2017 was full of sporting milestones throughout the year.

The year began with the PDC Darts World Championship and ended with Mo Farah being crowned Sports Personality of the Year, and England’s ultimately unsuccessful attempt to retain the Ashes Down Under.

Below are five major events of the year:

Michael van Gerwen wins his second PDC world title (2nd January)


The year started off well for Michael van Gerwen, who won his second darts world title at Alexandra Palace.

‘Mighty Mike’ beat Gary Anderson 7-3 in the final, capping off a tournament that broke numerous records.

The final saw 42 180’s hit, the most ever in a darts match.

Van Gerwen recorded the highest ever average in his semi final against Raymond van Barneveld (114.05 in a 6-2 win), made all the more impressive by the fact that Barney’s own average (109.34) was higher than either average in the final.

Tony Bellew beats David Haye at the O2 (3rd March)


The most talked about fight of 2017 to this point saw Tony ‘Bomber’ Bellew defeat David Haye at the O2 Arena.

Bellew was the underdog pre-match due to this being his first fight at heavyweight level.

The fight was close up until the sixth round, when Haye severely injured his ankle.

Bellew took control and won the fight in round 11 by TKO. At the time, Bellew was up on all three judges’ scorecards.

The fight was said to have been watched by over 890,000 people on PPV, with Haye earning over 60% of the purse despite defeat.

James Anderson becomes first Englishman to reach 500 Test wickets (8th September)


England bowler James Anderson went into the Test between England and West Indies at Lord’s knowing that three wickets would take him past the landmark of 500 Test scalps.

The feat arrived when he bowled Kraigg Brathwaite shortly after tea on the second day, although England went on to lose the match by five wickets in what was a shock win for the West Indies.

He became only the sixth player to reach the landmark, with Sri Lanka’s Muttiah Muralitharan leading the list with 800 wickets.

Lewis Hamilton wins his fourth F1 world championship (29th October)


A first corner collision with title rival Sebastian Vettel did not stop Lewis Hamilton from claiming his fourth F1 world title.

The Briton qualified 3rd at Mexico although a puncture caused by the crash dropped him to the back of the field.

He recovered to finish 9th, and with Vettel needing at least 2nd to keep his hopes alive (he finished 4th), Hamilton secured the title with two races to go.

Hamilton had broken the record for the most pole positions earlier in the season (65), and broke Michael Schumacher’s record of 116 front row starts.

Manchester City break Premier League record for consecutive wins (10th December)

Manchester City’s 2-1 win at Manchester United gave them their 14th consecutive win in the Premier League, breaking the record.

Nicolas Otamendi’s second half goal was enough to secure victory after David Silva had opened the scoring and Marcus Rashford had equalised for United.

Ederson’s late second half save from Romelu Lukaku and then Juan Mata was vital in giving City the three points, maintaining their unbeaten campaign and sending them 11 points clear at the top.

Two late goals from Liam Moore and Leandro Bacuna rescued a point for Reading in a 2-2 draw at the Macron Stadium.

Phil Parkinson’s Bolton extended their unbeaten run to 7 games but let a 2-0 lead slip in the process.

Defender Reece Burke had put Bolton ahead in the 18th minute, before captain Darren Pratley made it two just 3 minutes later.

Moore pulled a goal back for Reading in the 75th minute, Bacuna then scoring from the spot after Mo Barrow was pushed in the box with just 8 minutes to go.

The first chance of the game came to Parkinson’s side, a poor backpass from the Reading defender allowed Gary Madine a chance but Reading goalkeeper Anssi Jaakkola was able to reclaim the ball before he could shoot.

Clear cut chances were hard to come by early doors with Jaap Stam’s side keeping the ball well, but the opening goal went to Bolton on 19 minutes.

Sammy Ameobi was brought down on the edge of the Reading area, Josh Vela delivering a free kick into the box which was initially flicked on then headed home by Reece Burke, who had returned to the starting line up in place of the suspended Mark Beevers.

To make matters worse for Reading, midfielder John Swift was forced off through injury before the goal, Pelle Clement replacing him.

It was 2-0 soon after, Bolton winning another corner on 23 minutes. Vela played the ball in again, this time captain Pratley was the man on hand in the box to head past Jaakkola to the bottom right of the Reading goal.

The closest Reading came to scoring in the first half was from their own corner – the ball was played in from the left, flicked on and headed wide of the far post.

Barrow had the clearest opportunity from open play of the half for the visitors, cutting inside past Mark Little on the left and shooting, but his effort was too weak to test Bolton ‘keeper Alnwick who handled it comfortably.

HT – Bolton 2-0 Reading

The second half began slowly, with the first real opportunity falling to Reading’s Roy Beerens in the 53rd minute – good work from Chris Gunter down the right allowed him to play a ball in but the Dutchman headed over from close range.

