Football: Sam Kerr spearheads experienced Australia squad for home World Cup

SYDNEY, Australia -- Star striker Sam Kerr spearheaded Australia's most experienced ever women's World Cup squad named Monday, with veterans Lydia Williams and Clare Polkinghorne set to play at their fifth tournament.

Fresh from guiding Chelsea to a fourth consecutive Women's Super League title, Kerr, who has scored 63 goals in 120 Australian appearances, will don the captain's armband as they look to go beyond the quarter-finals for the first time.

The Arsenal pair of defender Steph Catley and forward Caitlin Foord were also named among nine players who have been capped more than 100 times.

Centurions Williams and Polkinghorne -- stalwarts since their making their debuts 17 years ago -- will become the first Australian players, male or female, to appear at five World Cups.

Four players -- Kerr, Foord, Emily van Egmond and Tameka Yallop - will be at their fourth tournament.

"These 23 players not only exemplify what it means to be a part of the tradition of the Matildas, but also what it means to represent the 25 million Australians we know are fully behind us," said coach Tony Gustavsson.

"They have the heart, desire and the passion for the crest, and I can't wait to see the next part of their story."

Fifteen of the squad were part of the 2019 campaign when Australia were knocked out on the round of 16, while seven are in line to make their tournament debuts.

The Matildas face France in a final warm-up game on July 14 at a sold-out Marvel Stadium in Melbourne before meeting Ireland to kick off the tournament they co-host with New Zealand on July 20 in Sydney.

Eleven-time African champions Nigeria and reigning Olympic gold medallists Canada are also in Group B.

Australia squad:

Goalkeepers: Lydia Williams (Brighton/ENG), Teagan Micah (FC Rosengard/SWE), Mackenzie Arnold (West Ham United/ENG)

Defenders: Clare Polkinghorne (Vittsjo GIK/SWE), Steph Catley (Arsenal/ENG), Alanna Kennedy (Manchester City/ENG), Ellie Carpenter (Olympique Lyon/FRA), Charlotte Grant (Vittsjo GIK/SWE), Clare Hunt (Western Sydney Wanderers), Courtney Nevin (Leicester City/ENG), Aivi Luik (BK Hacken/SWE)

Midfielders: Emily van Egmond (San Diego Wave/USA), Tameka Yallop (SK Brann/NOR), Katrina Gorry (Vittsjo GIK/SWE), Alex Chidiac (Racing Louisville/USA), Kyra Cooney-Cross (Hammarby/SWE), Clare Wheeler (Everton/ENG)

Forwards: Mary Fowler (Manchester City/ENG), Sam Kerr (Chelsea/ENG), Hayley Raso (unattached), Caitlin Foord (Arsenal/ENG), Kyah Simon (unattached), Cortnee Vine (Sydney FC)

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Football: Arsenal held by Liverpool in blow to Premier League title bid

LIVERPOOL --- Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta bemoaned the Gunners' lack of ruthlessness as they surrendered a two-goal lead in a pulsating 2-2 draw at Liverpool on Sunday to blow the Premier League title race wide open.

Arteta's men edge six points ahead of Manchester City at the top of the table, but the defending champions now have the destiny of the title in their own hands.

City have a game in hand and host the Gunners at the Etihad later this month.

Goals from Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Jesus appeared to have Arsenal cruising towards an eighth consecutive league win.

But Mohamed Salah pulled a goal back before half-time to spark a Liverpool fightback.

Salah missed a second-half penalty before Roberto Firmino headed in the equalizer three minutes from time.

Jurgen Klopp's men then missed a series of chances to complete the comeback as Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale salvaged a point for his side.

"We missed that ruthlessness to take the game," said Arteta. "The big lesson is we didn't play the way we did the first half.

"We didn't continue to play. We gave every ball away, allowed big spaces and big transition moments to the best team in the world in this."

The match will also live long in the memory for a remarkable incident just after the half-time whistle when assistant referee Constantine Hatzidakis thrust an elbow into the face of Liverpool left-back Andy Robertson.

Arsenal remain without an away league win to Liverpool since 2012 as they stumbled over one of the major hurdles between them and the title despite a perfect start.

It took just eight minutes for the visitors to make the breakthrough as Bukayo Saka surged through the Liverpool defense and the ball broke kindly for Martinelli to prod past Alisson Becker.

Virgil van Dijk's slump in form has played a major role in Liverpool's collapse from the team that came close to an unprecedented quadruple last season to mid-table mediocrity.

The Dutch center-back was caught on his heels as Arsenal doubled their lead when Jesus was left unmarked to head in Martinelli's cross on 28 minutes.

- Ramsdale rescues a point -

But signs of a youthful side going for their first title finally showed once Salah halved the arrears three minutes before half-time.

That was just the start of the drama as Robertson was elbowed by assistant referee Hatzidakis as the players left the field for half-time.

Referees' governing body PGMOL have said they will review the incident.

It served to fire Liverpool up as they came flying out the blocks in the second half and had a golden opportunity to level when Rob Holding brought down Diogo Jota, but Salah slotted the penalty wide.

Salah nearly made amends moments later as Ramsdale produced a stunning save to keep his side in front and the England goalkeeper was needed again nine minutes from time to save a one-on-one with Darwin Nunez.

Firmino finally made Liverpool's pressure count when he headed home Trent Alexander-Arnold's cross to set up a grandstand finish.

Salah blazed over a glorious chance before Ramsdale made remarkable saves from the Egyptian and Ibrahima Konate to ensure Arsenal escaped just with a point.

"We reacted really well," said Klopp. "We didn't fall apart, which could have happened with everything that happened this year. We looked better, we looked more ready to fight back, which is what we did, and we should have turned the game around with the chances we had."

But Liverpool's rally may prove too little, too late both on the day and for their chances of Champions League football next season.

The Reds have failed to win any of their five games since a remarkable 7-0 win over Manchester United last month.

Liverpool remain down in eighth, 12 points adrift of the top four.

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Football: Arsenal extend lead, Newcastle up to second on Premier League's return

LONDON -- Arsenal opened up a seven-point lead with a 3-1 win over West Ham as the Premier League returned on Monday, while Newcastle climbed up to second thanks to an impressive 3-0 victory at Leicester.

Liverpool also made a winning return from the World Cup break by beating Aston Villa 3-1 and Harry Kane bounced back from his heartbreak in Qatar by scoring in Tottenham's 2-2 draw at Brentford.

