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BERLIN — New Bayern Munich signing Joao Cancelo set up a goal to help his side secure a first win of 2023 with a 4-0 triumph at 10-man Mainz in the German Cup on Wednesday.

Cancelo, who joined the German champions on loan from Man City on Tuesday, made an immediate impact, floating in a lofted cross to Cameroon striker Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting, who hammered home from close range. 

Winless in their first three league games of 2023, Bayern entered the game under significant pressure to advance to the German Cup quarterfinals for the first time in three seasons.

Choupo-Moting’s 17th-minute strike settled the visitors’ nerves and they had a second on the 30-minute mark when Bayern veteran Thomas Mueller found teenage forward Jamal Musiala, who slammed the ball across the face of goal to make it 2-0. 

Winger Leroy Sane scored the third with one minute of the first half remaining, sliding in a looped assist from former Mainz forward Choupo-Moting. 

Canadian wing-back Alphonso Davies, who came on for Cancelo with 20 minutes to go, added a fourth late in the game, heading in a floated assist from Dutch centre-back Matthijs de Ligt.

Mainz had a number of half chances in an increasingly fiery second half which saw centre-back Alexander Hack sent off for a second yellow card, along with Bo Svensson, who was shown a straight red for arguing with the assistant referee moments before Davies’ goal.

Svensson complained that the German champions got better treatment from the officials in the lead up to his red card. 

“I saw a clear difference in the way Bayern’s bench were handled and the way we were handled [by the referees]. It’s not the first time.”

Bayern manager Julian Nagelsmann praised his side, saying they were “much more aggressive” than they have been so far this year. 

“I’m glad we won again. I think the style and manner in which we played was very, very good.”

Werner on target

Former Chelsea striker Timo Werner scored late to help holders RB Leipzig beat Hoffenheim 3-1.

Werner, who returned to Leipzig from a two-year stint at Stamford Bridge in August, had endured a difficult night and was caught offside on multiple occasions.

He got his timing right however in the 83rd minute, latching onto a pass from Danish striker Yussuf Poulsen and driving the ball past Hoffenheim goalkeeper Oliver Baumann to seal his side’s win. 

Leipzig, who are unbeaten at home in the league this season, struck after just eight minutes, with Swedish forward Emil Forsberg catching Baumann napping to squeeze in a long-range shot at the near post. 

Leipzig doubled their lead before half-time, with Austrian midfielder Konrad Laimer collecting the ball on the turn before unleashing a fierce left-foot shot into the far corner of the net. 

Kasper Dolberg headed in a sublime cross from former Leipzig wing-back Angelino in the 77th minute to cause some nerves for the home side in the closing stages. 

However, Werner scored his fourth goal of the cup campaign with just over five minutes remaining.

“We showed that we want to go further [in the competition],” said Forsberg.

“We played a good first half, we were really focused. We could have sealed it earlier, but it was a deserved win”.

Former Borussia Dortmund midfielder Thomas Delaney, who signed with Hoffenheim on Monday, told Germany’s Sky “We have a good team, we have great players, but we are lacking confidence at the moment.”

Hoffenheim captain Baumann agreed, saying his under-pressure side had hoped to build confidence with a better result in the cup.

Hoffenheim sit in 13th place in the league, three points above the relegation playoff spot, with Baumann saying the side needed to admit “we’re in a relegation fight”.

“We are almost only losing and that really annoys me.”

NEWCASTLE, United Kingdom — Eddie Howe hailed Newcastle as “a club on the up” after they reached the League Cup final for the first time in 47 years with a 2-1 win against Southampton in Tuesday’s semifinal second leg at jubilant St James’ Park.

Sean Longstaff’s first-half double ensured Howe’s side finished the job after winning 1-0 in the first leg last week.

Che Adams reduced the deficit before the interval and Magpies midfielder Bruno Guimaraes was sent off in the closing stages.

But Newcastle held on to clinch a 3-1 aggregate victory that booked a final date with Manchester United or Nottingham Forest at Wembley on February 26.

United hold a 3-0 lead against Forest heading into Wednesday’s second leg at Old Trafford.

The Magpies’ most recent domestic final ended in defeat against United in the 1999 FA Cup.

“You want to be in finals of competitions to increase your status and make yourself more desirable for people to join. This is a club on the up,” Howe said.

