bbc--2020-10-24--'It is only used to make decisions against Barca' - Koeman blames VAR for Clasico loss

Last updated on .From the section European Football Barcelona boss Ronald Koeman says the video assistant referee system seems to be `` only used to make decisions against Barca '' after Sergio Ramos ' penalty helped Real Madrid win El Clasico .
Barcelona 's Ansu Fati , 17 , levelled from Jordi Alba 's cross , becoming the youngest scorer in El Clasico history .
Ramos scored from the spot and Luka Modric smashed in a late third .
The turning point was a lengthy VAR decision for the Ramos penalty .
Referee Juan Martínez Munuera did not spot Clement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but eventually gave a penalty after viewing it on the screen .
Barca had two penalty appeals turned down - for a Raphael Varane challenge on Lionel Messi and a possible Varane handball .
`` I do n't understand VAR , I think it is only used to make decisions against Barca , '' said Koeman , whose side have only picked up seven points from five games .
`` You always get shirt tugs like that in the area and I think Ramos makes a foul on Lenglet first .
There 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not enough to make him fall behind as he did .
For me it 's not a penalty .
`` We have had five matches and [ VAR ] has only been used to go against Barca .
It 's never gone our way .
`` The decision had a big influence on the final result , because we were playing well up to the penalty . ''
Ramos said : `` I think it was a very clear penalty .
He tugged my shirt when I was jumping for the ball and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It 's unfair to criticise a referee for a decision as clear as that . ''
The result takes Real top of the fledgling La Liga table with 13 points from six games , six points above Barcelona .
Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane has not lost any of his six matches as a manager at the Nou Camp , with three wins and three draws .
After the game he called it a `` perfect display '' .
Morale may have been low after defeats in their previous two games by Cadiz @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Donetsk , in the Champions League .
But they started brightly when Benzema fed Valverde , who slammed the ball into the far corner , leaving Neto with no chance .
Fati 's almost immediate equaliser made it the first time both sides scored in the opening eight minutes of a Clasico in La Liga since 1940 .
After that , Barca threatened to take control but Real did well to turn the tide .
Ramos ' low penalty beat Neto and marks the first time he has scored 10 La Liga goals @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time for a late third as Luka Modric stepped past Neto before a classy finish .
Real are unbeaten in three Clasicos for the first time since 2012-13 .
`` I 'm thrilled for the players , '' said Zidane .
`` It 's a team victory .
`` Given the criticism we 've faced recently , we have to stay calm , stick together and play when we have to play , just as we did today .
`` Ultimately , we 've put in a great performance against a team that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It is perhaps too early to talk about real pressure but Barcelona 's tally of seven points from five games is as bad a start as boss Koeman could have feared .
They were OK for large parts of El Clasico and dominated for a period but Real deserved their win in the end .
Scorer Fati was one of three teenagers in Barca 's team , alongside Pedri and right-back Sergino Dest , who was the first American to play in El Clasico .
Fati - who became the first player under @ @ @ @ @ @ @ El Clasico - and Dest , who joined from Ajax at the start of this month , were two of Barca 's better performers .
Koeman will surely be quizzed on how Philippe Coutinho , who did not have a good game , played the full 90 minutes - or why he did not make any changes until the 81st minute .
Antoine Griezmann and Ousmane Dembele , two of the most expensive players of all time , came on too late for any real impact .
Lionel Messi was far from his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Clasicos .
• None Can a government minister outrun the secrets of his past ?
• None Behind the scenes of a club reborn

Last updated on .From the section European Football
Clement Lenglet's shirt-pull on Sergio Ramos was the turning point of the game
Barcelona boss Ronald Koeman says the video assistant referee system seems to be "only used to make decisions against Barca" after Sergio Ramos' penalty helped Real Madrid win El Clasico.
Federico Valverde smashed Real, who had lost their previous two games, into the lead from Karim Benzema's pass.
Barcelona's Ansu Fati, 17, levelled from Jordi Alba's cross, becoming the youngest scorer in El Clasico history.
Ramos scored from the spot and Luka Modric smashed in a late third.
The turning point was a lengthy VAR decision for the Ramos penalty. Referee Juan Martínez Munuera did not spot Clement Lenglet's pull on Ramos' shirt but eventually gave a penalty after viewing it on the screen.
Barca had two penalty appeals turned down - for a Raphael Varane challenge on Lionel Messi and a possible Varane handball.
"I don't understand VAR, I think it is only used to make decisions against Barca," said Koeman, whose side have only picked up seven points from five games.
"You always get shirt tugs like that in the area and I think Ramos makes a foul on Lenglet first. There's a tug of the shirt, but not enough to make him fall behind as he did. For me it's not a penalty.
"We have had five matches and [VAR] has only been used to go against Barca. It's never gone our way.
"The decision had a big influence on the final result, because we were playing well up to the penalty."
Ramos said: "I think it was a very clear penalty. He tugged my shirt when I was jumping for the ball and it's as clear as daylight. It's unfair to criticise a referee for a decision as clear as that."
The result takes Real top of the fledgling La Liga table with 13 points from six games, six points above Barcelona.
'Perfect display' from Real
Luka Modric came off the bench to score Real's third goal
Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane has not lost any of his six matches as a manager at the Nou Camp, with three wins and three draws.
After the game he called it a "perfect display".
Morale may have been low after defeats in their previous two games by Cadiz, in La Liga, and Shakhtar Donetsk, in the Champions League.
But they started brightly when Benzema fed Valverde, who slammed the ball into the far corner, leaving Neto with no chance.
Fati's almost immediate equaliser made it the first time both sides scored in the opening eight minutes of a Clasico in La Liga since 1940.
After that, Barca threatened to take control but Real did well to turn the tide.
Ramos' low penalty beat Neto and marks the first time he has scored 10 La Liga goals in a calendar year.
There was time for a late third as Luka Modric stepped past Neto before a classy finish.
Real are unbeaten in three Clasicos for the first time since 2012-13.
"I'm thrilled for the players," said Zidane. "It's a team victory.
"Given the criticism we've faced recently, we have to stay calm, stick together and play when we have to play, just as we did today.
"Ultimately, we've put in a great performance against a team that we know play wide open."
Questions for Koeman?
It is perhaps too early to talk about real pressure but Barcelona's tally of seven points from five games is as bad a start as boss Koeman could have feared.
They were OK for large parts of El Clasico and dominated for a period but Real deserved their win in the end.
Scorer Fati was one of three teenagers in Barca's team, alongside Pedri and right-back Sergino Dest, who was the first American to play in El Clasico.
Fati - who became the first player under the age of 18 to score in El Clasico - and Dest, who joined from Ajax at the start of this month, were two of Barca's better performers.
Koeman will surely be quizzed on how Philippe Coutinho, who did not have a good game, played the full 90 minutes - or why he did not make any changes until the 81st minute.
Antoine Griezmann and Ousmane Dembele, two of the most expensive players of all time, came on too late for any real impact.
Lionel Messi was far from his best and has not scored in six Clasicos.
Player of the match Modric Luka Modric with an average of 8.09 Barcelona Barcelona Barcelona
Real Madrid Real Madrid Real Madrid Barcelona Avg Squad number 22 Player name Ansu Fati Average rating 6.32 Squad number 14 Player name Philippe Coutinho Average rating 5.16 Squad number 13 Player name Neto Average rating 4.94 Squad number 10 Player name Messi Average rating 4.76 Squad number 2 Player name Dest Average rating 4.76 Squad number 21 Player name F de Jong Average rating 4.38 Squad number 18 Player name Alba Average rating 4.34 Squad number 3 Player name Piqué Average rating 4.19 Squad number 16 Player name Pedri Average rating 3.78 Squad number 17 Player name Trincão Average rating 3.73 Squad number 15 Player name Lenglet Average rating 3.70 Squad number 11 Player name Dembélé Average rating 3.59 Squad number 5 Player name Busquets Average rating 3.58 Squad number 7 Player name Griezmann Average rating 3.55 Squad number 9 Player name Braithwaite Average rating 3.33 Real Madrid Avg Squad number 10 Player name Modric Average rating 8.09 Squad number 4 Player name Ramos Average rating 7.52 Squad number 15 Player name Valverde Average rating 7.45 Squad number 9 Player name Benzema Average rating 7.38 Squad number 20 Player name Vinícius Júnior Average rating 7.09 Squad number 17 Player name Lucas Vázquez Average rating 7.01 Squad number 1 Player name Courtois Average rating 6.96 Squad number 8 Player name Kroos Average rating 6.95 Squad number 23 Player name Mendy Average rating 6.84 Squad number 14 Player name Casemiro Average rating 6.73 Squad number 5 Player name Varane Average rating 6.69 Squad number 11 Player name Asensio Average rating 6.68 Squad number 25 Player name Rodrygo Average rating 6.62 Squad number 6 Player name Nacho Average rating 6.27


