A look back on the best bits from this week in sport.
1 Best rant Yaya Toure
"It's sad to see Africa react in this way, it does not give importance to African things ... This is what makes the shame of Africa. To behave in this way is indecent, but what can we do?" This is about war, right? Genocide? Or some gross crime against humanity? Wrong. That was Yaya Toure's reaction to losing out to Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang as African Player of the Year. This was a rant beyond the reaches of even men and egos such as Cristiano Ronaldo and the great Johan Cruyff.
2 Best win
Raonic beat Federer
Novak Djokovic taking apart Rafael Nadal in Doha was impressive but, in Brisbane, Milos Raonic beating Roger Federer in straight sets was a result to take notice of. Raonic dipped last year after an injury but he is fit again and since he has been talked about for long as a prodigy, it is easy to get excited about the win. Sure Federer is 34 and was unwell, but a win over the Swiss is a big deal.
3 Best dig
Bailey on the lack of DRS
George Bailey did not really need to stick it in. Not after he had scored a century and helped his team chase down 310 way more comfortably than they should have done. But he did anyway. Bailey should have been out first ball, after he gloved it down the legside. Richard Kettleborough gave it not out and a DRS referral would likely have overturned his call. India do not allow DRS to be used in any bilateral series they play, which Bailey could not resist pointing out. “Would’ve been interesting to see on DRS, but we’re not the team that doesn’t want it.” Ouch.
4 Best game
Newcastle United 3 Manchester United 3
Congratulations, we have located a pulse! The means may not have justified the end of one point and a drop to sixth following the Manchester club’s 3-3 draw, but not many fans would have complained. Finally, after what has felt like years, they had a performance with attacking intent. Even the contrarian that is Louis van Gaal thought the game was “fantastic”, though understandably, the loss of two points did not improve his mood much.
5 Best recognition
Ian Walker
Having overseen triumph in sailing’s toughest race, the Volvo Ocean Race, Ian Walker should have won the International Sailing Federation Sailor of the Year Award last year. He did not. So the news that he had won the boats.com/Yachting Journalists’ Association award for Yachtsman of the Year was more than enough compensation. The award is known as the “knighthood of sailing”.
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