Arsenal's momentum towards a first league title since 2004 could have been disturbed by the six-week mid-season break.

But Mikel Arteta's men passed another test of their resolve after going in 1-0 behind at half-time to Said Benrahma's penalty.

Two goals in five minutes from Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli turned the game on its head at a jubilant Emirates before Eddie Nketiah stepped up in the absence of the injured Gabriel Jesus to seal the points.

"I'm delighted with the result and performance," said Arteta.

"We scored at the perfect time and the crowd was incredible, also in the moment we conceded the goal. They kept on believing. When we scored it got loud and we generated the momentum we needed."

- No stopping Newcastle -

Newcastle's charge towards a return to the Champions League was also not halted by the break as the Magpies scored twice in the first seven minutes at Leicester.

Chris Wood opened the scoring from the penalty spot before Miguel Almiron played a one-two with Bruno Guimaraes and slotted past Danny Ward for his eighth goal in his last eight league games.

Joelinton headed home from a corner in the 32nd minute as Newcastle made it six successive league victories -- their best run in the competition since 2012.

"We can do anything," said Newcastle manager Eddie Howe on the possibility of a title challenge.

"The season is still young enough for all possibilities to exist for us. I want the fans to believe we can do anything."

In the first Premier League fixture since mid-November, Tottenham were in danger of a damaging defeat after Vitaly Janelt and Ivan Toney put Brentford in command.

But Kane netted with a 65th minute header to start the Tottenham recovery in his first game since missing a crucial penalty in England's World Cup quarter-final defeat against France.

Brentford have not beaten Tottenham since 1948 and their long wait for a victory over the north Londoners goes on after Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg curled home with 19 minutes left.

Tottenham boss Antonio Conte praised England captain Kane for his contribution following his World Cup disappointment.

"When he came back he was good. We know the importance of Harry for us, his personality, his character. He's the best player we have. I'm happy that he scored today," Conte said..

Tottenham stay fourth in the table, four points ahead of fifth-placed Manchester United in the race to qualify for the Champions League.

- Liverpool too good for Villa -

Liverpool closed to within five points of Spurs and with a game in hand to come by inflicting Unai Emery's first league defeat as Villa boss.

Mohamed Salah swept home his 15th goal of the season in a frantic opening with chances aplenty at both ends.

The Egyptian then teed up Virgil van Dijk to give Liverpool breathing space before half-time.

Ollie Watkins gave Villa hope with a towering header midway through the second half but Stefan Bajcetic's first senior goal secured a third consecutive league win for Jurgen Klopp's men.

At the other end of the table, Everton suffered a damaging 2-1 defeat against relegation rivals Wolves as Rayan Ait-Nouri struck in final seconds for the visitors at Goodison Park.

Everton are now just one point above Wolves in the final relegation place.

"We are in one (relegation battle)," admitted Everton boss Frank Lampard. "We've got to fight."

Fulham won 3-0 at nine-man Crystal Palace, who had Tyrick Mitchell and James Tomkins sent off.

Bobby De Cordova-Reid, Tim Ream and Aleksandar Mitrovic scored Fulham's goals.

Southampton slipped to the bottom of the table after a 3-1 home defeat against south-coast rivals Brighton.

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Football: Arsenal five points clear after Man City stunned by Brentford

MANCHESTER -- Arsenal head into the World Cup break five points clear at the top of the Premier League after they beat Wolves 2-0 on Saturday as Manchester City suffered a shock 2-1 home defeat to Brentford.

Newcastle remain in third after inflicting Chelsea's third consecutive league defeat 1-0 at St. James' Park, while Tottenham scored twice in the final 10 minutes to win a 4-3 thriller against Leeds.

City had not lost at the Etihad since February, but were stunned by Ivan Toney's response to being left out of England's World Cup squad.

The Brentford captain headed in his 10th goal of the season to give the Bees an early lead, but City responded before half-time thanks to Phil Foden's sumptuous strike.

Pep Guardiola warned ahead of the game that his side might have one eye on the World Cup with 10 of the City starting XI heading to Qatar.

A lackluster City performance was punished in the eighth minute of time added on when Brentford cut open Guardiola's men on the counter-attack and Toney tapped in Josh Dasilva's cross.

"The better team won," conceded Guardiola. "We had a lot of problems and we could not press as they didn't allow us."

Thomas Frank hailed the result as perhaps Brentford's best ever as they moved up to 10th in the Premier League.

"Speaking to some people from the club, this is probably the single biggest ever result," said Frank. "Against one of the richest clubs in the world and we have one of the lowest budgets in the division."

Arsenal took full advantage to set up an intriguing title battle when the Premier League returns from a six-week hiatus on Boxing Day.

Martin Odegaard led by example for the Gunners as the Norwegian fired home twice from close range in the second half.

New Wolves boss Julen Lopetegui was in the crowd before officially taking charge on Monday and has work to do in the second half of the season with Wanderers now bottom of the table.

- Bentancur saves Spurs -

Tottenham once again had to come from behind after goals from the in-form Crysencio Summerville and Rodrigo either side of Harry Kane's equaliser put Leeds in front at half time.

Jesse Marsch's men won 4-3 against Bournemouth last weekend, but were this time on the receiving end of a thrilling comeback.

"I feel like someone has ripped my heart out," said Marsch.

Ben Davies' powerful strike made it 2-2 before Rodrigo restored Leeds' lead.

Tottenham have made a habit of late fightbacks this season and rescued the three points as Rodrigo Bentancur scored twice in the final 10 minutes.

Newcastle bounced back above Spurs into third as Joe Willock's stunning strike extended Chelsea's winless league run to five games.

The Magpies are just two points adrift of City after a run of 22 points from a possible 24.

"I feel immense pride at how the players have performed consistently," said Newcastle boss Eddie Howe. "Now the challenge is to maintain and enhance that." 

- Nunez finds his feet -

Liverpool signed off until Boxing Day on a positive note as Darwin Nunez struck twice against Southampton.

Roberto Firmino's header opened the scoring inside six minutes at Anfield, but in Nathan Jones' first game in charge, the Saints responded immediately through Che Adams.

Nunez has been erratic since his 75 million euro ($77 million) signing from Benfica, but the Uruguayan is already up to eight goals in his debut season at Liverpool after two cool finishes before half-time.

