Football: Ba brace rescues Newcastle

Demba Ba celebrates scoring his second equalizer against Everton at Goodison Park on Monday Senegal striker scores two second half equalizers to deny Everton third Premier League win of season Leighton Baines put David Moyes' team ahead in first half before Ba equalized after break Victor Anichebe's goal in 88th minute looked to have sealed victory before Ba scored second in 90th minute

(CNN) -- A 90th-minute equalizer by Senegal striker Demba Ba earned Newcastle United a point in an entertaining 2-2 draw against Everton at Goodison Park on Monday.

Ba, who came off the bench at half time, scored both Newcastle goals as Everton took the lead twice in the match only to see Alan Pardew's cancel out the advantage.

Leighton Baines put the Toffees ahead in the 15th minute latching onto Steven Pienaar's flick before sliding a shot past Newcastle keeper, Steve Harper.

It was a lead they carried into the break, but Ba made an immediate impact in the second half, slotting home an equalizer in the 49th minute.

Everton were unlucky not to be back in front a short time later when Marouane Fellaini's goal was disallowed for offside -- TV replays suggested he was level when Pienaar threaded the ball through to him.

And a 79th-minute header by Victor Anichebe (who came on for an injured Nikica Jelavic) looked to have crossed the line after Harper had tipped the effort onto the bar.

Everton's and Anichebe's persistence were rewarded two minutes from the end when the Nigerian forward turned neatly in the penalty area before firing home.

But celebrations were cut short as Ba bundled home his second goal of the night 90 seconds later.

The result moves David Moyes' team up to seventh, while Newcastle rise to 11th.

Before the game, both sets of fans paid their respects to the victims of Hillsborough stadium tragedy which claimed the lives of 96 Liverpool fans in 1989.

An independent report published on September 12 heavily criticized police and emergency services for their handling of the disaster.

The names of the victims who died were also displayed on the screens at the ground.

Report raises racism concern

In the 1920s, Jack Leslie was denied the chance to represent England, the country of his birth, due to his Jamaican parentage. A forward at Plymouth Argyle, he was the only black player in England at the time.

Bermuda-born Clyde Best, pictured here in 1972, became the first black player to establish himself in the English top flight with London club West Ham United.

Best is seen here alongside West Ham legend Bobby Moore (center right) in the 1970s. Moore captained his country to World Cup glory when the competition was held in England in 1966.

Laurie Cunningham achieved fame as one of the "Three Degrees" at West Bromwich Albion, being part of a trio of black players also including Brendon Batson and Cyrille Regis. Cunningham became the first black player to represent England at any level when he played for the under-21 team in a friendly against Scotland in 1977. His talent earned him a big-money move to Spanish giants Real Madrid in 1979.

Viv Anderson won the English First Division and played a part in Nottingham Forest's two European Cup triumphs durng a glittering playing career. He is arguably most famous for becoming the first black player to represent the senior England team against Czechoslovakia at Wembley in 1978.

Anderson was one of just two black players in England's 1986 World Cup squad, alongside Jamaica-born winger John Barnes. In contrast, the 23-man England squad which traveled to the 2010 World Cup in South Africa contained eight black players.

Cunningham and Anderson were brought into the England fold by Best's former West Ham boss Ron Greenwood, who managed the national team between 1977 and 1982. Cunningham tragically died in a car crash in Madrid at the age of 33, while Anderson ended his playing career in 1995.

After spending seven years at West Bromwich Albion, England international Regis played for several other clubs in the midlands area of England. In 1984, he joined Coventry City before spending two years with Aston Villa. The powerful striker had a season with Wolverhampton Wanderers and eventually retired in 1996.

After spells at Arsenal and Cambridge United, Batson spent the majority of his career at West Brom. The Grenada-born defender was there between 1978 and 1982 before injury cut short his career. He later became an administrator with England's Professional Footballers' Association.

Midfielder Paul Ince built on the legacy of players like Cunningham and Anderson in 1993, when he became the first black player to captain England in a 2-0 friendly defeat against the U.S. In a career where he played for Manchester United, Liverpool and Inter Milan, he collected two league titles and a European Cup Winners' Cup medal.

