Sport shorts: Man Utd mourn Munich hero Harry Gregg and F1 Drive to Survive season two trailer is released
Ten things from the world of sport on Monday 17 February
1. Harry Gregg: one of United’s ‘greatest men’
Manchester United have paid tribute to former goalkeeper Harry Gregg who has died at the age of 87.
Hailed as a hero of the 1958 Munich air disaster, Gregg rushed to the aid of his team-mates and fellow passengers following the plane crash in which 23 people were killed.
In their obituary, United said of the Northern Irishman: “Harry was one of the greatest goalkeepers to have played for Manchester United and also one of the greatest men.
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“A survivor of the Munich Air Disaster in February 1958, Gregg’s actions on that terrible day are testament to the man’s heroic bravery and spirit.
“Having escaped the crash with just a bloodied nose, he went back into the wreckage to pull out those who were trapped. He rescued a 20-month-old child, a pregnant woman and attempted to revive Matt Busby.
“Harry’s achievements and actions mean he will never be forgotten at Old Trafford.”
2. Pep will stay loyal to City
Pep Guardiola has pledged his loyalty to Manchester City in the wake of the club’s two-season ban from the Uefa Champions League.
Despite rumours linking Guardiola to Italian giants Juventus, the Spaniard will not invoke the break clause he has in his contract and will honour the final year of a deal that expires at the end of next season.
Guardiola pledges loyalty despite Champions League ban
3. North London rivals celebrate
Tottenham are up to fifth in the Premier League table after a 3-2 win at Aston Villa yesterday.
Son Heung-min scored twice at Villa Park - his second coming in the fourth-minute of stoppage time. Spurs defender Toby Alderweireld made up for his ninth-minute own goal by equalising on 27 minutes.
Tottenham’s north London rivals Arsenal were also celebrating yesterday. The Gunners beat Newcastle 4-0 with goals from Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Nicolas Pepe, Mesut Ozil and Alexandre Lacazette at the Emirates Stadium.
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4. Blues vs. Reds at the Bridge
In tonight’s Premier League fixture Chelsea host Manchester United at Stamford Bridge (8pm, live on Sky Sports).
Chelsea will give a late fitness test to striker Tammy Abraham while United’s new signing Odion Ighalo is in the squad and could make his debut for the Red Devils.
5. Williams launch the FW43
After a disastrous campaign in 2019 ROKiT Williams Racing are hoping to make a fresh start this year with the launch of their new car, the FW43.
Deputy team principal Claire Williams said: “We are all committed to re-building Williams and returning the team to competitiveness. As such, our 2020 campaign is about making progress. The fighting spirit is still very much alive, and this year, everyone will continue that fight until we get back to where we want to be.”
F1: Williams are ready to fight in the new FW43 - pictures, video and reactions
6. Drive to Survive season two trailer released
The popular Formula 1: Drive to Survive documentary series will return to Netflix on 28 February.
The ten-part second season looks back at the 2019 F1 campaign and sees Mercedes and Ferrari join the line-up for the first time.
7. Bryants remembered at All-Star game
Last night’s NBA All-Star game featured an emotional tribute to the late Kobe Bryant. Los Angeles Lakers icon Bryant, his 13-year-old daughter Gianna and seven others were killed last month in a helicopter crash in California.
LeBron James’s team beat Giannis Antetokounmpo’s team 157-155 in Chicago. In the match Team Giannis wore Bryant’s No.24 while Team LeBron wore Gianna’s No.2.
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8. Scott wins Genesis Invitational
Australian golfer Adam Scott won the Genesis Invitational by two shots yesterday to seal his first PGA Tour victory since 2016. The 39-year-old finished on 11-under-par while world No.1 Rory McIlroy was three shots back.
Scott said: “It’s a very special win this week. They’re not coming easy for me these days so I’m going to savour this one. It’s a great way to start [2020]. This has to be my year. I can’t afford to let the next 10 years slip away. I have to make it happen now.”
9. Du Plessis quits as SA skipper
Faf du Plessis is no longer captain of South Africa’s Test and T20 teams. The 35-year-old has stood down with immediate effect and is replaced by Quinton de Kock, the Proteas’s one-day skipper.
Du Plessis said: “As the team heads into a new direction with new leaders and a young crop of players, I feel it will be in the best interests of South African cricket to relinquish the captaincy in all formats.
“This was one of the toughest decisions to make, but I remain fully committed to supporting Quinton, Mark [Boucher, head coach] and my team-mates as we continue to rebuild and re-align as a group.”
10. England seal T20 series win
“Magnificent Morgan” is the headline in The Guardian as the paper lauds the heroics of England’s captain in blasting his side to victory in a thrilling Twenty20 encounter with South Africa at the Wanderers.
Skipper Eoin Morgan smashed an astonishing (and unbeaten) 57 runs from just 22 balls as he chased down South Africa’s daunting total of 222 in what The Daily Telegraph describes as a “stunning victory”.
Today’s back pages
Morgan stars as England win T20 series and Guardiola is ‘destined’ for Juventus
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