Leicester's rise up the table continued but there were fears it could come at a cost for England.

James Maddison's stunning form forced his way into Gareth Southgate's World Cup squad and he opened the scoring with his seventh goal of he season.

The midfielder hobbled off shortly after, but played down the seriousness of the problem.

"Injury isn’t too bad!" Maddison tweeted. "A small problem that was causing a bit of soreness. Can't wait to meet up with the lads Monday."

Harvey Barnes added a second for the Foxes 12 minutes from time to leave West Ham one point above the relegation zone.

Everton are also only a point above the bottom three after a 3-0 thrashing at the hands of Bournemouth.

Marcus Tavernier, Kieffer Moore and Jaidon Anthony were on target for the Cherries and there were angry confrontations between the Everton players and travelling support at full-time.

Nottingham Forest moved off the bottom as Morgan Gibbs-White scored the only goal of a 1-0 win over Crystal Palace.

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Football: Man City go top, Arsenal gain revenge on Southampton

LONDON -- Manchester City thrashed West Brom 5-0 to move back top of the Premier League on Tuesday as Arsenal aided their push towards the European places with a 3-1 win at Southampton.

City have now won 11 consecutive games since West Brom earned a shock 1-1 draw at the Etihad last month.

Pep Guardiola's men have hit top form since and did not miss the presence of the injured Kevin De Bruyne in blowing away the Baggies by scoring four goals before half-time.

Ilkay Gundogan opened the floodgates by curling home from the edge of the box before Joao Cancelo's controversial strike doubled City's lead.

The West Brom defense was distracted by a wrongly raised offside flag before the Portuguese full-back found the net, but the goal stood after a VAR review.

Gundogan then took his tally to seven goals in his last eight league games before Riyad Mahrez and Raheem Sterling rounded off the scoring.

"There's not really a secret," Gundogan said of his scoring streak. "I'm just in the right spaces at the right moment. I'm in a bit more of an offensive role, if I get the chance close to the box I try to make the right decisions."

West Brom have now conceded 17 goals in Sam Allardyce's four home games in charge as they remain second bottom of the table, six points off safety.

- Arsenal on the rise -

Guardiola's former assistant Mikel Arteta is also enjoying a fine run of form as Arsenal have taken 16 from the last possible 18 points.

The Gunners avenged their FA Cup to Southampton at the weekend despite falling behind after three minutes to Stuart Armstrong's sweet strike.

Nicolas Pepe quickly leveled before Bukayo Saka rounded Alex McCarthy and slotted home to give the visitors at half-time lead.

"I think we were good from the start. We conceded a goal from a corner but responded straight away," said Arteta.

"It showed a lot of intelligent and resilience from the team in the way they managed the game."

Alexandre Lacazette sealed a vital three points 18 minutes from time as Arsenal moved up to eighth and within five points of the top four.

- West Ham go fourth -

West Ham occupy the fourth Champions League place as Tomas Soucek scored twice in a 3-2 win at Crystal Palace.

The Hammers suffered an early setback when Wilfried Zaha put Palace in front after just three minutes.

But the stronger mentality that David Moyes has lauded in West Ham this season showed as Soucek struck twice in 16 minutes to turn the game around.

Only Manchester United's Bruno Fernandes has scored more Premier League goals from midfield than the Czech since he joined from Slavia Prague a year ago.

Craig Dawson headed in Jarrod Bowen's corner 25 minutes from time to make it 3-1 before Michy Batshuayi scored a late consolation for Palace.

A sixth consecutive win in all competitions takes Moyes's men above Liverpool in the table and Jurgen Klopp's struggling Reds will be wary of their trip to the London Stadium on Sunday.

At the other end of the table, Newcastle lost 2-1 at home to Leeds to stretch their winless run to 11 games

"This league is demanding and cruel at times," said beleaguered Magpies boss Steve Bruce.

Raphinha slotted home Rodrigo's cut-back to give Marcelo Bielsa's men a deserved half-time lead.

Miguel Almiron levelled with Newcastle's first goal for five games early in the second half, but parity lasted only four minutes before Jack Harrison's sensational finish with the outside of his left foot claimed all three points for the visitors.

Newcastle have a seven-point cushion over the bottom three, but have now played two games more than Fulham in 18th.

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Football: Arsenal beat Liverpool to end record bid, Man City sink Bournemouth

LONDON -- Arsenal ended Liverpool's bid to set a new Premier League points record with a 2-1 win over the champions, while Manchester City pushed Bournemouth closer to relegation with a 2-1 victory on Wednesday.

Jurgen Klopp's side needed to win their final three games of the season to break Manchester City's record of 100 points set in 2018.

They were on course when Sadio Mane opened the scoring with a clinical finish from Andrew Robertson's cross at the Emirates Stadium.

But two careless mistakes condemned Liverpool to a third league defeat this season.

Virgil van Dijk's wayward backpass went straight to Alexandre Lacazette, who rounded Reds keeper Alisson Becker to slot home in the 32nd minute.

Alisson was guilty of an equally costly blunder when his pass out was intercepted by Lacazette and he picked out 20-year-old Reiss Nelson for a cool close-range finish.

Liverpool have failed to win three of their five matches since clinching the title.

They have 93 points and with just two games left and can only reach 99 at the end of their first title-winning campaign for 30 years.

"Twice there was a massive lack of concentration. We took a break after 1-0. Those two moments killed the game for us," Klopp said.

"You can't win games when you concede chances like that. We have to learn from it, 100 per cent."

Arsenal climb to ninth place as they chase qualification for the Europa League.

Mikel Arteta's side go into Saturday's FA Cup semi-final against Manchester City in good spirits after bouncing back from Sunday's defeat at north London rivals Tottenham.

"In terms of energy and happiness in the dressing room before the semi-final, it's a good medicine," Arteta said. 

"To beat this team you have to have moments in the game when you take your chances, defend and have a bit of luck."

Manchester City had enjoyed a big win off the field already this week with their appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport overturning a two-season ban from playing in European competitions, freeing up Pep Guardiola's men to play in the Champions League next season.

Guardiola left Aymeric Laporte, Kevin De Bruyne, Raheem Sterling and Riyad Mahrez on the bench against Bournemouth to keep them fresh for Wembley, but City still had too much quality in the form of David Silva and Gabriel Jesus.

