Williams sets up Azarenka finale

A day after securing the No. 1 ranking, Serena Williams downed Maria Sharapova for a 10th straight time 6-3, 6-2 to reach the Qatar Open final on Saturday.

Williams faces Victoria Azarenka, whom she will replace at the top in Monday's new rankings update.

Azarenka beat Agnieszka Radwanska 6-3, 6-3 in the other semi-final, earning her 13th straight victory in 2013.

Head-to-head

While Azarenka has been on a roll, she doesn't have a good record against Williams. The American was up 11-1 in their head-to-heads, including winning their last nine matches.

However, both players dismissed the lopsided record, with Williams insisting she won't have any psychological advantage.

"You have to go in with a new spirit and, you know, it's a new day,'' she said.

"The slate is wiped clean to me.''

Williams, who had been inconsistent for much of the week and struggled with her first serve, looked her old self at Sharapova's expense. The third-ranked Russian had no answer for Williams' first or even second serve, which resulted in six aces and 78 per cent of first-service points won.

A double fault from Sharapova gave Williams the only break of the first set at 4-2. She consolidated the break with a love service game and closed out the set with two aces.

Sharapova came out stronger in the second and had a chance to go up 2-0.

But Williams saved the break point and broke to go up 2-1. Williams broke again to make it 5-2.

Serving for the match, she tightened up but saved a break point and prevailed when Sharapova hit a crosscourt forehand wide.

"Definitely the best I played. I had to play better,'' Williams said.

"I'm playing a player that's very consistent, doesn't lose often, just usually in finals and semis. So I had to be on my game today.''

Williams said securing the No. 1 spot, and becoming the oldest player at 31 to earn the honour, in her quarterfinal victory against Petra Kvitova helped relieve some stress.

"I definitely think it took pressure off,'' she said. "But, you know, you still have to stay in it.''

Sharapova blamed her failure to return well for the loss.

"I mean, in the first few games it was close. I thought I had a few opportunities in her service games, love 15, love 30, 15-30, and I didn't use that to my advantage,'' Sharapova said.

"Against someone like Serena who is a great server in those situations, if you don't use them, don't put pressure on your opponent, you know, they gain a little bit of confidence and go for a little bit bigger first serves, getting a few more free points.''

Dominant performance

Azarenka maintained a similar dominance over Agnieszka whom she has beaten in 12 of their last 15 meetings. She hasn't lost to the fourth-ranked Pole in almost two years.

Both players struggled to hold serve in the early stages, but Azarenka took control after breaking for 3-2 in the first set. She ran off eight of nine games, taking a set and 3-0 lead.

Down 4-1, Radwanska became more aggressive, making several forays to the net that allowed her to close the gap to 4-2.
For a moment, there was a sense the Pole could stage another comeback as she did in the quarterfinals against Caroline Wozniacki.

Radwanska did make it 30-all in the eighth game, but Azarenka proved too strong, combining great net play and a potent backhand to end the Pole's threat.

To win her second consecutive Qatar tournament, Azarenka admitted she will have to cut down on errors. She had 35 winners against Radwanska but also 28 unforced errors.

Win or lose on Sunday, Azarenka will swap places with Williams in the rankings, a prospect that didn't seem to bother the Belarusian. She spent 19 weeks at No. 1 in 2012 after winning her first Australian Open, gave up the top spot to Sharapova for four weeks and has been there since Wimbledon.

"It's so out of my hands,'' she said.

"I have been playing really well, I have been really consistent, I haven't lost a match yet, so why should I be frustrated? For me, it's always important to just win matches, win big tournaments like here, as well. If I'm No. 2 after winning a tournament or whatever, that's what happens.''

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Unstoppable Messi inspires Barcelona

Lionel Messi scored his 300th Barcelona goal as the Spanish league leaders came from a goal down to beat Granada 2-1 at Nuevo Los Carmenes on Saturday.

Odion Ighalo had prodded the hosts into a shock first-lead with virtually their first attack of the game, but Messi's moment arrived five minutes into the second period as he pounced after Tono had failed to hold Cesc Fabregas' effort.

And soon after the Argentine had his 301st goal for the Catalans as he curled home a sumptuous free-kick to extend Barca's lead at the top to 15 points over Atletico Madrid.

Bright start

Barca assistant manager Jordi Roura had taken the opportunity to rest Andres Iniesta ahead their Champions League tie with AC Milan in midweek, whilst Xavi was again missing through injury.