The battle for black players to gain international recognition in England may have been a long one, but further north in Scotland a black footballer was paving the way over 100 years ago. Andrew Watson became the first black international footballer when he made his debut for Scotland in 1881, captaining his country to a thumping 6-1 victory against England.

Murray wins U.S. Open

Andy Murray of Great Britain kisses the U.S. Open championship trophy after defeating Novak Djokovic of Serbia in the men's singles final match on Day 15 of the 2012 U.S. Open on Monday, September 10. Murray defeated Djokovic 7-6, 7-5, 2-6, 3-6, 6-2. Check out images from the Women's U.S. Open Final.

Andy Murray of Great Britain celebrates after defeating Novak Djokovic of Serbia in the men's singles final match on Monday.

Andy Murray of Great Britain reacts after defeating Novak Djokovic of Serbia in the men's singles final match on Monday.

Andy Murray celebrates after gaining a point against Novak Djokovic on Monday.

Novak Djokovic reacts during his men's singles final match against Andy Murray.

Andy Murray of Great Britain reacts during his men's singles final match against Novak Djokovic of Serbia on Monday.

Fans of tennis player Andy Murray react as they watch his U.S. Open men's singles final match against Novak Djokovic in the bar of The Dunblane Hotel on Monday in his hometown of Dunblane, Scotland.

A fan of tennis player Andy Murray reacts as she watches his U.S. Open men's singles final match against Novak Djokovic in the bar of The Dunblane Hotel on Monday in Murray's hometown of Dunblane, Scotland.

Novak Djokovic of Serbia reacts on court against Andy Murray of Great Britain during the 2012 U.S. Open men's singles final match on Monday, September 10.

Andy Murray returns a shot against Novak Djokovic on Monday.

Spectators inside Arthur Ashe Stadium watch the men's singles final match between Andy Murray of Great Britain and Novak Djokovic of Serbia on Day 15 of the 2012 U.S. Open on Monday, September 10.

Novak Djokovic returns a shot to Andy Murray on Monday.

Andy Murray of Great Britain celebrates getting set point after the first set during his men's singles final match against Novak Djokovic of Serbia on Day 15 of the 2012 U.S. Open on Monday, September 10.

Novak Djokovic drops to the floor as he returns a shot on Monday.

Andy Murray looks on during a break in his men's singles final match against Novak Djokovic on Monday.

Andy Murray reacts during his match against Novak Djokovic on Monday.

Novak Djokovic returns a shot against Andy Murray on Monday.

Andy Murray serves during his men's singles final match against Novak Djokovic of Serbia on Monday, September 10, day 15 of the 2012 U.S. Open.

Novak Djokovic of Serbia returns a shot at the 2012 U.S. Open on Monday.

Andy Murray of Great Britain returns a shot during his men's singles final match against Novak Djokovic of Serbia on Monday.

Novak Djokovic of Serbia returns a shot on Monday.

Novak Djokovic of Serbia serves during his men's singles final match against Andy Murray of Great Britain on Monday.

Andy Murray of Great Britain wipes his face with a towel during his men's singles final match against Novak Djokovic of Serbia on Monday.

Andy Murray of Great Britain returns a shot against Novak Djokovic of Serbia on Monday.

English FA 'sorry' for disaster

The English FA has issued a statement expressing regret and sympathy to the families affected by the Hillsborough disasterEnglish football's governing body issues apology for football stadium disaster which claimed 96 lives in 1989Hillsborough Stadium in Sheffield selected to host FA Cup semifinal match between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest Liverpool manager, Brendan Rodgers expresses sympathy for families of victims

(CNN) -- The English Football Association (FA) added its voice to the chorus of apologies that have come in the wake of Wednesday's report into the Hillsborough Football Stadium tragedy which claimed the lives of 96 people in 1989.

FA Chairman, David Bernstein said the FA was "deeply sorry this tragedy occurred at a venue The FA selected" and in a competition (the FA Cup) run by the governing body.

"On behalf of The Football Association I offer a full and unreserved apology and express sincere condolences to all of the families of those who lost their lives and to everyone connected to the City of Liverpool and Liverpool Football Club," Bernstein said in a video posted on the FA website.

Panel: Police at fault in response to deadly UK stadium football crush

"This should never have happened. Nobody should lose their lives when setting out to attend a football match and it is a matter of extreme regret and sadness that it has taken so long for these findings to be published and the truth to be told."