“It was an intense game. At 2-0, we were playing really well. We are going for everything. As much as we can achieve, we will go for.”

Newcastle, who have never won the League Cup, are aiming to lift a major domestic trophy for the first time since the 1955 FA Cup.

Their last major silverware in any competition came in the 1969 Inter-Cities Fairs Cup.

On a cathartic night for Newcastle after decades of suffering, it was fitting that Longstaff, a boyhood Magpies fan, should be the one to send them to Wembley.

With Newcastle legends Alan Shearer and David Ginola joining the celebrations in the stands, raucous Magpies fans were ready to keep the party going all night long in the football-crazy city’s Bigg Market and Quayside bars.

Revitalised by Howe’s astute leadership and the financial muscle of a largely Saudi-backed ownership group, a club once regarded as the laughing stock of the Premier League can finally hold their heads high.

They sit third in the Premier League and look set for a sustained period as contenders for the English game’s top honours.

Reaching their first domestic cup final this century is another significant landmark in Newcastle’s rebirth.

“It is amazing. If you’d have said to anyone 12 months ago what was going to happen, they would have laughed,” Longstaff said.

“Since the takeover we have brought in quality players. It is really special and emotional for me what we are building here.”

Black and white wave

Ramping up an already vociferous atmosphere, Newcastle’s Anthony Gordon was paraded on the pitch before kick-off after completing his £45 million ($51 million) move from Everton.

Howe had labelled the second leg a “season defining” moment for Newcastle and it took his fired-up side just five minutes to raise the decibel levels even further.

Longstaff found Kieran Trippier on the right flank and sprinted onto the defender’s return pass before guiding a low finish past Gavin Bazunu from 12 yards.

Newcastle had all the momentum, sweeping forward in a black and white wave that left Southampton powerless to stem the tide.

Once again it was Longstaff who provided the finishing touch to a breathtaking raid in the 21st minute.

Exposing Southampton’s fragile wing-back system, Joe Willock sprinted into space behind James Bree and found Miguel Almiron, whose cutback was drilled home by Longstaff.

Newcastle keeper Nick Pope had kept 10 successive clean-sheets, but his unbeaten streak ended in the 29th minute.

Completely against the run of play, Willock gifted possession to Adams and the striker smashed a superb shot into the far corner from outside the penalty area.

In the past, Newcastle would have wilted when Southampton pushed hard in a tense second half, but they are made of sterner stuff now.

Pope’s brilliant save from Adam Armstrong ensured Newcastle’s long-awaited return to Wembley wasn’t derailed despite Guimaraes’ 82nd minute red card for stamping on Samuel Edozie.

LONDON — David Moyes cannot wait to take on his former club Manchester United in the FA Cup fifth round after goals from Jarrod Bowen and Michail Antonio sealed West Ham’s 2-0 victory at third tier Derby on Monday.

Bowen put West Ham ahead early in the first half and Antonio doubled the lead soon after the interval in the fourth round tie.

Moyes’ side will head to Old Trafford in late February as they continue their bid to reach the FA Cup final for the first time since 2006.

It will be Moyes’ latest return to United, who sacked the Scot in 2014 only 10 months after he succeeded Alex Ferguson.

“I’m really looking forward to the game. It’s a really good game for us.” Moyes said.

“Maybe at the moment that’s the game we need because we’ve got players who want to play on the big stage.

“There’s nothing bigger than Old Trafford, so I’m saying to the players, ‘Come on, let’s go and take it on and challenge them’.”

Avoiding an embarrassing defeat against Derby was essential for the under-fire Moyes, but it is Premier League survival that remains his top priority.

The Hammers are languishing in 16th place in the Premier League, just one point above the relegation zone.

“This was a difficult game because Derby had gone 16 unbeaten. In the end, we did a pretty professional job on them,” Moyes said.

Moyes made six changes following West Ham’s vital 2-0 victory over Premier League relegation rivals Everton in their most recent match nine days ago.

Despite the selection gamble, West Ham proved too strong for a Derby side on the up after a turbulent period.

Just 12 months ago, Derby were in turmoil, with the club close to going out of business after they plunged into administration and suffered relegation to the third tier for the first time since 1986.

Finally rescued in July 2022 when lifelong Derby fan David Clowes bought the club from Mel Morris, the Rams have been revitalised this term.