But despite being without either of their two midfield metronomes Barca started brightly.

Messi was unsurprisingly to the fore and he slipped in Alexis Sanchez after just five minutes but the Chilean's heavy touch allowed Tono in the Granada goal to collect.

Thiago then headed over and Messi nearly connected with Cesc Fabregas' knockdown at the end of a wonderful move as Barca continued to dominate, but they were rocked when Granada took the lead on 26 minutes.

Carlos Aranda's excellent cross to the back post was knocked back across goal by Guilherme Siqueira and Ighalo couldn't miss when presented with an open goal five yards out.

Adriano fired just wide and Messi had a free-kick well held by Tono as the visitors instantly went in search of an equaliser, but they were forced into a change before half-time as Jordi Alba came on to replace the injured Adriano.

Aranda was then handed the chance to make it 2-0 before the break as Thiago gifted him the ball from a Barca free-kick but he hesitated before taking on the shot and Victor Valdes made an easy save.

Turning point

And that was to prove a turning point as it took Barca just five minutes to level the scores after the interval.

Tono could only parry Fabregas' fierce drive from 20 yards back into the middle of the goal where the grateful Messi was on hand to slot home his landmark goal.

Pedro then hit the post and had a goal rightly ruled out for offside as Granada struggled to contain the wave upon wave of attacks from the visitors and they were finally in front 17 minutes from time.

Messi's free-kick had just enough power and dip to take it past Tono although the keeper will be disappointed after getting a hand to it.

Cristian Tello should then have sealed all three points as he blasted over from close range and the winger was nearly made to pay for his profligacy as Inigo Lopez and Yacine Brahimi wasted fine chances in the dying minutes to salvage a point for Granada.

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Football - Patience was key - Tisdale

Exeter manager Paul Tisdale was pleased with the patience his side showed as they moved into npower League Two's top three with a 2-0 victory over Accrington at St James' Park on Friday.

Two goals from substitute Jimmy Keohane settled the contest but it was not until the Irishman's opener after 79 minutes that the Grecians had a shot on target against a stubborn and resilient Accrington backline.

"It's a home win and that is what it was all about," Tisdale said. "Patience comes in many forms, it's keeping your nerve as time ticks on and it is also keeping your nerve when you are in possession of the ball and when the opposition have the ball.

"We didn't get it all right, but the main thing was that we were patient. The players discussed it at half-time and I said to them to stay in the game, don't give it away, don't stretch yourselves and wait for the opportunity."

Defeat leaves struggling Accrington in 21st place in League Two, with just one win to show from their last 16 matches.

Disappointed Stanley boss Leam Richardson said: "It wasn't a pleasant spectacle for the neutral. The two sides set up in identical fashion and we were comfortable.

"The two goals we conceded were very poor from our point of view and that is the message to the lads. They were certainly not good enough and we can do more as a group.

"We worked quite a lot this week on being solid. We were quite aware that Exeter struggle to break teams down at home and for the main part we held them to that and we had a couple of half-chances ourselves.

"Then we go 1-0 down with some sloppy defending, we go up the other end hit the bar and then find ourselves 2-0 down scratching our heads a little bit.

"We were reasonably happy at half-time, our keeper hasn't really had a save to make nor has theirs. If we didn't make the mistakes we get a result, but we caused our own downfall. We need to win games, we need to get points on the board and we think we are good enough."

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But the Italian does not fear for his job and expects his players to respond to last weekend's damaging loss at Southampton and keep fighting to retain the crown. Rivals Manchester United now lead City by 12 points at the top of the table and, with just 12 games remaining, the FA Cup appears to be Mancini's most realistic route to silverware.

But Mancini, who regularly speaks to chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak, feels he and the club's hierarchy are looking forward confidently. The 48-year-old said: "I speak with Khaldoon every week. He is like me. When we lose he has my mentality, he is upset and disappointed but this is normal and it's correct in football."

The Italian went on: "After you lose you can't be happy for 24 hours but after that you need to think about the future. We have a good relationship. At this moment they aren't happy because when you lose you can't be happy but I think they are happy with our job over the three years."

Mancini reacted angrily to his side's performance at Southampton and was heavily critical of the players. He now expects a reaction as Leeds visit.

