bbc--2020-02-02--Neneh Cherry revisits Raw Like Sushi: 'I sound like a little kid!'

Rock critics of a certain age have written hundreds of articles ( and in one case , an entire book ) about the moment in 1972 when David Bowie draped his arm around guitarist Mick Ronson on Top of the Pops and jump started a sexual revolution .
Less has been written about Neneh Cherry 's appearance on the same show 16 years later , but for young women and girls across the UK , it was just as important .
Dressed in a black mini-skirt , gold bra and high-top trainers , she rapped , skipped and spun through @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gold medallion draped over her prominent baby bump .
Her appearance echoed the song 's lyrical celebration of womanhood , putting sexual self-confidence and maternity firmly on the pop agenda .
Predictably , not everyone was impressed .
One critic asked Cherry if it was safe to perform when she was seven months pregnant .
`` Yes , of course ! ''
she replied .
`` It 's not an illness .
`` It 's what your body is made to do , for Christ 's sake .
And anyway performing generates a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other viewers were captivated by the star 's electrifying stage presence .
A week after her Top of the Pops debut , Buffalo Stance shot into the top 10 .
Her second daughter , Tyson , was born eight weeks later , at the same time as Cherry was putting the finishing touches to her debut album , Raw Like Sushi .
Released in June 1989 , the record was a vital , energetic blend of street rap and sweet soul , with Cherry addressing topics like urban deprivation , emotional blackmail and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of this newcomer as the Joni Mitchell of hip-hop , '' enthused the Chicago Sun-Times in its review .
`` That 's a bit much , is n't it ? ''
laughs the singer , as she talks to the BBC in 2020 .
`` I guess I always wanted to write songs that mean something - but at the same time , I would n't say I write directly political lyrics .
They always end up being about being human . ''
Those words , combined with Raw Like Sushi 's pulsating @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Raw Like Sushi sold more than 100,000 copies in its first week , went platinum four months later , and Cherry was nominated for best new artist at both the Brits and the Grammy Awards .
To celebrate the album turning 30 ( 30-and-a-half , to be precise ) it 's being re-released with two discs of bonus tracks and remixes , and Cherry agreed to share the story of those songs , track-by-track .
`` It 's going to be an interesting journey because I do n't really listen to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ And when I do , I 'm like , 'My God , you sound like a little kid ! '
'' A Buffalo Stance is `` an attitude you have to have in order to get by '' , Cherry told the New York Times in 1989 .
`` It 's not about fashion but about survival in inner cities and elsewhere . ''
The song started life as the B-side to Jamie Morgan 's Looking Good Diving , with a rap Cherry composed as she visited her local supermarket .
`` I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as my foot came down , I was like , 'Who 's that gigolo on the street ? '
'' says the singer .
`` And pretty much between going into the store and coming out , I had half of the rap .
`` I remember doing the second half , 'The girls with the curls and the padded bras , ' back in my house , and we more or less did the song in an afternoon . ''
Although Morgan 's single flopped , Cherry 's B-side caught the ear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , who asked to remix it for her album , adding samples from Miami 's Chicken Yellow ( for the sax riff ) and Malcolm McLaren 's Buffalo Gals ( for the hip-hop scratches ) .
`` It was amazing going into the studio with Tim , '' says Cherry .
`` He had such a clear idea of what he wanted to do .
He was like , ' I do n't want any harmonies , I just want the vibe . '
`` And thank God he had the vision because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ considered re-doing [ Looking Good Diving ] .
To us , it was like done , ready , whoop , doop , forgotten about . ''
Cherry 's second single was an accusatory but compassionate ballad about a man who has some growing up to do .
The haunting lyrics and sumptuous strings , recorded at Abbey Road , signified there was more to the singer than the upbeat party vibes of Buffalo Stance .
`` I was on the bus after going to see Matt Johnson from The The , '' says @ @ @ @ @ @ @ duet called Slow Train To Dawn ) .
`` And I started singing 'Is it the pain of the drinking or the Sunday sinking feeling ? '
`` I just had that phrase in my head .
Then I went home and found the chords and just totally went off piste . ''
Cherry attributes the song 's unusual chord progression to a Casio keyboard she borrowed from her partner Cameron McVey ( credited on the album as Booga Bear ) .
`` It had this little auto-chord accompaniment system , '' she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a great musician and a great songwriter , did n't really know how to play , so he was always pulling out and finding strange chord sequences on that [ keyboard ] when we wrote together .
`` And when I sent that song to my stepdad , Don Cherry , who was a jazz musician , he said , 'Damn , there 's seven chords in the verse .
That 's not bad ! '
'' One of the album 's most pop-forward moments , Kisses On The Wind tells the story @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of womanhood - `` She was the first girl to turn the boys on '' - and how that affects her confidence and friendships .
`` It 's a really difficult time , is n't it ? ''
says Cherry .
`` Because you come to an age where you start having all these feelings , right ?
You 're almost longing for it .
But at the same time the attention you 're drawing to yourself is kind of overwhelming and embarrassing .
`` You go from thinking you 're a grown-up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Cherry says there are elements of autobiography to the lyrics , but the song was also inspired by watching girls on New York 's Lower East Side , where she lived in her early teens .
`` They were young women I was fascinated with , or very much in awe of , who seemed to be very much holding their own and very beautiful - but also very vulnerable and quite fragile . ''
Inna City Mamma opens with a sample from Stevie Wonder 's Living For The City - `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it '' - which was a direct inspiration for the album 's fourth and final single .
`` There 's a bit in that song where it just goes from telling the story of this young girl , her legs are sturdy , she 's growing up in the countryside , to someone getting off a bus and arriving in the city , '' recalls Cherry .
`` Then they get thrown in jail and you hear the gate being shut , and a voice goes , 'You 've got 10 years ' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a lot when I was growing up .
So it inspired another version of that New York City story , through my own eyes . ''
It 's not a flattering portrait .
`` I trusted you and you crushed me to a pulp , '' sings Cherry as the song draws to a close .
`` What I was trying to do was portray New York as a lover , '' she says .
`` It 's an interesting city because after you 've been there for a while , you become @ @ @ @ @ @ @ part of you .
Not many places affect you like that .
So Inna City Mamma was my way of trying to have a conversation with the actual place . ''
A song encouraging young men and women to accept the responsibilities of sex and parenthood , The Next Generation also addresses the brutal realities of child-rearing : `` They keep you awake at night sometimes and mess on your clothes [ and ] you worry about whether it 's really worth the sacrifice . ''
`` There was a lot of dialogue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , contraception - all of which are still big themes now , '' says the singer .
`` Teenagers in a lot of places do n't have access to birth control and end up with unwanted babies .
But I also wanted to sing about the beauty of life , so there were a few different threads to that conversation . ''
Crucially , Cherry was delivering this message as a mother , promoting her record while raising a newborn baby and her six-year-old daughter Naima .
`` In retrospect , I 'm @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not sure how I did that , ' but I was determined to make it work .
`` That was a thing , as a woman , as a mother , doing the kind of music that I 'd chosen to make , I really wanted to break through those boundaries and step out of the norm . ''
And she says travelling with her family stopped her from being swept up in the whirlwind of Raw Like Sushi 's success .
`` Finishing a day 's promo and lying in a bed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
There was n't any space to get drawn into any of that extraterrestrial crap . ''
The second half the album opens with a soulful reflection on a failing relationship , and it deliberately swerved away from the strident tracks of Side A .
`` I did n't want to get trapped in being bombastic or shouty or cheeky , '' says Cherry .
`` So I put some elements in there from a more thoughtful perspective .
`` A lot of the songs are fundamentally about being a woman , wanting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , not wanting to be an underdog .
But we all end up in these more complex situations where you ca n't be like that , or it takes a while to get there and defend yourself .
`` That 's where Love Ghetto came from . ''
One of the album 's funniest and most caustic songs , Heart is addressed to a woman who 's stolen Cherry 's boyfriend .
`` Everybody knows you 're a phony , '' she chastises .
`` You just want his alimony . ''
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of where I was and how the tune came together , but it is quite vicious , '' says Cherry .
`` It 's almost an answer to the song before - about the moment you get to a place where you go , 'Do you know what ?
That 's enough now . '
'' `` That song actually came from a friend of mine , Vivien Goldman , telling me about some dodgy guy she 'd been seeing , and how he 'd been seeing someone else on the side .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ 'The worst thing is that these women he 's hanging out with are just phonies . '
No disrespect to the beautiful women , but these were kind of tacky girls .
`` And so Phoney Ladies came from that conversation… I wrote it in my kitchen in Kensal Rise .
The bed and my kitchen are my favourite working places ! ''
There 's a lot of sex on Raw Like Sushi , but this is the only song where Cherry gives in to lust .
`` My body 's clean but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she purrs over an irresistible funk groove .
`` The sound of Prince was probably floating around in our minds , '' she says .
`` He was such a big part of everything at that time . ''
In a 1989 documentary about the making of the album , Cherry is seen recording the vocals just 10 days before her due date , clearly in some discomfort .
`` I was literally standing with my leg up on a chair singing that song , having weird little contractions , '' she recalls @ @ @ @ @ @ @ never record a pregnant woman , which I think is a little bit extreme , but it definitely affects your vocals .
Everything is squished , so your diaphragm is n't at full capacity . ''
So Here I Come A blistering coda , So Here I Come sees Cherry deliver her manifesto , `` If you 're gon na do it , you got to do it right '' , before she signs off for good .
But the song also paints a vivid picture of her upbringing , including the crushing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` I 'll never forget it , '' she says .
`` I was so proud of the fact I could read and I wanted to show my teacher , but she just basically ignored me .
`` I suppose in her mind she did n't want to treat me different to anyone else in the class but it was heartbreaking .
`` I did n't last at school for very long .
I 'm so thankful my parents had the guts to say , 'This situation is n't right , let @ @ @ @ @ @ @ To have that understanding and that faith is brilliant .
And that 's why I 'm still here . ''
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"What I was trying to do was portray New York as a lover," she says. "It's an interesting city because after you've been there for a while, you become part of the city and it becomes part of you. Not many places affect you like that. So Inna City Mamma was my way of trying to have a conversation with the actual place."