Bolton struggled to put as much pressure on the visitors in the second half as in the first, their first chance falling to Karl Henry, who fired over from inside the box.

Jon Dadi Bodvarsson came on in the 66th minute, with Reading’s continued pressure telling soon after.

The ball was played in from the right hand side and although there was a deflection in the box, no-one could stop Moore from sliding in at the back post to half Reading’s deficit.

Jaap Stam’s side continued to press forward, with Bacuna attempting another long range effort on 80 minutes although this time it was wide of the right post.

The game’s turning point came in the 82nd minute, Barrow charging into the box only to be brought down by Ameobi.

Bacuna took responsibility from the spot and fired home into the bottom left, Alnwick diving the opposite way.

Bolton had chances late on, Le Fondre firing wide with the aid of a deflection in injury time.

From the resulting corner, the header was won by Bolton although Jaakkola made a crucial save down to his right.

He was called into action again when Gary Madine connected with a cross inside the box, his reactions enabling him to parry the ball away from close range, ensuring that Reading came away from the Macron with a much-deserved point.

FT – Bolton 2-2 Reading

Bolton XI – Alnwick, Little, Burke, Wheater, Robinson, Pratley, Henry, Ameobi (Noone 87), Vela (Le Fondre 87), Armstrong (Buckley 80), Madine

Subs – Howard (GK), Le Fondre (on 87), Buckley (on 80), Noone (on 87), Cullen, Derik, Darby

Reading XI – Jaakkola, Gunter, McShane, Moore, Blackett (Kelly 70), Edwards, Bacuna, Swift (Clement 19), Barrow, Beerens (Bodvarsson 66), Aluko

Subs – Legg (GK), Ilori, Clement (on 19), Bodvarsson (on 66), Kelly (on 70), Richards, Loader

Att: 13130

 

 

Chorley manager Matt Jansen said in his pre-match Emirates FA Cup press conference this afternoon that his side “will do everything to win the game” ahead of Monday’s clash with Fleetwood in the first round proper.

The game will see Chorley take part in the first round for the first time in 27 years, after beating Bury 2-1 at this stage in the 1990/91 FA Cup before losing 1-0 to Shrewsbury in the second round.

“That is the magic of the FA Cup”, Jansen said.

“It is great for clubs like this to boost the community, to boost gate receipts and the budget.”

“We will be going into it to win this game and as will Fleetwood. I know my players will give everything.”

Jansen was joined at the press conference by Dave Riche, who discussed Fleetwood’s rise up the leagues, with Uwe Rosler’s side having competed in the same league Chorley are currently in just five years ago.

“I spent time at Fleetwood five years ago when they were in the Conference North.

“One key thing they did was build up the infrastructure – when I joined here I told Graham (Watkinson, vice chairman) and Ken (Wright, chairman) that we have to build an infrastructure.

“We can learn a lot from Fleetwood and it’s a case of cementing partnerships which we are very keen to do with Fleetwood off the field as well.”

One bonus in particular for Chorley as a result of the cup draw is the financial aspects.

“Financially, the TV money and sponsorship is a big injection for the club”, Riche said.

“We will be able to claim a six figure fee from this cup so far. We’ve been fortunate enough to bring in some great sponsorship for this game but there are other things we are doing as well.

“We’ve kept ticket prices the same, U12s free, it’s encouraging to see as we want some of those to see the atmosphere on the night and want to come back.”

“We don’t want young kids to follow Manchester United or Chelsea, we want them to be true to their hometown roots because that’s how clubs like us survive.”

Jansen also confirmed the signing of highly rated ‘keeper Oliver Byrne from Cardiff on a one month youth loan.

“We have got a goalkeeper in place, he’s got international clearance – Oliver Byrne from Cardiff. Andy Dibble and Bryan Gunn highly recommended him.

“I met him on Tuesday night, he’s a big unit and a confident kid so hopefully he’ll do a good job for us.”

 

Ollie Watkins’ 5th goal of the season was enough to give Brentford a 3-2 victory at Deepdale.

Nico Yennaris opened the scoring for the visitors, heading into an empty net following a Chris Maxwell save.

Sean Maguire levelled for North End with a brilliant individual goal, before Romaine Sawyers put Brentford back ahead.

Tom Barkhuizen made it 2-2 but Watkins’ strike from 6 yards was enough to give Dean Smith’s side the win.

The first half started with controversy, Maguire booked for diving on 2 minutes just outside the Brentford area.

Preston dominated the early play and good work from Jordan Hugill to hold off the defender gave Barkhuizen a good chance on the right hand side, his half volley going over the crossbar.

Brentford began to put pressure on however, Henrik Dalsgaard having their first real chance. The Dane found space on the right hand side and got his shot away but it was wide of the right hand post.

Josh Earl then managed to win the ball on halfway, Maguire’s through ball then found Barkhuizen, who cut the ball across to Hugill on the left hand edge of the box but his curling attempt went narrowly wide of the right post.