Silva showed why he will be so missed when he leaves at the end of the season, the midfielder curling a free-kick in off the underside of the crossbar after six minutes.

Jesus was ruthless in the 39th minute as he wriggled between two weak Bournemouth challenges before firing into the far corner to score for the third consecutive game.

- Stunning strike -

City finally conceded for the first time in five home games since the restart when David Brooks turned home Callum Wilson's cross two minutes from time.

"It was a really difficult game. We started well in the first 10 or 15 minutes of the second half but then we had a problem in our build-up," Guardiola said.

Defeat leaves Bournemouth still three points adrift of safety from Watford and West Ham, who face each other on Friday.

Wolves remain three points adrift of the Champions League places with just two games to play after Chris Wood's 96th-minute spot-kick gave Burnley a 1-1 draw at Turf Moor.

It was not until 14 minutes from time that the visitors broke the deadlock thanks to Raul Jimenez's stunning strike on the half-volley.

In stoppage-time, Mike Dean pointed to the spot for a handball by Matt Doherty despite the Irishman seemingly being impeded by Wood's attempt at an overhead kick.

Tottenham won 3-1 at Newcastle to keep their chances of European football next season on track by moving up to seventh.

Son Heung-min's shot crept in at Martin Dubravka's near post to open the scoring for Tottenham

Matt Ritchie got Newcastle's equaliser, but Harry Kane restored Tottenham's lead and the England captain added his second in the final minute.

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Football: Chelsea cling on to win 5-goal thriller, Leicester held at Arsenal

LONDON -- Chelsea moved up to third in the Premier League table after holding out to win a 3-2 thriller at Crystal Palace, while Leicester could only manage a draw at 10-man Arsenal on Tuesday.

Frank Lampard's men edged closer to sealing a place in next season's Champions League as a seventh win in eight games took them one point ahead of Leicester and opened up a five-point lead on fifth-placed Manchester United.

The Blues were fortunate when opening the scoring at Selhurst Park as former Chelsea captain Gary Cahill fell to the ground clutching his hamstring to allow Willian to tee up Olivier Giroud for his fourth goal in six games.

Christian Pulisic's form since the Premier League's restart has led to comparisons with Eden Hazard, the man he replaced at Stamford Bridge, and the Belgian would have been proud of Chelsea's second as the 21-year-old American skipped past Joel Ward and hammered in off the inside of the near post.

"Christian is hugely important," added Lampard. "You look at the top attacking players in the world and they score goals and make assists regularly that win games and at the moment he is doing that, so I am delighted with him."

As so often this season, Lampard's men failed to capitalise on their dominance and were suddenly on the back foot when Wilfried Zaha thundered a shot high past Kepa Arrizabalaga from long range for Palace's first goal in four games.

Chelsea looked to have sealed the three points again when substitutes Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Tammy Abraham combined for the latter to restore a two-goal cushion 19 minutes from time.

Just over a minute later, though, Palace were back in the game when a brilliant move culminated in Patrick van Aanholt squaring for Christian Benteke to tap in just his second goal of the season.

Questions remain over whether the Chelsea defence will be strong enough to maintain a title challenge next season and they were left clinging on in stoppage time as Kepa turned Scott Dann's header off the inside of the post and only a last-ditch challenge from Kurt Zouma denied Benteke a second.

- Vardy matches Aubameyang -

Leicester have now won just one of their six games since the restart to see their lead over the chasing pack for a place in the top four whittled away, but were grateful for a 1-1 draw at the Emirates after a slow start against in-form Arsenal.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang swept home the opener for the Gunners as Kasper Schmeichel kept Leicester in the game with a stunning save to deny Alexandre Lacazette.

"In the first half we should have gone 3 or 4-0 up and kill the game against this type of opposition," said Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta.

Lacazette also saw a goal disallowed for offside after the break before the game turned when Eddie Nketiah was shown a straight red card after a VAR review for a high challenge on James Justin.

Leicester made the man advantage count as Vardy pounced to slot home Demarai Gray's cross and regain his two-goal advantage over Aubameyang in the race for the Golden Boot.

"I was really pleased with how we managed the game 11 v 10. We got a deserved goal and if we had made the final pass we could have gone on and won the game," said Leicester manager Brendan Rodgers.

Arsenal's hopes of reaching the top four now appear over as they remain nine points behind with just four games to go.

- Welbeck makes Watford mark -

At the other end of the table, Danny Welbeck's first Premier League goal for Watford was as valuable as it was spectacular as the Hornets beat Norwich 2-1 to move four points clear of the relegation zone.

Defeat pushes Norwich ever closer to the drop and the Canaries could be relegated at the weekend if they fail to beat West Ham.

Like so much of his career, Welbeck's first season at Watford has been blighted by injury, but the former Manchester United and Arsenal forward showed his class by adjusting his body to hook home the winner after Craig Dawson cancelled out Emiliano Buendia's early opener for Norwich.

"I am speechless after the goal," said Welbeck. "It means a lot to me and means a lot to the whole team. It is one that puts us on our way now. We will give it our all from now."

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Football: Arsenal stunned by Brighton late show, Wolves close on top four

LONDON -- Neal Maupay played the villain twice over for Arsenal as the Frenchman netted a vital stoppage time winner for Brighton, while Wolves closed on the top four with a 2-0 win at West Ham on Saturday.

In the first full weekend of English Premier League matches since the coronavirus shutdown in March, Arsenal's faint chances of a return to the Champions League next season faded further after blowing a 1-0 lead to lose 2-1.

The Gunners' cause wasn't helped by an injury to goalkeeper Bernd Leno, whose screams echoed round the empty Amex Stadium after an awkward fall provoked by a slight push by Maupay.

The German twisted his knee and pointed the finger angrily at Maupay as he was stretchered from the field.

"I think he had a hyperextension of the knee and we have to assess the damage," said Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta.

Nicolas Pepe put the visitors ahead in the 68th minute with a superb strike.

But Arsenal's defensive frailties were exposed seven minutes later when Brighton defender Lewis Dunk stabbed home from close-range.

Adding insult to injury for Arsenal, deep into stoppage-time Aaron Connolly helped the ball on to Maupay and he kept his head for a fine finish.

Maupay and Matteo Guendouzi then had to be separated at full-time as tempers flared.

"Some of their players need to learn what is humility, especially one of them. He was talking all game, he was saying bad things," said Maupay. "This is what happens when you talk too much on the pitch."