bbc--2020-02-02--'I wasn't allowed to buy my burrito with cash'

During a recent lunch hour in New York , a sea of office workers filled the Hudson Eats food court , where staff prepared pizza , barbecue and chopped salad orders at incredible speed .
Many people had ordered ahead by app , while credit cards dominated the other purchases .
And at least two establishments refused cash altogether - as Nicholas Duggan discovered to his dismay when he pulled out dollars to pay for his burrito .
`` I was very taken aback , '' said the 29-year-old construction worker .
`` Luckily I had my card on me @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been steadily overtaken by credit cards and a growing number of electronic and mobile options .
Some countries , including the US , are even toying with plans for digital currencies .
However , a growing number of places in the US are pushing back .
In January , New York City passed a law requiring businesses to accept dollar bills .
The measure followed similar steps in Philadelphia , San Francisco , and New Jersey .
Several other cities , including Washington DC , are considering similar moves and Congress recently heard @ @ @ @ @ @ @ used cash for an estimated 26 % of transactions last year , down from 40 % in 2012 , according to surveys by the US central bank .
The decline is not unique to the US .
In the UK , the proportion of cash payments has dropped by more than half since 2008 , sinking from 60 % to 28 % in 2018 .
In Sweden , cash accounts for just 6 % of transactions , down from more than 35 % in 2012 .
• Cash or no cash - where @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from cash has been a bonanza for credit card companies and newer firms such as Square , which handle electronic transactions .
Consulting firm McKinsey expects revenue in the global payments industry to grow 6 % annually over the next five years , to more than $ 2.7 trillion .
But about 6.5 % of American households do not even have bank accounts - let alone `` digital wallets '' , according to the most recent US government estimates .
That compares to less than 2 % in the UK , and less @ @ @ @ @ @ @ show low income households in the US are much more likely to pay by cash .
Will Buie , 41 , an oral historian who lives in New Jersey , said he feels restaurants with cashless policies are `` putting up a class barrier '' .
If you have money , he said , `` Why be limited in terms of what you can buy ? ''
New York City Council member Ritchie Torres , who sponsored New York 's law , said his goal was to protect people without access to bank @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cash also works in an emergency when the power is out and preserves privacy in an era when credit card companies and others widely share shopper histories , said Jay Stanley , a privacy expert at the American Civil Liberties Union ( ACLU ) , which has lobbied in favour of the new laws .
Mr Stanley says he thinks the new laws should be seen in the context of rising public concern about privacy and big tech .
`` I think people understand that removing cash as an option will disempower them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` We can act on convenience minute-by-minute and yet still have a larger vision for the kind of society we want . ''
Businesses that have gone cashless say they 're formalising what most of their customers do anyway .
They argue that making the switch official is speedier for consumers , safer for staff , and less expensive , since it eliminates the costs of laborious end-of-day cash register counting .
`` It 's clear that the future of currency is electronic , '' Leo Kremer , co-founder of Dos Toros @ @ @ @ @ @ @ New York City Council last year .
In his testimony , Mr Kremer said that he sympathised with the bill 's intent , but it was n't fair to hold restaurants to a different standard than the many businesses - such as e-commerce firms - for which electronic payments are the norm .
`` Let 's pull those members of our community forward into the modern financial system , rather than pulling the business community backward with a well-intentioned , but ill-advised and burdensome regulation , '' he said .
Sarah Wafula , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , says she hardly ever carries cash , since using cards makes it easier to track purchases .
Many of her friends do the same .
`` But just because you prefer it , does n't mean it should be mandatory for everyone , '' she says .
`` I do n't think it 's fair to have people be forced to pay using one specific way . ''
Even before New York 's law was approved , an outcry against cashless policies had already prompted some previously cash-free businesses , such as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ course .
Mr Duggan said he was prepared with card on hand for his second Hudson Yards visit .
But even two weeks later , he still could n't quite believe a business had told him his money was no good .
`` I thought that was pretty wild , '' he said .
`` It 's all currency . ''

Cash also works in an emergency when the power is out and preserves privacy in an era when credit card companies and others widely share shopper histories, said Jay Stanley, a privacy expert at the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), which has lobbied in favour of the new laws.


bbc--2020-02-02--Superb Bergwijn goal helps Spurs to win against Man City

Steven Bergwijn marked his debut with a superb volley as Tottenham won a bad-tempered Premier League affair with 10-man Manchester City to boost their top-four hopes .
The result lifts Spurs to fifth , four points behind fourth-placed Chelsea , while City remain second , 22 points behind leaders Liverpool who can win the title on 21 March when they play Crystal Palace .
The 22-year-old 's goal came with Spurs ' first shot on target , after Oleksandr Zinchenko had been dismissed for a second yellow card and City midfielder Ilkay Gundogan had seen a first-half penalty saved by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which deflected off Fernandinho as it flew past City goalkeeper Ederson into the bottom left corner confirmed a valuable victory for the hosts .
• Why Spurs win was no Mourinho masterclass - analysis • Player Rater : who was your man of the match ?
• Football Daily podcast : Bergwijn 's brilliant debut and tough times at the bottom Pep Guardiola 's City side had arrived in London chasing their fifth league win in six games and dominated possession but failed to convert a glut of glorious chances .
Lloris @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the post and the Argentine was then at the centre of a chaotic few minutes towards the end of the first half , winning a penalty awarded by VAR following Serge Aurier 's clumsy challenge .
Gundogan however , saw his spot-kick - which took four minutes to be given - saved by Spurs keeper Lloris , with VAR then asked to rule on whether the France goalkeeper had fouled City 's Raheem Sterling as both pursued the rebound .
Tottenham 's Toby Alderweireld and Zinchenko were booked as both sets of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , while Spurs boss Jose Mourinho appeared angered at the referee 's failure to book Sterling for diving when a second penalty was not awarded .
Sterling had earlier appeared fortunate to escape with only a 12th-minute booking , after replays showed his studs landing on the ankle and lower shin of Spurs midfielder Dele Alli .
City though were reduced to 10 men after the break , with Ukrainian Zinchenko receiving his marching orders for a foul on Harry Winks .
That allowed Spurs to gain a foothold in the game , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cross into the bottom right corner from 15 yards to set them on their way .
Until the hour mark this had looked like being another occasion on which Spurs were going to sorely miss Harry Kane as the focal point of their attack .
Son and Moura provided dynamism and debutant Bergwijn showed some neat touches , but Kane 's ability to hold the ball and bring others into play was absent as the hosts repelled wave after wave of City attacks .
And then the game dramatically swung in Tottenham 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ surge forward which drew Zinchenko into a rash challenge and hastened his early departure .
City , who had been readying Gabriel Jesus , were suddenly forced into a rethink and while they attempted to reorganise Spurs went ahead .
Bergwijn , who arrived at the club on Wednesday in a £27m deal from PSV Eindhoven had last scored on 7 December against Fortuna Sittard .
But there was nothing routine about the way he introduced himself to supporters of the north London club - capping a tenacious display with a fine goal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Netherlands winger , who pulled up with cramp in the second half , but who was afforded a hero 's ovation when he was withdrawn after 70 minutes .
While Spurs manager Mourinho cut a frustrated figure in the first period over perceived injustices , the roles were reversed after the break with his old nemesis Guardiola appearing exasperated by his own team .
Having reminded his City side to be `` more clinical '' after their Manchester derby loss on Wednesday , he appeared agitated by their first-half penalty miss and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ second penalty .
And that was compounded two minutes into the second period when German midfielder Gundogan missed a gilt-edged chance , firing over from six yards after Sterling had laid the ball into his path and Aguero 's initial effort was cleared off the line by Alderweireld .
The champions had 18 shots but only hit the target five times and both substitute Jesus and Bernardo Silva were unable to convert late chances .
City 's lack of cutting edge ensured a sixth defeat of the season , which is as many @ @ @ @ @ @ @ combined .
'It happened again ' - what they said Tottenham manager Jose Mourinho told BBC Match of the Day : `` With a few draws of people in the same area of the table as us , it was very important to get three points .
We still have an eye on fourth .
It was a match where you know the quality of the opponent .
You want to win , but you can lose .
I 'm delighted with the boys .
`` Only [ VAR ] Kevin Friend can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ card [ for Raheem Sterling ] .
He has the chance to watch again .
That decision would change the game .
It would probably not be such an enjoyable game , one team with one player more for an hour is a big advantage .
I think it 's a clear red card . ''
On Steven Bergwijn 's goal : `` It 's the best way to come to a club .
We were not putting pressure on him .
We signed him early in the week , so we had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He 's very intelligent , humble .
At home against the champions , to score a goal , not a normal goal , could n't be better for him . ''
On beating Pep Guardiola : `` It 's a pleasure to get three points in a match where we knew it would be very difficult .
I have better feelings for Pep than you can imagine .
We worked together for three years . ''
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola told Sky Sports : `` We played well but lost the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had two shots and scored two goals .
`` I do n't have too many things to say about the performance .
We have to accept it and analyse it .
It is not easy .
We did really well , honestly .
`` With this performance , how should I be critical ?
This performance would be an incredible mistake to say how bad they are .
We created chances and conceded few .
`` A few times this season it has happened .
The sending off was a key point .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ yellow cards are a fast and quick action . ''
• Spurs picked up their first Premier League win against Manchester City since October 2016 , which was also a 2-0 victory on home soil ( at White Hart Lane ) .
• Manchester City have now lost six games in the Premier League this season , their joint-most in a single campaign under manager Pep Guardiola ( six in 2016-17 ) .
• Spurs boss Jose Mourinho picked up his sixth win against Guardiola across all competitions - only Jurgen Klopp has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) .
However , Mourinho has now won against Guardiola with four different teams ( Inter Milan , Real Madrid , Manchester United and Spurs ) , the most of any manager .
• Manchester City have gone consecutive games without scoring for the first time under Guardiola , having last done so back in March 2016 under Manuel Pellegrini ( three games without a goal ) .
• Steven Bergwijn 's opener for Spurs saw him become the 250th player to score on his debut in the Premier League , and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Since the start of 2016-17 , only Jamie Vardy ( 6 ) has scored more goals against Guardiola 's Manchester City than Spurs ' Son Heung-min ( 5 ) across all competitions .
• Manchester City have failed to score four of the last six penalties they have taken across all competitions , with three different players accounting for these failed spot-kicks ( Gabriel Jesus x2 , Raheem Sterling and Ilkay Gundogan ) .
• Spurs goalkeeper Hugo Lloris has saved three of the last four penalties he has faced in the Premier @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now made the joint-most penalty saves for the club in the competition ( five - along with Heurelho Gomes ) .
• Oleksandr Zinchenko became the third Manchester City player to be sent off in the Premier League this season - no team have been awarded more red cards than Guardiola 's side in 2019-20 .
Tottenham host Southampton in an FA Cup fourth-round replay on Wednesday , 5 February ( 19:45 GMT ) , before returning to Premier League action at Aston Villa on Sunday , 16 February ( 14:00 ) .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ next Premier League game on Sunday , 9 February ( 16:30 ) .