Paul Warne’s side sit fourth in League One and the FA Cup exit shouldn’t detract from their promotion challenge.

Antonio shines

Bowen was one of West Ham’s established stars to feature despite a difficult season that Moyes admits has been caused by the winger’s frustration at failing to make England’s World Cup squad.

The 26-year-old is finally showing signs of getting back to his best after netting against Everton, and he was on the scoresheet again in the 10th minute.

Antonio’s long pass caught out the Derby defence and Tomas Soucek headed the ball towards Bowen, who coolly slotted home from close-range.

Moyes has insisted Antonio will not be sold before Tuesday’s transfer deadline after he hinted he might be ready to quit the London Stadium amid reports of interest from Everton.

With Gianluca Scamacca and new signing Danny Ings injured, Antonio is West Ham’s only fit senior striker.

And it Antonio who killed off Derby in the 50th minute with a close-range header after Bowen’s cross deflected into his path off Derby’s Craig Forsyth.

West Ham’s victory came just hours after the last 16 draw was made.

Wrexham will host Tottenham if the non-league side can beat Sheffield United in a fourth round replay.

Fifth-tier Wrexham, who are owned by Hollywood actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, were seconds away from a shock win against Sheffield United on Sunday before the Championship side snatched a 3-3 draw.

With Reynolds watching at the Racecourse Ground, John Egan scored a late equaliser for United and the teams will meet again at Bramall Lane for the right to face Tottenham.

Manchester City, 1-0 winners over Premier League leaders Arsenal on Friday, travel to second tier Bristol City, for the first meeting of the sides since the League Cup semi-finals in 2018.

Brighton head to second tier Stoke after knocking out holders Liverpool with a dramatic 2-1 victory on Sunday.

MILAN — Giovanni Simeone ensured Napoli continued their march towards a first Serie A title in over three decades with the decisive goal in a 2-1 win over Roma which pushed his team 13 points clear of the chasing pack.

Substitute Simeone rifled home a wonderful finish at the end of a long passing move with four minutes remaining at the bouncing Stadio Maradona to see off a spirited Roma team who thought they had escaped with a point when Stephan El Shaarawy levelled in the 75th minute.

However Luciano Spalletti’s side are now 13 points clear of Inter Milan, the closest challengers after champions AC Milan were humbled 5-2 by Sassuolo to leave their title defence in tatters.

Home fans hoping for an end to their 33-year wait for the Scudetto let out a powerful roar of joy and relief at the final whistle after coming through a hard-fought contest with fierce rivals Roma thanks to Simeone’s fifth goal after coming off the bench this season.

“I tried to give everything I had. I did the best thing possible today which was get the winner. I am so happy,” said Simeone.

Roma can consider themselves unfortunate to leave Naples with nothing after impressing despite the backroom drama involving want-away star Nicolo Zaniolo poisoning their pre-match preparation.

Jose Mourinho’s team sit sixth, a point behind the Champions League positions and Milan who have been dumped down to fifth following their humiliating defeat and Lazio’s 1-1 draw with Fiorentina.

“There are some matches where you lose but come away feeling better about the team. That’s my feeling today,” said Mourinho to DAZN.

“Sometimes football is unfair. Sometimes the team who deserves more loses.”

Victor Osimhen was Napoli’s other scorer, almost bringing the house down in the 17th minute when he brilliantly chested down Khvicha Kvaratskhelia’s cross, took another touch with his thigh before lashing in without the ball touching the floor.

His 14th league strike of the campaign was one of the goals of the season and a blistering opener to an enthralling encounter which ended with Napoli taking yet another step towards glory.

Milan disaster

Everything that could go wrong for troubled Milan did at a gloriously sunny San Siro, with two goals ruled out for offside and a shocking defensive display condemning them to another heavy loss after also being hammered by Lazio and Inter Milan in the last 10 days.

Next up is the derby against Inter who thumped Milan 3-0 in the Super Cup less than a fortnight ago as Milan try to end an alarming slump.

“We have to react, we’re probably not going to win the title again but we have to fight to qualify for the Champions League,” coach Stefano Pioli told Sky.

Pioli’s team are reeling after allowing Sassuolo to win for the first time since late October thanks to an inspired performance from Domenico Berardi.

