West Brom earned their first home league win against Manchester United for 32 years

West Brom earned their first home league win against Manchester United for 32 years as Salomon Rondon's low strike beat the 10-man visitors.

United played for more than an hour without Juan Mata, who received two bookings inside three minutes.

But Albion created little until Rondon found space to fire in Sebastien Pocognoli's dangerous left-wing cross.

United rarely looked like equalising as they lost ground on the top four.

The Red Devils are sixth in the Premier League table, failing to move back above West Ham and remaining three points adrift of fourth-placed Manchester City.

Victory moved Albion up to 11th, their tally of 39 points almost certainly securing top-flight survival for a sixth successive season.

Manchester United looked assured in the opening 25 minutes as they dominated possession against the Baggies, albeit without really troubling home keeper Ben Foster.

But the entire complexion of the match turned on the stupidity of the normally-intelligent Mata.

The Spain international was shown his first yellow card for rashly blocking Darren Fletcher's quick free-kick, then he was given a second when he needlessly clipped the heels of the former United midfielder within three minutes.

Within seconds of Mata's dismissal, Albion almost took the lead when Craig Dawson's ambitious 25-yard punt looped over David De Gea but dropped just past the wrong side of the left-hand post.

An Albion onslaught failed to materialise in a dour end to the first half, while United almost opened the scoring through Marcus Rashford's instinctive drilled shot and Jesse Lingard's dipping angled drive before the hour mark.

But the home side gradually grew in stature as United tired, finding the breakthrough through Rondon's smart finish.

"I thought we looked flat when they went to 10 men but the advantage of 11 v 10 seemed to get us through in the end," said Scotland midfielder Fletcher afterwards.

Many Albion supporters have not warmed to Tony Pulis since his arrival in January 2015, complaining about the style of football the ex-Stoke manager has brought to The Hawthorns.

But what they cannot dispute is the fact the Welshman has steered them away from a relegation scrap for the second successive season.

Pulis faced heavy criticism last month after a dire 1-0 defeat at Newcastle left them six points above the drop-zone and without a win in five games.

However, their fortunes have dramatically improved and they have now taken 10 points - three wins and a draw - from their past four matches.

In addition to almost securing survival, Pulis has also achieved something that no Albion manager has since March 1984 - a home win against the Red Devils.

Once the home side went ahead - with their only on-target shot of the second half - they did not look like relinquishing their slender lead.

United switched to a 4-4-1 formation after Mata's dismissal, leaving French youngster Martial as an isolated lone striker.

Despite a brief spell where United threatened through Martial and Lingard, the visitors failed to force Albion keeper Foster into a single save.

The Baggies are back in Premier League action on Saturday, travelling to title-chasing Arsenal knowing that a win could move them into the top half.

Meanwhile, Manchester United's attention switches to the Europa League and the home leg of their last-16 tie against Liverpool.

With BBC

Francis Coquelin has apologised to Arsenal fans

Francis Coquelin was sent off by referee Michael Oliver at White Hart Lane

The Frenchman was dismissed was in the 55th minute after collecting two yellow cards, after which Tottenham scored twice in quick succession to take a 2-1 lead at White Hart Lane.

But Alexis Sanchez salvaged a point for 10-man Arsenal with a 76th-minute equaliser, which Coquelin admitted came as a 'relief' to him.

"I didn't really see the goal [because I was in the dressing room] but someone came and told me that we scored the second one - it was a relief for me," Coquelin said in an interview on the official Arsenal club website.

"I'm really sorry to all the fans for the red card.

"I think with 11 against 11 we could have won the game as we were playing really well. This red card changed the game. I'm really sorry to the club, to the team and all the fans.

"I actually thought I could get the ball when I slide tackled [Harry Kane] - that is why I went for it. I touched him and [the referee] gave me the second yellow.

"But at the end of the day, it's a good point and hopefully it will be an important point for the title."

I am the right man to return Nigeria to glory days - Bonfrere

Dutchman Jo Bonfrere believes he is 'the right man' to return Nigeria to the summit of African football, 15 years after he was sacked as coach.

69-year-old Bonfrere previously guided Nigeria at the Nations Cup in 2000 and is keen to replace Sunday Oliseh who resigned from the post.

Bonfrere, who was sacked by Nigeria in 2001 after losing a World Cup qualifier in Sierra Leone, was also assistant Super Eagles coach from 1990 to 1994 and led Nigeria's under-23 team to gold at the Atlanta Olympics.

"I have worked in Nigeria for a long time in the past and I know what to do to get the Super Eagles flying again," Bonfrere told BBC Sport on the telephone from the Netherlands.

"I love Nigeria because that is where my football mentality is most at home and I have a fantastic relationship with the people there" Bonfrere added.

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) president Amaju Pinnick has said they have no plans to appoint a local coach on a permanent basis.