He said: "I think that the players know they didn't do their job at Southampton and sometimes it is important they take the responsibility. I think that we have some players that can do better than this year but I am sure I have a good team and at the end of it we will win something.

"It will be different because it's the FA Cup but it won't change for us because results are always important and there is always pressure. The players will respond, I'm sure about this."

As for the title race, Mancini claims it is not in his nature to concede defeat. He believes that if the deficit can be cut before City travel to Old Trafford on April 8, further league success remains possible.

Mancini said: "I think that is a difficult moment because we lost seven points in three games but in football sometimes it is strange. When you think it is finished, three or four games can change everything. While we have the points available to win, we should believe in ourselves.

"We play the derby in April and from now until then we have six games and we need to look at what happens in the next six games. If we reduce the gap before the derby... but it's not important to look at the table. It's important to win, win, win."

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Championship - Former team-mates support Robbie Rogers

Football was left to once again examine its last great taboo as Rogers, capped 18 times by the United States and a 2008 Olympian, wrote on his blog that he had been afraid of revealing his sexuality - and he now wants to live a new life outside of the game.

"Secrets can cause so much internal damage," he wrote. "People love to preach about honesty, how honesty is so plain and simple. Try explaining to your loved ones after 25 years you are gay. Try convincing yourself that your creator has the most wonderful purpose for you even though you were taught differently."

He added: "Now is my time to step away. It's time to discover myself away from football."

Rogers left Elland Road last month by mutual consent after returning from a loan spell with Stevenage, but his old team-mates quickly took to Twitter to send their support.

"Full respect to @robbierogers and good luck in the next chapter of your life whatever you choose to do," wrote full-back Adam Drury

Striker Ross McCormack added: "Wow... Fair play to @robbierogers for coming out. Must of took great courage!!! Take care mate and stay strong!"

Midfielder Zac Thompson, out on loan at Bury, added: "A lot of respect for @robbierogers Good luck in what ever you choose to do next mate. All the best".

No British-based professional player has come out since ex-Norwich and Nottingham Forest striker Justin Fashanu in 1990. He committed suicide eight years later aged 37. While the Professional Footballers' Association and other organisations continue to work with gay players within the game, none of them has wanted to go public.

Gordon Taylor, chief executive of the PFA, told Press Association Sport: "I'm pleased that Robbie's come out for his own sake. We do have players who've said that, while they are gay, they don't feel comfortable enough to come out. If there is abuse, that needs to be dealt with by all the football family."

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Premier League - Benayoun: Torres lost confidence at Chelsea

Torres has one goal in 13 matches after Thursday night's Europa League last-32 first-leg 1-0 win at Sparta Prague. While many Chelsea supporters have lost faith in Torres, Benayoun, like interim manager Rafael Benitez, has backed his former Liverpool colleague.

He said: "For me, he is still one of the best strikers in the world. He just needs to believe in himself. It would be good to get his confidence back and be his old self. Hopefully he will get a few more soon and you will see the real Fernando Torres."

He added: "You can understand it is not easy, from being the top striker at Liverpool - he was unbelievable, you gave him the ball and you knew he would score.

"But he had a bad time in the beginning at Chelsea. When he came in, he was on the bench, then on the pitch. He did not get the confidence when he came in. And with the £50million above his head, it is not easy for any player."

Like Torres, Benayoun has struggled to reach the same heights since moving from Anfield to west London, and he added: "You do not change so quick from being the best player, one of the best in the world, to a player that some people say is not good enough for Chelsea.

"He has had good spells, bad spells, and has 15 or 16 goals already. That is not bad, but hopefully he will finish with 25."

In three and a half years at Liverpool, after being signed from Atletico Madrid by Benitez for a fee of £20m, Torres scored 81 goals in 142 matches before moving to Stamford Bridge on the final day of the 2011 winter transfer window for £50m on a five-and-a-half-year deal.

He has scored 25 goals in 134 appearances for Chelsea - 15 of them this term. Torres netted seven times in six games in December, but his only goal since was the equaliser which forced Sunday's FA Cup fourth-round replay with Brentford.

Benitez has praised Torres' work-rate and attributed his barren streak to the role he has to perform as a lone striker, but the Spain international could be removed from the firing line for the Brentford encounter, with Demba Ba and Victor Moses available.

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Football - Caulker ban overturned

Steven Caulker will be available for England Under-21s' European finals campaign this summer after a two-match UEFA ban was lifted on appeal.