The Italian netted his team’s third goal and had a hand in three more as Gregoire Defrel, Davide Frattesi, Armand Lauriente and Matheus Henrique all scored in a free-wheeling performance.

Sassuolo are 16th but Sunday’s shock win took them eight points ahead of Verona who sit just inside the relegation zone.

Monza’s ‘special day’

Bought by former Italian prime minister Silvio Berlusconi in 2018, minnows Monza confirmed their meteoric rise from the lower leagues by beating Juventus 2-0 and moving above the Turin giants into 11th place.

First-half strikes from Patrick Ciurria and Juve old boy Dany Mota were enough for a historic win at the Allianz Stadium for Monza, who have done the double on Juve in their first ever Serie A season.

“It’s a special day. I’m glad I could do my job and for the boys who worked so hard today,” said Mota, who didn’t play a senior game for Juve, to DAZN.

A fourth league defeat of the season and the points penalty for illicit transfer activity inflicted earlier this month have left Juve languishing in 13th place and 14 points away from the European places.

MELBOURNE — An emotional Novak Djokovic called it “the biggest victory in my life” after sweeping past Stefanos Tsitsipas to win a 10th Australian Open title and equal Rafael Nadal’s 22 Grand Slam crowns on Sunday.

The Serb will return to World No. 1 as he overcame a hamstring injury and off-court drama to defeat the Greek third seed 6-3, 7-6 (7/4), 7-6 (7/5) on Rod Laver Arena.

The 35-year-old climbed to his player’s box afterwards to embrace his mother and broke down in uncontrollable tears, collapsing to the ground sobbing.

His father Srdjan was again missing after he sparked controversy by posing with a fan carrying a Russian flag featuring Vladimir Putin’s face following his son’s quarter-final win. 

The emphatic victory over Tsitsipas capped a remarkable return for Djokovic to Melbourne Park, having missed last year’s tournament when he was deported over his Covid vaccination stance.

“I have to say this has been one of the most challenging tournaments I’ve ever played considering the circumstances, not playing last year, coming back this year,” he said, wearing a jacket with 22 emblazoned on it.

“I want to thank all the people that made me feel welcome, comfortable, to be in Melbourne.

“I try to pinch myself and really live through these moments, it’s a long journey,” added Djokovic, who was more emotional than usual.

“Only my team and family know what we have been through in the last four or five weeks and this is why I’d probably say this is the biggest victory in my life considering the circumstances.”

‘Not going anywhere’

There had been an air of inevitability about Djokovic triumphing once more.

After his three-year ban from Australia was lifted, he won the lead-up Adelaide International before reinforcing his status as an all-time great in Melbourne.

His dominant win drew him level with Nadal on a record 22 Slams, two clear of now-retired Roger Federer.

The Spanish great made a second-round exit with a hip injury, one of a series of shocks which upended the men’s and women’s draws during the first major of the year.

“I guess we always find the A-game on the Slams,” Djokovic said of equalling his old rival Nadal. “This is what I feel both Nadal and myself probably still fight for.

“It is still what motivates us the most, winning the biggest titles in our sport and trying to keep up with the young guns. 

“Tennis is in good hands,” he added. “But we’re still not going anywhere.”

Nadal and Djokovic have won 16 of the last 19 Slams.

The 36-year-old Spaniard though is set to slide down the rankings when they are released on Monday, in contrast to Djokovic.

The Serb will dethrone Spanish teenager Carlos Alcaraz and return to the top for the first time since June. Tsitsipas will climb one place to three.

Both men were back on a court that helped them rise to stardom.

Djokovic won his first Grand Slam in 2008 on Rod Laver Arena while Tsitsipas burst on the scene in 2019 when he stunned defending champion Federer in the last 16.

Moving freely with only minimal strapping on his troublesome left hamstring, Djokovic opened with a comfortable hold after being greeted by huge cheers.

He worked two break points on Tsitsipas’s opening serve, to no avail, but kept probing and the Greek handed him a break for 3-1 with a careless double fault.

Tsitsipas, 24, in only his second Grand Slam final to Djokovic’s 33rd, appeared nervous, losing the first set.

But he battled back into contention in a much closer second set as his confidence grew, earning his first break point — and set point — when Djokovic blasted a backhand wide. 