Current under-23 coach Samson Siasia will take charge for Nigeria's Nations Cup qualifiers against Egypt later this month.

Bonfrere believes he is the right man to succeed Oliseh on a long-term basis.

"Apart from Stephen [Keshi], the other local coaches have not succeeded because they cannot give what they don't have to take the team higher.

"Other foreign coaches have also failed because they come with the arrogant attitude of being a world class coach and a big name to perform magic there, and that wrong notion meant they had no passion, desire and the required knowledge to succeed on the job.

"I was very successful because I did not separate myself from the reality. I worked with youth and domestic players; I had faith in my Nigerian assistants and gave my best despite all the challenges.

"No one has done what I achieved and I believe I am the right man to return Nigeria to glory days in Africa and the world" said the Dutchman.

Bonfrere began his stormy romance with Nigeria in 1990, when he was the de facto assistant to Clemens Westerhof.

The Dutch coaching duo worked together at the 1990, 1992 and 1994 African Nations Cups, winning silver, bronze and gold medals.

Bonfrere was also Westerhof's assistant at the 1994 World Cup and subsequently managed the Under-23 team to a gold medal at the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta.

But arguments over his salary and team selection made him quit the job in the United States, from where he returned to his native Holland.

He returned in 1999 and took charge of the Super Eagles at the 2000 Africa Cup of Nations where Nigeria won the silver medal.

During his first successful stint the country was under a military government, a suitable platform for foreign managers to enjoy great financial backing and sacred immunity from the football authority.

But Bonfrere is ready to let his work speak for him should the NFF entrust him with the three-time African champions.

"If I am asked to come back, I would have to prove to everyone that my results and performances can win me the support of everyone.

"You can't complain about criticism or ask for respect if you don't deserve it. I want another chance to set a standard that will help improve Nigeria football.

"Someone else will come and struggle because he has no idea where he is going but I'm the man to do it because I have proven that in the past.""I have worked in Nigeria for a long time in the past and I know what to do to get the Super Eagles flying again," Bonfrere told BBC Sport on the telephone from the Netherlands.

"I love Nigeria because that is where my football mentality is most at home and I have a fantastic relationship with the people there" Bonfrere added.

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) president Amaju Pinnick has said they have no plans to appoint a local coach on a permanent basis.

Current under-23 coach Samson Siasia will take charge for Nigeria's Nations Cup qualifiers against Egypt later this month.

Bonfrere believes he is the right man to succeed Oliseh on a long-term basis.

"Apart from Stephen [Keshi], the other local coaches have not succeeded because they cannot give what they don't have to take the team higher.

"Other foreign coaches have also failed because they come with the arrogant attitude of being a world class coach and a big name to perform magic there, and that wrong notion meant they had no passion, desire and the required knowledge to succeed on the job.

"I was very successful because I did not separate myself from the reality. I worked with youth and domestic players; I had faith in my Nigerian assistants and gave my best despite all the challenges.

"No one has done what I achieved and I believe I am the right man to return Nigeria to glory days in Africa and the world" said the Dutchman.

Bonfrere began his stormy romance with Nigeria in 1990, when he was the de facto assistant to Clemens Westerhof.

The Dutch coaching duo worked together at the 1990, 1992 and 1994 African Nations Cups, winning silver, bronze and gold medals.

Bonfrere was also Westerhof's assistant at the 1994 World Cup and subsequently managed the Under-23 team to a gold medal at the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta.

But arguments over his salary and team selection made him quit the job in the United States, from where he returned to his native Holland.

He returned in 1999 and took charge of the Super Eagles at the 2000 Africa Cup of Nations where Nigeria won the silver medal.

During his first successful stint the country was under a military government, a suitable platform for foreign managers to enjoy great financial backing and sacred immunity from the football authority.

But Bonfrere is ready to let his work speak for him should the NFF entrust him with the three-time African champions.

"If I am asked to come back, I would have to prove to everyone that my results and performances can win me the support of everyone.

"You can't complain about criticism or ask for respect if you don't deserve it. I want another chance to set a standard that will help improve Nigeria football.

"Someone else will come and struggle because he has no idea where he is going but I'm the man to do it because I have proven that in the past."

The Sunday Supplement panel discuss Arsene Wenger's future at Arsenal

Arsene Wenger is in danger of losing the support of Arsenal fans but is unlikely to leave before his contract expires in 2017, according to the Daily Telegraph's Jeremy Wilson.

Arsenal dropped eight points behind Premier League leaders Leicester after their north London derby draw against Tottenham on Saturday, leaving them third in the table.

Alexis Sanchez's late strike at White Hart Lane stopped the Gunners from slipping to their fourth consecutive defeat, but after a damaging loss to Swansea at the Emirates on Wednesday, Wilson believes the club's fans are on the cusp of turning against their manager.

"As much as everybody wants him to stay on at the club and he wants to stay on, we all know what it's like when a football club turns and he's on that knife-edge at the moment," Wilson said on the Sunday Supplement.