The Tottenham defender instead received a warning and agreed to do one day's community service. Blackpool winger Tom Ince's appeal against a one-match ban imposed after the same match, the controversial play-off against Serbia in October, was not successful, however, and he will miss the opening match of the tournament.

England U21 manager Stuart Pearce said in a statement: "We respect UEFA's decision and we will now move on and focus on the finals tournament in the summer. We welcome the ruling to overturn Steven Caulker's suspension and choose to accept the verdict with regards to Tom Ince."

He added: "Both players should be proud of the way they represented themselves at UEFA."

UEFA also increased the sanction against Serbia for racist abuse by fans with its under-21 side now having to play two competitive matches behind closed doors rather than one.

Ince and Caulker were initially banned for incidents that took place at the end of a fiery play-off in Krusevac in October which led to the host country Serbia being punished for racist abuse and violent behaviour.

UEFA appealed against the initial disciplinary panel's decision, arguing there should be tougher sanctions against both the England players, and against the Serbian FA, its players and officials. Any lengthy ban would have affect the England players' participation in this summer's European Championship in Israel.

UEFA was partially successful in its appeals in relation to Serbia - fitness coach Andreja Milutinovic was banned for two years instead of one, and player Nikola Ninkovic for three matches instead of two.

UEFA said in a statement: "The Serbian Under-21 team is ordered to play its next two home UEFA competition matches behind closed doors."

It added: "The player Steven Caulker is issued with warning in respect of his future conduct and the player undertakes to perform one full day of community football service according to the instructions to be given by UEFA disciplinary services. The other decisions taken by the control and disciplinary body on December 13 2012 are confirmed."

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Uefa lifts Steven Caulker's ban but upholds Tom Ince's suspension

Steven Caulker has had his ban lifted at a Uefa appeal into October's racism-affected Under-21 qualifier between England and Serbia, but team-mate Tom Ince's suspension has been upheld.

Tottenham defender Caulker, 21, had been given a two-game ban but will now instead do a day's community service.

Blackpool winger Ince, 21, will still miss England's European Under-21 Championship opener this summer.

And Serbia Under-21s will now play two competitive games behind closed doors.

Caulker and Ince, as well as four players and two coaches from Serbia, were originally handed bans after ugly scenes marred the end of the play-off second leg in Krusevac.

England had won the match 1-0 to complete a 2-0 aggregate victory which ensured their qualification for June's finals in Israel.

The scuffles followed racist chanting from some Serb fans towards England players.

Uefa's original disciplinary panel also fined the Serbian Football Association £65,000 and ordered them to play only one competitive Under-21 match in an empty stadium.

Furthermore, their fitness coach Andreja Milutinovic had his punishment doubled - from one year to two - while midfielder Nikola Ninkovic will serve three matches on the sidelines rather than two.

The original sanctions were widely viewed as being overly lenient and an appeal panel hearing was convened at the governing body's headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland.

Ince and Caulker were joined at the appeal on Friday by their manager Stuart Pearce and two FA legal representatives.

"From Steven's point of view he was delighted to hear the news that his two-match suspension is overturned," FA spokesman Scott Field told BBC Radio 5 live.

"That's very much welcome from his point of view. For both players this is their last opportunity to go to an Under-21s tournament.

"Tom, whilst clearly disappointed, accepts the one-match verdict. We must bear in mind that we walked into the hearing facing the possibility of a two-match ban for Tom Ince and a three-match ban for Steven Caulker.

"So for Steven to walk out without sanction in terms of match bans, and for Tom only to face the one match, I think we see that as positive from the players' point of view ahead of this summer's tournament."

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Robbie Rogers: Ex-Leeds United and USA winger reveals he is gay

United States and ex-Leeds United winger Robbie Rogers says he is "stepping away" from football after announcing he is gay.

Rogers, 25, who was released by Leeds in January after a loan spell at Stevenage, is only the third footballer to publicly declare his homosexuality.

"I always thought I could hide this secret. Football was my escape, my purpose, my identity," said Rogers.

"Now is my time to step away. It's time to discover myself away from football."

The Football Association said it would fully back Rogers, regardless of whether he continues his career.

"For the past 25 years I have been afraid, afraid to show who I really was because of fear," said Rogers.