The Hillsborough Independent Panel report concluded that there had been serious failings by the police and emergency services as the disaster unfolded before the FA Cup semifinal match between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest.

The panel said evidence indicated that as many as 41 of those crushed could potentially have survived.

"A swifter, more appropriate, better focused and properly equipped response had the potential to save more lives," the report said.

Bernstein commended the professional work of the panel while also praising the family support groups and others for their "tireless commitment" in pursuing justice for the victims.

"For 23 years, the families have suffered unbearable pain and we have profound sympathy for them," Bernstein said.

The sentiment was echoed by current Liverpool manager, Brendan Rodgers.

"We have all suffered death in our lives but to have it happen to your son, daughter, brother, sister, and then have a campaign against that -- you can't begin to imagine what that must feel like," Rodgers said Thursday.

"My respect goes out to everyone involved in that process over 23 long, hard, arduous years and hopefully they found some sort of justice," he added.

"I have met with some of the campaigners since I've been here and had a shortened version of what they have been through and it has been remarkable really for all the families.

"These have suffered and none of us can begin to imagine what they have been through. Everyone will draw inspiration from how hard they have fought and the time and effort which goes into protecting those loved ones."

High winds stop play at Hoylake

The wind blew hard on day two of the Women's British Open at Hoylake, forcing officials to abandon playPlay abandoned after one hour 18 minutes on day two of Women's British Open High winds at the Royal Liverpool Golf Club make play impossibleRound two will take place on Saturday; Rounds three and four on Sunday, weather permitting

(CNN) -- Strong winds curtailed action at the Women's British Open after just over an hour's play on Friday.

Play began at 7 a.m. local time on the Royal Liverpool Golf Club at Hoylake, but gusts of wind up to 60 mph soon made conditions unplayable with balls falling off tees and moving on the greens.

Officials stopped play at 8.18 a.m. and play was abandoned for the day at 11 a.m. with all day two starters' scores being declared null and void.

America's Michelle Wie, who opened with a three-over par round of 75, was another who teed off early, braving the breezy conditions.

"When I arrived at the course at 5 a.m. it was raining sideways. I've never seen anything like it," Wie said.

"It was fairly sheltered by the tents when we set off but by the time we got to the 12th it was clearly unplayable," added Wie, who started at the 10th hole on Friday.

Korea's Kang and Ryu share lead after day one

"The ball would barely stay on the tee and they were moving all over the greens. When you have to call a rules official six times on a green then you know it's bad.

"I'm so tall I felt like a flagpole. I thought I might fall over when I tried to hit the ball and it was definitely the right call."

After a meeting of the Championship Committee, it was decided that round two will take place on Saturday with the final 36 holes being played on Sunday, weather permitting.

It was also agreed that the halfway cut will be reduced from the top 65 and ties to the top 50 and ties.

Tennis: Petrova upsets Radwanska

Nadia Petrova (right) upset Poland's Agnieszka Radwanska in the final of the Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo on Saturday.Russian upsets world No.3 with a three-set victory at Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo Two one-sided sets followed by a closer third with Petrova coming out on top Petrova moves up four places in world rankings to No.14

(CNN) -- Russia's Nadia Petrova stunned Agnieszka Radwanska of Poland in the Pan Pacific Open final in Tokyo on Saturday winning in three sets 6-0 1-6 6-3.

The 30-year-old stormed into a one-set lead, breaking the world No.3 three times in the opening set before Radwanska rallied in the second.

The final set was more evenly contested with Petrova claiming a decisive break in the eighth game to lead 5-3, before holding serve to seal her second title of the season.

Football: Chelsea beat Arsenal

Fernando Torres celebrates scoring the opening goal for Cheslea in a 2-1 over Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday. Spanish duo earn Chelsea a valuable 2-1 win over London rivals Arsenal Chelsea stay top of the league with five wins in six matches in the English Premier League

(CNN) -- Chelsea continued their unbeaten start to the English Premier League season with a 2-1 win against north London rivals Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday.

Goals from Spanish duo Fernando Torres and Juan Mata earned the Blues a fifth win in six league matches while handing Arsene Wenger's men their first League defeat this term.

Torres put Chelsea ahead in the 20th minute hooking the ball past Mannone in the Arsenal goal after some sloppy defending by the home side.