bbc--2020-10-24--Liverpool fight back to beat Sheffield United

Last updated on .From the section Premier League Defending champions Liverpool returned to winning ways in the Premier League with a hard-fought comeback victory over struggling Sheffield United at Anfield .
Despite Liverpool facing spirited opposition , Roberto Firmino converted from Sadio Mane 's saved shot four minutes before half-time and Diogo Jota 's header completed the turnaround midway through the second half .
After two league games without victory , including their astonishing 7-2 defeat by Aston Villa , Jurgen Klopp 's side moved level on points at the top of the table with Merseyside rivals Everton , who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Jota 's decisive goal arrived two minutes after Mohamed Salah 's fine finish from Trent Alexander-Arnold 's cross was ruled out by VAR for offside , while Salah was denied by the woodwork late on .
John Egan 's sliding intervention had prevented Salah from putting Liverpool ahead inside the first minute , while Alexander-Arnold 's ambitious free-kick from the halfway line forced Aaron Ramsdale to tip over as the Blades endured early pressure .
United remain winless and with a single point after six games , but they offered manager Chris @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a 2-0 lead when returning Liverpool keeper Alisson pushed away Ben Osborn 's excellent volley .
The potentially season-ending knee injury suffered by Van Dijk in the Merseyside derby is a seismic blow for Liverpool as they aim to defend their crown this season , but Klopp will have taken much comfort from Fabinho 's near-faultless performance in the 1-0 midweek victory over Ajax in the Champions League .
Lining up without their Dutch centre-back for the first time in 75 league games , Fabinho once again partnered Joe Gomez in defence , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as he lunged in to his tackle on McBurnie .
Forced to play catch-up despite their early chances , the Reds wrestled parity through Firmino 's instinctive finish and the lively Salah almost completed a rapid turnaround before the break when he ran the ball too close to Ramsdale .
Despite the return of Alisson , out since September with injury , there were moments of uncertainty at the back as Liverpool allowed United 13 shots at goal - but their own quality in attack ultimately told .
Jota , quiet in front @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , claimed the points with his first shot of the match , diverting Mane 's looped cross beyond Ramsdale 's reach , to extend Liverpool 's impressive unbeaten home record to 62 league games .
Blades show there 's more to come Wilder said he had seen sufficient signs of improvement after United 's winless start to the season continued with a first point against bottom-placed Fulham last weekend .
Despite this admirable and energetic display at Anfield , United must begin to put points on the board soon .
The Blades ' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ concerning drop in form , but on Saturday they showed the determination which saw them flirt with European qualification last season .
Enda Stevens ' first-half block from Jordan Henderson 's shot epitomised United 's defensive spirit .
However , it is in attack where they have lacked - with Berge 's penalty their third goal in six games this season .
Club-record signing Rhian Brewster lined up against former side Liverpool for his first Premier League start since a £23.5m move in October , but the 20-year-old struggled to impose himself before @ @ @ @ @ @ @ still proved a real nuisance and had two first-half penalty appeals turned down after the ball struck Andrew Robertson 's hand in the penalty area and McBurnie went down following an aerial challenge .
They pressed for an equaliser until the end , but substitute Oliver Burke was unable to control his late attempt .
• None Liverpool have won their past four Premier League games against Sheffield United by an aggregate score of 9-1 .
• None They have won 28 of their past 29 league games at Anfield .
• None @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 13 home league games when conceding the first goal - winning each of the past nine .
• None Sheffield United 's nine-game winless run in the Premier League is the longest run of any current side in the competition .
• None Liverpool have conceded 14 goals in their first six Premier League games this season - a tally it took them 15 games to reach in 2019-20 .
• None Diogo Jota is the first player to score in each of his first two Premier League home games for Liverpool since @ @ @ @ @ @ @ None Mane has been directly involved in five goals - scoring four - in his past four league games Liverpool host FC Midtjylland in their second Champions League group match on Tuesday ( 20:00 GMT ) before welcoming West Ham to Anfield in the Premier League game next Saturday ( 17:30 ) .
Sheffield United face Manchester City at Bramall Lane next Saturday ( 12:30 ) , then travel to Chelsea the following Saturday ( 17:30 ) .

Last updated on .From the section Premier League
Liverpool had not gone three consecutive league games without winning since May 2018
Defending champions Liverpool returned to winning ways in the Premier League with a hard-fought comeback victory over struggling Sheffield United at Anfield.
Deputising at centre-back for the injured Virgil van Dijk, Liverpool midfielder Fabinho conceded a 13th-minute penalty for a foul on Oliver McBurnie on the edge of the box, allowing Sander Berge to slot in following a video assistant referee review.
Despite Liverpool facing spirited opposition, Roberto Firmino converted from Sadio Mane's saved shot four minutes before half-time and Diogo Jota's header completed the turnaround midway through the second half.
After two league games without victory, including their astonishing 7-2 defeat by Aston Villa, Jurgen Klopp's side moved level on points at the top of the table with Merseyside rivals Everton, who face Southampton on Sunday at 14:00 GMT.
Jota's decisive goal arrived two minutes after Mohamed Salah's fine finish from Trent Alexander-Arnold's cross was ruled out by VAR for offside, while Salah was denied by the woodwork late on.
John Egan's sliding intervention had prevented Salah from putting Liverpool ahead inside the first minute, while Alexander-Arnold's ambitious free-kick from the halfway line forced Aaron Ramsdale to tip over as the Blades endured early pressure.
United remain winless and with a single point after six games, but they offered manager Chris Wilder plenty of encouragement and were denied a 2-0 lead when returning Liverpool keeper Alisson pushed away Ben Osborn's excellent volley.
Reds find a way despite Van Dijk's absence
Liverpool 2-1 Sheffield United: Jurgen Klopp praises opposite number Chris Wilder
The potentially season-ending knee injury suffered by Van Dijk in the Merseyside derby is a seismic blow for Liverpool as they aim to defend their crown this season, but Klopp will have taken much comfort from Fabinho's near-faultless performance in the 1-0 midweek victory over Ajax in the Champions League.
Lining up without their Dutch centre-back for the first time in 75 league games, Fabinho once again partnered Joe Gomez in defence, although the Brazil international was at fault as he lunged in to his tackle on McBurnie.
Forced to play catch-up despite their early chances, the Reds wrestled parity through Firmino's instinctive finish and the lively Salah almost completed a rapid turnaround before the break when he ran the ball too close to Ramsdale.
Despite the return of Alisson, out since September with injury, there were moments of uncertainty at the back as Liverpool allowed United 13 shots at goal - but their own quality in attack ultimately told.
Jota, quiet in front of goal for much of the contest, claimed the points with his first shot of the match, diverting Mane's looped cross beyond Ramsdale's reach, to extend Liverpool's impressive unbeaten home record to 62 league games.
Blades show there's more to come
Liverpool 2-1 Sheffield United: Chris Wilder says defeat was 'difficult to take'
Wilder said he had seen sufficient signs of improvement after United's winless start to the season continued with a first point against bottom-placed Fulham last weekend.
Despite this admirable and energetic display at Anfield, United must begin to put points on the board soon.
The Blades' sluggish start was fast developing into a concerning drop in form, but on Saturday they showed the determination which saw them flirt with European qualification last season.
Enda Stevens' first-half block from Jordan Henderson's shot epitomised United's defensive spirit. However, it is in attack where they have lacked - with Berge's penalty their third goal in six games this season.
Club-record signing Rhian Brewster lined up against former side Liverpool for his first Premier League start since a £23.5m move in October, but the 20-year-old struggled to impose himself before his exit after 54 minutes.
United still proved a real nuisance and had two first-half penalty appeals turned down after the ball struck Andrew Robertson's hand in the penalty area and McBurnie went down following an aerial challenge.
They pressed for an equaliser until the end, but substitute Oliver Burke was unable to control his late attempt.
Liverpool's Anfield comebacks - the stats
Liverpool have won their past four Premier League games against Sheffield United by an aggregate score of 9-1.
They have won 28 of their past 29 league games at Anfield.
They are also unbeaten in their last 13 home league games when conceding the first goal - winning each of the past nine.
Sheffield United's nine-game winless run in the Premier League is the longest run of any current side in the competition.
Liverpool have conceded 14 goals in their first six Premier League games this season - a tally it took them 15 games to reach in 2019-20.
Diogo Jota is the first player to score in each of his first two Premier League home games for Liverpool since Sadio Mane in September 2016.
Mane has been directly involved in five goals - scoring four - in his past four league games
What's next?
Liverpool host FC Midtjylland in their second Champions League group match on Tuesday (20:00 GMT) before welcoming West Ham to Anfield in the Premier League game next Saturday (17:30).
Sheffield United face Manchester City at Bramall Lane next Saturday (12:30), then travel to Chelsea the following Saturday (17:30).
Player of the match Diogo Jota Diogo Jota with an average of 7.58 Liverpool Liverpool Liverpool
Sheff Utd Sheffield United Sheffield United Liverpool Avg Squad number 20 Player name Diogo Jota Average rating 7.58 Squad number 10 Player name Mané Average rating 7.43 Squad number 11 Player name Mohamed Salah Average rating 7.38 Squad number 14 Player name Henderson Average rating 7.13 Squad number 9 Player name Roberto Firmino Average rating 7.11 Squad number 1 Player name Alisson Average rating 6.89 Squad number 3 Player name Fabinho Average rating 6.79 Squad number 12 Player name Gomez Average rating 6.74 Squad number 5 Player name Wijnaldum Average rating 6.70 Squad number 66 Player name Alexander-Arnold Average rating 6.64 Squad number 7 Player name Milner Average rating 6.59 Squad number 26 Player name Robertson Average rating 6.58 Squad number 18 Player name Minamino Average rating 6.25 Sheffield United Avg Squad number 8 Player name Berge Average rating 6.80 Squad number 22 Player name Ampadu Average rating 6.71 Squad number 24 Player name Brewster Average rating 5.80 Squad number 12 Player name Egan Average rating 5.75 Squad number 23 Player name Osborn Average rating 5.63 Squad number 6 Player name Basham Average rating 5.61 Squad number 14 Player name Burke Average rating 5.60 Squad number 9 Player name McBurnie Average rating 5.59 Squad number 1 Player name Ramsdale Average rating 5.54 Squad number 2 Player name Baldock Average rating 5.53 Squad number 3 Player name Stevens Average rating 5.45 Squad number 17 Player name McGoldrick Average rating 5.37 Squad number 7 Player name Lundstram Average rating 5.29


bbc--2020-10-24--‘Holding is allowed, but headlocks aren't’ - Lampard in penalty claim after draw with Man Utd