"Secrets can cause so much internal damage. People love to preach about honesty, how honesty is so plain and simple. Try explaining to your loved ones after 25 years you are gay.

"Football hid my secret, gave me more joy than I could have ever imagined… I will always be thankful for my career.

"[Now] my secret is gone, I am a free man, I can move on and live my life as my creator intended."

Only two other footballers have publicly said they are gay, despite a number of high-profile male and female homosexual athletes from other sports openly discussing their sexuality in recent years.

In 1990, former England Under-21 international Justin Fashanu was the first professional footballer in Britain to reveal he was gay. He took his own life eight years later, aged 37.

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Pistorius fall-out: Nike moves to limit brand damage

"I am the bullet in the chamber" ran the strapline for the Nike advert featuring Paralympic champion Oscar Pistorius.

As the South African athlete faced charges of "premeditated murder" in a Pretoria courtroom following the shooting dead of his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp, his sponsors went into crisis-management mode.

Nike swiftly pulled the unfortunately-worded ads, as the perils of celebrity brand endorsement were brought sharply into focus once again.

Mr Pistorius, who has strongly rejected the murder charge, is thought to have earned several million pounds from sponsorships with Nike, BT, Thierry Mugler, Oakley, and Ossur, the Icelandic firm that makes the prosthetic carbon fibre blades he wears for races.

But in the brutal world of sports sponsorship, the "Blade Runner" stands to lose everything, even presuming his innocence.

When asked whether Nike was considering terminating Mr Pistorius' sponsorship deal, thought to be worth about $2m, a spokesman told the BBC: "We are continuing to monitor 

the situation closely. It is a police matter."

Another of Mr Pistorius' sponsors, M-Net Movies, a South African pay TV channel, pulled its TV ad campaign featuring the athlete, tweeting: "Out of respect and sympathy to the bereaved, M-Net will be pulling its entire Oscar campaign featuring Oscar Pistorius with immediate effect."

'Damaged goods'

John Taylor, director of a sports sponsorship company and a veteran of the industry, told the BBC: "Even if Pistorius is found innocent, he is damaged goods. Brands need to act quickly and distance themselves from him; they cannot afford to wait until the case is heard.

"It's not like rats deserting a sinking ship, it's just the sensible thing to do."

Nigel Currie, director of sports marketing agency Brand Rapport, agrees, saying: "This is very different to the Tiger Woods and Lance Armstrong cases; this is life and death. There's no coming back from this."

But none of his sponsors has yet formally broken links with the Olympic and Paralympic athlete, and most are remaining tight-lipped.

Telecommunications group BT, which was recently shortlisted in the Best Sponsorship of a Sport Team or Individual category of the Sport Industry Awards 2013 for its campaign featuring Mr Pistorius, said: "Our thoughts are with all those affected by this tragedy. Given the ongoing legal proceedings, it would be inappropriate for us to comment further."

Fashion house Thierry Mugler, which chose Mr Pistorius as the face of its A*Men fragrance in 2011, said: "We have no comment at this stage." And Ossur said it was "highly premature" to make any decisions regarding its relationship with him.

Even his South African management agency was saying little on Friday. Peet van Zyl, joint managing director of In-Site Athlete Management, told the BBC: "Oscar has been my client for six years. It's my business to know how much he earns in sponsorships, but we're not in any position to give you any comment at the moment given the sensitivity of the situation."

Martial language

The global sponsorship industry is worth an estimated $50bn (£32.2bn; 36.4bn euros) a year, according to consultancy IEG, with more than 80% of that being spent on sports.

Nike, which makes annual revenues of over $24bn, spends tens of millions of dollars on sports sponsorships a year. For example, its recent sponsorship deal with Rory McIlroy, the Northern Irish golfer, will reportedly cost the company $100m to $125m (£62m to £77m) over five years.

When its previous brand ambassador, golf titan Tiger Woods, was exposed as a philanderer in 2009, Nike stuck by him even though many other brands cast him adrift.

"Nike's whole golf proposition was built around him. They had spent millions of dollars and simply couldn't afford to drop him", says Alan Ferguson, managing director of The Sports Business, a sports marketing consultancy.

Nike chooses sports stars that seem to embody and reinforce its high-energy brand. "My body is my weapon. This is how I fight," says one video featuring Mr Pistorius and other South African athletes. Its 2012 annual report contained a headline: "We are on the offense. Always."