"One threat to him is the general mood at the Emirates. The atmosphere against Swansea was difficult for the players, and I don't think that's sustainable long-term for any club. A few results and it turns around again quite quickly, but that's the danger to him in the short-term."

A national newspaper report on Sunday claimed Wenger could be asked to leave should Arsenal crash out of the FA Cup at Hull City on Tuesday night, but Wilson said he expects the Frenchman to see out the three-year extension he signed in 2014.

"I don't think the board would ever do that [ask him to resign]," Wilson said. "If it happens, it would be a mutual agreement.

"In the short-term, it will be driven by the mood of the fans, and longer-term, it will be Wenger's decision if he feels he's not challenged as he thinks he should in the next two years.

"We won't get to the end of this contract with another couple of third or fourth place finishes, and they give him another three years. It's a different environment he's working in now.

"It's not everybody who is happy if they finish in the top four anymore. In this cycle of this contract, his expectation and the club's expectation is they challenge to win the title.

"If he doesn't win it or go very close this year or next, in an honourable fashion, not losing to Leicester, but if he went toe-to-toe with Pep Guardiola next year and just missed out, I don't think he'd want to carry on.

"The idea that it's an outright failure at the moment is wrong, but it's frustratingly the same problems that seem to keep coming up.

"The fact that Guardiola has gone to Man City without Arsenal even blinking their eyes tells you something about their mindset. They expect Wenger to go on."

Wenger, currently the longest-serving manager in European football, is approaching 20 years in charge and The Times' Matt Dickinson believes Manchester United's struggle to replace Sir Alex Ferguson may influence Arsenal's own succession plan.

"What happened at United looms large," he said. "The worry at Arsenal is the post-Ferguson transition at Old Trafford has been traumatic to say the least. While there are frustrations, they may be thinking, 'How soon do we want to move on?'

"The tone from Arsenal is they are not the type that's going to lurch mid-campaign and Wenger himself will have a massive say in when and how he steps down. That's part of the culture, and part of the problem at Arsenal.

"The lack of challenging Wenger is a problem. He has been a great manager but there is the sense he should have been held to account more."

Driving in Baghdad, He Got a Phone Call that Changed his Life

How on Earth Did an Iraqi Manage to Win an American lottery online? 

Jackpot Winner Fears for his Life, Pleads for his Name Not to Be Revealed 

One man’s amazing road to wealth… In the spring of 2015 M. opened an online lottery account from his home in Iraq – three months on he’d won a lottery jackpot of $6.4 million in the US! 


"Are you sure? Are you sure?!" -- M., a 37-year-old father from Baghdad in Iraq, kept repeating the question when he got the phone call with the news he had won the $6.4 million jackpot in the Oregon Megabucks on 24 August.

M. had only started playing lotteries in the US and Europe through theLotter three months before he won. "It was a shock. At first, I thought it was a joke. I was driving in my car, I was going to the bank… so I get a call from theLotter, from a great person called Christine, and she told me the great news, so I was in shock! I suspected I’d won something, but had no idea it was the jackpot."

After careful preparation in the autumn, M. flew to Oregon to claim his millions in December. He requested that theLotter and the Oregon lottery keep his name confidential because of safety concerns. "The situation in Iraq is not good. It's very dangerous. If my name were revealed, it would be a big problem."

Oregon Lottery director Jack Roberts agreed to the unusual request. "The personal safety risk that he and his family might face seems stronger than the public interest of knowing who the person is," Roberts told local media. "I don't want to read that somebody has been kidnapped or killed because we announce them as a Megabucks winner."

So how did he do it? How did M. participate in a US lottery from Iraq?

M. played US lotteries online through theLotter, a worldwide messenger service that was established in 2002. Through theLotter people can request somebody to physically purchase lottery tickets on their behalf, even when they are outside of the country or state where the lottery takes place. theLotter doesn’t operate lotteries, but its local reps in more than 20 countries across the world purchase official paper tickets and make a scanned copy available to online players' secure personal accounts. theLotter enables people to play the US Powerball and EuroMillions lottery online and a host of other draws from anywhere in the world.

I. Nelson Rose, the eminent professor of law at the Whittier Law School in California, said in the New York Times article about the Iraqi lottery winner that theLotter’s method of providing official lottery tickets to online participants is “100 percent legal”. The Oregon Lottery officials confirmed it: their exact words were that “the system is ingenious”. The method is allowed, because theLotter’s clients do not actually play online… They merely request that the service’s reps physically go out to buy official paper tickets on their behalf.

M.’s future, and the future of his children, looks bright. Whilst he had a hard time believing it was real when he first signed up in the spring, after his win he said that “theLotter was trustworthy and the real deal as everyone on staff was so helpful in getting the prize claimed”.

Asked if he was going to continue to buy lottery tickets: "I'm going to continue to play every day!"