Football news  

Gomes keeps rampant Fulham at bay

Fulham 0 Tottenham 0: home side thwarted by Spurs goalkeeper as London teams share the spoils

• Gerrard sets Liverpool on their way

• Mancini off to winning start with comfort

Diamanti's gem lifts West Ham

West Ham 2 Portsmouth 0: A goal in each half earns vital win for West Ham in basement battle at Upton Park

• Matty Fryatt spot-on to lift Leicester again

• Fluid O’Connor keeps Newcastle in check

Fellaini earns Everton point in stalemate

Sunderland 1 Everton 1: Belgian midfielder cancels out Darren Bent's 11th goal of the season in stalemate

• Ormerod brings pride back to Blackpool

• League One round-up: crowds enjoy goal fest

Nugent earns home derby draw for Burnley

Burnley 1 Bolton 1: striker's first goal for three months preserves Owen Coyle's side's unbeaten home record

• Wilshere ready for a big year in 2010

• League Two round-up: Torquay on the spot

Cricket news  

Bell must trust his instincts

England’s troubled batsman has to prove his worth or risk a tactical change that may cost his place, argues David Gower

• Bell to be granted stay of execution

• Bell makes most of his chance to impress

Time to know their Onions

Andrew Strauss must show greater faith in his most accurate and reliable pace bowler on England's South Africa tour

England regain advantage after Smith fightback

South Africa v England: three quick wickets put tourists back in charge after century stand from captain and Jacques Kallis

• South Africa v England, with Hawk-Eye

• Strauss has tricky decision to make at toss

Australia now part of quartet at the top

The days of one country dominating the world rankings appear to be over with several jostling for the honour of being No 1

Rugby news  

Northampton stage late rally

Worcester 6 Northampton Saints 26: Ben Foden prises open the floodgates as home side see their efforts go to waste once more

Watson: against the tide

Ostracised by captain and fans, the South African says he should not have been blamed for failure to win the 2008 Tri-Nations

Never mind the quality: only the result matters

Arch-rivals Harlequins and Wasps will clash in front of 70,000 fans at Twickenham and, whatever happens, it won’t be pretty

Mapusua: an island warrior

The centre aims to help London Irish close the gap on Saracens but can't help wishing Samoa would prepare better for Tests

Racing and Betting News  

Kauto shows true star quality

By lifting Kempton’s big prize again, the Paul Nicholls gelding, ridden by Ruby Walsh, confirmed his place among the greats

Sizing Europe takes advantage of fallen rival

Victory in the Grade One novice chase at Leopardstown largely due to Captain Cee Bee’s unfortunate tumble at the last

Full steam ahead at Kempton Park

No problems for Boxing Day showpiece but meetings at Market Rasen, Sedgefield, Towcester and Wetherby are off

Brennan harnesses temper to focus efforts

Jockey is relishing the prospect of riding Imperial Commander in the King George VI Chase on Boxing Day