Last updated on .From the section Premier League Chelsea manager Frank Lampard was adamant his team should have been awarded a penalty for a first-half foul on Cesar Azpilicueta in Saturday 's goalless draw at Manchester United .
The incident was reviewed by VAR , but Maguire and United escaped punishment .
`` I thought it was a clear penalty , '' Lampard said .
`` Holding is allowed , but headlocks are n't .
`` Obviously I did n't see it at the time from where I 'm standing .
They are hard calls for referees on the pitch @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to dismiss it in my opinion .
`` I think they should have taken time and advised the referee to watch the monitor .
If the referee goes to the monitor , he gives a penalty . ''
United , who remain stuck in the bottom half of the table , were at least able to avoid losing a third straight home league game at the start of the season for the first time since 1930 .
In addition , they can also point to three good saves from Edouard Mendy , two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the final minute , and one where Bruno Fernandes was thwarted .
Chelsea 's biggest scare was Mendy passing the ball across his goal and out for a corner in the first half when trying to pass to Thiago Silva .
Neither Edinson Cavani , on his debut , nor Paul Pogba could change things in the home side 's favour after they were introduced as substitutes .
Mason Greenwood was given the final eight minutes to make an impression - but did not .
After conceding three times in two of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's clean sheet , after denying Sevilla in similar fashion on Wednesday , does provide Chelsea with the kind of platform they have been lacking so far this season .
The return of Thiago Silva to anchor a three-man defence provided solidity .
Yet it also seemed to cost Chelsea their edge in attack .
Too often Timo Werner and Christian Pulisic were left trying to take United 's defence on alone and rarely did the visitors mount concerted pressure around the United box , even though they dominated possession for long periods @ @ @ @ @ @ @ most inventive attacking threat with his forceful bursts down the right flank .
However , his final ball was poor and United keeper David de Gea did not have to make a meaningful save .
Sixth place may look presentable for Lampard 's men at the moment but they could slide down the league over the weekend and evidently , a large summer outlay is yet to pay dividends .
It has been another amazing week for Marcus Rashford .
After getting the Government to overturn its own policy on providing free school @ @ @ @ @ @ @ during the spring lockdown , the England striker responded to a lacklustre response to his request for half-term meals by summoning support from everywhere apart from Downing Street .
Even Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp publicly backed Rashford , which considering the antipathy between their respective clubs is some going .
What Rashford does on the pitch is also important and this was a frustrating experience .
He was caught up in the general non-event of the first 25 minutes .
On one United counter , he was screaming for a pass over the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chase beyond the Chelsea defence .
Instead , the ball went sideways to Luke Shaw and was lost .
Mata did send Rashford through after Fernandes won possession inside the visitors ' half but Mendy denied him with a feet-first stop .
By half-time , Rashford still looked in discomfort after he had gone down in pain after a tangle of legs with N'Golo Kante .
He recovered and after being moved to the left following the introduction of Cavani , remained a threat , with Azpilicueta blocking his low shot before Mendy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was largely an evening of frustration , summed up as he smashed the ball away in irritation as the final whistle sounded .
Rare away clean sheet for Chelsea - the best of the stats • None Manchester United have failed to win any of their first three home games to a league campaign for the first time since the 1972-73 season .
• None Chelsea have kept their first Premier League clean sheet outside of London since a goalless draw at Leicester on the final day of the 2018-19 season under Maurizio @ @ @ @ @ @ @ without a home league win in five games ( D3 L2 ) , their longest run without victory at Old Trafford since February 1990 ( 6 games ) .
• None Edouard Mendy became the first Chelsea goalkeeper to keep a clean sheet in both of his first two Premier League games for the club since Petr Cech in August 2004 .
• None Mendy became the first Chelsea goalkeeper to keep a Premier League clean sheet at Old Trafford since Thibaut Courtois in December 2015 , while he was the first to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the ground for the Blues since Kevin Hitchcock in December 1994 .
• None Despite playing just half of Chelsea 's six Premier League games this season , Ben Chilwell has created more chances than any other player for the Blues in the league this season ( 9 ) .
• None At 33 years and 253 days , Edinson Cavani became Manchester United 's oldest Premier League debutant since Zlatan Ibrahimovic in August 2016 ( 34y 316d ) .
'It 's about kicking on after a poor start ' - what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Solskjaer on BBC Match of the Day : `` It was an even game .
After a slow start , we grew into the game and played some decent stuff .
`` We missed the crowd behind the goal there to suck the ball into the goal , which happens so many times at this place .
`` There were good players at the other end of the pitch .
Their keeper made some fantastic saves .
`` The quality in the defending was very good .
I 've said all the time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ players and good characters but now it 's about kicking on after a poor start . ''
On debutant Edinson Cavani : `` He gives us something different to what we have .
We now have a centre-forward who is different to the ones we already had . ''
Chelsea manager Frank Lampard on BBC Match of the Day : `` It 's a tight start to the season and I think this is just a continuation of that .
It was in the final third where we lacked today but the clean @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` Sometimes we want to be flexible .
We looked at Manchester United and we had games last season where we were the better team but lost to them on the counter-attack . ''
On whether Cesar Azpilicueta should have been awarded a penalty : `` Yeah , holding is allowed , but headlocks do n't go on .
I do n't know why VAR did n't take long and there 's also a monitor to look at .
I think if the referee goes to the monitor he gives a penalty @ @ @ @ @ @ @ action on Wednesday , 28 October , when they entertain RB Leipzig in the Champions League ( 20:00 GMT ) and then host Arsenal in the Premier League on 1 November ( 16:30 ) .
Chelsea travel to Russia to play FK Krasnodar in the Champions League on Wednesday ( 17:55 ) .
They visit Burnley in the Premier League on 31 October ( 15:00 ) .

Last updated on .From the section Premier League
Man Utd captain Harry Maguire escaped punishment for this first-half challenge on Chelsea skipper Cesar Azpilicueta
Chelsea manager Frank Lampard was adamant his team should have been awarded a penalty for a first-half foul on Cesar Azpilicueta in Saturday's goalless draw at Manchester United.
Blues captain Azpilicueta was hauled to the ground by United skipper Harry Maguire, whose left arm was wrapped tightly around the Spaniard's neck.
The incident was reviewed by VAR, but Maguire and United escaped punishment.
"I thought it was a clear penalty," Lampard said. "Holding goes on, but headlocks don't.
"Obviously I didn't see it at the time from where I'm standing. They are hard calls for referees on the pitch, but the VAR was very quick to dismiss it in my opinion.
"I think they should have taken time and advised the referee to watch the monitor. If the referee goes to the monitor, he gives a penalty."
United, who remain stuck in the bottom half of the table, were at least able to avoid losing a third straight home league game at the start of the season for the first time since 1930.
In addition, they can also point to three good saves from Edouard Mendy, two to deny Marcus Rashford, including one in the final minute, and one where Bruno Fernandes was thwarted.
Chelsea's biggest scare was Mendy passing the ball across his goal and out for a corner in the first half when trying to pass to Thiago Silva.
Neither Edinson Cavani, on his debut, nor Paul Pogba could change things in the home side's favour after they were introduced as substitutes. Mason Greenwood was given the final eight minutes to make an impression - but did not.
Chelsea gain in defence, lose in attack
Man Utd 0-0 Chelsea: Lampard disappointed by VAR inaction on Maguire 'headlock'
After conceding three times in two of their previous three league games, today's clean sheet, after denying Sevilla in similar fashion on Wednesday, does provide Chelsea with the kind of platform they have been lacking so far this season.
The return of Thiago Silva to anchor a three-man defence provided solidity. Yet it also seemed to cost Chelsea their edge in attack.
Too often Timo Werner and Christian Pulisic were left trying to take United's defence on alone and rarely did the visitors mount concerted pressure around the United box, even though they dominated possession for long periods.
England defender Reece James looked their most inventive attacking threat with his forceful bursts down the right flank. However, his final ball was poor and United keeper David de Gea did not have to make a meaningful save.
Sixth place may look presentable for Lampard's men at the moment but they could slide down the league over the weekend and evidently, a large summer outlay is yet to pay dividends.
Rashford repelled by Mendy
It has been another amazing week for Marcus Rashford.
After getting the Government to overturn its own policy on providing free school meals to children forced to stay home during the spring lockdown, the England striker responded to a lacklustre response to his request for half-term meals by summoning support from everywhere apart from Downing Street.
Even Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp publicly backed Rashford, which considering the antipathy between their respective clubs is some going.
What Rashford does on the pitch is also important and this was a frustrating experience.
He was caught up in the general non-event of the first 25 minutes. On one United counter, he was screaming for a pass over the top from Juan Mata that he could chase beyond the Chelsea defence. Instead, the ball went sideways to Luke Shaw and was lost.
Mata did send Rashford through after Fernandes won possession inside the visitors' half but Mendy denied him with a feet-first stop. By half-time, Rashford still looked in discomfort after he had gone down in pain after a tangle of legs with N'Golo Kante.
He recovered and after being moved to the left following the introduction of Cavani, remained a threat, with Azpilicueta blocking his low shot before Mendy kept out his final effort.
It was largely an evening of frustration, summed up as he smashed the ball away in irritation as the final whistle sounded.
Rare away clean sheet for Chelsea - the best of the stats
Manchester United have failed to win any of their first three home games to a league campaign for the first time since the 1972-73 season.
Chelsea have kept their first Premier League clean sheet outside of London since a goalless draw at Leicester on the final day of the 2018-19 season under Maurizio Sarri.
Manchester United are without a home league win in five games (D3 L2), their longest run without victory at Old Trafford since February 1990 (6 games).
Edouard Mendy became the first Chelsea goalkeeper to keep a clean sheet in both of his first two Premier League games for the club since Petr Cech in August 2004.
Mendy became the first Chelsea goalkeeper to keep a Premier League clean sheet at Old Trafford since Thibaut Courtois in December 2015, while he was the first to do so in his first such game at the ground for the Blues since Kevin Hitchcock in December 1994.
Despite playing just half of Chelsea's six Premier League games this season, Ben Chilwell has created more chances than any other player for the Blues in the league this season (9).
At 33 years and 253 days, Edinson Cavani became Manchester United's oldest Premier League debutant since Zlatan Ibrahimovic in August 2016 (34y 316d).
'It's about kicking on after a poor start' - what they said
Man Utd 0-0 Chelsea: Solskjaer believes fans at Old Trafford would have made a difference
Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer on BBC Match of the Day: "It was an even game. After a slow start, we grew into the game and played some decent stuff.
"We missed the crowd behind the goal there to suck the ball into the goal, which happens so many times at this place.
"There were good players at the other end of the pitch. Their keeper made some fantastic saves.
"The quality in the defending was very good. I've said all the time we have a squad full of good players and good characters but now it's about kicking on after a poor start."
On debutant Edinson Cavani: "He gives us something different to what we have. We now have a centre-forward who is different to the ones we already had."
Chelsea manager Frank Lampard on BBC Match of the Day: "It's a tight start to the season and I think this is just a continuation of that. It was in the final third where we lacked today but the clean sheet was a big plus for us.
"Sometimes we want to be flexible. We looked at Manchester United and we had games last season where we were the better team but lost to them on the counter-attack."
On whether Cesar Azpilicueta should have been awarded a penalty: "Yeah, holding goes on, but headlocks don't. I don't know why VAR didn't take long and there's also a monitor to look at. I think if the referee goes to the monitor he gives a penalty."
Player of the match Mendy Edouard Mendy with an average of 7.37 Man Utd Manchester United Manchester United
Chelsea Chelsea Chelsea Manchester United Avg Squad number 10 Player name Rashford Average rating 5.69 Squad number 2 Player name Lindelöf Average rating 5.36 Squad number 18 Player name Bruno Fernandes Average rating 5.31 Squad number 29 Player name Wan-Bissaka Average rating 5.26 Squad number 8 Player name Mata Average rating 5.18 Squad number 1 Player name de Gea Average rating 5.12 Squad number 7 Player name Cavani Average rating 5.06 Squad number 39 Player name McTominay Average rating 4.94 Squad number 17 Player name Fred Average rating 4.67 Squad number 23 Player name Shaw Average rating 4.55 Squad number 6 Player name Pogba Average rating 4.34 Squad number 5 Player name Maguire Average rating 4.30 Squad number 11 Player name Greenwood Average rating 4.29 Squad number 21 Player name James Average rating 4.08 Chelsea Avg Squad number 16 Player name Mendy Average rating 7.37 Squad number 6 Player name Thiago Silva Average rating 6.49 Squad number 24 Player name James Average rating 6.21 Squad number 28 Player name Azpilicueta Average rating 5.92 Squad number 21 Player name Chilwell Average rating 5.73 Squad number 15 Player name Zouma Average rating 5.69 Squad number 7 Player name Kanté Average rating 5.65 Squad number 5 Player name Jorginho Average rating 5.44 Squad number 10 Player name Pulisic Average rating 5.40 Squad number 29 Player name Havertz Average rating 5.12 Squad number 11 Player name Werner Average rating 5.10 Squad number 22 Player name Ziyech Average rating 5.07 Squad number 9 Player name Abraham Average rating 5.02 Squad number 19 Player name Mount Average rating 4.69