Arteta's side are languishing in 10th place, eight points adrift of the top four, and may not even qualify for the Europa League.

"It is unacceptable in the way we lost the game. The fact we missed so many chances and we did not compete for the second goal," said the Arsenal boss.

Brighton's first win in 2020 moved them five points clear of the relegation zone.

- Wolves make their move -

After seeing Arsenal, Tottenham, Manchester United and Sheffield United fail to win on their return, Wolves were the first side to make a move on the top four.

Substitute Adama Traore enlivened a sleepy encounter at the London Stadium with a brilliant run and cross to tee up Raul Jimenez to head home the opener 17 minutes from time.

Pedro Neto then crashed home a spectacular second on the volley as Nuno Espirito Santo's men moved level on points with Manchester United in fifth, just two points behind Chelsea.

Leicester remain well on course for Champions League football themselves next season, but Brendan Rodgers's men were denied a winning return by Craig Dawson's late equaliser for Watford in a 1-1 draw at Vicarage Road.

In a remarkable conclusion, England left-back Ben Chilwell's superb 90th minute strike seemed to have handed the Foxes all three points.

However, Dawson secured a vital point in Watford's challenge to beat the drop with an acrobatic effort three minutes later to score his first goal for the club.

A point edged third-placed Leicester eight clear of Wolves and United, while Watford move a point above the relegation zone.

Bournemouth remain in the drop zone as they conceded twice in the first 23 minutes to lose 2-0 at home to Crystal Palace.

Luka Milivojevic and Jordan Ayew scored for the Eagles, who move up to ninth.

- Liverpool set to return -

On Sunday, the stage is set for Liverpool to return for the first time since the top-flight hiatus when the title chasers make the short trip to city rivals Everton.

Jurgen Klopp's side, 22 points clear of second-placed Manchester City, need two wins from their remaining nine games to end their 30-year wait to be crowned English champions.

If the Reds beat Everton, they can wrap up the title with another victory against Palace at Anfield on Wednesday.

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Football: Arsenal players and boss Arteta agree coronavirus pay cut

LONDON -- Arsenal became the first Premier League club to agree a coronavirus pay cut with their players as manager Mikel Arteta and his stars slashed their wages by 12.5 percent on Monday.

After Southampton and West Ham announced wage deferral agreements with their players, Arsenal went one step further by securing the pay cut from Arteta and the first-team squad.

"We are pleased to announce that we have reached a voluntary agreement with our first-team players, head coach and core coaching staff to help support the club at this critical time," Arsenal said in a statement.

"The move follows positive and constructive discussions. In these conversations there has been a clear appreciation of the gravity of the current situation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and a strong desire for players and staff to show their backing for the Arsenal family."

The pay deals come after a series of negotiations over the last two weeks amid a backdrop of criticism for Premier League players over their failure to agree quick wage cuts while some top-flight teams furloughed non-playing staff to save money.

The Premier League asked clubs to put a 30 percent pay cut to players, but the English Professional Footballers' Association said that would affect tax contributions to the UK's state-run National Health Service.

It was reported that Arsenal initially proposed a 12-month drop in salary for their players.


- 'Financial risks' -

After a muted response to their request, Arsenal were able to secure the agreement thanks to Arteta's influence, according to reports.

Arteta, who has recovered after contracting the virus in March, spoke to his 27-man squad in a video call on Wednesday.

He is said to have made it clear that he would not engage them in discussions about money normally, but in this case he wanted them to take a strong collective stance in supporting Arsenal through the unprecedented financial mayhem caused by the pandemic.

There are reports that Arsenal, whose yearly wage bill is around £230 million ($286 million), will give players their money back in the event that they bridge an eight-point gap and qualify for the Champions League when football restarts.

"If we meet specific targets in the seasons ahead, primarily linked to success on the pitch, the club will repay agreed amounts," the statement said.

"We will be able to make those repayments as hitting these targets, which the players can directly influence, will mean our financial position will be stronger. 

"The agreement is based on the assumption we will finish the season 2019/20 and receive the full broadcasting revenues.

"The resulting savings will help cover some of the financial risks we have this season in relation to our matchday and commercial income."

Last week, Arsenal announced that their executive team, including the chief executive Vinai Venkatesham and the head of football Raul Sanllehi, would waive more than a third of their earnings over the next year.

Premier League chiefs believe the virus could cost them around £1 billion if the season cannot be completed.

Football is currently suspended indefinitely in England, with the UK under lockdown.

"We are proud and grateful to our players and staff for pulling together to support our club, our people and our community in these unprecedented times which are some of the most challenging we have faced in our history," the statement said.

Agence France-Presse

Football: Premier League suffers first postponement as Arsenal players quarantined

LONDON -- Arsenal's game at Manchester City was postponed on Wednesday after players from the London club were put into quarantine, making it the first Premier League fixture to be called off because of the new coronavirus.

Arsenal said players and four staff had been isolated at their homes after coming into contact with the owner of Greek club Olympiakos, who has tested positive for COVID-19.

"We are strictly following the government guidelines which recommend that anyone coming into close contact with someone with the virus should self-isolate at home for 14 days from the last time they had contact," an Arsenal statement said.

"As a result, the players are unavailable for tonight's (Wednesday's) match against Manchester City and the Premier League has decided the game should be postponed."

The first postponement in the Premier League, which has a worldwide following of billions of TV viewers, follows widespread disruption to football and other sports across the globe.

Arsenal were knocked out of the Europa League by Olympiakos in late February. Vangelis Marinakis, owner of the Greek club and England's Nottingham Forest, announced on Tuesday that he had tested positive for the coronavirus.

But Arsenal said the players and staff, who met Marinakis after the game at the Emirates Stadium, will return to work on Friday ahead of Saturday's trip to Brighton.

"The medical advice we have received puts the risk of them developing COVID-19 at extremely low," it added.

The Premier League called the move a "precautionary measure" and said there were no plans to postpone any other games.

Football's Serie A and all other sports have been put on hold in Italy, while the top two divisions in Spain and France will be played in empty stadiums for at least the next two weeks.

UEFA's Champions League and Europa League have also been both forced to arrange matches behind closed doors as the epidemic spreads.

Olympiakos host Wolverhampton Wanderers in Athens this week in the Europa League, in one of the last-16 games that will be played in front of an empty stadium. 