Last updated on .From the section Premier League
Steven Bergwijn is the 250th player to score on his Premier League debut, and the 13th Dutchman.
Steven Bergwijn marked his debut with a superb volley as Tottenham won a bad-tempered Premier League affair with 10-man Manchester City to boost their top-four hopes.
The result lifts Spurs to fifth, four points behind fourth-placed Chelsea, while City remain second, 22 points behind leaders Liverpool who can win the title on 21 March when they play Crystal Palace.
The 22-year-old's goal came with Spurs' first shot on target, after Oleksandr Zinchenko had been dismissed for a second yellow card and City midfielder Ilkay Gundogan had seen a first-half penalty saved by Hugo Lloris.
Son Heung-min's effort, which deflected off Fernandinho as it flew past City goalkeeper Ederson into the bottom left corner confirmed a valuable victory for the hosts.
Pep Guardiola's City side had arrived in London chasing their fifth league win in six games and dominated possession but failed to convert a glut of glorious chances.
Lloris brilliantly flicked a Sergio Aguero effort on to the post and the Argentine was then at the centre of a chaotic few minutes towards the end of the first half, winning a penalty awarded by VAR following Serge Aurier's clumsy challenge.
Gundogan however, saw his spot-kick - which took four minutes to be given - saved by Spurs keeper Lloris, with VAR then asked to rule on whether the France goalkeeper had fouled City's Raheem Sterling as both pursued the rebound.
Tottenham's Toby Alderweireld and Zinchenko were booked as both sets of players confronted each other in the aftermath, while Spurs boss Jose Mourinho appeared angered at the referee's failure to book Sterling for diving when a second penalty was not awarded.
Sterling had earlier appeared fortunate to escape with only a 12th-minute booking, after replays showed his studs landing on the ankle and lower shin of Spurs midfielder Dele Alli.
City though were reduced to 10 men after the break, with Ukrainian Zinchenko receiving his marching orders for a foul on Harry Winks.
That allowed Spurs to gain a foothold in the game, with Bergwijn firing Lucas Moura's clever cross into the bottom right corner from 15 yards to set them on their way.
Bergwijn makes immediate impression
Jose Mourinho 'so pleased' with 'amazing' Spurs effort
Until the hour mark this had looked like being another occasion on which Spurs were going to sorely miss Harry Kane as the focal point of their attack.
Son and Moura provided dynamism and debutant Bergwijn showed some neat touches, but Kane's ability to hold the ball and bring others into play was absent as the hosts repelled wave after wave of City attacks.
And then the game dramatically swung in Tottenham's favour, thanks largely to Winks' surge forward which drew Zinchenko into a rash challenge and hastened his early departure.
City, who had been readying Gabriel Jesus, were suddenly forced into a rethink and while they attempted to reorganise Spurs went ahead.
Bergwijn, who arrived at the club on Wednesday in a £27m deal from PSV Eindhoven had last scored on 7 December against Fortuna Sittard.
But there was nothing routine about the way he introduced himself to supporters of the north London club - capping a tenacious display with a fine goal.
It marked a dream debut for the Netherlands winger, who pulled up with cramp in the second half, but who was afforded a hero's ovation when he was withdrawn after 70 minutes.
City lack finishing touch
Pep Guardiola says he cannot explain why his side failed to score
While Spurs manager Mourinho cut a frustrated figure in the first period over perceived injustices, the roles were reversed after the break with his old nemesis Guardiola appearing exasperated by his own team.
Having reminded his City side to be "more clinical" after their Manchester derby loss on Wednesday, he appeared agitated by their first-half penalty miss and the decision not to award them a second penalty.
And that was compounded two minutes into the second period when German midfielder Gundogan missed a gilt-edged chance, firing over from six yards after Sterling had laid the ball into his path and Aguero's initial effort was cleared off the line by Alderweireld.
The champions had 18 shots but only hit the target five times and both substitute Jesus and Bernardo Silva were unable to convert late chances.
City's lack of cutting edge ensured a sixth defeat of the season, which is as many as in their past two title-winning campaigns combined.
Man of the match - Giovani Lo Celso (Tottenham)
Argentine midfielder Giovani Lo Celso covered more ground (11.78km) and played more passes than any Tottenham player
'It happened again' - what they said
Tottenham manager Jose Mourinho told BBC Match of the Day: "With a few draws of people in the same area of the table as us, it was very important to get three points. We still have an eye on fourth. It was a match where you know the quality of the opponent. You want to win, but you can lose. I'm delighted with the boys.
"Only [VAR] Kevin Friend can explain why it was not a red card [for Raheem Sterling]. He has the chance to watch again. That decision would change the game. It would probably not be such an enjoyable game, one team with one player more for an hour is a big advantage. I think it's a clear red card."
On Steven Bergwijn's goal: "It's the best way to come to a club. We were not putting pressure on him. We signed him early in the week, so we had time for him to train and speak. He's very intelligent, humble. At home against the champions, to score a goal, not a normal goal, couldn't be better for him."
On beating Pep Guardiola: "It's a pleasure to get three points in a match where we knew it would be very difficult. I have better feelings for Pep than you can imagine. We worked together for three years."
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola told Sky Sports: "We played well but lost the game. It happened again. They had two shots and scored two goals.
"I don't have too many things to say about the performance. We have to accept it and analyse it. It is not easy. We did really well, honestly.
"With this performance, how should I be critical? This performance would be an incredible mistake to say how bad they are. We created chances and conceded few.
"A few times this season it has happened. The sending off was a key point. We said at half-time be careful, yellow cards are a fast and quick action."
Another City player sees red - the stats
Spurs picked up their first Premier League win against Manchester City since October 2016, which was also a 2-0 victory on home soil (at White Hart Lane).
Manchester City have now lost six games in the Premier League this season, their joint-most in a single campaign under manager Pep Guardiola (six in 2016-17).
Spurs boss Jose Mourinho picked up his sixth win against Guardiola across all competitions - only Jurgen Klopp has defeated him on more occasions (8). However, Mourinho has now won against Guardiola with four different teams (Inter Milan, Real Madrid, Manchester United and Spurs), the most of any manager.
Manchester City have gone consecutive games without scoring for the first time under Guardiola, having last done so back in March 2016 under Manuel Pellegrini (three games without a goal).
Steven Bergwijn's opener for Spurs saw him become the 250th player to score on his debut in the Premier League, and the 13th Dutchman to do so.
Since the start of 2016-17, only Jamie Vardy (6) has scored more goals against Guardiola's Manchester City than Spurs' Son Heung-min (5) across all competitions.
Manchester City have failed to score four of the last six penalties they have taken across all competitions, with three different players accounting for these failed spot-kicks (Gabriel Jesus x2, Raheem Sterling and Ilkay Gundogan).
Spurs goalkeeper Hugo Lloris has saved three of the last four penalties he has faced in the Premier League - indeed, the Frenchman has now made the joint-most penalty saves for the club in the competition (five - along with Heurelho Gomes).
Oleksandr Zinchenko became the third Manchester City player to be sent off in the Premier League this season - no team have been awarded more red cards than Guardiola's side in 2019-20.
What's next?
Tottenham host Southampton in an FA Cup fourth-round replay on Wednesday, 5 February (19:45 GMT), before returning to Premier League action at Aston Villa on Sunday, 16 February (14:00).
Manchester City host West Ham in their next Premier League game on Sunday, 9 February (16:30).


