23 Nov 2020

Today's sports news: What you need to know

10:47 am on 23 November 2020

Latest - New Zealand golfer Lydia Ko has recorded her fourth top 10 finish of the LPGA Tour season.

New Zealand golfer Lydia Ko.

Photo: PHOTOSPORT

Ko has finished in a share of fourth place at this week's Women's Championship in Florida.

She's closed with a one-under 69 to finish eight-under par for the tournament, six shots behind the runaway winner, South Korea's Sei Young Kim

The world number two finished three shots ahead of her nearest challenger, American Ally McDonald.

The LPGA Tour now takes a week off before the Volunteers of America Classic early next month ahead of the US Women's Open in Houston.

Liverpool join Spurs at the top of the Premier League

Liverpool have beaten Leicester City 3-0 to draw level on points with Tottenham at the top of the Premier League.

Liverpool's Brazilian midfielder Roberto Firmino celebrates after scoring a goal during the English Premier League football match against Leicester City at Anfield in Liverpool, north west England on November 22, 2020.

Roberto Firmino celebrates scoring Liverpool's third goal against Leicester Photo: AFP

Diogo Jota and Roberto Firmino scored goals for the reigning champions who benefitted from an own goal to take the goal.

Earlier Everton's in-form striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin netted a brace and midfielder Abdoulaye Doucoure scored his first goal for the club as they beat Fulham 3-2 to return to winning ways.

The result lifted Everton to sixth on ther ladder with 16 points, two clear of West Ham United, who've beaten bottom of the table Sheffield United 1-0.

Leeds United and Arsenal have played out a 0-0 draw at Elland Road.

The Gunners played the majority of the second-half with just 10 players after NIcolas Pepe was red-carded in the 51st minute.

- Reuters

France win at Murrayfield

France centre Virimi Vakatawa muscled over the line to break open an absorbing test match which saw his side beat Scotland 22-15 at Murrayfield and top Group B of the Nations Cup.

France's centre Virimi Vakatawa runs away to score the onlt try during the Pool B Autumn Nations Cup international rugby union match against Scotland at Murrayfield Stadium in Edinburgh on November 22, 2020.

France centre Virimi Vakatawa runs away to score the only try against Scotland at Murrayfied. Photo: AFP

The hosts struggled all game to contain the Fiji-born Frenchman, who scored the game's only try just after halftime as he tracked a sniping break from the lively Vincent Rattez and burst through Scotland's flailing defenders.

The home side's Duncan Weir, once again deputising for the injured Finn Russell and Adam Hastings, kicked flawlessly to ensure the sides went in 12-12 at the break despite France showing more attacking verve and edging the forward contest.

Thomas Ramos was equally accurate from the spot for the visitors with four penalties, while fly-half Matthieu Jalibert added a smartly taken drop goal for the French side.

France's win ends a run of four successive defeats at Murrayfield and is their first win in Edinburgh since 2014.

- Reuters

Records fall in swimming bubble

Short course world records have fallen on the final day of the International Swimming League (ISL) season in Budapest.

World and Olympic champions Caeleb Dressel and Adam Peaty have smashed their own world best marks in the men's 100m individual medley and men's 100m breaststroke respectively.

Dressel, who last Monday became the first man to swim the 100m IM in under 50 seconds, sliced a further six tenths off his record of 49.88 with a new best of 49.28.

The 24-year-old, racing for the winning Cali Condors team, has now gone nearly a second faster than anyone else in history.

London Roar's Peaty touched the wall with a time of 55.41 in the 100m breaststroke, beating the record 55.49 the 25-year-old Briton set in the same pool a week ago.

New Zealanders Lewis Clareburt, Ali Galyer and Helena Gasson took part in the six week event.

- Reuters

Dane claims his maiden European Tour title

Denmark's Joachim Hansen has carded a bogey-free final round of 67 to claim his maiden win on the European Tour with a two-shot victory in the Joburg Open.

Joachim B. Hansen of Denmark pumps his fist as he sinks his winning put during the final round of the Joburg Open golf tournament held at the Randpark Golf Club in Johannesburg on November 22, 2020.

Joachim Hansen pumps his fist after sinking the winning putt at the Joburg Open. Photo: AFP

The 30-year-old had been tied with overnight leader Wilco Nienaber (69) at 19 under-par on the 17th tee, but when the South African bogeyed the final two holes, Hansen kept his cool to claim the trophy.

They were Nienaber's first dropped shots in 30 holes, though the second place finish is a career best result on the tour for the 20-year-old, who turned professional last year.

"I am quite emotional. This is what we work for - family back home watching and all that," a tearful Hansen said.

"Wilco got in front quite quick by three shots, but we stuck to our game-plan. He is long and can hit is straight, and we had to stick to what we have done for the last three days. I don't think I missed a putt inside six feet."

- Reuters

Portuguese dominates home grand prix

KTM Tech 3 rider Miguel Oliveira dominated his home MotoGP race from start to finish to win the season-ending Portuguese Grand Prix at Portimao's Algarve International Circuit.

Red Bull KTM Tech 3's Portuguese rider Miguel Oliveira celebrates on the podium after winning the MotoGP race of the Portuguese Grand Prix at the Algarve International Circuit in Portimao on November 22, 2020.

Miguel Oliveira celebrates on the podium after winning the Portuguest Grand Prix Photo: AFP

The Portuguese started from pole for the first time in his career after setting an all-time lap record at MotoGP's reserve track and was flawless as he finished in 41 minutes 48.163 seconds, 3.193 ahead of Pramac Racing's Jack Miller.

"It's unreal. You dream about these kinds of races and to finally be able to do it, it's incredible. I have no words to describe it... just my gratitude to all the people... and my team, which is a farewell to Tech 3," Oliveira said.

Petronas Yamaha's Franco Morbidelli finished third to seal second place in the riders' championship with 158 points, 13 behind Suzuki's Joan Mir who was forced to retire after 10 out of the 25 laps due to technical issues.

Mir's team mate Alex Rins was third with 139 points after finishing 15th on Sunday.

- Reuters