bbc--2020-10-24--Khabib Nurmagomedov retires from UFC after beating Justin Gaethje

Khabib Nurmagomedov extended his perfect professional record as he retained his lightweight title at UFC 254 in Abu Dhabi - then announced his retirement .
Nurmagomedov said he had honoured the memory of his father , coach and mentor Abdulmanap , who died in July following complications arising from Covid-19 .
Despite many believing Nurmagomedov would chase his 30th professional win before contemplating retirement , the emotional champion asked his team-mates to cut his gloves off before quitting .
`` It was my last fight .
There 's no way I 'm going to come here without my father , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the first time after what happened with my father , when the UFC called me about ( fighting ) Justin , I talked with my mother for three days .
`` She did n't want me to fight without father , but I promised her it was going to be my last fight , and if I give my word , I have to follow this .
It was my last fight here .
`` I know only one thing I want from the UFC : Tuesday , you guys have to put @ @ @ @ @ @ @ world because I deserve this .
`` Undisputed UFC lightweight champion , 13-0 , 13 in the UFC , 29 in my pro MMA career .
I think I deserve this . ''
• None What makes Nurmagomedov so hard to beat ?
`` What this guy 's been through , we 're all lucky we got to see him fight tonight , '' said UFC president Dana White .
`` I 'm hearing rumours of other things that I did n't know about .
Apparently he was in the hospital .
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ So he has two broken toes and a bone in his foot that 's broken - that 's what his corner was telling me .
Never told anybody .
`` He is one of the toughest human beings on the planet and he 's the number-one pound-for-pound fighter in the world and , seriously , you have to start putting him up there with GOAT status with whoever else you think is the GOAT . ''
UFC 254 , which marked the final event of the sport 's second stint on Yas Island @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who was unable to defend his title earlier this year because of Covid-19 travel restrictions in Russia .
At the time , Nurmagomedov was due to face rival Tony Ferguson at UFC 249 , but Ferguson instead faced Gaethje , and was stopped in the fifth round as 'The Highlight ' claimed the interim title and stepped into the number-one contender spot .
Gaethje was expected to pose problems for Nurmagomedov , with his collegiate wrestling experience considered a possible antidote to the champion 's smothering grappling style .
But Nurmagomedov dominated the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ then submitted Gaethje in the second .
Nurmagomedov added Gaethje 's name to a list of beaten opponents that also includes Dustin Poirier , Conor McGregor , Al Iaquinta and Edson Barboza .
Nurmagomedov thanked Gaethje , who had arranged for his parents to fly internationally for the first time in their lives to watch him fight for the title , and paid tribute to a man who four years ago helped him make weight when he was struggling to lose the final few pounds for his short-notice fight with Darrell Horcher .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
2016 I remember when I cut weight , you helped me a lot .
Thank you , brother , '' Nurmagomedov said .
`` I know how you are a great man .
I know how you take care of your close people .
I know a lot of things about you .
`` Be close with your people , because you never know what 's going to happen tomorrow .
You never know . ''
In the night 's co-main event , Australian former UFC middleweight champion Robert Whittaker continued his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Israel Adesanya last October by outpointing American Jared Cannonier to move back into title contention at 185 pounds .
British bantamweight Nathaniel Wood was also in action , but was edged out on the scorecards after a back-and-forth battle with American Casey Kenney on the preliminary card .
However , their 140-pound catchweight match-up was awarded `` Fight of the Night '' honours , with both men receiving $ 50,000 bonuses for their respective performances .

Some believe Khabib Nurmagomedov is the greatest UFC fighter of all time
Khabib Nurmagomedov extended his perfect professional record as he retained his lightweight title at UFC 254 in Abu Dhabi - then announced his retirement.
Russian Nurmagomedov, 32, defeated interim champion Justin Gaethje with a second-round triangle choke submission to claim a 29th victory and unify the 155lb title.
Nurmagomedov said he had honoured the memory of his father, coach and mentor Abdulmanap, who died in July following complications arising from Covid-19.
Despite many believing Nurmagomedov would chase his 30th professional win before contemplating retirement, the emotional champion asked his team-mates to cut his gloves off before quitting.
"It was my last fight. There's no way I'm going to come here without my father," he said. "It was the first time after what happened with my father, when the UFC called me about (fighting) Justin, I talked with my mother for three days.
"She didn't want me to fight without father, but I promised her it was going to be my last fight, and if I give my word, I have to follow this. It was my last fight here.
"I know only one thing I want from the UFC: Tuesday, you guys have to put me number one pound-for-pound fighter in the world because I deserve this.
"Undisputed UFC lightweight champion, 13-0, 13 in the UFC, 29 in my pro MMA career. I think I deserve this."
Nurmagomedov 'broke his foot three weeks ago'
"What this guy's been through, we're all lucky we got to see him fight tonight," said UFC president Dana White. "I'm hearing rumours of other things that I didn't know about. Apparently he was in the hospital. He broke his foot three weeks ago. So he has two broken toes and a bone in his foot that's broken - that's what his corner was telling me. Never told anybody.
"He is one of the toughest human beings on the planet and he's the number-one pound-for-pound fighter in the world and, seriously, you have to start putting him up there with GOAT status with whoever else you think is the GOAT."
UFC 254, which marked the final event of the sport's second stint on Yas Island, saw the return of Nurmagomedov, who was unable to defend his title earlier this year because of Covid-19 travel restrictions in Russia.
At the time, Nurmagomedov was due to face rival Tony Ferguson at UFC 249, but Ferguson instead faced Gaethje, and was stopped in the fifth round as 'The Highlight' claimed the interim title and stepped into the number-one contender spot.
Gaethje was expected to pose problems for Nurmagomedov, with his collegiate wrestling experience considered a possible antidote to the champion's smothering grappling style.
But Nurmagomedov dominated the first round with his high-pressure approach, then submitted Gaethje in the second.
Nurmagomedov added Gaethje's name to a list of beaten opponents that also includes Dustin Poirier, Conor McGregor, Al Iaquinta and Edson Barboza.
Khabib Nurmagomedov (second right) with his team after announcing his retirement
Nurmagomedov thanked Gaethje, who had arranged for his parents to fly internationally for the first time in their lives to watch him fight for the title, and paid tribute to a man who four years ago helped him make weight when he was struggling to lose the final few pounds for his short-notice fight with Darrell Horcher.
"Thank you so much, Justin. 2016 I remember when I cut weight, you helped me a lot. Thank you, brother," Nurmagomedov said.
"I know how you are a great man. I know how you take care of your close people. I know a lot of things about you.
"Be close with your people, because you never know what's going to happen tomorrow. You never know."
Whittaker wins again while Wood nets $50,000 bonus
In the night's co-main event, Australian former UFC middleweight champion Robert Whittaker continued his return to form since losing his title to Israel Adesanya last October by outpointing American Jared Cannonier to move back into title contention at 185 pounds.
British bantamweight Nathaniel Wood was also in action, but was edged out on the scorecards after a back-and-forth battle with American Casey Kenney on the preliminary card. However, their 140-pound catchweight match-up was awarded "Fight of the Night" honours, with both men receiving $50,000 bonuses for their respective performances.
More tributes to Nurmagomedov