bbc--2020-02-03--England in South Africa: The issues facing England at start of new ODI cycle

It 's 205 days since England 's last one-day international on THAT glorious , sun-kissed Sunday at Lord 's .
Then , England won their first 50-over World Cup in the most dramatic fashion but now , 6,000 miles away in the shadow of Table Mountain , a new chapter begins .
Tuesday , and the first of three ODIs against South Africa , marks the beginning of a new four-year cycle as England ultimately build towards defending their world title in India in 2023 .
So how are the world champions looking going into the series , what issues @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could happen ?
Will Morgan stay on as captain ?
The biggest issue around the future of England 's 50-over team surrounds their captain Eoin Morgan - the man who took them from no-hopers to world champions in the space of four years .
Following the World Cup , Morgan did not immediately commit to staying on as skipper , citing back problems , and he has so far only guaranteed continuing until the Twenty20 World Cup in October in Australia .
This - and the fact Morgan will be 36 when the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ doubts over whether he will be part of the England team in 2023 .
Former assistant coach Paul Farbrace , who was a key part of England 's white-ball improvements before leaving the set-up in spring 2019 , said Morgan may be tempted to walk away if his side win the T20 World Cup .
Farbrace told BBC Sport : `` Whether he will be playing in another four years , who knows ?
If his form is good and his fitness is good then there is no reason why he should n't @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or when - Morgan does move on from the captaincy , the plan is in place within the England set-up for wicketkeeper-batsman Jos Buttler to take over .
Buttler , 29 , is the current vice-captain and has stood in on six occasions when Morgan has been unavailable .
`` Buttler is the heir apparent , '' Farbrace said .
`` He is a very good leader within that team .
He will make a fantastic captain .
`` He and Morgs think very similarly about the game but , equally , he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He does more in the dressing room than people give him credit for .
He has a big say in a lot of things .
He and [ Ben ] Stokes are the two big talkers in the dressing room . ''
Although he believes Buttler is ready to captain England , Farbrace said he would prefer Morgan to continue for at least two more years , until after the T20 World Cup in India in 2021 .
`` If Jos does n't take over the captaincy for another year , 18 months @ @ @ @ @ @ @ period into the World Cup , that would be perfect for him , '' Farbrace said .
`` There would be a danger if Jos took over too soon and he had four years to build a team then that might be too long .
`` I 'd like to think Morgs will do it for the next couple of years and win the T20 World Cup at least once .
It would also give Jos little bit more time to be in position to take over as captain . ''
Who else @ @ @ @ @ @ @ England 's series against South Africa is largely made up of the 2019 World Cup-winning cohort with a handful of additions and some key players rested .
However , bowlers Jofra Archer and Tom Curran are the only World Cup winners who will be aged under 30 by the time the 2023 tournament begins .
Liam Plunkett , 34 , has not been selected to play in South Africa and it seems England have already moved on from the bowler who has played 89 ODIs and took 11 wickets during the World Cup @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Moeen Ali would all be at least 34 , although Rashid and Moeen 's role as spinners give them a better chance of survival .
Farbrace said he still expects most of the World Cup winners to be involved in three years ' time but says England will be wary of fielding an ageing team .
`` Most will want to be there , '' he said .
`` Winning the World Cup at home was brilliant for them and brilliant for the game , but they would like to win it in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ With Morgan , Rashid and Moeen , England will want them to be playing good cricket and not going in with injuries .
`` The other thing would be the mobility of them .
If you have too many older players who lack mobility and are not so good in the field you will struggle , because in India on small grounds your fielding is going to have to be magnificent .
`` It will be a case of wanting their variation and skills but wanting them to be at the top of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ come in ?
There were signs of England looking to the future in late 2019 with batsman Tom Banton , all-rounder Lewis Gregory and bowlers Pat Brown , Saqib Mahmood and Matt Parkinson making their T20 debuts during the series win over New Zealand .
Banton , Mahmood and Parkinson have all been included for the series in South Africa , with Brown only missing because of a back injury .
Middlesex and England bowler Steven Finn expects Lancashire fast bowler Mahmood to make many more international appearances .
`` Domestically , whenever @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or when Middlesex played Lancashire he bowled very , very impressively , '' Finn told BBC Sport .
`` He is someone to keep an eye on . ''
Somerset batsman Banton , 21 , is perhaps the most well known of the trio .
He scored a T20 century for Somerset last summer , starred with three fifties in an impressive stint in the Big Bash League this winter and has been described as a `` future star '' by former England captain Michael Vaughan .
`` He could quite easily come @ @ @ @ @ @ @ momentum going , '' Farbrace said .
`` He is a fantastic player and has been very impressive .
Phil Salt at Sussex is another who is very exciting . ''
Salt , who has also been impressing in the Big Bash , was called into the England squad as injury cover last summer , although he did not play .
Warwickshire director of cricket Farbrace also highlighted Bears batsman Sam Hain , 24 , Warwickshire fast bowler Henry Brookes , 20 , Lancashire batsman Liam Livingstone , 26 , who has played @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bowler Ollie Robinson as other players who could be involved .
Robinson , who is Farbrace 's stepson , has taken 137 County Championship wickets across the past two seasons and made his England Lions debut in 2019 .
So England have three years to mould a team capable of defending their title in 2023 .
To do so they must take into account the conditions they will face on the subcontinent , conditions which are likely to differ greatly to those in England .
England selected 34 players between the 2015 and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a stable squad of players in the run-up to the 2019 tournament - the arrival of Archer aside .
Farbrace expects England to employ a similar period of experimentation over the next two years .
`` We did n't nail down our plan for the first 18 months , '' Farbrace said .
`` It was very fluid .
`` England will have 15 months of experiment and widening the talent pool and then narrow it down , nailing down the game plan that is specific for India .
`` The last three @ @ @ @ @ @ @ host nation and in 2023 England can expect to find small grounds with flat , high-scoring pitches .
`` How well you bowl in the last 10 overs will be an absolutely key part of the next World Cup .
Who wins it will have the best bowling attack , not the best batting line-up .
`` England will be happy where their batting is at .
There is no need to change too much with that .
`` The key now is making sure we have enough variety and skill in our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ too many wickets with the new ball so you want players who can close matches out and stop opposition batsmen scoring more than 80 runs off the last 10 overs .
`` Your yorker bowlers , slower-ball bowlers and skilful seamers are going to play a massive part .
That will end up being the difference between the teams . ''
Although not part of the upcoming South Africa series , the inaugural ICC Cricket World Cup Super League begins in May 2020 and will form part of the qualification process for India @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seven sides in the World Cup Super League will guarantee their place at the showpiece .
England 's first matches in the Super League are a three-match series with Australia in July .

