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Monday December 4, 2017

JESSE LINGARD scored twice for Manchester United and goalkeeper David de Gea pulled off a string of stunning saves in a 3-1 win over Arsenal to keep pace in the English Premier League (EPL) race Saturday.

The result left United in second place behind Manches-ter City before both teams meet next week.

Elsewhere, Chelsea came back from a goal down to ease to a 3-1 victory over Newcastle courtesy of two goals from Eden Hazard — including an impudent penalty.

Free-scoring Liverpool blitzed Brighton 5-1 on the south coast with goals from Emre Can, a brace from Roberto Firmino, a late strike from Philippe Coutinho and a Lewis Dunk own goal.

De Gea made 14 saves, equal-ing the record for the most stops in a Premier League match.

It was a pulsating contest from start to fi nish at Emirates Stadium, with a glut of shots on goal, amazing goalkeeping, a sending off, and textbook coun-terattacks.

“The game was fantastic,” United manager Jose Mourinho said. “If I was in the stands, or if I was at home watching, I would be sad to see the game fi nish. In my case, it’s different because I want to win. I wanted to see the game fi nish.”

United’s fi rst two goals came early on from sloppy play in

REAL Madrid missed a chance to move closer to the top of the Spanish league standings after being held by Athletic Bilbao to 1-1 Saturday.

It could have moved within six points of the lead after Bar-celona drew at home against Celta Vigo 2-2 for its second consecutive setback, but Zin-edine Zidane’s team struggled in Bilbao and remained eight points behind the Catalan rival after 14 matches.

“We are disappointed,” Zidane said. “We are eight points behind because we haven’t been able to score more goals. It would have been great to have reduced the gap now, but we will have other opportunities.”

Madrid is three points behind second-place Valencia, which plays at Getafe the next day.

Madrid also lost ground to third-place Atletico Madrid, which defeated Real Sociedad 2-1 at home with a late winner by Antoine Griezmann.

Sevilla moved to within eight points of the lead after defeat-ing Deportivo La Coruna 2-0 at home.

Madrid controlled possession and had most of the signifi cant scoring chances at San Mames Stadium, but it was not able to get past Athletic goalkeeper Kepa.

Also, Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema were denied by the woodwork.

It was the fi rst time Zidane fi elded the same 11 Madrid used when it defeated Juventus in the Champions League fi nal this year.

Madrid defender Sergio Ramos was sent off for a second yellow card in the 86th minute. Ramos was wearing a protec-tive mask as he returned to action after breaking his nose two weeks ago.

Midfi elder Casemiro and right back Dani Carvajal will also miss next weekend’s match against Sevilla after being shown yellow cards.

(SD-Agencies)

AFTER Tiger Woods shot rounds of 69 and 68 to start his comeback at the Hero World Challenge, trying to manage expectations on the weekend became a little more diffi cult. He was in contention, and had a legitimate chance Saturday to get within striking distance of the leaders.

At some point though, he had to come back to Earth, and he did in windy conditions in his third round, posting a three-over 75 at the Albany Resort in the Bahamas. Woods sits at four-under 212, 10 shots off Charley Hoffman’s 54-hole lead.

Unlike his second round, Woods stumbled out of the gate Saturday, making bogey at the fi rst and then another at the par-5 third after hitting a 3-wood over the green on his approach shot. It was struck too well, and ended up rolling up against the rough, leaving a testy chip shot that led to another bogey. It was a sign of things to come.

“Anything that I did right ended up in a bad spot,” Woods said. “And everything I did wrong, it was really bad. It was just one of those days.”

He added two more bogeys at the sixth and seventh, and fi nished with a four-over 40 on the front nine. At the 10th, he made another bogey, and it quickly went from “one of those

THE Cavaliers’ winning streak was in unexpected jeopardy Saturday night before LeBron James took over.

James scored 34 points, including seven in the fi nal 1:22, and Cleveland beat the Memphis Grizzlies 116-111 for their 11th straight victory.