bbc--2020-10-24--Pep Guardiola: Man City boss facing a rebuilding job - Keown

Last updated on .From the section Man City One win in four Premier League games , another injury for Sergio Aguero and key players still missing - is this Pep Guardiola 's biggest test in his four years at Manchester City ?
They welcomed back Kevin de Bruyne from injury at London Stadium but Aguero , who had surgery on a knee injury in June , did not appear for the start of the second half , because of a leg muscle injury .
It has been a less than smooth start for Guardiola - who guided City to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ - so what now ?
'They just ca n't get going' It was the fifth game of last season when City came unstuck at promoted Norwich City .
By then , they already had 10 points , two more than they have managed so far this season .
`` City only had a very small close-season break , lots of injuries at the start of the new season and they really have n't found any kind of rhythm , '' said former Arsenal defender Martin Keown , a three-time Premier League title winner @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's really surprising .
They just ca n't get going . ''
While Keown and many others may be surprised at City 's slow start , Guardiola is not - and has no problem identifying the reasons .
`` Many injuries , a lack of preparation , no recovery time , and tough games we 've played so far , '' he said when asked after the West Ham match why City have made a less than spectacular start .
`` I 'm not a guy who can predict the future .
We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is a lot .
`` But we 've struggled a lot for many reasons .
We have to take things game by game and see what happens . ''
Since winning at Wolves in their opening game , Guardiola 's side have lost heavily at home to Leicester , drawn at Leeds , beaten Arsenal and dropped another two points at West Ham .
`` That whole air of invincibility seems to have dripped away , '' said former England keeper Rob Green on BBC Radio 5 Live .
`` Getting turned over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 6-6 , they have not hit the straps compared to seasons past . ''
Injuries and have taken their toll on City , so much so that Guardiola named an unchanged starting line-up for the first time since October 2017 , some 172 games ago .
While substitute De Bruyne looked sharp during the 22 minutes he was on the pitch , Guardiola looked deflated when he announced afterwards forward Aguero had suffered another injury .
Having only returned from a lengthy spell on the sidelines against Arsenal last week , his latest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as Gabriel Jesus , Fernandinho , Benjamin Mendy , Nathan Ake and Aymeric Laporte remain out .
`` They 've had so many injuries , '' added Keown .
`` Since they went out of the Champions League quarter-finals [ against Lyon ] , they 've struggled .
`` It 's going to be very important for Sergio Aguero to stay fit .
Pep Guardiola wants to play expansive football but this is not the same silky City we 've seen in the past where they were breaking records left right and centre @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is surely key to City success , especially in the absence of Jesus , their only other senior striker .
Yet the 32-year-old Argentine , who has recently celebrated his ninth anniversary at City , is facing another spell on the sidelines .
His replacement against West Ham was Foden .
`` It 's been a strange year , '' said the 20-year-old .
`` A lot of games are coming quickly so maybe some players are feeling it .
Everyone has the ability to make an impact . ''
Guardiola said Aguero @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Champions League trip to Marseille on Tuesday .
'We will see how good Pep really is' Since they last won the Premier League , City have lost Vincent Kompany , Leroy Sane and David Silva .
Green said Guardiola is having to rebuild a team for the first time .
He spent four seasons at Barcelona , winning three La Liga titles and two Champions Leagues before moving to Bayern Munich , where he won the Bundesliga in each of his three seasons .
Now in his fifth season at City , Guardiola @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` He has n't had to rebuild before , '' he said .
`` Maybe they have dropped the ball in terms of recruitment but also maybe Pep did n't expect to be here this time last season .
You could say they could have started building last season , but Pep does n't normally do more than three years . ''
Former Tottenham midfielder Andy Reid said City lacked leadership on the pitch .
`` Will they have that consistency ?
And when it comes to the tough games , will they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not too sure , '' he told BBC Radio 5 Live .
`` That is why it 's a rebuilding process . ''
Keown added : `` They 're not far from greatness , but there 's certainly some work to be done .
`` We will see how good Pep really is now ; he 's got to rebuild the team . ''

Last updated on .From the section Man City
Foden has a real sense for goal - Guardiola
One win in four Premier League games, another injury for Sergio Aguero and key players still missing - is this Pep Guardiola's biggest test in his four years at Manchester City?
Despite Phil Foden's equaliser in a 1-1 draw at West Ham on Saturday, City have dropped seven points from the first five games and are anchored in the bottom half of the table.
They welcomed back Kevin de Bruyne from injury at London Stadium but Aguero, who had surgery on a knee injury in June, did not appear for the start of the second half, because of a leg muscle injury.
It has been a less than smooth start for Guardiola - who guided City to the Premier League title in 2018 and 2019 - so what now?
'They just can't get going'
It was the fifth game of last season when City came unstuck at promoted Norwich City.
By then, they already had 10 points, two more than they have managed so far this season.
"City only had a very small close-season break, lots of injuries at the start of the new season and they really haven't found any kind of rhythm," said former Arsenal defender Martin Keown, a three-time Premier League title winner, on Football Focus.
"It's really surprising. They just can't get going."
While Keown and many others may be surprised at City's slow start, Guardiola is not - and has no problem identifying the reasons.
"Many injuries, a lack of preparation, no recovery time, and tough games we've played so far," he said when asked after the West Ham match why City have made a less than spectacular start.
"I'm not a guy who can predict the future. We've already dropped seven points, which is a lot.
"But we've struggled a lot for many reasons. We have to take things game by game and see what happens."
Manchester City have won eight points from their five Premier League games this season - their lowest total at this stage of the season since 2014-15
Since winning at Wolves in their opening game, Guardiola's side have lost heavily at home to Leicester, drawn at Leeds, beaten Arsenal and dropped another two points at West Ham.
"That whole air of invincibility seems to have dripped away," said former England keeper Rob Green on BBC Radio 5 Live.
"Getting turned over by Leicester, Leeds could have finished 6-6, they have not hit the straps compared to seasons past."
Aguero adds to City's injury misery
Injuries and have taken their toll on City, so much so that Guardiola named an unchanged starting line-up for the first time since October 2017, some 172 games ago.
While substitute De Bruyne looked sharp during the 22 minutes he was on the pitch, Guardiola looked deflated when he announced afterwards forward Aguero had suffered another injury.
Having only returned from a lengthy spell on the sidelines against Arsenal last week, his latest setback is something City could do without as Gabriel Jesus, Fernandinho, Benjamin Mendy, Nathan Ake and Aymeric Laporte remain out.
Sergio Aguero has featured in just three league and cup games this season because of injury
"They've had so many injuries," added Keown.
"Since they went out of the Champions League quarter-finals [against Lyon], they've struggled.
"It's going to be very important for Sergio Aguero to stay fit. Pep Guardiola wants to play expansive football but this is not the same silky City we've seen in the past where they were breaking records left right and centre."
Aguero's fitness and form is surely key to City success, especially in the absence of Jesus, their only other senior striker.
Yet the 32-year-old Argentine, who has recently celebrated his ninth anniversary at City, is facing another spell on the sidelines.
His replacement against West Ham was Foden.
"It's been a strange year," said the 20-year-old. "A lot of games are coming quickly so maybe some players are feeling it. Everyone has the ability to make an impact."
Guardiola said Aguero will be assessed on Sunday before the Champions League trip to Marseille on Tuesday.
'We will see how good Pep really is'
Since they last won the Premier League, City have lost Vincent Kompany, Leroy Sane and David Silva.
Green said Guardiola is having to rebuild a team for the first time.
He spent four seasons at Barcelona, winning three La Liga titles and two Champions Leagues before moving to Bayern Munich, where he won the Bundesliga in each of his three seasons.
Now in his fifth season at City, Guardiola faces many challenges, added Green.
"He hasn't had to rebuild before," he said.
"Maybe they have dropped the ball in terms of recruitment but also maybe Pep didn't expect to be here this time last season. You could say they could have started building last season, but Pep doesn't normally do more than three years."
Former Tottenham midfielder Andy Reid said City lacked leadership on the pitch.
Man City have never lost a match when Phil Foden has scored
"Will they have that consistency? And when it comes to the tough games, will they have that bit extra? I'm not too sure," he told BBC Radio 5 Live.
"That is why it's a rebuilding process."
Keown added: "They're not far from greatness, but there's certainly some work to be done.
"We will see how good Pep really is now; he's got to rebuild the team."


bbc--2020-10-24--All you need to know for Portuguese GP: Hamilton on the brink of history