England beat New Zealand after a super over in their last 50-over match - the World Cup final at Lord's
It's 205 days since England's last one-day international on THAT glorious, sun-kissed Sunday at Lord's.
Then, England won their first 50-over World Cup in the most dramatic fashion but now, 6,000 miles away in the shadow of Table Mountain, a new chapter begins.
Tuesday, and the first of three ODIs against South Africa, marks the beginning of a new four-year cycle as England ultimately build towards defending their world title in India in 2023.
So how are the world champions looking going into the series, what issues are on the horizon and what changes could happen?
Will Morgan stay on as captain?
Morgan was appointed England captain shortly before the 2015 World Cup in Australia
The biggest issue around the future of England's 50-over team surrounds their captain Eoin Morgan - the man who took them from no-hopers to world champions in the space of four years.
Following the World Cup, Morgan did not immediately commit to staying on as skipper, citing back problems, and he has so far only guaranteed continuing until the Twenty20 World Cup in October in Australia.
This - and the fact Morgan will be 36 when the next World Cup begins - raises serious doubts over whether he will be part of the England team in 2023.
Former assistant coach Paul Farbrace, who was a key part of England's white-ball improvements before leaving the set-up in spring 2019, said Morgan may be tempted to walk away if his side win the T20 World Cup.
Farbrace told BBC Sport: "Whether he will be playing in another four years, who knows? If his form is good and his fitness is good then there is no reason why he shouldn't."
'Buttler the heir apparent'
Buttler last captained England against Pakistan in May 2019 when Morgan was suspended
Farbrace says that if - or when - Morgan does move on from the captaincy, the plan is in place within the England set-up for wicketkeeper-batsman Jos Buttler to take over.
Buttler, 29, is the current vice-captain and has stood in on six occasions when Morgan has been unavailable.
"Buttler is the heir apparent," Farbrace said. "He is a very good leader within that team. He will make a fantastic captain.
"He and Morgs think very similarly about the game but, equally, he will be his own man.
"He does more in the dressing room than people give him credit for. He has a big say in a lot of things. He and [Ben] Stokes are the two big talkers in the dressing room."
Although he believes Buttler is ready to captain England, Farbrace said he would prefer Morgan to continue for at least two more years, until after the T20 World Cup in India in 2021.
"If Jos doesn't take over the captaincy for another year, 18 months or two years and has an 18-month period into the World Cup, that would be perfect for him," Farbrace said.
"There would be a danger if Jos took over too soon and he had four years to build a team then that might be too long.
"I'd like to think Morgs will do it for the next couple of years and win the T20 World Cup at least once. It would also give Jos little bit more time to be in position to take over as captain."
Who else could move on?
The squad for England's series against South Africa is largely made up of the 2019 World Cup-winning cohort with a handful of additions and some key players rested.
However, bowlers Jofra Archer and Tom Curran are the only World Cup winners who will be aged under 30 by the time the 2023 tournament begins.
Liam Plunkett, 34, has not been selected to play in South Africa and it seems England have already moved on from the bowler who has played 89 ODIs and took 11 wickets during the World Cup campaign.
Morgan, Adil Rashid and Moeen Ali would all be at least 34, although Rashid and Moeen's role as spinners give them a better chance of survival.
Farbrace said he still expects most of the World Cup winners to be involved in three years' time but says England will be wary of fielding an ageing team.
How many of England's World Cup winners will make India 2023? Player Age at start of 2023 World Cup Jason Roy 32 Jonny Bairstow 33 Joe Root 32 Eoin Morgan 36 Ben Stokes 31 Jos Buttler 32 Chris Woakes 33 Liam Plunkett 37 Adil Rashid 34 Jofra Archer 27 Mark Wood 33 James Vince 31 Moeen Ali 35 Liam Dawson 32 Tom Curran 27
"Most will want to be there," he said. "Winning the World Cup at home was brilliant for them and brilliant for the game, but they would like to win it in a different country as well.
"With Morgan, Rashid and Moeen, England will want them to be playing good cricket and not going in with injuries.
"The other thing would be the mobility of them. If you have too many older players who lack mobility and are not so good in the field you will struggle, because in India on small grounds your fielding is going to have to be magnificent.
"It will be a case of wanting their variation and skills but wanting them to be at the top of their game."
So who could come in?
There were signs of England looking to the future in late 2019 with batsman Tom Banton, all-rounder Lewis Gregory and bowlers Pat Brown, Saqib Mahmood and Matt Parkinson making their T20 debuts during the series win over New Zealand.
Banton, Mahmood and Parkinson have all been included for the series in South Africa, with Brown only missing because of a back injury.
Middlesex and England bowler Steven Finn expects Lancashire fast bowler Mahmood to make many more international appearances.
"Domestically, whenever I saw him on TV last year or when Middlesex played Lancashire he bowled very, very impressively," Finn told BBC Sport. "He is someone to keep an eye on."
Banton averaged 31.85 in seven matches in the Big Bash for Brisbane Heat
Somerset batsman Banton, 21, is perhaps the most well known of the trio. He scored a T20 century for Somerset last summer, starred with three fifties in an impressive stint in the Big Bash League this winter and has been described as a "future star" by former England captain Michael Vaughan.
"He could quite easily come into that England team and keep the momentum going," Farbrace said.
"He is a fantastic player and has been very impressive. Phil Salt at Sussex is another who is very exciting."
Salt, who has also been impressing in the Big Bash, was called into the England squad as injury cover last summer, although he did not play.
Warwickshire director of cricket Farbrace also highlighted Bears batsman Sam Hain, 24, Warwickshire fast bowler Henry Brookes, 20, Lancashire batsman Liam Livingstone, 26, who has played two T20s for England, and Sussex bowler Ollie Robinson as other players who could be involved.
Robinson, who is Farbrace's stepson, has taken 137 County Championship wickets across the past two seasons and made his England Lions debut in 2019.
Mission India 2023 - find more death bowlers?
So England have three years to mould a team capable of defending their title in 2023.
To do so they must take into account the conditions they will face on the subcontinent, conditions which are likely to differ greatly to those in England.
England selected 34 players between the 2015 and 2019 World Cups before eventually settling on a stable squad of players in the run-up to the 2019 tournament - the arrival of Archer aside.
Farbrace expects England to employ a similar period of experimentation over the next two years.
"We didn't nail down our plan for the first 18 months," Farbrace said. "It was very fluid.
"England will have 15 months of experiment and widening the talent pool and then narrow it down, nailing down the game plan that is specific for India.
"The last three World Cups have been won by the host nation and in 2023 England can expect to find small grounds with flat, high-scoring pitches.
Jofra Archer can expect to be part of England's 2023 World Cup squad and has gained experience of bowling in India at the Indian Premier League
"How well you bowl in the last 10 overs will be an absolutely key part of the next World Cup. Who wins it will have the best bowling attack, not the best batting line-up.
"England will be happy where their batting is at. There is no need to change too much with that.
"The key now is making sure we have enough variety and skill in our bowling.
"There will not be too many wickets with the new ball so you want players who can close matches out and stop opposition batsmen scoring more than 80 runs off the last 10 overs.
"Your yorker bowlers, slower-ball bowlers and skilful seamers are going to play a massive part. That will end up being the difference between the teams."
Although not part of the upcoming South Africa series, the inaugural ICC Cricket World Cup Super League begins in May 2020 and will form part of the qualification process for India 2023.
Hosts India and the top seven sides in the World Cup Super League will guarantee their place at the showpiece.
England's first matches in the Super League are a three-match series with Australia in July.


