American sports can be tacky at times (see cheerleaders, singing the national anthem and extensive commercial breaks), but one positive that has arisen from the heartland of this fine country is the extensive use of trophies.
LONDON - The Premier League title race is all over bar the shouting but Manchester United at least have the opportunity to halt Manchester City's assault on the European record books when the sides meet in Sunday's derby at the Etihad Stadium.
City's win over Wolverhampton Wanderers this week was their 21st in a row in all competitions and 15th in succession in the league and left them 14 points clear of second-placed United who could only draw 0-0 with Crystal Palace.
Memories of the Premier League 10-15 years ago conjure up very specific visions, with the nostalgia usually centering around someone hitting the piss out of a classic Nike ball.
No 2000s soccer mixtape was complete without some random gangly defender hitting a 40-yard rocket to the top corner, Wayne Rooney burying a dipping half-volley or a center midfielder charging forward and doing unspeakable things to a one-touch shot from long range.
Liverpool midfielder Curtis Jones dedicated his goal in Sunday's Premier League win at Sheffield United to goalkeeper Alisson Becker whose father passed away last week.
José Becker, 57, drowned in a lake near his holiday home in southern Brazil last Wednesday, local police said.
He had been swimming at a dam on his property when the accident happened, Doroteo Machado Filho, a police inspector in the town of Lavras do Sul, told Reuters. No foul play was suspected.
Midfielder Samantha Mewis scored twice as Manchester City thrashed Birmingham City 4-0 on Sunday to win their seventh FA Women's Super League game in a row and close the gap to leaders Chelsea to two points with seven games remaining.
American Mewis netted either side of halftime to give her side a 2-0 lead before Lauren Hemp and Caroline Weir both scored to complete the rout.
After shining in the Europa League and playing well off the bench against West Ham, Gareth Bale was handed only his third Premier League start of the season against Burnley on Sunday and responded with a lethal display that included two goals and an assist for Harry Kane.
It took all of 68 seconds for Tottenham to open the scoring after Bale read Son Heung-min’s intentions out wide and stole behind the Burnley backline to convert from close range.
LEICESTER, England - Arsenal revived their hopes of playing in European competition next season after goals from David Luiz, Alexandre Lacazette and Nicolas Pépé helped them to a 3-1 win at Leicester City in an entertaining Premier League clash on Sunday.
The result lifted Arsenal two places up to ninth on 37 points from 26 games while Leicester stayed third on 49 points after suffering a second setback in three days following their Europa League elimination.
It is a weird quirk of my mind that whenever I see or hear the name Eli, the Three Dog Night song Eli’s Coming begins playing in my head. Needless to say, the tune will be spinning around my brain for days after this insane Eli Sam scorpion kick goal in the FA Trophy on Saturday.
Barnsley FC has spent one season in its long history in the Premier League, in 1997-98. It was relegated immediately after finishing in 19th place on 35 points that season.
Aston Villa manager Dean Smith was understandably furious when he discovered that news of Jack Grealish's training ground injury had leaked online.