As Oscar Pistorius demonstrated values of tenacity, valour and triumph over adversity, it made him an obvious fit with the sportswear giant.

But in the light of recent events, Mr Ferguson warns: "I think many brands will be taking stock and re-evaluating their celebrity endorsements now. At the very least they will be doing more detailed background checks on their sports stars."

Tattooed on Oscar Pistorius' back is a quotation from St Paul's first letter to the Corinthians (9: 26-27): "Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified."

In the unforgiving, hard cash world of sports sponsorship, Mr Pistorius could find himself being disqualified, whether innocent or guilty.

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Manchester City held by Liverpool

Reds hand rivals Manchester United the advantage after holding champions City to a 2-2 draw in English Premier League.

City have now dropped four points in six days and are struggling to keep pace with city rivals United [Reuters]

City have now dropped four points in six days and are struggling to keep pace with city rivals United [Reuters]

Manchester City's Sergio Aguero scored from a near-impossible angle to salvage a 2-2 home draw with Liverpool but a memorable Steven Gerrard goal still helped boost English Premier League leaders Manchester United on Sunday.

The irony of one of Liverpool's most battling displays of the season helping arch-rivals United end the weekend nine points clear following Saturday's 1-0 win at Fulham will not be lost of either set of fans but their draw was fully deserved.

Second-placed City have dropped points twice in a week following a 0-0 draw at bottom side Queens Park Rangers and only the most avid fan will think the champions can overhaul United now despite last season's stunning fightback.

Moment of magic

"Liverpool played a good game but we conceded two goals, stupid goals for me," City boss Roberto Mancini told Sky.

With 13 matches remaining, United also have a better goal difference by three but it would have been even worse for City had Argentina striker Aguero not produced a moment of magic in an engaging game 12 minutes from time.

Edin Dzeko had given City the lead midway through the first half and slightly against the run of play when he slotted in James Milner's low cross from close range.

The visitors were unlucky to be behind after Daniel Sturridge had been denied by a last-ditch tackle from Pablo Zabaleta among other Liverpool chances but the former City frontman made it 1-1 after 29 minutes with a fine finish.

Results

Saturday 2 February  Arsenal 1-0 Stoke City Everton 3-3 Aston Villa Newcastle 3-2 Chelsea QPR 0-0 Norwich City Reading 2-1 Sunderland West Ham 1-0 Swansea City Wigan 2-2 Southampton Fulham 0-1 Man United Sunday 3 February West Brom 0-1 Tottenham Man City 2-2 Liverpool

He fired in a crisp strike from 25 metres among boos from the home fans with Dzeko lying on the ground following an earlier incident. However the referee rightly ruled it was not a head injury and play was not stopped.

Dzeko was arguably fouled in the build-up but he was protesting on the ground as much as being injured and the Bosnian was subsequently booked for dissent to the linesman.

Sturridge, given his big break at City before leaving for Chelsea and then Liverpool, refused to celebrate his goal but the away fans were soon almost cheering again when Zabaleta's bad backpass just went wide of Joe Hart's post.

Seventh-placed Liverpool, gradually improving under Brendan Rodgers despite last weekend's FA Cup loss at third tier Oldham Athletic, also managed a 2-2 draw at Arsenal on Wednesday but have not beaten a side in the top half of the league this term.

Any hopes of doing so against the champions after a bright first half seemed to have been dispelled by City's improved display after the break.

However, out of nowhere Gerrard chested the ball down 30 metres from goal following a clearance from the box and sent a fierce strike into the corner of Hart's net.

City were not to be outdone, though, as Liverpool goalkeeper Pepe Reina came charging out of goal and the box near the left byline and Argentina's Aguero somehow clipped the ball past the Spaniard and into the unguarded net.

Spurs win

Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Gareth Bale earlier showed absent strikers how it was done by blasting in a 67th-minute winner in a 1-0 success at 10-man West Bromwich Albion.

The victory for fourth-placed Spurs, which came despite their only available forward Jermain Defoe limping off in the first half, put them a point behind Chelsea in third after Rafael Benitez's side lost 3-2 at Newcastle United on Saturday.

The Londoners were helped by West Brom's Macedonia defender Goran Popov being sent off after 48 minutes for spitting at Kyle Walker but Spurs deserved the win because of Welshman Bale.

