The Morning Sports Briefing

Chelsea leave it late but maintain title charge, Man United labour again, Ireland Lions trio in line to return against France and Tiger Woods announces indefinite break from golf

Chelsea late show

Chelsea remain on course for the Premier League title after a last gasp Willian goal gave them a 1-0 win over Everton at Stamford Bridge last night.

Everton were reduced to ten men in the closing stages after Gareth Barry was sent off but Chelsea’s Branislav Ivanovic could face retrospective disciplinary action after attempting to throttle Ireland’s James McCarthy in the resulting melee.

City maintain pursuit

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Manchester City remain seven points off the leaders following a 4-1 win away at Stoke City, which saw Sergio Aguero back on the score sheet as City ran away with the game in the final half hour after Peter Crouch's first half equaliser.

United up to third

Manchester United are back up to third after a 3-1 win at home to Burnley but again Louis Van Gaal's side were laboured, and needed two Chris Smalling headers to give them a half time lead having been dominated by the visitors and goal scorer Danny Ings in the opening 45 minutes.

Premier League round-up

Elsewhere Southampton could only manage a stalemate at home to West Ham despite Adrian being sent off on the hour mark, Brown Ideye and Saido Berahino gave West Brom a 2-0 win at home against Swansea, and Alan Pardew's Crystal Palace drew 1-1 at home with former club Newcastle United.

Lerner fires Lambert

Paul Lambert's time as Aston Villa manager is over as he was sacked in the wake of Tuesday's 2-0 defeat at Hull City which saw Villa slip into the relegation zone.

Doyle weighs up USA move

Kevin Doyle is out of contract at Wolves at the end of the season but he is willing to wait before making a decision on a potential move to the USA, writes Emmet Malone.

Big guns to return

Ireland's Lions trio of Johnny Sexton, Jamie Heaslip and Sean O'Brien are all likely to return to the starting line-up for Saturday's Six Nations visit of France.

Joe Schmidt names his side at 2pm today with Ireland’s three big guns expected to be amongst the starting XV, providing the injury which forced O’Brien to pull out of the Italy game in the warm-up doesn’t flare up again.

France the underdogs

Despite there never being too much difference between the two sides France coach Philippe Saint Andre has portrayed his team as underdogs, with the French likely to target the returning Johnny Sexton, writes Gerry Thornley.

Ringrose ready for French

Ireland Under-20s matched the senior side with an opening weekend win over Italy and Garry Ringrose, who was shortlisted for the 2014 Under-20 player of the year, is ready for a physical battle against France at Dubarry Park.

Blackrock knocked out

In the Leinster Schools Senior Cup Roscrea have blown the tournament wide open after dumping favourites Blackrock out at Donnybrook yesterday, winning 17-14.

Woods to take break

Tiger Woods has announced he is to take an indefinite break from golf, with the 14-time major winner saying his current form is not good enough for the PGA Tour and he won't return until it is.

Hoey leads in Thailand

Michael Hoey currently holds the lead in the Thailand Classic by two shots after carding an eight under par 64 in his opening round at Black Mountain.

GAA congress

The GAA Congress takes place in Cavan later this month and extending the black card into hurling is one of the 65 motions up for debate, writes Ian O'Riordan.

Athletes aim for 2015 qualification

Meanwhile the Irish Sports Council has targeted the next 12 months for athletes to gain qualification for Rio 2016 if they want to match the five medal haul of London 2012.

What to watch out for:

Rugby:

2pm, Ireland v France, team announcement.

Golf:

Thailand Classic, Hua Hin, Sky Sports 4, 6am-11am

National Pro-Am, Pebble Beach, Sky Sports 4, 8pm-11am

Patrick Madden

Patrick Madden

Patrick Madden is a former sports journalist with The Irish Times