bbc--2020-02-03--'Showtime' Mahomes provides perfect finish to Super Bowl week

`` We 've got Pat Mahomes .
It 's magic Mahomes , it 's showtime Mahomes . ''
And so a week that started with a nation in mourning for a sporting hero ended with a new star cementing his place on the biggest stage of all .
Kobe Bryant 's death was marked by a moment 's silence before a Super Bowl that was as compelling as it was cathartic , as the Kansas City Chiefs finally ended a 50-year wait for glory with victory over the San Francisco 49ers .
To spend the week in Super Bowl town @ @ @ @ @ @ @ means to the United States - and how thrilled it was by witnessing one of the sport 's very best players Patrick Mahomes seize the moment when it threatened to overwhelm him .
The imaginary title of world 's biggest sporting event may remain up for grabs but after a week in the glitz and glare of the NFL spotlight the case for this Miami showpiece is strong .
Sporting purists may argue , and they could be right , but in terms of an all-encompassing event that can swallow up a city @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has few equals .
What other night could boast a guest list ranging from Sir Paul McCartney - still in The Beatles the last time the Chiefs were champions - to Jay-Z , Beyonce , David Beckham , Usain Bolt and Floyd Mayweather ?
What other game would have The Rock - the world 's highest-paid actor - just reading out the teams ?
What other one-off game begins its media commitments a full week away from kick-off ?
What other event draws thousands of fans from across a continent just for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a worldwide health scare were a long way down the batting order of the news agenda across America as Miami and its suburbs became anaesthetised by traffic .
When the elements got involved on Friday night , washing out a Harry Styles gig in town , it barely registered on the party-goers .
Across the city Shaq was hosting a club night , while elsewhere the visiting fans could take in Snoop Dogg , Lady Gaga , Guns n Roses , P Diddy , Pitbull , Post Malone and the Black Eyed Peas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about a pre-match event which saw a chef from each of the NFL 's 32 host teams cooking up a dish from that city for their guests ?
James Corden 's dad playing Jenny from the block on his Salvation Army saxophone to a bemused JLo and Shakira ?
You got it .
In the media centre you are treated to the bizarre sight of 'radio row ' where hundreds of talk radio stations and podcasts line up in a room bigger than some towns I 've lived in , a clamour of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for hours and days at a time .
Can you talk about a game too much ?
Not in this town , not in this week .
And then of course , on game day itself , the annual Puppy Bowl , where 96 pups up for adoption battle it out to get as many dog toys in the end zone as they can .
Hours later , to mark the 100th anniversary of the NFL , four 100-year-old World War II veterans conducted the coin toss before serving members of the military @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
From the ridiculous to the sublime .
You do n't get that at the Olympics do you ?
Not in Kansas anymore - Fans ' wait ends in style It did n't look like it for three quarters of the game - but this was Kansas City 's time to shine .
All week I 'd seen Chiefs fans strewn up the coastline of south Florida like sporting jetsam in the hope of affordable lodgings .
They came in huge numbers , undeterred by tickets on the secondary market starting at $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at $ 72,000 ( £54,705 ) each on Saturday afternoon .
Not even a small fortune .
A large one .
There were fans in my hotel brushing off talk of a 22-hour drive and a trip that cost in the tens of thousands of dollars .
This was a once in a lifetime event .
Not sensible , but yet essential .
They made an enormous amount of noise inside the stadium , outnumbering their foes from the west coast , and were rewarded by a superb final quarter comeback that will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the fringes of the Missouri river .
After the confetti and the tears , and as Hard Rock stadium emptied around them , a pocket of the same hardy bunch were still rooted in one corner , chanting 'MVP ' to their hero Mahomes .
Those credit card bills will all be worth it .
If Super Bowl week can overwhelm the casual visitor , how about a superstar quarterback who 's only played 35 games as a pro and has been earmarked for greatness since a young age ?
All week the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he could be stopped and how he may bend under the strain of his first Super Bowl examination .
With less than 15 minutes left Mahomes was arguably having his toughest game of his career , having thrown two interceptions and seeing the Niners open up a 10-point lead .
But he did n't break .
Instead he guided his side to a famous win .
`` It do n't matter the score - we 've got Pat Mahomes .
It 's magic Mahomes , it 's showtime Mahomes , '' said tight @ @ @ @ @ @ @ going to be himself no matter what the scenario is , and you know what ?
I love him .
He willed this team back into the game . ''
Wide receiver Tyreek Hill added : `` We were down and he was telling us to believe in the fourth quarter .
`` He could see it in some guys ' eyes , they were getting down , including myself .
`` I was like man , are we going to pull this off ?
And he was like , you 've got @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the guys together and you saw what happened .
We 're something special , this band of brothers are blessed to have one another . ''
Mahomes ' own take on his quarter of greatness was simple .
`` I never have that mindset of losing the game , '' he said .
`` I play and compete to the very end , the last whistle , until that clock strikes zero .
I knew we were n't in the ideal situation but I believed in my defense to get stops and they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ found ways to win in the end . ''
Super Bowl MVP Mahomes is 24 .
NFL MVP Lamar Jackson is 23 .
The future of the sport is in safe hands and in a year 's time the madness will descend on Florida once more - to Tampa .
See you there .

"We've got Pat Mahomes. It's magic Mahomes, it's showtime Mahomes."
And so a week that started with a nation in mourning for a sporting hero ended with a new star cementing his place on the biggest stage of all.
Kobe Bryant's death was marked by a moment's silence before a Super Bowl that was as compelling as it was cathartic, as the Kansas City Chiefs finally ended a 50-year wait for glory with victory over the San Francisco 49ers.
To spend the week in Super Bowl town was to see just what this event means to the United States - and how thrilled it was by witnessing one of the sport's very best players Patrick Mahomes seize the moment when it threatened to overwhelm him.
Stars, storms and saxophones - Super Bowl week staggers
Shakira and Jennifer Lopez provided a glitzy half-time show in Miami
Olympics? World Cup final? Heavyweight title fight?
The imaginary title of world's biggest sporting event may remain up for grabs but after a week in the glitz and glare of the NFL spotlight the case for this Miami showpiece is strong.
Sporting purists may argue, and they could be right, but in terms of an all-encompassing event that can swallow up a city, a nation, the Super Bowl has few equals.
What other night could boast a guest list ranging from Sir Paul McCartney - still in The Beatles the last time the Chiefs were champions - to Jay-Z, Beyonce, David Beckham, Usain Bolt and Floyd Mayweather? What other game would have The Rock - the world's highest-paid actor - just reading out the teams?
What other one-off game begins its media commitments a full week away from kick-off?
What other event draws thousands of fans from across a continent just for the pre-game parties?
An impeachment trial and a worldwide health scare were a long way down the batting order of the news agenda across America as Miami and its suburbs became anaesthetised by traffic.
When the elements got involved on Friday night, washing out a Harry Styles gig in town, it barely registered on the party-goers. Across the city Shaq was hosting a club night, while elsewhere the visiting fans could take in Snoop Dogg, Lady Gaga, Guns n Roses, P Diddy, Pitbull, Post Malone and the Black Eyed Peas.
Music not your thing? How about a pre-match event which saw a chef from each of the NFL's 32 host teams cooking up a dish from that city for their guests?
James Corden's dad playing Jenny from the block on his Salvation Army saxophone to a bemused JLo and Shakira? You got it.
In the media centre you are treated to the bizarre sight of 'radio row' where hundreds of talk radio stations and podcasts line up in a room bigger than some towns I've lived in, a clamour of chatter and guests rattling through the air for hours and days at a time. Can you talk about a game too much? Not in this town, not in this week.
And then of course, on game day itself, the annual Puppy Bowl, where 96 pups up for adoption battle it out to get as many dog toys in the end zone as they can.
Team Fluff defeated Team Ruff in Puppy Bowl XVI, with Gina, 12-week-old Labrador retriever-chow chow mix, voted MVP.
Hours later, to mark the 100th anniversary of the NFL, four 100-year-old World War II veterans conducted the coin toss before serving members of the military were paraded to the Top Gun theme. From the ridiculous to the sublime.
You don't get that at the Olympics do you?
Not in Kansas anymore - Fans' wait ends in style
It didn't look like it for three quarters of the game - but this was Kansas City's time to shine.
All week I'd seen Chiefs fans strewn up the coastline of south Florida like sporting jetsam in the hope of affordable lodgings.
They came in huge numbers, undeterred by tickets on the secondary market starting at $5,000 (£3,817) with some listed at $72,000 (£54,705) each on Saturday afternoon. Not even a small fortune. A large one.
There were fans in my hotel brushing off talk of a 22-hour drive and a trip that cost in the tens of thousands of dollars. This was a once in a lifetime event. Not sensible, but yet essential.
They made an enormous amount of noise inside the stadium, outnumbering their foes from the west coast, and were rewarded by a superb final quarter comeback that will live long in the memory far beyond the fringes of the Missouri river.
After the confetti and the tears, and as Hard Rock stadium emptied around them, a pocket of the same hardy bunch were still rooted in one corner, chanting 'MVP' to their hero Mahomes. Those credit card bills will all be worth it.
'Magic Mahomes' delivers
If Super Bowl week can overwhelm the casual visitor, how about a superstar quarterback who's only played 35 games as a pro and has been earmarked for greatness since a young age?
All week the chat had been about Mahomes, how he could be stopped and how he may bend under the strain of his first Super Bowl examination.
With less than 15 minutes left Mahomes was arguably having his toughest game of his career, having thrown two interceptions and seeing the Niners open up a 10-point lead.
But he didn't break. Instead he guided his side to a famous win.
"It don't matter the score - we've got Pat Mahomes. It's magic Mahomes, it's showtime Mahomes," said tight end Travis Kelce.
"He's going to be himself no matter what the scenario is, and you know what? I love him. He willed this team back into the game."
Wide receiver Tyreek Hill added: "We were down and he was telling us to believe in the fourth quarter.
"He could see it in some guys' eyes, they were getting down, including myself.
"I was like man, are we going to pull this off? And he was like, you've got to believe brother.
"He brought the guys together and you saw what happened. We're something special, this band of brothers are blessed to have one another."
Mahomes' own take on his quarter of greatness was simple.
"I never have that mindset of losing the game," he said.
"I play and compete to the very end, the last whistle, until that clock strikes zero. I knew we weren't in the ideal situation but I believed in my defense to get stops and they did. We kept fighting and we found ways to win in the end."
Super Bowl MVP Mahomes is 24. NFL MVP Lamar Jackson is 23. The future of the sport is in safe hands and in a year's time the madness will descend on Florida once more - to Tampa.
See you there.


bbc--2020-02-03--Neymar celebrates 28th birthday as PSG boss calls party a 'distraction'

Neymar celebrated his upcoming 28th birthday with a lavish party at Parisian nightclub Yoyo on Sunday .
Paris St-Germain manager Thomas Tuchel skipped the white-themed party under the Palais de Tokyo , after branding it `` a distraction '' , with the event coming just two days before their next game .
It appeared to be a sentiment not shared by the Brazilian 's team-mates and celebrity pals however , with Edinson Cavani , Marco Verratti and Angel di Maria embracing the dress code and injured Lyon winger Memphis Depay sporting a pair of gem-encrusted wellies .
Serial party host @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get-togethers , but it was reported that Neymar would rein in his celebrations this year before his actual birthday on Wednesday .
He threw a 'Nuit Rouge ' themed event for his 27th birthday for around 200 guests , while he welcomed in his 26th birthday with a black tie event attended by Lewis Hamilton and the president of Brazil .
Sunday 's bash came a day after PSG 's bad-tempered 5-0 victory against Montpellier , that was notable for incidents involving a pink-haired Neymar and team-mate Kylian Mbappe .
Neymar shrugged off @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with his signature tricks and raged at the officials .
Mbappe , 21 , reacted angrily to being substituted midway through the second half .
`` These are distractions , and they give the impression we are not serious , not professional , '' said Tuchel , in his post-match comments when discussing Neymar 's party .
But on Tuesday , he denied he had a personal issue with Neymar .
`` It 's my choice not to participate in the party , '' Tuchel said .
`` It 's a choice as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Neymar personally . ''
Mbappe appeared to skip the party all together , instead opting to watch the Kansas City Chiefs win the Super Bowl after attending an event at Disneyland Paris .
Maybe he could n't find anything white to wear ...