Wolves manager Nuno Espirito Santo has joined a number of managers, including Liverpool's Jurgen Klopp, in voicing disquiet at being asked to play without fans.

"If we have to go we will. But we don't agree -- we're not happy to go," he told Sky Sports.

"Behind closed doors doesn't make sense," he added. "We're pretending to live a normal life when things aren't normal."

Wednesday's postponement could also frustrate Premier League leaders Liverpool, as a Manchester City defeat would have taken them to the brink of their first top-flight title in 30 years.

Agence France-Presse

Football: Chelsea striker England scores twice to win Continental Cup

Striker Beth England scored a stoppage-time winner as Chelsea beat Arsenal 2-1 in a thrilling Continental Cup final to claim the trophy for the first time in their history at the City Ground in Nottingham on Saturday.


England put FA Women's Super League leaders Chelsea ahead in the eighth minute after Norway's Maren Mjelde headed the ball back across goal, and the 25-year-old forward continued her recent fine run of form by firing home at the second attempt.

Chelsea goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger kept her side in it with some superb saves, but she was finally beaten in the 84th minute when Leah Williamson brought Arsenal level with a left-foot shot that flew through a thicket of defenders and into the net.

The game looked to be heading for extra time until Sam Kerr worked an opening down the right late in stoppage time, and when the ball broke to Mjelde she was able to find England for a simple close-range finish to win it for the Blues. 

(Reporting by Philip O'Connor; editing by Tony Lawrence)

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Football: Liverpool keep perfect record, more penalty woe for United

LONDON - Mohamed Salah-inspired Liverpool laid down an emphatic early-season marker as they outplayed Arsenal on Saturday to win 3-1 and ensure they are the only team left in the Premier League with a 100 percent record.

The European champions were in full cry at their Anfield fortress with two second-half goals from Salah ensuring they have a maximum nine points from three matches while they also ended Arsenal's own perfect league record.

On another eventful afternoon in England's top-flight, Manchester United suffered more woe from the penalty spot as they went down to a shock home defeat to Crystal Palace and Frank Lampard celebrated his first win as Chelsea manager at Norwich City.

Attention, though, centred on the day's late match between the two heavyweights who had won their first two games but it turned into a demonstration of Liverpool's strength as they equalled a 29-year-old club record with a 12th straight league win.

Liverpool dominated once Joel Matip headed home from a corner four minutes before halftime, with Salah, seeking to be the Premier League's top scorer for the third successive year, then taking over after the break with a 10-minute double.

After David Luiz desperately pulled his shirt in the area, the Egyptian converted from the spot before later producing a solo tour de force to spin and speed away from the hapless Brazilian and slot home a wonderful left-foot finish.

Arsenal earned a late consolation through substitute Lucas Torreira but Juergen Klopp's men opened up a three-point lead over the Gunners, who are second on six points.

Champions Manchester City, who play at Bournemouth, and Tottenham Hotspur, who host Newcastle United, have the chance to move on to seven points if they win their matches on Sunday.

Earlier, Manchester United's hopes of continuing a promising unbeaten start to the campaign were undone by Palace's 93rd-minute strike from Patrick van Aanholt in a 2-1 victory for Roy Hodgson's strugglers.

Daniel James thought he had earned United a point by cancelling out Jordan Ayew's first-half goal in the 89th minute but toothless United were left to rue their second missed penalty of the week.

After Paul Pogba had missed on Monday against Wolverhampton Wanderers, this time it was Marcus Rashford who spurned the opportunity, hitting the inside of the post and raising fresh questions about United's policy not to have one designated penalty taker.

FIRST VICTORY

Lampard finally landed his first managerial victory for the Blues at the fourth attempt as Tammy Abraham's double inspired a thrilling 3-2 win at Norwich City for his youthful side.

Lampard, back at the club he graced for 13 years as a player, fielded the youngest Chelsea side in a league match for 25 years, with an average age of 24.

Abraham struck in just the third minute, and after Norwich had twice fought back from a goal down, he also proved the match-winner at Carrow Road with another superb strike in the 68th minute.

Another of Lampard's starlets, Mason Mount, also scored while Teemu Pukki continued his dazzling start to the season for Norwich with a league-leading fifth goal.

"Our performances haven't given us what we deserved so far -- but today it did," said Lampard.

Abraham, who became the youngest player to score twice in a Premier League match for Chelsea for 21 years, added: "It's something I have always dreamed about, to score for my childhood club."

Leicester City moved up to third on five points after a first-half goal from Jamie Vardy and a thunderously struck winner from Harvey Barnes repelled a fightback from Sheffield United in a 2-1 win at Bramall Lane.

Brighton & Hove Albion's encouraging start under Graham Potter also hit the buffers after the 30th-minute sending off of Florin Andone allowed Southampton to take control and win 2-0 on the road.

Watford saw their painful, pointless start to the season continue with a 3-1 defeat at Vicarage Road to West Ham United, for whom new record French signing Sebastien Haller scored a second-half double. 

(Reporting by Ian Chadband Editing by Toby Davis)

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Football: Spurs draw with Arsenal, Man City go back on top

LONDON - As Manchester City returned to the top of the Premier League with a battling 1-0 win at Bournemouth on Saturday, the real drama came at Wembley where Tottenham Hotspur's 1-1 draw with Arsenal included two dubious penalties, one of which was saved, and a late sending-off.

Tottenham's first league draw of the season allowed Manchester United to make up ground with a 3-2 comeback win that included two goals from Romelu Lukaku and moved them one point above Arsenal into fourth place.

There were also wins for Crystal Palace, Brighton & Hove Albion, Wolverhampton Wanderers and West Ham United against Burnley, Huddersfield Town, Cardiff City and Newcastle United respectively.

At Wembley, as the clock ticked down in an eventful north London derby, referee Anthony Taylor pointed to the spot for the second time when Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang went down softly under a challenge from Davinson Sanchez.

But the Arsenal striker's spot-kick lacked power and direction and was easily parried by Hugo Lloris, with Jan Vertonghen preserving parity with a desperate follow-up clearance from Aubameyang.

There remained time for Taylor to send off Lucas Torreira in the final seconds for a reckless challenge on Danny Rose.

The referee had earlier awarded Spurs a penalty for a contested Shkodran Mustafi foul on Harry Kane, who got up to equalise from the spot after Aaron Ramsey's breakaway opener.