More often than not , Lewis Hamilton out-drives Valtteri Bottas .
This time , he out-thought him .
But the result was the same .
It came down to tyres - and more specifically how to use them .
The undulating Autodromo do Algarve , hosting its first ever F1 race , has revealed its secrets slowly over a disrupted weekend , a newly relaid surface and windy conditions creating some odd phenomena for teams and drivers to get their heads around .
For one thing , the medium tyre was proving faster than the soft - at least for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the first time this season , have chosen it for the race , and so has Ferrari 's Charles Leclerc , in an impressive fourth on the grid for the second race in a row .
Not only that , but Hamilton and Bottas decided to run the medium for their pole laps , too .
In theory , the tyre should be more than 0.5secs slower than the soft , but on the Mercedes it just was n't .
They could not get the softs up to temperature at the same time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the medium was simply faster .
Where the Mercedes drivers differed was in how to run the tyres .
For their final attempts , they were given the choice of one flying lap , or two , with a lap in between to charge the battery .
Again , in theory , one lap should be quicker - the tyres are brand new .
But Hamilton had a feeling that they would be quicker on their second lap .
It had looked that way at various times over the weekend , and it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them more than counter-balanced the loss of peak rubber when it came to grip levels .
It was a thrilling end to qualifying .
Bottas had been quickest after their first runs in the final session - for which both Mercedes drivers had the soft tyre .
Switching to the mediums , Hamilton 's first lap took pole .
Bottas took it back with his sole flying lap , only for Hamilton to snatch it back by just over 0.1 seconds with his second .
`` Valtteri has been quickest all weekend , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ n't know whether I could get a lap that would compete with his but the last good decision I took at the end was what created the opportunity .
`` We both had the opportunity to choose between the soft and medium , which is counter-intuitive , and the idea of having an extra stab at pole looked good to me so I chose the extra lap .
`` He still did a great job but I had to dig very deep .
Nailed the last sector but still very close .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is going down at all .
The first lap was n't that good for me but luckily the temperatures were just right on the second lap and that 's where I was able to make the difference . ''
`` Knowing you have the pace , '' Bottas said , `` it is annoying but that 's how it is .
But the race is tomorrow and I know I have the speed . ''
Well , maybe .
In fact , discounting the Italian and Russian Grands Prix , where Hamilton was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ only once this year when the Briton has started from pole .
Even on the three occasions on which Bottas has been ahead on the grid , he has finished in front of Hamilton only once .
So , it does not bode well for a Bottas victory at Portimao on Sunday .
There is intrigue and uncertainty ahead of the race , nonetheless .
While the Mercedes have medium tyres for the start , Verstappen in third is on the softs .
In theory , these should give him more grip in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ going to be a very tricky race with the harder tyre that does n't work for several laps , '' Hamilton said .
`` It will be interesting at the beginning .
We will lose a bit of performance to Max and the guys behind on the softs .
I do n't know what to expect .
Safety car restarts will be really difficult with the tyres .
It 's going to be a tough race . ''
There is also a threat of rain to potentially mix things up .
Not that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Not much does these days , it seems .
Win number 92 for Hamilton , and a new all-time record of victories , looks the most likely outcome .
Lance Stroll missed the last race because of an illness that turned out to be coronavirus - a diagnosis that , on the face of it at least , seems to have surprised no-one other than those in his team .
The Canadian is back in the car this weekend in Portugal , but Racing Point 's handling of the situation is still @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lane .
A number of rivals are annoyed at what they see as Racing Point 's cavalier approach to coronavirus .
Only two drivers have tested positive this year - and they are both from that team , Stroll 's case following Sergio Perez contracting it in the summer , after a visit back to Mexico , a Covid hotspot , to see his mother .
On top of that , Racing Point 's public statements on Stroll 's situation have been contradictory and opaque .
Rival teams , who have taken a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ impressed , because this season was only able to start as a result of F1 's reassurances to national governments that it would take every possible measure to minimise the risk with coronavirus .
They 're taking it seriously , they observe privately , but it looks like Racing Point are not .
Racing Point team boss Otmar Szafnauer has insisted his team could not be doing more , saying they test more than any organisation in the world .
But this does not seem to tally with the fact that Stroll was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the list of possible indicators for coronavirus , yet they did not test him , insisting that his doctor said they were not coronavirus symptoms , and that they were `` confident '' he did not have it .
Only for him to test positive once he got home .
It did not help , either , that Szafnauer gave one version of Stroll 's symptoms at the last race , and another this weekend .
Nor have people been impressed by Racing Point not revealing Stroll 's positive test until nine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of this appears to be a clear breach of F1 's Covid code - and yet the FIA has issued only a reminder of their responsibilities , which is another issue raising eyebrows .
All this led to a withering response from McLaren Racing chief executive officer Zak Brown in Friday 's news conference .
`` When in Australia , we had someone that did n't feel well , '' Brown said .
`` ( McLaren team principal ) Andreas ( Seidl ) and I are n't doctors but we took the very @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the test came back positive , isolate the team and ultimately we knew that would shut us down for the race .
`` So , I know the doctor did n't think a test was positive .
Maybe in hindsight that should be different .
I do n't know who the doctor was .
Do n't know if it was Dr Mallya , Dr Seuss… maybe it was Dr Dre . ''
What Brown and others want to see from Racing Point is more transparency , and an acceptance that they have got @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be seen to take the situation more seriously .
As yet , that has not happened .
Driver market up in the air The Portuguese Grand Prix weekend started with the news that Haas are making a complete change of their driver line-up , dropping both Romain Grosjean and Kevin Magnussen next year .
This has led to a typical F1 'silly season ' weekend , in which all manner of driver swaps have been discussed .
Haas , ironically , seem relatively settled - it seems , at least at this stage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up with Mick Schumacher and Nikita Mazepin , both graduating from Formula 2 .
There are questions marks over a number of teams for 2021 .
George Russell 's future at Williams has come under the spotlight , despite the fact he has a contract , because Perez is sniffing around for a seat with plenty of Mexican backing , following Racing Point 's decision to sign Sebastian Vettel .
Williams acting team principal Simon Roberts inadvertently added fuel to the fire , when he refused to commit the team to running both @ @ @ @ @ @ @ asked in the official news conference .
Despite this , the word from inside Williams is that they are not pushing for a change , and have not approached Perez .
And on Saturday , Mercedes F1 boss Toto Wolff , who manages Russell as a Mercedes young driver , said the situation was `` not looking bad '' for the promising Briton , who again excelled in qualifying on Saturday .
Perez is one of the contenders for the second seat at Red Bull , where Alex Albon is under pressure .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , who has impressed on his three substitute appearances for Racing Point this season .
Team boss Christian Horner said : `` We want Alex to claim that seat and justify that there is no need to look at any other alternative than Alex .
`` He 's had a couple of difficult weekends so he needs to bounce back here and particularly Imola with a strong weekend from start to finish .
We need two cars closer together in order to fight the Mercedes . ''
Elsewhere , Daniil Kvyat 's future @ @ @ @ @ @ @ F1 - looks shaky .
While the latest info on Alfa Romeo is that Kimi Raikkonen will stay and that Ferrari are minded to give Antonio Giovinazzi another season to prove his potential .

Sunday's Portuguese Grand Prix is live on 5 Live Sports Extra and the BBC Sport website at 13:10 GMT
More often than not, Lewis Hamilton out-drives Valtteri Bottas. This time, he out-thought him. But the result was the same.
Hamilton took his ninth pole position in 12 races this year at the Portuguese Grand Prix. His Mercedes team-mate was left ruing his error in making the wrong decision on the strategy call inside the garage that almost certainly was the difference between pole and second.
It came down to tyres - and more specifically how to use them.
The undulating Autodromo do Algarve, hosting its first ever F1 race, has revealed its secrets slowly over a disrupted weekend, a newly relaid surface and windy conditions creating some odd phenomena for teams and drivers to get their heads around.
For one thing, the medium tyre was proving faster than the soft - at least for some teams. Mercedes, not for the first time this season, have chosen it for the race, and so has Ferrari's Charles Leclerc, in an impressive fourth on the grid for the second race in a row.
Not only that, but Hamilton and Bottas decided to run the medium for their pole laps, too. In theory, the tyre should be more than 0.5secs slower than the soft, but on the Mercedes it just wasn't. They could not get the softs up to temperature at the same time across front and rear axles, and the medium was simply faster.
Where the Mercedes drivers differed was in how to run the tyres. For their final attempts, they were given the choice of one flying lap, or two, with a lap in between to charge the battery.
Again, in theory, one lap should be quicker - the tyres are brand new. But Hamilton had a feeling that they would be quicker on their second lap. It had looked that way at various times over the weekend, and it was again. The extra heat in them more than counter-balanced the loss of peak rubber when it came to grip levels.
It was a thrilling end to qualifying. Bottas had been quickest after their first runs in the final session - for which both Mercedes drivers had the soft tyre.
Switching to the mediums, Hamilton's first lap took pole. Bottas took it back with his sole flying lap, only for Hamilton to snatch it back by just over 0.1 seconds with his second.
"Valtteri has been quickest all weekend," Hamilton said. "I didn't know whether I could get a lap that would compete with his but the last good decision I took at the end was what created the opportunity.
"We both had the opportunity to choose between the soft and medium, which is counter-intuitive, and the idea of having an extra stab at pole looked good to me so I chose the extra lap.
"He still did a great job but I had to dig very deep. Nailed the last sector but still very close.
"It doesn't feel like the rubber is going down at all. The first lap wasn't that good for me but luckily the temperatures were just right on the second lap and that's where I was able to make the difference."
"Knowing you have the pace," Bottas said, "it is annoying but that's how it is. But the race is tomorrow and I know I have the speed."
Well, maybe. In fact, discounting the Italian and Russian Grands Prix, where Hamilton was given penalties, Bottas has beaten Hamilton only once this year when the Briton has started from pole.
Even on the three occasions on which Bottas has been ahead on the grid, he has finished in front of Hamilton only once.
So, it does not bode well for a Bottas victory at Portimao on Sunday.
There is intrigue and uncertainty ahead of the race, nonetheless.
While the Mercedes have medium tyres for the start, Verstappen in third is on the softs. In theory, these should give him more grip in the opening laps.
"It's going to be a very tricky race with the harder tyre that doesn't work for several laps," Hamilton said. "It will be interesting at the beginning. We will lose a bit of performance to Max and the guys behind on the softs. I don't know what to expect. Safety car restarts will be really difficult with the tyres. It's going to be a tough race."
There is also a threat of rain to potentially mix things up. Not that wet weather normally causes Hamilton any concerns. Not much does these days, it seems.
Win number 92 for Hamilton, and a new all-time record of victories, looks the most likely outcome.
Racing Point not making any friends
Perez and Stroll have both tested positive for coronavirus this season
Lance Stroll missed the last race because of an illness that turned out to be coronavirus - a diagnosis that, on the face of it at least, seems to have surprised no-one other than those in his team.
The Canadian is back in the car this weekend in Portugal, but Racing Point's handling of the situation is still making waves up and down the pit lane.
A number of rivals are annoyed at what they see as Racing Point's cavalier approach to coronavirus.
Only two drivers have tested positive this year - and they are both from that team, Stroll's case following Sergio Perez contracting it in the summer, after a visit back to Mexico, a Covid hotspot, to see his mother.
On top of that, Racing Point's public statements on Stroll's situation have been contradictory and opaque.
Rival teams, who have taken a more transparent approach, have not been impressed, because this season was only able to start as a result of F1's reassurances to national governments that it would take every possible measure to minimise the risk with coronavirus.
They're taking it seriously, they observe privately, but it looks like Racing Point are not.
Racing Point team boss Otmar Szafnauer has insisted his team could not be doing more, saying they test more than any organisation in the world.
But this does not seem to tally with the fact that Stroll was displaying at the Nurburgring symptoms that are on the list of possible indicators for coronavirus, yet they did not test him, insisting that his doctor said they were not coronavirus symptoms, and that they were "confident" he did not have it. Only for him to test positive once he got home.
It did not help, either, that Szafnauer gave one version of Stroll's symptoms at the last race, and another this weekend.
Nor have people been impressed by Racing Point not revealing Stroll's positive test until nine days after he had it.
All of this appears to be a clear breach of F1's Covid code - and yet the FIA has issued only a reminder of their responsibilities, which is another issue raising eyebrows.
All this led to a withering response from McLaren Racing chief executive officer Zak Brown in Friday's news conference.
"When in Australia, we had someone that didn't feel well," Brown said. "(McLaren team principal) Andreas (Seidl) and I aren't doctors but we took the very quick decision to isolate and then once the test came back positive, isolate the team and ultimately we knew that would shut us down for the race.
"So, I know the doctor didn't think a test was positive. Maybe in hindsight that should be different. I don't know who the doctor was. Don't know if it was Dr Mallya, Dr Seuss… maybe it was Dr Dre."
What Brown and others want to see from Racing Point is more transparency, and an acceptance that they have got this one wrong, and need to be seen to take the situation more seriously. As yet, that has not happened.
Driver market up in the air
Russell was the subject of speculation this week over his future at Williams for the 2021 season
The Portuguese Grand Prix weekend started with the news that Haas are making a complete change of their driver line-up, dropping both Romain Grosjean and Kevin Magnussen next year.
This has led to a typical F1 'silly season' weekend, in which all manner of driver swaps have been discussed.
Haas, ironically, seem relatively settled - it seems, at least at this stage, that they are likely to end up with Mick Schumacher and Nikita Mazepin, both graduating from Formula 2.
There are questions marks over a number of teams for 2021.
George Russell's future at Williams has come under the spotlight, despite the fact he has a contract, because Perez is sniffing around for a seat with plenty of Mexican backing, following Racing Point's decision to sign Sebastian Vettel.
Williams acting team principal Simon Roberts inadvertently added fuel to the fire, when he refused to commit the team to running both Russell and Nicholas Latifi next year when asked in the official news conference.
Despite this, the word from inside Williams is that they are not pushing for a change, and have not approached Perez.
And on Saturday, Mercedes F1 boss Toto Wolff, who manages Russell as a Mercedes young driver, said the situation was "not looking bad" for the promising Briton, who again excelled in qualifying on Saturday.
Perez is one of the contenders for the second seat at Red Bull, where Alex Albon is under pressure. The other candidate there is Nico Hulkenberg, who has impressed on his three substitute appearances for Racing Point this season.
Team boss Christian Horner said: "We want Alex to claim that seat and justify that there is no need to look at any other alternative than Alex.
"He's had a couple of difficult weekends so he needs to bounce back here and particularly Imola with a strong weekend from start to finish. We need two cars closer together in order to fight the Mercedes."
Elsewhere, Daniil Kvyat's future at Alpha Tauri - and therefore in F1 - looks shaky. While the latest info on Alfa Romeo is that Kimi Raikkonen will stay and that Ferrari are minded to give Antonio Giovinazzi another season to prove his potential.