But the Serb clung on to keep the set on serve and it went to a tiebreak, where his greater experience roared to the fore.

Against the odds, Tsitsipas broke for the first time on Djokovic’s opening serve in set three, only to relinquish the advantage immediately after a gripping rally.

It again went to a tiebreak, where Djokovic once again raised a level.

“I’ve had the privilege to play a lot of difficult, high-intensity matches, but I would like to say one more time Novak brings the best out in me,” said Tsitsipas, who is still yet to win a major.

“He’s the greatest that has ever held a tennis racquet, for sure.

“I don’t think there’s any reason for me to be affected by today’s loss,” he added. 

“It is a step forward. I’m looking forward to scoring more points during this season, making bigger results, fighting for bigger trophies.”

MELBOURNE — An emotional Aryna Sabalenka said it will take a “few more days” to sink in after battling from a set down to win a maiden Grand Slam title at the Australian Open on Saturday.

The hard-hitting Belarusian collapsed to the court in tears after winning 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 against Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina in a high-quality 2hr 28min arm-wrestle on Rod Laver Arena.

The 24-year-old Sabalenka wiped away tears before getting a warm hug from Moscow-born Rybakina, who played a full part in a thrilling match between two of the most powerful hitters in the women’s game. 

Sabalenka, the fifth seed and form player in 2023, then ran to her player’s box to celebrate with her team.

“Thank you, my team, the craziest team on the tour. We’ve been through a lot of, I would say, downs last year,” Sabalenka said, addressing her team after receiving the trophy.

Turning to beaten 22nd seed Rybakina, she added: “You’re such a great player and of course we are going to have many more battles, hopefully in finals of the Grand Slams.”

Asked by reporters if it was the greatest match she had ever played, Sabalenka said: “I would say it was. She played unbelievable tennis. 

“I fought so hard to win this one. I think the tennis was great... I really enjoyed this battle.”

Sabalenka will now rise to second in the world rankings behind Poland’s Iga Swiatek, equalling her career high, having triumphed in her first Grand Slam final.

The finale was a captivating match of brutal groundstrokes, precision serving and wonderful rallies from two players at the top of their game.

It was a fitting end to two weeks of drama and shocks at Melbourne Park.

“I need a few more days to realise what just happened,” Sabalenka told Australia’s Channel Nine. 

“Oh my god, I’m speechless, to be honest.”

‘Take a deep breath’

Rybakina cruised through the first set in 34 minutes but Sabalenka scrapped her way back in a 57-minute second set to take it to a nervy decider.

It was then a case of which of the big servers would blink first in a toe-to-toe battle.

At 3-3 Rybakina — who represents Kazakhstan-- could not find enough first serves and though she saved two break points, a third was too much, and Sabalenka had the finish line in sight.

Another ace took her to 5-3 but the 23-year-old Rybakina held to force Sabalenka to test her nerves and serve for the championship.

She was up to the challenge, but needed four nerve-shredding match points after a display where she hit an astonishing 51 winners and 17 aces. She remains unbeaten in 2023.

“I just kept telling myself that nobody said this is going to be easy. She’s going to fight, this is the final, just work for it,” Sabalenka said afterwards, describing how she got through those four match points.

“Take a deep breath and just work.

“I was just super happy that I was able to handle all the emotions in the last game, it was super tough for me,” added Sabalenka, who had reached three Grand Slam semifinals before this year but never gone farther.

She suffered nerves in the past and struggled badly with her serve last year.

“They were really tough matches and I just couldn’t understand until right now that I really needed that to understand what I have to change,” Sabalenka added, casting her mind back.

“I now know what else I have to work on and I’m just super happy right now to break through this wall.”

Rybakina will have the consolation of breaking into the top 10 for the first time, after reaching her second Grand Slam final in seven months. 

She was awarded no ranking points for her Wimbledon win because of the ban on Russian and Belarusian players there. 

“I don’t think tomorrow I’m going to feel different just because of the ranking now,” said a disappointed Rybakina, who is projected to rise to 10th from her current 25th when the new rankings are published on Monday.

AMMAN — The Oman Rally Team’s Abdullah Al Rawahi and Jordanian co-driver Ata Al Hmoud clinched victory in the Oman International Rally for the second time in three years on Saturday, accordng to the organiser’s Media Office.