The 23-year-old's 13th goal in all competitions this term, following another cracker in the 1-1 draw with Norwich City in midweek, showed all his attributes as he evaded a challenge on the edge of the box and let fly with a swerving strike.

"Results went our way yesterday and it was a big chance to capitalise on that. The lads worked thoroughly hard today and deserved the victory," Bale said before remarking on a new more central role where he is not just confined to the wing.

"It's a new experience for me, a chance to improve my game and it gives me another dimension."

With Emmanuel Adebayor away at the African Nations Cup, Spurs' over reliance on out-of-form Defoe has been keenly felt by supporters but world-class Bale is digging them out of holes as a Champions League spot looks more and more a possibility.

Ninth-placed West Brom had decent chances but perhaps missed forward Peter Odemwingie, dropped after turning up at QPR without permission on transfer deadline day as he tried to force through a move.

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Drogba ponders uncertain future

With dreams of a national title dashed in loss to Nigeria, Ivory Coast striker's international career in doubt.

Les Elephants were eliminated from the Africa Cup of Nations on Sunday, losing 2-1 to Nigeria in the Rustenburg quarter-final, ending Drogba's unsuccessful quest for a title with his national side [AFP]

Ivory Coast legend Didier Drogba is unsure of his international future after a shock weekend exit from the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations his country were favoured to win.

Drogba, the 34-year-old former Chelsea striker playing in the African football showcase for the last time, was well policed as Nigeria won the quarter-final 2-1 in north-western mining town Rustenburg.

Ivory Coast have been favourites for five consecutive Africa Cup tournaments, but the closest they came was finishing runners-up to 2006 hosts Egypt and 2012 surprise side Zambia.

After this string of failures, there has been widespread media speculation about the futures of 'golden oldies' like Drogba, goalkeeper Boubacar Barry and centre-backs Kolo Toure and Didier Zokora.

Uncertain future

"It is over," was the terse response of Drogba to reporters when asked about the Africa Cup of Nations.

In the 2012 final in Gabon, Drogba he blazed over a regular-time penalty, allowing Zambia to force a 0-0 draw after extra time.

But despite Drogba making amends by converting a shootout spot-kick, Zambia won 8-7 on penalties for one of the most stunning Africa Cup final shocks.

"We must now look ahead to the 2014 World Cup qualifying competition - with or without me," added the striker, who recently signed an 18-month contract with leading Turkish club Galatasaray.

The shattered Ivory Coast stars prepared to head home Monday and turn their attention to the 2014 World Cup qualifying competition, starting with a home fixture against lightweights Gambia late March.

They visit Gambia and Tanzania during June and host Morocco in September and the group winners advance to a two-leg play-off for one of five African places at the World Cup in Brazil.

Ivory Coast started their campaign last year with a routine 2-0 home victory over Tanzania followed by a 2-2 draw in Morocco, giving them a one-point Group C lead.

Coach Sabri Lamouchi took Drogba off against Togo in the opening game, axed him for the second group match against Tunisia, recalled him into a virtual reserve team that faced Algeria, and chose him to start against Nigeria.

He had only one scoring chance against the Super Eagles, controlling a cross with his chest and the shot was deflected wide with the Algerian referee ignoring legitimate appeals for a corner.

Drogba has been playing for Shanghai Shenhua in the China Super League, which finished last November, leaving the Ivory Coast captain short of match practice before the Africa Cup of Nations.

Les Elephants were eliminated from the Africa Cup of Nations on Sunday, losing 2-1 to Nigeria in the Rustenburg quarter-final, ending Drogba's unsuccessful quest for a title with his national side [AFP]

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Burkina Faso down Togo

Burkina Faso needed extra time to secure a 1-0 victory over fellow outsiders Togo to reach Africa Cup of Nations semis.

Pitroipa headed in the winner in the last seconds of the first half of extra time to seal the game on the sandy Nelspruit pitch [AFP]

Pitroipa headed in the winner in the last seconds of the first half of extra time to seal the game on the sandy Nelspruit pitch [AFP]

Burkina Faso qualified for the semi-finals of the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations Sunday by pipping Togo 1-0 after extra time.

The Stallions face four-time champions Ghana in Nelspruit on Wednesday while two-time title-holders Nigeria tackle Mali in the other semi-final in Durban.

Burkina Faso broke the deadlock through the lively Jonathan Pitroipa on 105 minutes when he nodded a corner beyond surprised goalkeeper Kossi Agassa and into the net.