bbc--2020-10-24--Ireland score 50 points against Italy to go top as Six Nations returns after seven-month delay

Debutants Hugo Keenan and Will Connors were among the try scorers as Ireland went top of the Six Nations table courtesy of a comfortable 50-17 win over Italy as the tournament returned after a seven-month delay .
Edoardo Padovani picked off Johnny Sexton 's pass to offer some brief joy for Italy but further tries from Connors , Sexton , Bundee Aki and Dave Heffernan secured a dominant win .
Garbisi , the 20-year-old fly-half , grabbed a wonderful solo try in the final play to put a dent in Ireland 's score difference , which could come into play @ @ @ @ @ @ @ maximum five points , Ireland will travel to Paris knowing a bonus-point win against France will ensure they become Six Nations champions .
• None Ringrose out for up to six weeks with broken jaw • None Relive the seven tries as they happened Italy now must gear up for the daunting prospect of England , but are now guaranteed to finish bottom of the table for the fifth year in a row .
Although the win comes with the caveat that they were up against an Italy side now winless in 25 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and performance vindicated head coach Andy Farrell 's most notable team selection calls .
Leinster 's Keenan and Connors , alongside Caelan Doris on his second cap , picked up where they left off for their province with energetic confidence and expression on show throughout .
Ireland suffered an early setback as Conor Murray was sin-binned for deliberately not releasing in the tackle on his own try-line after Jake Polledri had burst through the midfield - but the hosts quickly settled to assert their dominance in the physical battle .
The first of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for Farrell 's side to put pressure on the Italy line , allowing Stander to go over .
From there , the momentum was firmly in Ireland 's favour .
It took Connors 21 minutes to win his first international turnover - and eight minutes later , his outstanding counter-ruck provided the penalty from which Ireland went wide , allowing Keenan to step inside and score .
For all he has impressed in the blue of Leinster , Keenan did not cross the tryline in his breakthrough season , a feat he actually @ @ @ @ @ @ @ outing .
The Dubliner thought he was in for his second after finishing a scintillating break from Jacob Stockdale , but play was pulled back for an earlier Irish infringement in the build-up .
Keenan did not have to wait much longer however , as Doris brilliantly stole the ball under his own posts setting off a rapid Irish counter-attack that saw Keenan ground Murray 's grubber kick to put Ireland 24-3 up at the break .
Title-chasing hosts rack up points in second half The win moves Ireland to the top of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ahead of England and France going into the final round of fixtures .
Among the multitude of potential outcomes next week are that two teams could finish on the same number of points , at which stage the side with the greater points difference would be awarded the title .
For this reason , Ireland attacked the second half with purpose , but contributed to Italy 's mini-revival as Padovani ran on to Sexton 's pass to stroll between the posts .
The try did little to put Ireland off their stride however @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over at the back of a rolling maul to secure the bonus point .
Sexton made amends for the interception by crashing over for a score of his own before Aki collected a wonderful Peter O'Mahony offload as the hosts cut loose against a tiring Italian defence .
Hooker Heffernan , on his first appearance in three years , drove over in what could have been the final play of the game but Ross Byrne opted to take a quick conversion as Ireland went in search of a final score .
The ploy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ scythed through a broken field to add the last of the points , in a score that Ireland will hope does not come back to haunt them next week .

Guinness Six Nations: Ireland 50-17 Italy Ireland (24) 50 Tries: Stander, Keenan 2, Connors, Sexton, Aki, Heffernan Cons: Sexton 5, Byrne Pen: Sexton Italy (3) 17 Try: Padovani, Garbisi Con: Garbisi 2 Pen: Garbisi
Debutants Hugo Keenan and Will Connors were among the try scorers as Ireland went top of the Six Nations table courtesy of a comfortable 50-17 win over Italy as the tournament returned after a seven-month delay.
Wing Keenan crossed twice in the first half after CJ Stander darted over in reply to Paolo Garbisi's early penalty.
Edoardo Padovani picked off Johnny Sexton's pass to offer some brief joy for Italy but further tries from Connors, Sexton, Bundee Aki and Dave Heffernan secured a dominant win.
Garbisi, the 20-year-old fly-half, grabbed a wonderful solo try in the final play to put a dent in Ireland's score difference, which could come into play next week.
Having easily secured the maximum five points, Ireland will travel to Paris knowing a bonus-point win against France will ensure they become Six Nations champions.
Italy now must gear up for the daunting prospect of England, but are now guaranteed to finish bottom of the table for the fifth year in a row.
Ireland can secure the title with a bonus-point win in Paris next weekend
Dream debuts for Leinster duo
Although the win comes with the caveat that they were up against an Italy side now winless in 25 Six Nations games, Ireland's victory and performance vindicated head coach Andy Farrell's most notable team selection calls.
Leinster's Keenan and Connors, alongside Caelan Doris on his second cap, picked up where they left off for their province with energetic confidence and expression on show throughout.
Ireland suffered an early setback as Conor Murray was sin-binned for deliberately not releasing in the tackle on his own try-line after Jake Polledri had burst through the midfield - but the hosts quickly settled to assert their dominance in the physical battle.
The first of nine first half turnovers set the platform for Farrell's side to put pressure on the Italy line, allowing Stander to go over.
From there, the momentum was firmly in Ireland's favour. It took Connors 21 minutes to win his first international turnover - and eight minutes later, his outstanding counter-ruck provided the penalty from which Ireland went wide, allowing Keenan to step inside and score.
For all he has impressed in the blue of Leinster, Keenan did not cross the tryline in his breakthrough season, a feat he actually achieved three times in his first Ireland outing.
The Dubliner thought he was in for his second after finishing a scintillating break from Jacob Stockdale, but play was pulled back for an earlier Irish infringement in the build-up.
Keenan did not have to wait much longer however, as Doris brilliantly stole the ball under his own posts setting off a rapid Irish counter-attack that saw Keenan ground Murray's grubber kick to put Ireland 24-3 up at the break.
Title-chasing hosts rack up points in second half
The win moves Ireland to the top of the table on 14 points, one ahead of England and France going into the final round of fixtures.
Among the multitude of potential outcomes next week are that two teams could finish on the same number of points, at which stage the side with the greater points difference would be awarded the title.
For this reason, Ireland attacked the second half with purpose, but contributed to Italy's mini-revival as Padovani ran on to Sexton's pass to stroll between the posts.
The try did little to put Ireland off their stride however, and six minutes later Connors drove over at the back of a rolling maul to secure the bonus point.
Sexton added another 18 points to his international tally
Sexton made amends for the interception by crashing over for a score of his own before Aki collected a wonderful Peter O'Mahony offload as the hosts cut loose against a tiring Italian defence.
Hooker Heffernan, on his first appearance in three years, drove over in what could have been the final play of the game but Ross Byrne opted to take a quick conversion as Ireland went in search of a final score.
The ploy ultimately backfired as Italy's debutant Garbisi scythed through a broken field to add the last of the points, in a score that Ireland will hope does not come back to haunt them next week.
Line-ups
Ireland: Stockdale; Conway; Ringrose, Aki Keenan; Sexton, Murray; Healy, Herring, Porter; Beirne, Ryan; Doris, Connors, Stander.
Replacements: Heffernan, E Byrne, Bealham, Dillane, O'Mahony, Gibson-Park, R Byrne, Henshaw.
Italy: Hayward; Padovani, Morisi, Canna, Bellini, Garbisi, Violi; Fischetti, Bigi, Zilocchi, Lazzaroni, Cannone, Negri, Steyn, Polledri.
Replacements: Lucchesi, Ferrari, Ceccarelli, Sisi, Meyer, Mbanda, Braley, Mori.


bbc--2020-10-25--US election 2020: Trump in three-state campaign blitz after casting vote

After casting his vote on Saturday , he said it was `` a very secure vote , much more secure @ @ @ @ @ a ballot '' .
But experts say this is wrong and that there is no @ @ @ @ @ between postal voting and fraud .