After pre-event favourite Nasser Saleh Al Attiyah crashed on the opening super special stage, Rawahi hit the front on the first of a dozen gravel stages in the Sultanate of Oman and stayed clear of major trouble, punctures aside, to guide his Škoda Fabia Evo to victory by the margin of 6min 35.6sec.

The feat meant the Omani became one of only 15 drivers ever to win more than one round of the FIA Middle East Rally Championship.

The fastest time on the final stage enabled Petr Kacirek and Petra Riháková to see off a late challenge from Al Attiyah for second overall and the Czech crew duly sealed the runner-up spot in their Duck Racing Škoda Fabia. Attiyah reached the finish at the Muscat Drift Arena in third overall to keep the defence of his regional title firmly on track.

LOS ANGELES — The Philadelphia 76ers won their grudge match against Ben Simmons and the Brooklyn Nets 137-133 on Wednesday as Damian Lillard erupted for 60 points in Portland’s victory over Utah.

After an acrimonious split from Philadelphia last year, Simmons returned to his former home to face a hostile reception from the Sixers crowd.

The game marked the first time that Simmons has faced former teammate Joel Embiid since his trade to Brooklyn last February that sent James Harden to Philadelphia.

Simmons left Philadelphia last year after locker-room tensions with Embiid, and the lingering bad blood was evident from the outset.

The high-scoring first quarter was dogged by trash-talking as the sides scored 41 points apiece and gave up a combined 13 fouls.

Despite his team coming away with the win, Sixers coach Doc Rivers was unhappy with Philadelphia’s “emotional” approach to the game.

“There’s a difference between intensity, playing with emotion and being too emotional,” Rivers said afterwards.

“I thought our side honestly were on the wrong side of that a lot tonight. We have to be better at handling our emotions.”

Tyrese Maxey led the Sixers’ scoring with 27 points, while Embiid finished with 26 and Harden 23.

Seth Curry led Brooklyn’s scorers with 32 points while Kyrie Irving added 30. Simmons was restricted to 12 points.

Lillard hits 60

In Portland, Lillard bagged the fourth 60-point performance of his career as the Trail Blazers won a thrilling shoot-out with the Utah Jazz 134-124.

Lillard nailed nine three-pointers while shooting 21 of 29 from the field as Portland improved to 23-25 in the Western Conference standings.

“That was incredible”, Blazers coach Chauncey Billups said of Lillard’s performance. “You don’t get to see that very often.”

Lillard is one of only six players in NBA history with multiple 60-point games. Wilt Chamberlain holds the record with 32 60-pointers, while Kobe Bryant achieved the feat six times.

The other players on the list are Michael Jordan (5), Elgin Baylor (4) and Harden (4).

“Even when things weren’t going our way, I always felt I could get us back in the game,” Lillard said afterwards.

“When you get in that type of zone you feel like you can control the outcome.”

Elsewhere Wednesday, Jordan Poole hit a go-ahead layup with 2.4 seconds remaining to give the NBA champion Golden State Warriors a thrilling 122-120 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies in San Francisco.

A frenzied clash between the two Western Conference rivals saw Stephen Curry ejected for only the third time in his career.

Curry was tossed out of the game with 1min 14 remaining after throwing his mouthguard in frustration after a rushed three-point attempt by Poole.

However Poole made up for it with his game-winning layup to seal victory in a seesaw clash that saw no fewer than 24 lead changes.

Despite the ejection, Curry led the Warriors’ scoring with 34 points, making 10 of 19 from the field.

Klay Thompson added 24 points while Poole finished with 21 points.

Ja Morant led the Memphis scoring with 29 points.

In Los Angeles meanwhile, Anthony Davis returned from a 20-game injury absence for the Lakers with 21 points in their 113-104 win over the San Antonio Spurs.

LeBron James added 20 points while Patrick Beverley chipped in with 18.

In other games on Wednesday, Giannis Antetokounmpo’s 33-point haul helped the Milwaukee Bucks score a 107-99 victory over the Western Conference-leading Denver Nuggets.

Antetokounmpo delivered a dominant display which also included 14 rebounds and three steals as the Bucks took full advantage of the absence of Nikola Jokic to defeat Denver.

Aaron Gordon led the Nuggets’ scoring with 26 points.