39y 217d
Bobby Peel (England) – 39y 180d
Ray Illingworth (England) – 39y 30d
Clarrie Grimmett (Australia) – 39y 22d
Sydney Barnes (England) – 38y 310d

Fastest Pakistani bowlers to 100 Test wickets

Yasir Shah – 17 matches
Saeed Ajmal – 19 matches
Waqar Younis – 20 matches
Mohammad Asif – 20 matches
Noman Ali – 22 matches*
Fazal Mahmood – 22 matches
Saqlain Mushtaq – 23 matches

Source link

Sports

Craig Morton, quarterback who led the Broncos to their first Super Bowl appearance, dead at 83

Published

14 hours ago

May 12, 2026

cineplex360

Craig Morton, quarterback who led the Broncos to their first Super Bowl appearance, dead at 83

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!

Former Denver Broncos quarterback Craig Morton, who was inducted into the team’s Ring of Fame, died on Saturday. He was 83.

Morton was critical in helping the Broncos reach their first-ever playoff appearance, ultimately getting them to Super Bowl XII during the 1977 campaign.

After going 12-2 during the season, and getting wins in the playoffs over the Pittsburgh Steelers and then-Oakland Raiders, Morton was named the AFC Offensive Player of the Year.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

Denver Broncos quarterback Craig Morton stands on the sidelines with both hands on his hips. (GETTY)

“Craig Morton is unbelievable,” fellow Ring of Famer Haven Moses said after the Broncos won the AFC Championship in 1978, per the New York Times. “To me, he’s the most valuable player in the National Football League.”

Morton also won Sporting News Player of the Year, the PFWA Comeback Player of the Year and the NFL UPI MVP in 1977.

AARON RODGERS NEVER MET WITH STEELERS DESPITE RUMOR-FILLED WEEKEND AS QB’S DECISION REMAINS UP IN AIR

“We are saddened to learn of the passing of #BroncosROF quarterback Craig Morton, who died on Saturday at the age of 83,” the Broncos posted on social media.

Morton also led the Broncos to two different division titles and three playoff berths during his six seasons with the franchise. He finished his career in Denver with 11,895 passing yards, which marked the most in franchise history at the time.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

Quarterback Craig Morton dropping back to pass during an NFL game at Mile High Stadium

Quarterback Craig Morton #7 of the Denver Broncos drops back to pass during an NFL game at Mile High Stadium in Denver, Colo., circa 1978. Morton played for the Broncos from 1977 to 1982. (Focus On Sport/Getty Images)

Morton also led the Broncos with pass attempts (1,594) and completions (907). But Morton’s time with the Broncos was the latter half of his NFL career.

He was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in 1965, the fifth overall pick out of Cal. Morton spent the first 10 seasons of his career with the Cowboys, where he threw for 10,279 yards with 80 touchdowns and 73 interceptions. He went 32-14-1 in his time with Dallas.

Then, during the 1974 season, Morton was moved to the New York Giants, a division rival of the Cowboys. He went 1-6 in his first seven starts that year and wouldn’t find much success in New York across three seasons.