After casting his vote on Saturday, he said it was "a very secure vote, much more secure than when you send in a ballot". But experts say this is wrong and that there is no evidence to support a link between postal voting and fraud.


bbc--2020-10-25--Dr Fauci: Covid vaccine could come by end of 2020

Dr Anthony Fauci says a Covid-19 vaccine could be available in the United States before the end of the year @ @ @ @ @ safe and effective '' .
The US government scientist told the BBC 's Andrew Marr @ @ @ @ @ would go to people according to a set prioritisation – and that it would take @ @ @ @ @ '' before it was more widely available .
He added that the vaccine would n't @ @ @ @ @ health measures to be in place to help protect people from the virus for a @ @ @

Dr Anthony Fauci says a Covid-19 vaccine could be available in the United States before the end of the year if proved to be "safe and effective".
The US government scientist told the BBC's Andrew Marr that the limited first doses would go to people according to a set prioritisation – and that it would take "several months into 2021" before it was more widely available.
He added that the vaccine wouldn't replace the need for public health measures to be in place to help protect people from the virus for a considerable time.


bbc--2020-10-25--France recalls Turkey envoy after Erdogan says Macron needs 'mental check'

`` What else can be said to a head of state who does not understand freedom of belief and who @ @ @ @ @ millions of people living in his country who are members of a different faith ?
@

"What else can be said to a head of state who does not understand freedom of belief and who behaves in this way to millions of people living in his country who are members of a different faith?"


bbc--2020-10-25--Nuclear weapons treaty: Campaigners hail new era for nuclear disarmament

The UK said at the time that , while committed to a nuclear-free world , the government does not believe @ @ @ @ @ an end to nuclear weapons and could undermine existing efforts to do so , such @ @ @ @ @ .

Nuclear weapons treaty: Campaigners hail new era for nuclear disarmament Published 25 October 2020
Image source, PA Media Image caption, Smoke over Nagasaki in Japan after an atomic bomb falls on 9 August 1945
Campaigners have hailed a "new chapter" after a key step by the United Nations towards banning nuclear arms.
Honduras has become the 50th country to ratify the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons so it will now come into force in 90 days time.
But what it will actually achieve remains in doubt because the five recognised nuclear powers have not signed the accord.
Supporters hope it will nevertheless have a deterrent effect.
What's in the treaty?
The accord was approved by 122 countries at the UN General Assembly in 2017 but needed to be ratified by at least 50 before being enacted.
It declares that those countries that ratify it must "never under any circumstances develop, test, produce, manufacture, otherwise acquire, possess or stockpile nuclear weapons or other nuclear explosive devices".
The treaty outlaws the use or threat to use nuclear arms, and bars signatories from allowing "any stationing, installation or deployment of any nuclear weapons or other nuclear explosive devices" on their territory.
What has the reaction been?
The International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (Ican) described the 50th ratification as heralding "a new chapter for nuclear disarmament".
Beatrice Fihn, the head of Ican, which was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2017, said: "Decades of activism have achieved what many said was impossible: nuclear weapons are banned."
Image source, Getty Images Image caption, Beatrice Fihn of Ican hailed the deal
The president of the International Committee of the Red Cross, Peter Maurer, said: "Today is a victory for humanity, and a promise of a safer future."
A statement from the UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, described the move as "a meaningful commitment towards the total elimination of nuclear weapons, which is the highest disarmament priority of the United Nations".
There has been no immediate reaction from the five main nuclear powers - the US, Russia, China, the UK and France. But the US and the UK made clear their opposition in 2017.
This video can not be played To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser. Media caption, Nuclear weapons: Explained in numbers
The UK said at the time that, while committed to a nuclear-free world, the government does not believe the treaty will bring about an end to nuclear weapons and could undermine existing efforts to do so, such as the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.
The US, in a letter seen by Associated Press, wrote to the treaty signatories saying the accord "turns back the clock on verification and disarmament".
How many nuclear weapons are there out there?
Still about 14,000, but considerably fewer than the 70,000 known to exist in the mid-1980s.
The US and Russia have the most, followed by France, China and the UK. India, Pakistan and North Korea are also nuclear powers. Israel is widely believed to have nuclear weapons, but refuses to confirm or deny.
What is being done to eliminate them?
The Non-Proliferation Treaty, backed by 190 countries in 1970, commits countries which signed up, including the US, Russia, France the UK and China, to reducing their stockpiles and bars others from acquiring nuclear weapons.
India, Pakistan and Israel did not sign up and North Korea left in 2003. The US, Russia and the UK have been reducing their inventories.
Russia and the US are trying to extend their last remaining nuclear arms agreement which is due to expire in February.
New Start, signed in 2010, limits the number of long-range nuclear warheads each can possess to 1,550.


bbc--2020-10-25--'Murder hornet': First nest found in US eradicated with vacuum hose

Globally , conservationists are deeply concerned about falling insect populations .
But it can be permissible to kill some insects @ @ @ @ @ species - one that is not native to an area and preys on other insects @ @

Globally, conservationists are deeply concerned about falling insect populations. But it can be permissible to kill some insects if they are an invasive species - one that is not native to an area and preys on other insects there.


bbc--2020-10-25--Joan Hocquard: Oldest person in Britain dies aged 112

`` She has always had an independent spirit and it was typical of her that on her 100th birthday she @ @ @ @ @ Queen because she did not want people to know how old she was , '' @ @ @ @ @ Echo in August .

"She has always had an independent spirit and it was typical of her that on her 100th birthday she refused a card from the Queen because she did not want people to know how old she was," Mr Reynolds told the Bournemouth Echo in August.


bbc--2020-10-25--Misty Copeland: Ballet’s listening after George Floyd

`` As the world is changing , as it grows more diverse , if the ballet world does n't evolve @ @ @ @ @ 's going to die , '' Misty Copeland tells reporter Jenna Adae .
The American @ @ @ @ @ most famous black dancers in the world .
She says that after George Floyd 's @ @ @ @ @ Black Lives Matter , for the first time in her 20-year career , people are @ @ @ @ @ about the problem of diversity within the global ballet industry .
She became the first @ @ @ @ @ principal dancer at the American Ballet Theatre in its 81-year history .
`` There 's @ @ @ @ @ not going to support an art form that they feel does n't want them to @ @ @ @ @ , '' she says .
As part of Black History Month , Newsbeat also speaks @ @ @ @ @ importance of role models and pre-conceived ideas about body shape .
Listen to Newsbeat live @ @ @ @ @ - or listen back here .

"As the world is changing, as it grows more diverse, if the ballet world doesn't evolve with it, then it's going to die," Misty Copeland tells reporter Jenna Adae.
The American ballet star is one the most famous black dancers in the world.
She says that after George Floyd's death and the focus on Black Lives Matter, for the first time in her 20-year career, people are starting to listen to her about the problem of diversity within the global ballet industry.
She became the first black woman to become the principal dancer at the American Ballet Theatre in its 81-year history.
"There're so many communities that are not going to support an art form that they feel doesn't want them to be a part of it," she says.
As part of Black History Month, Radio 1 Newsbeat also hears from other dancers about the importance of role models and pre-conceived ideas about body shape.
Interviews by Jenna Adae.
Filmed and edited by Matt Wareham.
Follow Newsbeat on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.
Listen to Newsbeat live at 12:45 and 17:45 weekdays - or listen back here.


bbc--2020-10-25--Samsung Group titan Lee Kun-hee dies aged 78

He stepped down as Samsung chairman in 2008 after he was charged with tax evasion and embezzlement .
He was @ @ @ @ @ sentence for tax evasion but was given a presidential pardon in 2009 and went on @ @ @ @ @ successful bid to host the 2018 Winter Olympics .

He stepped down as Samsung chairman in 2008 after he was charged with tax evasion and embezzlement. He was handed a three-year suspended jail sentence for tax evasion but was given a presidential pardon in 2009 and went on to lead South Korea's successful bid to host the 2018 Winter Olympics.


bbc--2020-10-25--Europe's streets empty again

Europe's streets empty again

With infections rising across Europe , tighter Covid restrictions are being enforced .
Many countries have introduced a night-time curfew @ @ @ @ @ spread of the disease , meaning places usually filled with people are empty .

With infections rising across Europe, tighter Covid restrictions are being enforced.
Many countries have introduced a night-time curfew to try to curb the spread of the disease, meaning places usually filled with people are empty.


bbc--2020-10-25--Adele sings and jokes about weight loss as she hosts Saturday Night Live

`` I 'm here because I 've had a lot of heartbreak in my life - first at 19 and @ @ @ @ @ , at 21 and then , even more famously , at 25 , '' she @ @ @ @ @ of her first three albums .

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bbc--2020-10-25--Post-Brexit trade talks extended, says No 10

But he told Andrew Marr : `` The EU need to understand it is for them to move as well @ @ @ @ @ get a deal that works for the UK as well - a proper free trade @ @ @ @ @ the UK being a sovereign nation . ''

But he told Andrew Marr: "The EU need to understand it is for them to move as well, so that we can get a deal that works for the UK as well - a proper free trade agreement that recognises us as the UK being a sovereign nation."


bbc--2020-10-25--Seychelles election: Wavel Ramkalawan in landmark win

In his first comments since winning , Mr Ramkalawan said : `` Mr Faure and I are good friends .
@ @ @ @ @ mean the end of one 's contribution to one 's motherland .

In his first comments since winning, Mr Ramkalawan said: "Mr Faure and I are good friends. And an election does not mean the end of one's contribution to one's motherland.


bbc--2020-10-25--Afghan bombing: Kabul education centre attack kills at least 24

Afghanistan has seen a rise in violence in recent weeks - with most of the attacks carried out by the @ @ @ @ @ to imperil peace talks between government forces and the Taliban in the Qatari capital , @ @

Afghanistan has seen a rise in violence in recent weeks - with most of the attacks carried out by the Taliban. The violence threatens to imperil peace talks between government forces and the Taliban in the Qatari capital, Doha.