Pitroipa's winner was just reward for Burkina Faso's more offensive approach, especially in extra time after 90 drab minutes at Mbombela Stadium in this north-eastern city.

The Stallions, whose only other last-four appearance came 15 years ago when they staged the competition, seem to find extra strength as the game wore on while the Sparrow Hawks tired.

Stalemate

Semi-Finals

Wednesday 6 February At Durban Mali v Nigeria At Nelspruit Burkina Faso v Ghana

Togo enjoyed more possession, but could not translate it into goals.

The first half belonged to Togo, who created the better chances.

Burkina Faso took the game to their opponents and after just four minutes Kofi Mohamed attempted to surprise the Togo goalkeeper with a shot from distance, but Agassa collected easily.

Floyd Ayite wasted a good chance for the Togolese when he scuffed his shot inside the box after good work by Serge Gakpe.

The Stallions had a chance in the 29th minute, but skipper Moumouni Dagano left Togo off the hook when he chose to control the ball inside the goal area and pass it back with the Togolese defence in disarray.

Just after the break, Tottenham Hotspur striker and Togo skipper Emmanuel Adebayor thought he had scored with a header, but the Senegalese referee correctly ruled that Mady Panandetiguiri cleared the ball before it crossed the line.

Adebayor evaded several opponents in the 78th minute, but his shot from inside the box was pushed away by Burkina Faso goalkeeper Daouda Diakite.

Burkina Faso responded four minutes later when substitute Prejuce Nakoulma went on a mazy dribble only to be foiled by the alert Agassa.

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Adebayor slams Togo coach

Togo skipper lashes out at coach Didier Six after dream run at Africa Cup of Nations ends in tatters.

The loss to Burkina Faso at the Mbombela Stadium ended the campaign of Emmanual Adebayor’s Togo, who were playing in their first Africa Cup of Nations quarter-final [AFP]

The loss to Burkina Faso at the Mbombela Stadium ended the campaign of Emmanual Adebayor’s Togo, who were playing in their first Africa Cup of Nations quarter-final [AFP]

The fragile peace between Togo coach Didier Six and his star player Emmanuel Adebayor has been shattered following the team's quarter-final loss to Burkina Faso.

In the aftermath of Sunday's 1-0 extra-time defeat, Adebayor rounded on the inexperienced Six in a no-holds-barred attack on the Frenchman's style of management.

"The coach was not a help! Me, I was on the pitch, so I couldn't do both jobs (coaching and playing).

"I tried to do my best, but it's true he didn't help us," the Tottenham striker told French radio station RFI.

Adebayor's sentiments were endorsed by Togo goalkeeper Kossi Agassa, who in a not-so-veiled criticism of Six's tactical nous said: "It's not up to the players on the pitch to make changes."

Edgy build-up

Togo's build-up to the 2013 Nations Cup was dominated by a 'will-he-won't-he' saga involving Adebayor's participation following a series of run-ins with the Togolese Football Federation over matters of security, management and bonuses.

Adebayor told RFI: "If the Togo team is organised in the best way possible, I will always be there for it.

"It's true that I hear each time 'he's coming, he's not coming' -- but that's because there are lots of problems.

"If these problems are resolved, I will be there.

"You've seen that I give the best of myself. I speak in the dressing room, I'm a leader, I'm the captain."

Adebayor, who scored once in Togo's run to a first quarter-final appearance, added: "I'm disappointed, disgusted, beaten!

"We came here with the idea of winning the Nations Cup, to go to the final and, unfortunately, we were knocked out by Burkina. The disappointment is more than enormous."

Despite his attack on Six, he insisted that now was not the time to look for scapegoats.

"The most important thing is to return home quietly and tomorrow we'll see what everyone has to say."

On his international future, Adebayor said: "My international career is not stopping here. I've been in a Nations Cup quarter-final, now I think I've got the qualities to go to the semi-finals, and a final, and to win the title.

"But you know as well as I do that our management isn't really up to that.

"With our performance at this Nations Cup, the country, the president of the republic, the fans have seen what we are capable of. Now it's up to them to invest so that we can organise in the best manner possible."

Togo's Cup campaign came to an end when Jonathan Pitroipa broke the deadlock on 105 minutes to book the Burkinabe a semi-final meeting with Ghana in Nelspruit on Wednesday.

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