Last updated on .From the section European Football
Neymar arrives at his white-themed party in a suit and matching fedora. He turns 28 on Wednesday
Neymar celebrated his upcoming 28th birthday with a lavish party at Parisian nightclub Yoyo on Sunday.
Paris St-Germain manager Thomas Tuchel skipped external-link the white-themed party under the Palais de Tokyo, after branding it "a distraction", with the event coming just two days before their next game.
It appeared to be a sentiment not shared by the Brazilian's team-mates and celebrity pals however, with Edinson Cavani, Marco Verratti and Angel di Maria embracing the dress code and injured Lyon winger Memphis Depay sporting a pair of £1,200 boots.
All white on the night (left to right): Memphis Depay, Angel di Maria, Edinson Cavani and Marco Verratti
Serial party host Neymar is well known for his extravagant get-togethers, but it was reported that Neymar would rein in external-link his celebrations this year before his actual birthday on Wednesday.
He threw a 'Nuit Rouge' themed event for his 27th birthday for around 200 guests, while he welcomed in his 26th birthday with a black tie event external-link attended by Lewis Hamilton and the president of Brazil.
Sunday's bash came a day after PSG's bad-tempered 5-0 victory against Montpellier, that was notable for incidents involving a pink-haired Neymar and team-mate Kylian Mbappe.
Neymar shrugged off an injury scare, taunted the opposition with his signature tricks and raged at the officials.
Mbappe, 21, reacted angrily to being substituted midway through the second half.
"These are distractions, and they give the impression we are not serious, not professional," said Tuchel, in his post-match comments when discussing Neymar's party.
But on Tuesday, he denied he had a personal issue with Neymar.
"It's my choice not to participate in the party," Tuchel said. "It's a choice as a coach; it's not against Neymar personally."
Mbappe appeared to skip the party all together, instead opting to watch the Kansas City Chiefs win the Super Bowl after attending an event at Disneyland Paris.
Maybe he couldn't find anything white to wear...


bbc--2020-02-02--Ronaldo becomes first Juventus player to score in nine straight league games for 15 years

Cristiano Ronaldo scored two penalties to take his tally to 10 goals in his last six games as Juventus beat @ @ @ @ @ were first awarded a spot kick for handball in the first half and Ronaldo swept @ @ @ @ @ Bentancur was fouled inside the box towards the end of the second half and Ronaldo @ @ @ @ @ Ligt then headed in a third in injury time .
Ronaldo has now scored in @ @ @ @ @ for Juventus , becoming the first player to do so since David Trezeguet in December @ @ @ @ @ scored 50 goals in just 70 appearances since joining the Italian giants in 2018 .
@ @ @ @ @ place at the top of the table , with 54 points from 22 games - @ @ @ @ @ .

Last updated on .From the section European Football
Ronaldo has scored 33 goals in 33 appearances for club and country this season
Cristiano Ronaldo scored two penalties to take his tally to 10 goals in his last six games as Juventus beat Fiorentina 3-0.
The hosts were first awarded a spot kick for handball in the first half and Ronaldo swept home the penalty.
Rodrigo Bentancur was fouled inside the box towards the end of the second half and Ronaldo again converted.
Matthijs de Ligt then headed in a third in injury time.
Ronaldo has now scored in nine successive Serie A games for Juventus, becoming the first player to do so since David Trezeguet in December 2005.
He has also scored 50 goals in just 70 appearances since joining the Italian giants in 2018.
The win strengthens Juventus' place at the top of the table, with 54 points from 22 games - six clear of Inter Milan.


bbc--2020-02-03--Phoenix Open: Webb Simpson beats Tony Finau in play-off

Webb Simpson birdied the last two holes before beating Tony Finau in a play-off to win the Phoenix Open in Arizona .
The 34-year-old American two-putted from 50 feet on the 17th and then holed a 17-foot attempt on the last , while Finau missed an eight-foot putt to win .
That left the players tied on 17 under and Simpson claimed his sixth PGA Tour title with another birdie putt , from 10 feet , at the first extra hole .
`` I did n't have my best stuff but I hung in there , '' said Simpson .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ couple of holes and then birdie 18 twice feels great . ''
Simpson started the final round one shot behind Finau and drew level with a birdie on the fifth hole .
However , after hitting his drive into the water on the 15th he dropped a shot to fall two behind with three to play .
Both players parred the par-three 16th - the hole surrounded by raucous fans - as the PGA Tour honoured basketball great Kobe Bryant , who died in a helicopter crash last week .
Tournament organisers used @ @ @ @ @ @ @ eight and 24 to determine the location of the 16th hole pin in Scottsdale .
The flag also featured his numbers with a purple eight on one side , and 24 on the other .
American world number 13 Finau and Justin Thomas - who finished tied for third on 14 under - also wore replicas of Bryant 's jersey on the 16th hole .
Simpson 's winning birdie run started when he drove the green on the par-four 17th before completing his first victory since the 2018 Players Championship with two more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` It 's a bitter week as I look back on it , '' said Finau .
`` But lots of stuff to be learned .
`` I had a chance , a great chance to win this week .
Unfortunately , it did n't happen , but my game 's better than it 's ever been . ''
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Last updated on .From the section Golf
Simpson trailled Tony Finau by one shot at the start of the final day
Phoenix Open final leaderboard -17 W Simpson (US), T Finau (US); -14 J Thomas (US), B Watson (US), N Lashley (US); -13 M Homa (US), S Piercy (US), -12 A Long (US) Selected others: -11 J Rahm (Spa); -10 R Knox (Sco); -1 M Laird (Sco) Final leaderboard
Webb Simpson birdied the last two holes before beating Tony Finau in a play-off to win the Phoenix Open in Arizona.
The 34-year-old American two-putted from 50 feet on the 17th and then holed a 17-foot attempt on the last, while Finau missed an eight-foot putt to win.
That left the players tied on 17 under and Simpson claimed his sixth PGA Tour title with another birdie putt, from 10 feet, at the first extra hole.
"I didn't have my best stuff but I hung in there," said Simpson.
"To come down to the last couple of holes and then birdie 18 twice feels great."
Simpson started the final round one shot behind Finau and drew level with a birdie on the fifth hole.
However, after hitting his drive into the water on the 15th he dropped a shot to fall two behind with three to play.
Both players parred the par-three 16th - the hole surrounded by raucous fans - as the PGA Tour honoured basketball great Kobe Bryant, who died in a helicopter crash last week.
Tournament organisers used Bryant's LA Lakers jersey numbers of eight and 24 to determine the location of the 16th hole pin in Scottsdale. The flag also featured his numbers with a purple eight on one side, and 24 on the other.
American world number 13 Finau and Justin Thomas - who finished tied for third on 14 under - also wore replicas of Bryant's jersey on the 16th hole.
Simpson's winning birdie run started when he drove the green on the par-four 17th before completing his first victory since the 2018 Players Championship with two more on the 18th as Finau faltered.
"It's a bitter week as I look back on it," said Finau. "But lots of stuff to be learned.
"I had a chance, a great chance to win this week. Unfortunately, it didn't happen, but my game's better than it's ever been."


bbc--2020-02-02--US election 2020: What are the Iowa caucuses and how do they work?