The loss was the 11th straight for Memphis, including three since David Fizdale was fi red Monday and replaced by interim coach J.B. Bickerstaff, but the Grizzlies nearly ended their streak in shock-ing fashion. Memphis trailed 91-72 late in the third quarter, but rallied all the way to a tie at 109 on Dillon Brooks’ 3-pointer with 2:10 remaining.

That’s when James stepped up, to the surprise of no one in the building, particularly Dwyane Wade, his long-time friend and teammate. “You just shake your head,” Wade said. “It’s impres-sive, man. When you’re on a team and you have a guy when the game gets close and you can get him the ball and he comes through, maybe not all the time but it seems like every time.”

After Tyreke Evans missed a 3-pointer, James drove the lane, scored and converted the three-point play after being fouled by Brooks with 34 seconds left.

(SD-Agencies)

Tiger Woods reacts after missing his putt on the 13th hole during the Hero World Challenge golf tournament Saturday. SD-Agencies

Man U beats Arsenal 3-1 in EPL

possession by Arsenal. Antonio Valencia intercepted a poor pass from defender Laurent Koscielny that was meant for wing back Sead Kolasinac. The Ecuadorean quickly drove forward and exchanged passes with Paul Pogba. Valencia struck a low shot that went in between goalkeeper Petr Cech’s legs in the fourth minute.

Lingard doubled the lead in the 11th after Arsenal defender Shkodran Mustafi gave the ball away in United’s half. Anthony Martial fl icked on to Lingard in

the area and the latter’s effort careened in off a post.

“The concentration at the back wasn’t sharp enough at the start,” Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said.

Arsenal got back into the match in the 49th when United defender Marcos Rojo tried and failed to play Alexandre Laca-zette offside. Midfi elder Aaron Ramsey was onside when he touched the ball back to Laca-zette who fi red it past De Gea.

But it was the Spaniard’s quick refl exes that kept his team

in the match, especially when he denied Arsenal an equalizer with a double save in the 57th from Lacazette and Alexis Sanchez.

Mourinho sarcastically referred to Lacazette’s presence on the pitch, because before the match Wenger said the forward would most defi nitely not be available because of a groin injury Wednesday.

“I congratulate Arsenal’s medical department for taking a player that was a ‘no’ to a full 90 minutes,” Mourinho said. “Amazing.” (SD-Agencies)

Woods takes another step with fi ght

days” to disastrous territory. But Tiger fought back on his way to the clubhouse, fi nishing his last eight holes in two under. His fi rst birdie came at the 14th, and Woods jokingly took a bow to the crowd, as if he was relieved.

“It’s ridiculous that it took me 14 holes to make a birdie,” he said, smiling. “I had already played four par 5s and nothing happened, but hey, it’s just one of those days.”

The par 5s were Woods’ kryptonite last week. Save for an eagle at the ninth on Friday, he’s played the rest of them in one over par. Despite a lot of missed opportunities, he stayed strong coming home on Saturday, an encouraging sign

heading into the fi nal round.“Got to keep fi ghting, that’s

one of those things I’ve done my entire career is just keep fi ghting and try to post the best number I possibly could,” he said. “I really didn’t feel like I was that far off, that’s the crazy part.”

The old Tiger might have walked off disgusted after a three-over 75, but the 14-time major champion seems to be enjoying everything that is coming with this latest come-back, the good and the bad. “It feels good, it feels good to be out here fi ghting again. I’ve missed the fi ght and getting out there and competing against the golf course and the rest of these guys. It’s so much fun.” (SD-Agencies)

Real Madrid’s Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo (R) heads the ball with Athletic Bilbao’s Spanish defender Xabier Etxeita during their match at the San Mames Stadium in Bilbao on Satur-day. SD-Agencies

Madrid draws, loses chance to move closerto Barcelona Arsenal’s Alexis Sanchez (C) has a shot saved by Manchester United’s David De Gea during their match at Emirates Stadium in

London on Saturday. SD-Agencies

Cavaliers win 11th straight