Florian Jozefzoon, who joined Dean Smith’s side from PSV in the summer following a loan spell, managed to find space on the right and cut inside, his shot was at first blocked by Woods with the Dutchman’s rebound well saved by Maxwell down to his left.

Preston’s next opportunity came on 19 minutes, a Brentford free kick punched away by Maxwell – the counter was led by Johnson who found Robinson on the edge of the box but his left footed shot went wide of the post.

Ben Pearson and Andreas Bjelland were involved in an off the ball altercation on 22 minutes but both were let off with a warning.

The opening goal was scored by the visitors on 24 minutes, the threatening Jozefzoon finding more space on the right hand side. He beat Woods for pace before getting his shot away, Maxwell saving well for a shot that looked destined for the left corner. The rebound however fell to Yennaris, the midfielder heading into an empty net from close range.

Preston looked for a way back into the game and almost found it, Sean Maguire heading narrowly over from close range on 25 minutes.

Lasse Vibe had a promising chance following a Brentford counter, he went down in the box under challenge but the ref gave neither a penalty nor a dive.

Maguire was involved in a penalty appeal soon after, the Irishman having the better of Dalsgaard in the box who appeared to make contact with the Irishman although the referee deemed it to be too little to award a spot kick.

Preston’s equaliser came on 40 minutes, good work from Robinson in the centre meant he was able to find Maguire, who ran all the way to the edge of the box and fired past Daniel Bentley to score his 4th goal in Preston colours.

There was then worry for Brentford as the goalscorer Yennaris went down – Alex Neil said after the game that he had not seen the incident although the consensus was from those that did see it that Hugill had made accidental contact with the former Arsenal man. There was a stoppage of 10 minutes as he was stretchered off.

HT – Preston 1-1 Brentford
The second half featured few clear cut chances until 56 minutes, a Brentford free kick finding its way to the substitute Sawyers on the edge of the box. Although the Brentford number 19 scuffed his first shot, he regained his footing and his deflected second effort went past Maxwell to make it 2-1 to the visitors.

Robinson broke forward for the home side on 65 minutes, his right footed shot landing narrowly wide of the post just seconds after Barkhuizen had another penalty appeal turned down.

Preston drew level just a minute later, a tussle in the box followed by a cross which was cleared only as far as Barkhuizen, Preston’s number 29 firing home on the volley past the helpless Bentley.

The goal seemed to lift Alex Neil’s side as they went in search of a winner.

It was Brentford, however, who retook the lead from a counter attack, with a ball in from Jozefzoon finding Brentford’s top goalscorer Watkins unmarked and he slotted home from 6 yards out for his 5th strike of the season.

Josh Harrop came on for Preston on 69 minutes and immediately threatened, producing a shot on the edge of the box following a mazy run but it was blocked by a resolute Brentford defence.

At the other end, a Brentford corner found Dalsgaard unmarked at the back post but his header was well blocked.

Substitute Sergi Canos fired a free kick narrowly wide of Maxwell’s right hand post on 81 minutes.

Neil made one last change to try and bring about an equaliser, Arsenal loanee Stephy Mavididi coming on for the goalscorer Barkhuizen.

6 minutes were added on with Preston pushing for an equaliser, with Horgan firing a ball in across goal but it was claimed comfortably by Bentley.

That proved to be the final action with Brentford going back to London with a crucial 3 points.

FT – Preston 2-3 Brentford

Preston XI; Maxwell, Fisher, Huntington ©, Woods, Earl, Pearson, Johnson, Barkhuizen (off Mavididi 84), Robinson (off Harrop 70), Maguire (off Horgan 77), Hugill

Subs; Hudson (GK), Boyle, O’Connor, Harrop (on 70), Gallagher, Horgan (on 77), Mavididi (on 84)

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp says Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain must wait for his chance to play in central midfield.

Oxlade-Chamberlain, 24, signed for the Reds for £35m in the summer.

He played parts of last season & this season in a wing back role for Arsenal before moving on deadline day.

Klopp’s favoured a central midfield trio of Jordan Henderson, Emre Can and Georginio Wijnaldum. Oxlade-Chamberlain’s been left on the bench.

Klopp believes that his best position is out wide instead of in the middle.

Klopp said: “I would say there has been no consistency until now. We’ve let him run so far, let him do what he is naturally good at.

“At the moment his best position is more on the wing than at number 8.”

Oxlade-Chamberlain spent most of his younger years playing on the wings for both Southampton and the Gunners.

He has made 5 appearances for Liverpool this season, starting once.

He is expected to be left out of tonight’s Champions League tie against Maribor, with Klopp set to make no outfield changes from the Manchester United game.

Liverpool’s trip to the Slovenian champions could see them pick up their first win in this year’s competition.

Maribor, managed by former Leeds boss Darko Milanic, are also winless in Group E and sit bottom of the table.