"It was another good derby, a passionate one, it had a bit of everything," said Kane. "Towards the end of the game, it went a bit crazy."

With Liverpool playing Everton on Sunday, Manchester City knew they had to win to keep up the pressure and move two points clear.

The outcome was never in doubt once substitute Riyad Mahrez put them in front early in the second half with a shot that Bournemouth keeper Artur Boruc would have been disappointed not to save.

But it was seldom easy for City and manager Pep Guardiola was forced to replace Kevin De Bruyne and John Stones with muscle injuries that are particularly unwelcome with many important games coming up.

The result delighted Guardiola, who put great store by victory after the double injury setback. "[It was] an incredible performance - one of the best performances we've ever played," he said.

Manchester United had to work hard to beat battling Southampton at Old Trafford after Yan Valery put the visitors ahead with a fierce strike before the break.

United's Andreas Pereira produced an even better strike to equalise before Lukaku scored a brace to ensure Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's unbeaten league record as caretaker manager continues.

Palace moved further away from the relegation zone with a 3-1 win at fellow strugglers Burnley thanks to second-half goals from Michy Batshuayi and Wilfried Zaha.

Brighton also did their survival chances a power of good after securing their first league win of the year against doomed Huddersfield.

Romanian striker Florin Andone headed the winner close to the end as Chris Hughton's side, who had taken just two points in 2019, finally halted their slide down the table.

"This was the perfect team to beat today and we knew before the game it was like a final," said Andone.

Wolves' 2-0 win came courtesy of goals from Diogo Jota and Raul Jimenez. It moved them on to 43 points, the most they have ever achieved in the top-flight in the Premier League era.

West Ham brushed aside Newcastle 2-0 in Saturday's late game with an early header from Declan Rice and a Mark Noble penalty.

The Hammers' club legend Billy Bonds watched the triumph on the day a stand at the London Stadium was named after him.

(Reporting by Martyn Herman, editing by Ed Osmond, Clare Fallon and Ian Chadband)

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Liverpool extend lead, Chelsea take control of Champions League chase

LONDON -- Mohamed Salah's second-half penalty moved Liverpool seven points clear at the top of the Premier League thanks to a 1-0 win away to Brighton, while Arsenal's hopes of a top-four finish suffered another body blow in defeat by West Ham on Saturday.

Chelsea now lead the Gunners by six points in the race for Champions League qualification after beating Newcastle 2-1.

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp admitted it had been "no opera" watching his side struggle to create chances on the south coast in a game of little goalmouth incident other than Salah's 17th goal of the season after the Egyptian had been hauled down by Pascal Gross five minutes into the second half.

"We are not the Harlem Globetrotters, we have to deliver results," said Klopp, as his side got back to winning ways after a first Premier League defeat of the season by Manchester City and an FA Cup exit to Wolves.

"For that, we need to perform. The performance was good. It was not the best performance of the season in a few departments but I would say it was the most mature performance of the season."

City can close the gap to four points with victory over Wolves on Monday, while Tottenham can close to within six should they move above the champions with victory over Manchester United on Sunday.

However, if United continue Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's perfect record as caretaker boss, the Red Devils will have eroded an eight-point gap to Arsenal in the month since Jose Mourinho was sacked.

- Rice sinks Arsenal -

Teenager Declan Rice scored his first West Ham goal as Unai Emery's men suffered on the road once more in a 1-0 loss at the London Stadium.

Mesut Ozil was again not selected even in Emery's squad as Arsenal's winless run away from home in the league extended to five games.

"We decided that the players here were the best for this match," said Emery of the German's absence.

"We've won with him, we've lost with him. No one player makes the difference between winning and losing the game."

However, it was not a perfect afternoon for the Hammers either as Marko Arnautovic appeared to wave goodbye to the home fans when substituted with the Austrian strongly linked with a move to the Chinese Super League.

Chelsea took advantage of Arsenal's defeat despite making heavy work of seeing off Newcastle.

Pedro Rodriguez's early opener was cancelled out by Ciaran Clark's header for the visitors, but Willian's fine 57th-minute strike secured all three points for Maurizio Sarri's men.

Defeat allied to results elsewhere saw Newcastle slip into the bottom three as 10-man Southampton held out to win 2-1 at Leicester.

James Ward-Prowse's penalty gave the Saints an 11th-minute lead before Yann Valery was sent off.

Southampton still doubled their lead in first-half stoppage time through Shane Long and withstood a second-half fightback from the Foxes when Wilfried Ndidi pulled a goal back.

"I'm unbelievably proud of my players," said Southampton manager Ralph Hasenhuttl.

"To go 2-0 in the lead at Leicester is not easy and we defended with fantastic commitment."

Fulham remain in the relegation zone as Burnley won 2-1 at Turf Moor despite not even having a single shot on target.

Andre Schurrle's stunning effort put Fulham ahead in just the second minute but Burnley equalised in the 20th minute through Joe Bryan's own goal and were soon in the lead when Denis Odoi also put through his own net.

"It is unbelievable. We scored a great goal and then suddenly two own goals," said Fulham manager Claudio Ranieri.

Craig Cathcart scored at both ends as Watford beat Crystal Palace 2-1 thanks to Tom Cleverley's volleyed winner with 16 minutes left at Selhurst Park.

Huddersfield are still rooted to the foot of the table following a goalless draw at Cardiff.

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Gray lifts grief-stricken Leicester, Liverpool top after Arsenal draw

LONDON -- Leicester paid an emotional tribute to Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha as the grief-stricken club won 1-0 at Cardiff following their owner's tragic death, while Alexandre Lacazette's late equalizer gave Arsenal a 1-1 draw against new Premier League leaders Liverpool on Saturday.

Thai billionaire Vichai was among five people killed when his helicopter crashed outside Leicester's King Power Stadium last weekend.

With Vichai's funeral underway on Saturday in Bangkok, Leicester headed to Cardiff for a match that served as a chance to honor their late owner and begin the healing process.

While results have been rendered irrelevant by the crash, it was fitting that Leicester took the points in their first match since Vichai's death, thanks to Demarai Gray's second-half winner at the Cardiff City Stadium. 

Leicester goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel felt the tragedy more than most as he witnessed the immediate aftermath of the crash moments after the helicopter went down.