Four years after the world watched Donald Trump 's momentum build and build until he became the Republican nominee , America is again deciding who will run for the White House .
The nominees will be chosen through a series of primaries and caucuses in every US state and territory , starting in Iowa on Monday and ending in Puerto Rico in early June .
Short of a big shock , the Republican nominee will be Donald Trump .
Even though technically he has two challengers , he is so popular among Republicans , he has a clear run ahead @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the Democratic primaries are the only ones worth watching .
It 's an unusual process , not all of which makes sense , although we 've tried .
A whole year before the primaries , the first candidates emerged from hibernation .
Over the year , others woke up and eventually 28 people announced they were running to become the Democratic nominee for president .
But dwindling funds , luke-warm or ( ice-cold ) public reaction and campaign infighting have , to varying degrees , led to 16 candidates pulling out of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ take on Trump ?
Now , with primary season upon us , 12 people remain in the running .
In theory , any one of them could become the nominee .
In reality , only a few have a chance .
The first event of the primary season is n't a primary at all - it 's a series of caucuses , in Iowa , on Monday 3 February .
We 'll explain the difference between a primary and a caucus later .
A caucus involves people attending a meeting - maybe for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on their preferred candidate , perhaps via a head count or a show of hands .
Those meetings might be in just a few select locations - you ca n't just turn up at a polling station .
As a result , caucuses tend to really suit candidates who are good at rousing their supporters to get out of bed .
People like Bernie Sanders , for example .
• Nine odd things about the Iowa caucuses Caucuses used to be far more popular back in the day , but this year , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ states - in Nevada , North Dakota , Wyoming and Iowa .
If any candidate gets under 15 % of the vote in any caucus , their supporters then get to pick a second choice from among the candidates who did get more than 15 % , or they can just choose to sit out the second vote .
A win here for any candidate can help give them momentum and propel them to victory in the primaries .
Why is Iowa first in the primary calendar ?
You can blame Jimmy Carter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in 1972 , for various technical electoral reasons too boring to go into here .
But when Carter ran for president in 1976 , his team realised they could grab the momentum by campaigning early in Iowa .
He won there , then surprisingly won the presidency , and Iowa 's fate was sealed .
Why does Iowa not matter ?
Iowa does n't represent the entire US - it 's largely white , so the way people vote there will be very , very different than in other states .
Its record @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bit rubbish too , at least when it comes to Republicans - when there 's an open Republican race , Iowa has n't opted for the eventual nominee since 2000 .
Such names as Mike Huckabee , Rick Santorum and Ted Cruz have won there in recent years .
Step three : The New Hampshire primary Eight days after Iowa on Tuesday , 11 February , is the first primary , in New Hampshire .
The tiny north-eastern state of only 1.3m people will once again become an unlikely hotbed of political activity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are expected to turn up at a few limited locations at certain times and stick around for a while , primary voters can just turn up at a polling booth and vote in secret .
Then leave .
The more votes a candidate gets in a caucus or primary , the more `` delegates '' they are awarded , and all candidates will be hoping to win an unbeatable majority of delegates .
The number of delegates differs in each state , and is decided by a convoluted series of criteria .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there are 415 Democratic delegates up for grabs this year .
In New Hampshire , it 's only 24 .
This year is a bit different .
Any candidate would need to get at least 15 % of the vote in any primary or caucus to be awarded delegates .
There are still 11 candidates in the running - an unusually large number - so there 's a risk the vote share will be spread out and some of the candidates may struggle to reach 15 % .
After New Hampshire , we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is struggling , but whoever has claimed the most delegates at this stage is still far from guaranteed to be the nominee .
And even those who are struggling may not drop out right after New Hampshire , because there is so much at stake on ... A few other states vote in between New Hampshire and the end of February , but this is when things really start to warm up : Super Tuesday , on 3 March .
It is the big date in the primary calendar , when 16 states @ @ @ @ @ @ @ preferred candidate in primaries or caucuses .
A third of all the delegates available in the entire primary season are up for grabs on Super Tuesday .
By the end of the day it could be much clearer who the Democratic candidate will be .
The two states with the most delegates are voting on Super Tuesday - California ( with 415 Democratic delegates ) and Texas ( 228 ) .
California is voting three months earlier than in 2016 , making Super Tuesday even more super than normal .
California and Texas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , so we may see them going for very different candidates than those chosen in Iowa and New Hampshire .
Step five : The rest of the race After hectic Super Tuesday , everyone gets to cool down for a week , before another busy day on Tuesday , 10 March , when six states vote , with 352 delegates available .
After that , the primary season still has three months left to run , and at the end , the role of those delegates will become clear ... Donald Trump will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Republican nominee at the party convention in Charlotte , North Carolina , between 24 and 27 August .
The Democrats will confirm their candidate at their own convention between 13 and 16 July in Milwaukee , Wisconsin .
What happens in a convention ?
Here 's where those delegates come in .
Let 's say that during primary season , candidate A wins 10 delegates .
During the convention , those 10 delegates would vote for candidate A to become the Democratic nominee .
( Any party member can apply to be a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ activists or local political leaders . )
All through the Democratic primaries , there are 3,979 delegates available .
If any one candidate wins more than 50 % of those delegates during primary season ( that 's 1,990 delegates ) , then they become the nominee in a vote at the convention .
But if we get to the Democratic convention and no-one has more than 50 % of the delegates , it becomes what 's known as a `` contested '' or `` brokered '' convention .
This could well happen this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that no one frontrunner emerges in the primaries , and they split the delegates between them .
In that circumstance , a second vote would follow .
In that second vote , all the 3,979 delegates would vote again , except this time they would be joined by an estimated 771 `` superdelegates '' .
These are senior party officials past and present ( former president Bill Clinton is one , as is current Vermont senator and presidential contender Bernie Sanders ) , and they 're free to vote for whomever they wish @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or more in that vote - 2,376 delegates - then they become the nominee .
This is all thanks to a rule change in 2020 : last time around , the superdelegates voted at the start of the convention , with the delegates .
But many had pledged their support to Hillary Clinton even before the convention , leading her rival Mr Sanders to suggest the deck was stacked against him .
He 's the one who campaigned for the change - and it may benefit him in 2020 .
After inching past @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Super Tuesday and come through the convention , there is only one step left for the nominee : the presidential election , on 3 November .
We 'll explain how that one works a little closer to the time .

This year is a bit different. Any candidate would need to get at least 15% of the vote in any primary or caucus to be awarded delegates. There are still eight candidates in the running - an unusually large number - so there's a risk the vote share will be spread out and some of the candidates may struggle to reach 15%.


bbc--2020-02-02--Iowa Caucus: ‘We voted for Obama, then Trump’

In 2016 , more than 200 counties flipped from supporting President Barack Obama in 2012 to backing Trump in the @ @ @ @ @ home to 31 of the counties .
But none compare to Howard County in Northern @ @ @ @ @ single largest pivot county in the country , flipping by 41 percentage points .
We @ @ @ @ @ the Iowa caucuses to meet with voters - some who voted for Barack Obama twice @ @ @ @ @ 2016 .
How likely are they to vote for a Democrat in 2020 ?

In 2016, more than 200 counties flipped from supporting President Barack Obama in 2012 to backing Trump in the 2016 election. Iowa is home to 31 of the counties. But none compare to Howard County in Northern Iowa - it was the single largest pivot county in the country, flipping by 41 percentage points.
We visited Howard County to meet voters - some who voted for Barack Obama twice and for Donald Trump in 2016. How likely are they to vote for a Democrat in 2020?
Video by Angélica M Casas, produced with Marianna Brady


bbc--2020-01-31--US election 2020: Which Democratic candidate will take on Trump?

Veteran politician who was a Delaware senator for more than three decades before becoming Barack Obama 's vice-president in 2009 .
For the better part of 2019 , campaign-watchers in the media and the political world were waiting for the former vice-president 's stumbles and bumbles to catch up with him .
Entire candidacies ( Cory Booker , Kamala Harris and others ) were built around the premise that the early frontrunner was poised for a fall .
That has n't ended up happening .
While other candidates have surged and faded , Biden keeps on keeping on .
His @ @ @ @ @ @ @ largely from elderly , moderate and black voters .
He does n't have as much money or draw crowds as big as some of his rivals - and that could catch up with him in the end .
He has n't faded , but he hasn ’ t surged either - and the only way that may happen is if he becomes the safe harbour candidate for voters concerned about more radical alternatives .
But even if the road gets rocky , Biden has proven he has staying power .
Comfortability .
Like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is a known , unthreatening quantity .
After four years of Donald Trump , that could be the ticket to victory .

Veteran politician who was a Delaware senator for more than three decades before becoming Barack Obama's vice-president in 2009.
Key issues:
Rebuilding the middle class; investing in federal infrastructure; tuition-free public universities.
Anthony's take:
For the better part of 2019, campaign-watchers in the media and the political world were waiting for the former vice-president's stumbles and bumbles to catch up with him. Entire candidacies (Cory Booker, Kamala Harris and others) were built around the premise that the early frontrunner was poised for a fall.
That hasn't ended up happening. While other candidates have surged and faded, Biden keeps on keeping on. His support has been doggedly stable, drawing largely from elderly, moderate and black voters.
He doesn't have as much money or draw crowds as big as some of his rivals - and that could catch up with him in the end. He hasn't faded, but he hasn’t surged either - and the only way that may happen is if he becomes the safe harbour candidate for voters concerned about more radical alternatives.
But even if the road gets rocky, Biden has proven he has staying power.
Secret weapon:
Comfortability. Like an old pair of jeans, Biden is a known, unthreatening quantity. After four years of Donald Trump, that could be the ticket to victory.


bbc--2020-01-31--Iowa caucuses: A guide to the first US state to vote

Iowa is about to hold the first-in-the nation vote in the marathon contest to pick a Democrat to take on @ @ @ @ @ what you need to know about the Iowa caucuses , including what they have in @ @ @ @ @ the luge .

Iowa is about to hold the first-in-the nation vote in the marathon contest to pick a Democrat to take on Donald Trump.
Here's what you need to know about the Iowa caucuses, including what they have in common with the Oscars and the luge.
Video by Marianna Brady, Angélica M Casas and Shrai Popat