Saturday sport: Arsenal extend PL lead, Everton hold City

Soccer

Arsenal ended their year on a positive note this evening.

They beat Brighton 4-2 at the Amex in the final Premier League game of the day.

Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard, Eddie Nketiah and Gabriel Martinelli with the goals for the Gunners.

And they are seven points clear at the top of the table as there was a surprise at the Etihad this afternoon.

Defending champions Manchester City were held to a 1-1 draw by Everton.

Pep Guardiola's side went ahead in the first-half via an Erling Haaland goal before Demarai Gray scored a stunning equaliser in the second-half to earn them a point.

Elsewhere, the Republic of Ireland's Gavin Bazunu saved a late penalty for bottom side Southampton but it wasn't enough as they lost 2-1 away to Fulham.

Crystal Palace beat Bournemouth 2-0, and it finished scoreless at St James' Park between Newcastle and Leeds.

That result means Eddie Howe's side stay third.

And Manchester United are into the top four for the first time since March.

Marcus Rashford came off the bench to score for them as they beat Wolves 1-0 at Molineux.

The forward had been dropped after oversleeping and missing a team meeting.

Gaelic Games

Jonny Cooper said it was an "immense honour and pleasure" to represent Dublin for 11 years.

The seven-time All-Ireland winner has announced his retirement from intercounty football.

Cooper was twice named an All-Star during his career and also collected 10 Leinster and five National League medals.

The Na Fianna clubman said he feels the time is right to move on to the next chapter in his life.

Horse racing

Trainer Paul Nicholls won the Challow Hurdle for the third straight year today.

Hermes Allen landed the Grade One at Newbury.

While here at home the Joseph O'Brien-trained San Salvador won the feature at Punchestown - the Grade B Handicap Hurdle.

JJ Slevin rode the six-year-old to victory after going off at a starting price of 11-to-1.

Rugby

The Sharks beat the reigning champions The Bulls 47-points-to-20 in the United Rugby Championship today.

It lifts the Sharks up to fifth place in the table.

Benetton recovered from going 10-points down to beat Zebre 40-17 in their all Italian clash meanwhile.

Boxing

The GAA has confirmed that talks are at an advanced stage for Croke Park to host Katie Taylor's rematch with Amanda Serrano.

Croke Park's stadium director Peter McKenna says dates 'early next summer' have been ringfenced for the world title bout.

He added that the Irish Government is also supportive of the bout being hosted at the Dublin venue.