"I feel proud. It's been a really tough week for everyone. The way everyone at the club handles themselves is a testament to the family Vichai built," Schmeichel said.

"That took a lot. It has been an emotional day. I'm glad we got three points for him.

"I can't imagine what his family are going through. We did it for him and his family."

Leicester's players had worn white t-shirts bearing Vichai's image and the words "The Boss" on the front of them during the pre-match warm-up.

A minute's silence was impeccably observed, with a wreath laid on the pitch and images of Vichai shown on the scoreboards behind either goal.

Leicester's players and staff linked arms on the center circle to pay tribute during a poignant silence that left Schmeichel in tears.

Claude Puel's team, playing with poise and desire despite their traumatic week, finally had a cathartic moment in the 55th minute. 

A superb cross from Ben Chilwell was finished off by Gray, who celebrated by lifting his shirt to reveal a message that read "For Vichai".

It earned Gray a booking from referee Lee Probert in a move that followed the letter of the law, but showed little common sense given the circumstances.

Leicester's players huddled together in celebration at full-time, with many of them due to fly to Thailand to join Vichai's funeral immediately after the game.

On any other weekend, the showdown between revitalized Arsenal and title-chasing Liverpool would have hogged the spotlight which instead shone on Leicester.

The Emirates Stadium clash proved a classic encounter as Arsenal showed they are capable of going toe to toe with the top four after years of underachievement.

Unai Emery's side fell behind to James Milner's clinical finish after Bernd Leno pushed out Sadio Mane's cross in the 61st minute.

But fifth placed Arsenal extended their unbeaten run in all competitions to 14 games as French striker Lacazette smashed home from a tight angle in the 82nd minute.

"I am only 50 percent happy because we wanted to win. The balance was good in our speed and intensity. Maybe we deserve a little more," Emery said.

Liverpool, unbeaten in their 11 league games this season, move one point above Manchester City, who would reclaim top spot if they avoid defeat against Southampton on Sunday.

Reds boss Jurgen Klopp added: "They had a few chances for sure. They are in a good moment. 

"We deserved a point and we could have had more. We had clear chances."

At Dean Court, Marcus Rashford's close-range finish in stoppage-time helped Manchester United hit back to win 2-1.

Callum Wilson's 11th-minute opener for Bournemouth was cancelled out by Anthony Martial's 35th-minute effort as United survived a series of missed chances from the hosts.

- Sloppy start -

It was United's third victory in their last four league games, but boss Jose Mourinho was furious with his side's latest sloppy start.

"We were defensively awful. The first half was a disaster. The second half was much better," Mourinho said.

Tottenham climbed to fourth place with a thrilling 3-2 win at Wolves.

Erik Lamela put Tottenham ahead in the 27th minute, Lucas Moura doubled their lead three minutes later and Harry Kane notched the third in the 62nd minute.

There was a tense finish as Wolves' Ruben Neves scored a 68th minute penalty before team-mate Raul Jimenez netted with another spot-kick in the 79th minute.

Newcastle earned their first league win this season with a 1-0 success against Watford at St James' Park.

Everton beat Brighton 3-1 and West Ham won 4-2 against Burnley.

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Man City thrash Arsenal to win League Cup final

LONDON - Pep Guardiola claimed his maiden English silverware as Manchester City thrashed Arsenal 3-0 in the League Cup final with Sergio Aguero, Vincent Kompany and David Silva all on target in a disappointingly one-sided showpiece on Sunday.

The first meeting between the sides in a domestic final was no classic but Spaniard Guardiola will not care after his side's class eventually shone through at a freezing Wembley Stadium.

City, who will also win the Premier League title barring a monumental collapse, did not even have to hit top gear to lift the trophy for the third time in five years.

Aguero's 18th-minute goal gave City a halftime lead and Arsenal withered after the break as Kompany prodded in from close range after 58 minutes before Silva thumped home a left-footer seven minutes later.

Arsenal's fans left in droves in the final 20 minutes while City's fans decorated the stadium with sky blue.

After a trophy-less first season in charge of City, Guardiola's career major trophy haul as a manager stands at 19, having won 11 with Barcelona and seven at Bayern Munich.

"It's important. We're so happy, and a big congratulations to all of Manchester City, and our fans. This trophy is for Manchester City and not for me," Guardiola, whose side's bid for an unprecedented quadruple was wrecked by a shock FA Cup defeat by third-tier Wigan Athletic on Monday, said.

"The first half we were not good, there were a lot of mistakes, in the second half we played with a lot more courage and personality -- we were outstanding."

Arsenal have now lost a record six League Cup finals and it remains the only silverware manager Arsene Wenger has not won.

"We self-inflicted our punishment," he said. "We had an unbelievable chance at 0-0 and then gave them a goal."

Despite the 27 points separating the sides in the Premier League, Arsenal arrived at Wembley having won their last three domestic finals, all in the FA Cup.

LOST CAUSE 

Their pedigree in knockout play offered hope of some salvation for another disappointing league campaign, but from the moment Aguero opened the scoring it looked a lost cause.

For all City's dazzling football this season, the breakthrough came from an old-fashioned 70 metre hoof forward by City's keeper Claudio Bravo -- who had kept his place in favour of usual keeper Ederson.

Aguero got the better of Shkodran Mustafi all too easily and as the Arsenal defender stopped and appealed for a foul that never was, Aguero calmly advanced to dink a delicate finish over David Ospina as Laurent Koscielny tried to cover.

Video Assistant Referee (VAR) was in use for the first time in an English final and Wenger could have been excused for wanting to have a second look just to clarify how his side had been opened up in such schoolboy fashion.

Kevin de Bruyne volleyed into the side-netting before halftime but Arsenal barely conjured a chance apart from early on when Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang somehow failed to beat Bravo from close range after Mesut Ozil's ball in.

City raised their level after the break and Arsenal lacked a chronic lack of belief that they could turn things around and win the trophy for the first time since 1993.

Kompany went close with a deflected effort and the next time the Belgian defender found himself in the Arsenal box, he poked out a leg to divert Ilkay Gundogan's low cross into the net.

When Silva buried a low shot past Ospina from Danilo's pass seven minutes later it threatened to get ugly for Arsenal.

They were spared further torment but the thousands of empty red seats behind Bravo's goal spoke volumes.

(Reporting by Martyn Herman, editing by Pritha Sarkar)

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